The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on Muslims in America and around the world to help repair Palestinian churches damaged following recent controversial remarks by Pope Benedict XVI.
CAIR is urging Muslims to help repair the churches in the West Bank and Gaza by sending a donation to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.
CAIR's Florida office will hold a news conference today (Thursday) at the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg to deliver some initial money to repair the churches.
[...]
"Our campaign is designed to send the message that attacks on any houses of worship are not acceptable and will not be tolerated," said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ahmed Bedier.
[...]
CAIR has 32 offices and chapters across the US and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
I won't help rebuild something a place were people are gonna commit shirk, no offense glo that was not my intention sorry if I offended you.
No offense taken, Ghazi.
I just wondered what people thought about it.
At least some people here felt that damaging churches was an un-Islamic response to the Pope's message - no matter how wrong his words were perceived to be!
I suppose giving money towards repairing them would be a public statement in support of that opinion ...
I guess if something happened to our local mosque I would want to help rebuild it - even if I am not a Muslim and I don't believe Islam to be the true religion.
I most certainly would, if it was Christians who had caused the damage - just as a way to express my sorrow, make amends and build new bridges ...
Peace.
Peace glo
Here I stand.
I can do no other.
May God help me.
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down •
and kneel before the Lord our Maker
[Psalm 95]
Well obviously; she's also the only christian in this tread.
(no offence Glo )
Btw, I 'm inclined to agree, helping rebuild would set a good statement. Afterall, muslims did destroy them even though that is not alowed for muslims. So it's only right to compensate. However, I'm not certain. I would be afraid to that by rebuilding it one would be partially responsible for the unislamic rituals that are performed in it.
Well obviously; she's also the only christian in this tread.
(no offence Glo )
Btw, I 'm inclined to agree, helping rebuild would set a good statement. Afterall, muslims did destroy them even though that is not alowed for muslims. So it's only right to compensate. However, I'm not certain. I would be afraid to that by rebuilding it one would be partially responsible for the unislamic rituals that are performed in it.
I'm not that easily offended, Steve!
I'm glad you think it's appropriate to compensate for the damage done.
I have highlighted your last sentence, because it intrigues me.
I understand where you are coming from. From an Islamic point of view Christian worship is wrong, even sinful - and by rebuilding churches you indirectly 'encourage' Christian worship. But how does this fit in with the tolerant view of Islam that there is not compulsion in following Islam, and each person should be allowed to choose their own religion and be free to follow it??
Can you say 'You are free to follow your Christian faith, but we will allow you churches to be destroyed, and not rebuild them ...'?
Peace
Peace glo
Here I stand.
I can do no other.
May God help me.
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down •
and kneel before the Lord our Maker
[Psalm 95]
But how does this fit in with the tolerant view of Islam that there is not compulsion in following Islam, and each person should be allowed to choose their own religion and be free to follow it??
Can you say 'You are free to follow your Christian faith, but we will allow you churches to be destroyed, and not rebuild them ...'?
You have freedom in religion, but the thing is islam wasn't responsable for the damaged done to the church it was angry indiviuals who did none of it were from islam so I'm not compelled to pay towards rebuilding it, I would have gave a donation if it was a center of some sorts but since it's a church I'd be aiding unislamic actions, It's haraam for someone to aid someone else in sin, If anything those guys who done the damges should be arrested and fined and that should go towards the rebuilding since they were directly responsable.
You have freedom in religion, but the thing is islam wasn't responsable for the damaged done to the church it was angry indiviuals who did none of it were from islam so I'm not compelled to pay towards rebuilding it, I would have gave a donation if it was a center of some sorts but since it's a church I'd be aiding unislamic actions, It's haraam for someone to aid someone else in sin, If anything those guys who done the damges should be arrested and fined and that should go towards the rebuilding since they were directly responsable.
Peace
Peace glo
Here I stand.
I can do no other.
May God help me.
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down •
and kneel before the Lord our Maker
[Psalm 95]
I'm glad you think it's appropriate to compensate for the damage done.
I have highlighted your last sentence, because it intrigues me.
I understand where you are coming from. From an Islamic point of view Christian worship is wrong, even sinful - and by rebuilding churches you indirectly 'encourage' Christian worship. But how does this fit in with the tolerant view of Islam that there is not compulsion in following Islam, and each person should be allowed to choose their own religion and be free to follow it??
Can you say 'You are free to follow your Christian faith, but we will allow you churches to be destroyed, and not rebuild them ...'?
Peace
Well there's a big difrince between no compulsion/ alowing on one hand and encouraging, assisting on the other.
If you do not own something and you destroy it, that is wrong. It does not matter what the destroyed property was or will be used for.
If it is not ours we have no right to damage it and should be accountable for replacing it.
With that said, I believe it would be a good faith gesture to donate for the repair. There is no reason to consider it an obligation or as supporting another religion. It is to help repair wrongfully damaged property.
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