# Ask the Muslim Guy **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 15, 2001, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859 "2001-09-15T19:14:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/101 "2001-09-17T17:37:21Z")
This question is similar to **Wildest Bill** ’s. There seems to be a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding about Muslim beliefs, interpretation of the Quran, religious vs. political power in the MidEast, etc. Is this confusion and misunderstanding reflected in the Arab lands? Are they as confused and miseducated about Christianity, our political power structures and such as we are about them? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/102 "2001-09-17T17:46:32Z")
I stand by my last post. The one true thing ever to come out Farrakan’s mouth “The Quran is a book of love.” ``` Osama Bin Laden seems to have the same grasp of his religion as Torquemada had of his. Question: Is the wearing of a kofi commanded in the Quran or is it a cultural tradition only? ``` Question2: What restrictions must be observed during Ramadan? I know that no food may be eaten between sunrise and sunset, but I’m sure there are others. ``` I add my thanks to the rapidly growing pile. Don't go back to lurking ! ``` ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/103 "2001-09-17T20:18:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\* > Oops, my bad. I knew that Megawati had replaced Wahid, bu tI thought erroneously that it had been through an election. So, **Bluesman** is correct that there are no democratic Muslim countries. \*\* Isn’t Bangladesh democratic? Bosnia sort of is…or at least is trying to be. Albania, while the gov’t is corrupt, is still democratic. ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/104 "2001-09-17T20:45:41Z")
For starters, **Muslim Guy** , no specific question for you, just wanted to thank you for taking the time to do this. 🙂 Very informative and interesting. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zoid \* > \*\*one word… > > WHY? \*\* :sigh: **Zoid** , Go ask you local minister about the KKK and abortion bombers. See what he says when you ask him “Why?”. I’m sure the same answer applies here. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/105 "2001-09-17T20:52:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Isn’t Bangladesh democratic? Bosnia sort of is…or at least is trying to be. Albania, while the gov’t is corrupt, is still democratic. According to the[United States Agency for International Development](http://www.usaid.gov/bd/Democracy.html), “Many formal institutions of democracy exist (parliament, an active opposition, a free and vigorous print media, the judiciary, competitive elections, and free speech), however they often function with limited transparency, accountability, and openness to public input. Human rights are guaranteed by law, but not always in practice.” So, the answer would be “yes, with reservations.” [Albania](http://www.usaid.gov/countries/al/alb.htm) has made progress in achieving the forms of democracy, but they still have a way to go. Albania is both European and an ex-Stalinist state, so it’s not fair to include Albania in a survey of Muslim states. Just off the top of my head, a roundup of the forms of government in Muslim countries: Algeria–Military junta Egypt–president for life Indonesia–emerging democracy Malaysia–president for life Tunisia–one party state Morocco–absolute monarchy Mauritania–one party state Jordan–monarchy Saudi Arabia–monarchy Syria–dictatorship Iran–theocratic one party state Iraq–dictatorship Turkey–limited democracy (they banned the IslamicWelfare party) Lebanon–democracy Bahrain-monarchy Yemen–one party state Oman–monarchy Kuwait–monarchy UAE–monarchy ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Gazoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Gazoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Gazoo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/106 "2001-09-17T22:30:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Muslim Guy \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Bluesman \* > > \*\*Does Allah hire hitmen to rub out authors that insult Him? \*\* > > Is this a troll post? \*\* I believe it is, but the answer may be “Allah is God, the same God you worship” - So, ask yourself, does God hire hitmen to rub out anyone??? If I am correct, (and if I’m wrong, correct me) - “There is one God, and Muhammed is his prophet” - It’s the same God for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Just a matter of whether you believe in Jesus as Son of God or not, or whether you believe in Muhammed as a prophet. It’s kind of like the Star Trek episode with the people with the Black/White faces hating the people with the White/Black faces. I think the whole religion thing is overblown and basically, nonsense. (all religions are based on the ancient Sumerian religion worshipping Marduk and that may be based on older religions) But, if you are going to fight over religion, get it straight. I personally think this has very little to do with religion, myself. That’s just a front for other real and perceived insults on both sides. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/107 "2001-09-17T22:39:05Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Muslim Guy_ > > Prophet Muhammad did not bring Islam as a new religion, but as a restoration of the same religion as the Hebrew prophets. Therefore he tried to work out a commonality that Jews, Christians, and Muslims could all share while respecting each other’s differences. > > SAY: “People of the Book, [let us] rally to a common formula to be binding on both us and you, that we shall worship only God [Alone] a associate nothing else with Him, nor shall any of us take on others as lords instead of God.” If they should turn away, then say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims.” (Qur’an 3:64) There are many seemingly contradictory passages in the Bible, so I mean no disrespect towards your holy book when I ask how the above passage can be reconciled with the following… (Apparently 3 different translations of the same passage, taken from [http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/002.qmt.html#002.120](http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/002.qmt.html#002.120) ) > [@](#): > > 002.120 > YUSUFALI: Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of religion. Say: “The Guidance of Allah,-that is the (only) Guidance.” Wert thou to follow their desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither Protector nor helper against Allah. > PICKTHAL: And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed. Say: Lo! the guidance of Allah (Himself) is Guidance. And if thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, then wouldst thou have from Allah no protecting guardian nor helper. > SHAKIR: And the Jews will not be pleased with you, nor the Christians until you follow their religion. Say: Surely Allah’s guidance, that is the (true) guidance. And if you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have no guardian from Allah, nor any helper. Now, what I get from this passage is that it’s a call to Muslims not to allow anyone to lure them from their faith and convert them to another. That’s fair enough, as any religion should discourage its members from conversion out of it. But in the same breath, it also seems to be villifying Jews and Christians as people who will _never_ like Muslims - ever (unless, of course, they convert, in which case, they aren’t Muslims anymore). It’s (sadly) easy for me to see how impressionable and frightened Muslims in the Middle East could be pursuaded that, since the Qur’an says they will _never_ be accepted by Jews and Christians, there is no reason to sit down in peace and negotiate for co-habitation. I mean, Allah says so, right? So how do you, as a moderate/liberal Muslim, reconcile this passage? And then we have this, which truly frightens me (empahsis mine)… > [@](#): > > 005.064 > YUSUFALI: The Jews say: “Allah’s hand is tied up.” **Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter**. Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. **Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment**. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief. > PICKTHAL: The Jews say: Allah’s hand is fettered. Their hands are fettered and they are accursed for saying so. Nay, but both His hands are spread out wide in bounty. He bestoweth as He will. That which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is certain to increase the contumacy and disbelief of many of them, and We have cast among them enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection. As often as they light a fire for war, Allah extinguisheth it. Their effort is for corruption in the land, and Allah loveth not corrupters. > SHAKIR: And the Jews say: The hand of Allah is tied up! Their hands shall be shackled and they shall be cursed for what they say. Nay, both His hands are spread out, He expends as He pleases; and what has been revealed to you from your Lord will certainly make many of them increase in inordinacy and unbelief; and We have put enmity and hatred among them till the day of resurrection; whenever they kindle a fire for war Allah puts it out, and they strive to make mischief in the land; and Allah does not love the mischief-makers. Call me crazy, but it sure seems to _me_ like the Qur’an preaches hatred of Jews, not a common bond. I’m actually getting a headache from trying mightily to see some of these passages as anything _but_ hate-filled. > [@](#): > > 005.082 > YUSUFALI: **Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans** ; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, “We are Christians”: because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant. > PICKTHAL: Thou wilt find the most vehement of mankind in hostility to those who believe (to be) the Jews and the idolaters. And thou wilt find the nearest of them in affection to those who believe (to be) those who say: Lo! We are Christians. That is because there are among them priests and monks, and because they are not proud. > SHAKIR: Certainly you will find the most violent of people in enmity for those who believe (to be) the Jews and those who are polytheists, and you will certainly find the nearest in friendship to those who believe (to be) those who say: We are Christians; this is because there are priests and monks among them and because they do not behave proudly. Please help me understand. I am honestly not trying to be flippant and I certainly hope you don’t take it that way. But since you provided the links, I decided to try to learn something and instead I’m more confused than I was before. I really do appreciate any insight, wisdom or knowledge you might be able to share. [sub](P.S. Did you miss my question from above, or did you skip it only because of time limitations? Just wasn’t sure, since you’ve replied a couple of times to this thread since I posted it.)[/sub] * * * Jeg elsker dig, Thomas ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/108 "2001-09-17T23:29:42Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by gobear \* > [BAlbania is both European and an ex-Stalinist state, so it’s not fair to include Albania in a survey of Muslim states._\* Why not? The population of Albania is about 70% Muslim. Why should the fact that it used to be Stalinist disqualify it from our list? So did Azerbaijan, Kazakhistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and the other Central Asian soviet republics. For that matter, Afghanistan was Marxist-Leninist (if not Stalinist) for a while. I also don’t know why the fact that it’s European would disqualify it. ---
**Author:** ![Muslim\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Muslim\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muslim_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/109 "2001-09-17T23:45:33Z")
I’ll catch up on the questions soon, I promise. Just wanted to share a bit from [a really good Washington Post article](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35106-2001Sep15.html) by a Christian woman, Caryle Murphy, that expressed my thoughts marvelously: > [@](#): > > Secularists, moderate Muslims, orthodox thinkers and extremists are proffering competing versions of Islam. “One problem in the Muslim world is that Islam with all its cultural strength has no hierarchy to speak on its behalf,” said Laith Kubba, founder of Islam21, a forum for liberal Muslims. “Today there are countless numbers of self-appointed authorities claiming they have an interpretation that is valid.” > > In many parts of the world, particularly in the West, moderate Muslim activists seeking to make their faith more relevant to modern life are gaining advantage. But in the Middle East, they remain the underdogs. Barred from organizing and staging public debates by authoritarian governments, they are hounded by their orthodox and extremist brethren, who respond to modernity by rejecting it. If there is one thing I would like to convey to people, it’s a voice for the liberal, moderate, democratic, gentle side of Islam that tends to get completely ignored in all the hullaballoo. We liberal Muslims have been trying to get across the voice of reason for years and no one anywhere seems to notice that we even exist. But if we had been listened to sooner, the world would not be in the pickle it’s in now. \ ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/110 "2001-09-18T00:26:53Z")
Well, Muslim Guy, if it makes you feel any better, Christianity is full of people claiming to have a handle on the Bible and its meanings. I’m sure most of the major religions have this problem (that is, so called know-it-alls). Please tell me there are no Falwells, Swaggarts, or Robertsons in your religion. Did you see the _Behind the Music_ featuring Cat Stevens/Yusef Islam? I wonder if Natalie Merchant (ex-10,000 Maniacs) saw it? Her then-group removed _Peace Train_ from their _In My Tribe_ CD after that whole Salmon Rushdie thing. Did you read his book? ---
**Author:** ![Jekeira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@Jekeira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jekeira)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/111 "2001-09-18T00:32:05Z")
**Muslim Guy** , you’ve been tremendously informative and patient. Thanks for helping us understand. My question: One of the most striking things (to me) about modern Islamic fundamentalism is the willingness of people to kill themselves for a cause. Dozens people have died in suicide attacks, both on Tuesday and in the last several months in Israel. My religion emphatically forbids suicide under any circumstances, so I find this not just horribly scary but deeply tragic as well. I realize that obviously people who strap bombs to their bodies or fly planes into buildings do not represent mainstream Islam. However, what does the Quran say (if anything) about suicide – about willfully dying for a cause? Do those who consign themselves to death justify it scripturally? Please believe that I’m not trying to pass judgement - I would appreciate any light you can shed. Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Muslim\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Muslim\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muslim_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/112 "2001-09-18T01:46:40Z")
The Qur’an says very plainly: _La taqtulu anfusakum_ ‘Do not kill yourselves’. It is of course unquestionable that suicide is completely unlawful in Islam. In fact, check the actuarial statistics: historically, Muslim countries have the lowest suicide rates in the world. All we can do is keep saying the truth, that these extremist criminals and their bizarre actions have always been and will always be rejected by real Islam. We Muslims constantly feel pain in our hearts every time some nutcase commits these crimes claiming that they have to do with Islam. They are completely alien to it. The analogies drawn by you Dopers with the Klan, McVeigh, & abortion clinic assassins vis-a-vis Christianity are very apt. Whenever anyone anywhere is harmed, the whole human race suffers together. This horrible mess we’ve gotten into is not about Islam and it is not about America. We are all one humanity. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/113 "2001-09-18T02:36:56Z")
**Muslim Guy** , thanks for this thread. It’s very interesting and informative, particularly in this time of crisis. My question is about the Muslim rituals of prayer. I understand that Muslims are supposed to pray five times daily. What is involved in those daily prayer sessions. What is the role of women in Muslim rituals and practices. I also understand that Friday is considered a special day or sabbath. Are there special rituals for Fridays. Are their restrictions on what you can do on Fridays (like the prohibition on “work” on the Sabbath and certain holidays followed by observant Jews)? What are other major holidays in the Muslim and what are the special practices associated with them? Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/114 "2001-09-18T02:39:05Z")
Could you briefly discuss the difference between between Islam and Louis Farrakhan’s “Nation of Islam”? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/115 "2001-09-18T04:07:35Z")
I wish to thank **Muslim Guy** for keeping with this thread, and my **Teeming Minions** for behaving like ladies and gentlemen. You make it worth my while to be a moderator here. That, and the annonymous pictures sent to my e-mail on a regular basis. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![schplebordnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@schplebordnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schplebordnik)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/116 "2001-09-18T05:05:10Z")
I may be lowering the level of the discussion here, but here goes: What are the Islamic conventions governing personal grooming. I’ve read that the Taliban punishes men for not growing their beards. So presumably, there is some Muslims who believe shaving is against their religion. However, it seems most Muslims (at least in the Arab world) do shave, at least their beards, if not mustaches. Even more interestingly (and lowering the level here), in a biography I read of the explorer Richard Burton – who was fluent in Arabic, passed for a Muslim sufficiently to enter Mecca, and may have very well been a secret Muslim – it indicated that during his Hajj, just before entering, he and the other pilgrims shaved, ahem, other areas of their bodies. What’s the Straight Dope on these practices? ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/117 "2001-09-18T20:24:55Z")
I hadn’t heard of Burton shving before. I did know that he had to be circumcised before making the pilgrimage. Shayna- I’m curious as to the context of those passages. Many Christians aren’t satisfied with Jews for not converting, and vice versa. This does not prevent peaceful and even friendly relations. This passage could be saying “The Jews think that they’re right. We know that we’re right. Don’t argue the point. This is one of those arguments no one can win.” ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/118 "2001-09-18T20:31:19Z")
The master [speaks](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010608.html) on Burton. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/119 "2001-09-18T20:39:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by schplebordnik \* > \*\*I may be lowering the level of the discussion here, but here goes: > What are the Islamic conventions governing personal grooming. I’ve read that the Taliban punishes men for not growing their beards. So presumably, there is some Muslims who believe shaving is against their religion. However, it seems most Muslims (at least in the Arab world) do shave, at least their beards, if not mustaches. > \*\* When I worked in Saudi Arabia, a Jordanian colleague, who was born and raised in Saudi, told me that clean shaven men were considered effeminate, if not gay. He was clean shaven and single, _not that there’s anything wrong with that_ ;). Anyway, if this is a common cultural belief then it might follow that a very strict fundamentalist group might not be amused by clean shaven men. But I have no idea whether this is actually proscribed anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859/120 "2001-09-18T21:40:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\*Shayna- I’m curious as to the context of those passages. Many Christians aren’t satisfied with Jews for not converting, and vice versa. This does not prevent peaceful and even friendly relations. This passage could be saying “The Jews think that they’re right. We know that we’re right. Don’t argue the point. This is one of those arguments no one can win.” \*\* I’m curious, too, **Doc** , that’s why I asked. I can understand a religion proclaiming itself the one true “right” religion and even going so far as to discourage its members from being lured away by non-believers. What’s so hard for me to wrap my head around is the use of terms such as “enmity” and “hatred” in a holy text, and what appears to be the outright call to do harm to them (“Be their hands tied up…”). I’m not well versed in the Judeo/Christian bible, either, so perhaps there are passages that are just as hate-filled as the excerpts I’ve quoted from the Qur’an above. I say that because I want there to be no confusion that I’m claiming one text superior over another. In fact, some of the things I _do_ know of the Bible, I think are pretty stupid (though I can’t give you quotes off the top of my head). I merely found it confusing that **Muslim Guy** presents Islam as calling for unity and brotherhood amongst Muslims, Christians and Jews, when I see the complete contradiction of that in passages from their holy book, which he linked to himself as a reference. I also find it extremely unsettling and frightening that these things are (apparently) a part of Islam, as it gives me reason to wonder if there can ever really be peace between Muslims and Jews if Muslims are called upon to hate them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-muslim-guy/81859.md?page=7)