THE ISLAM I KNOW

The furor of the ground zero mosque project has mostly exposed the ignorance and confusion on what truly Islam represents.What is Islam? Is there an inherent contradiction in Islam ,as it exist in Christianity and other religion? Let us take an example here; As a christian i ponder at most times, if Christianity promotes slavery? But with teachings,discussions, and enlightenment ,I know that Christianity does not promote slavery.However,if you read Ephesians 6:5-7, "Slaves, obey your masters with deep respect and fear.Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ....", without understanding you would think that Christianity promotes slavery.There are also Christians out there who may justify their misguided conducts by claiming support from biblical verses like this.Such actions would be contrary to the Christianity i know and the United States constitution. How do we reconcile religious ideologies and tenets with secular legal realities of our present Geo-political structures.United States is a constitutional Republic,that practices democracy. Majority of the teachings we see in the Bible , Koran and other faith books CANNOT be practiced in the United States without a serious affront on the constitution of the United States.How do we judge Islam? Personally,I think Muslims should educate non adherents in a unique society like America on what Islam represents. In Saudi Arabia,Iran, Indonesia,Nigeria,Iraq, Taliban "Kingdom",Al Qaeda "Kingdom" and other countries/ political entity that Islam is practiced, fundamental and genuine concerns are raised by non adherents.Which is the proper Islam? Islamic scholars and teachers must come out vividly and put doubts and confusion to rest.Do we use Saudi Arabia or Iran as a case study of what Islam is? So how do we strive a balance,so that we live this American dream without fear of any culture derailing the Dream.

I came into contact with Islam,in 1991 ,after my law school in Nigeria.I was captivated and enticed by Islam.By providence i met a friend ,who is a Muslim.He took me as a blood brother,help me by introducing me to his family.This family showed me love,even to this day.I am from a christian family from the south of the country,while they come from the north,a predominantly Muslim region.When i did not go to church on Sundays,my friend would scold me.A Muslim,telling me to attend church? That is the Islam and Muslims I Know.They never discriminated against me but treated me as their blood relation.Whatever,i am today ,apart from my parents and family,these Muslims had positive effect on my success in life.I have gone ,this length ,to mirror that the problem may not be in the religions but with people, how they practice their religion.
So whether, you are for the mosque or against it at ground zero,it is how we practice our faith that will mirror and give meaning to what our faith represents.
The extent that we practice good,will go a long way to draw people to our faith.
There is need for practical commonsense approach for dialogue between Muslims and non Muslims in the United States .It is a fact that some members of the Muslim faith are committing criminal acts in the name of the religion.It is the responsibility of Muslims to openly and loudly condemn any acts of crime committed in the name of Islam. There should be more interfaith conferences organized to educate all Americans ,of what Islam represents.

Muslims should stand up and not allow their faith to be hijacked by Taliban,Al Qaeda and their likes.I still believe that the Islam i encountered in 1991 ,is still with us.

NEW FACE OF AMERICA

The issue whether same sex marriage should be allowed has rocked the country for a while now,with the recent ruling of the federal judge in California upholding same sex marriage.
It is true that marriage is a private matter and also a guaranteed constitutional right.However the bone of contention is whether the traditional definition and concept of marriage should be changed by a single judge or body of justices in the judicial branch of government.

There may not be consensus on same sex marriage nationally but states should be allowed to decide whether same sex marriage should be part of their culture . Afterall domestic relations and issues of marriage have always been left for the states of the union to decide.

If same sex marriage is recognized as a constitutional right ,are we ready to accommodate other forms of marriage? Where are we going to draw the boundaries.There are traditional religion practitioners in the United States who may also assert their constitutional right to marry more than one wife.Numerous African customs and beliefs are rooted in African customary ethics.These group of people believe and practice polygamy(marrying of more than one spouse). So are we going to discriminate against them? Is the equal protection under the law and due process provisions of the United States constitution not available to these group of people.
If the courts grant homosexual Americans the right to marry,what about the Muslim who is entitled to four wives under sharia.How about the traditional religion and African customary ethics practitioner ?are we going to discriminate against them?

The New face of United States that may emerge ,or that is emerging should all give us cause to pause and ponder.Is this the United States that the colonist had in mind or is it the United States that the founding fathers had in mind?

OBAMA'S GIFT TO REPUBLICANS:Ground Zero Mosque

What was the President really thinking?Does he think Americans do not comprehend English or that we are all disciples of political correctness.Why did he not ignore commenting during the ceremony with his Muslim brethren last Friday at the White House.
Just like the case of the white policeman and the black professor,our President seems to create an unnecessary distraction for his party.In a tough election year for the democrats,an emotional issue like the building of a mosque two blocks from ground zero in lower Manhattan should not have been his fish to fry now.After all,the white house had told us that it was a local issue for New york.

It is rather interesting that after President Obama, elaborately stated that he approved of the rights of Muslims to build a mosque in Lower Manhattan near ground zero(as if Americas are stupid not to know what the main point of disputes are),he is now walking backward and forward in a grand act of political somersault to put some spin to his misadventure.
Now republicans can go on having great political assault on the democrats,turning the issue to a national political talking point.
I wonder if the political strategist in this white house are not republicans..just thinking aloud.

The Opener

This is where i will be exhaling my political,legal,social and life views.You are welcome to disagree with me.I am grateful, i live in a land where i can freely express my views.I am grateful to be in the United States of America. A land that welcome immigrants, a land where the dreams can be fulfilled,a land of the brave , a home of and for the free.

Let us be grateful for this is the only country still standing where you can live in liberty and in pursuit of happiness.