In response to http://outtaurspace.blogspot.com/2008/10/homosexuality-at-rhodes.htm
Have you been to Johannesburg during Gay-Pride month? Or even Knysna? Heard of the Pink Lourie? These are all homosexual marches, very very big homosexual marches, which occur around our country. I think it’s unfair of you to label Rhodes as a strongly gay-pride area when (thankfully) people are speaking up about their sexuality all over the country. In a large city like Johannesburg though, it’s just not as visible as when a group of people march down High street. I work at Activate student newspaper, taking photos of almost every single march that happens on campus, I just seem to have an understanding of them. One march/protest has been dedicated to “Saving Zimbabwe”, about three to “Protecting Our Women” (one of which included protesting outside Lady Frere court along with an HIV Positive support group, many of them wearing the ‘HIV POSITIVE’ shirts) and one march out of this entire year involved Gay Pride. This march was only inspired by the rape and attack of a lesbian in the neighbouring township, an issue which I’m sure you’ll deem outrageous and worthy of attention. It’s not that homosexuality is getting more coverage at Rhodes; it’s just that you seem to be listening more to them, making this a personal issue. HIV awareness is present at every single march/protest/initiative held at Rhodes; personally I view at as the most talked about issue as it affects us all, and we students are aware of that.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wednesdays Hump Day
Yes, I know you have an anthropology and sociology essay due this week. That English tut is also proving to be a bit problematic hey? No worries, there's always time. That's what we say all the time, there's always time. I have a poster stuck on my wall that says "Procrastination is like masturbation, at first it feels good, then you realise that you've just f***ed yourself."
But then again, speaking to a wise friend the other day, she said that procrastination is a good thing, because it just makes you enjoy your free time right now instead of later. So instead of continually creating the free time, lets just use it now.
It makes sense, in a way. But I know I'm skilled at writing essays the night before, so no worries there. As long as it's done as best as you can, it's all good. Problem though, writing an essay at 2AM whilst pumped full of black coffee does not normally result in the best results...
Anyways, let’s say in a parallel universe you've finished all your essays and are home free, then what about today? Wednesday, humpday! The hump in the middle of the week, it's down hill to the weekend from here. Thus Party. Cane trains at Union, drafts at the Rat, free entrance and dancing at Friars. You're sorted :)
But then again, speaking to a wise friend the other day, she said that procrastination is a good thing, because it just makes you enjoy your free time right now instead of later. So instead of continually creating the free time, lets just use it now.
It makes sense, in a way. But I know I'm skilled at writing essays the night before, so no worries there. As long as it's done as best as you can, it's all good. Problem though, writing an essay at 2AM whilst pumped full of black coffee does not normally result in the best results...
Anyways, let’s say in a parallel universe you've finished all your essays and are home free, then what about today? Wednesday, humpday! The hump in the middle of the week, it's down hill to the weekend from here. Thus Party. Cane trains at Union, drafts at the Rat, free entrance and dancing at Friars. You're sorted :)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Alcohol Tips
So the year is almost finished for us “old first years”. The last week of lectures is at its end and exams are coming up. It’s time to look back at the past year and give some more alcohol tips. Tip number 1: Never mix your drinks!
I know I have talked about this issue once before but it’s a really bad habit for some of us and I think it’s best if you take this one seriously! This is the main reason for people getting really drunk. It’s easy…Just drink one type of thing, either just cider (my favourite), just shooters, just beer, etc.
But shooters might be one of the bad ideas after all. Just drink one or two but after the third one, things might start going downhill from there (and it’s not nice going downhill while everything is spinning). Be careful what you drink and with what you mix it with.
Tip 2: Don’t drink flu or allergy pills if you’re planning to go out the night!
I’ve made this mistake over the weekend. I took allergy pills for my very bad sinus problem and ended up chundering after only a few drinks. This is the worst feeling in the world: missing out on the party because everything is spinning too much and you feel as sick as a dog.
Tip 3: Don’t go out with people that don’t really care about you!
I know this sounds weird and lame but you always need at least one really good friend next to you when you are vomiting your lungs out. Just remember, these people are your friends, but they will only laugh at you when you’re drunk. You need someone with you that will take care of you when you need help. So take your best friend or boyfriend with you when you go out with a group of random friends.
Tip 4: Don’t go overboard on Clearance Night
I know the prices are ridiculously low but don’t over-drink! Saturday-night was clearance night at Rhodes for this term and the prices were all under R10, needless to say: Everyone was too drunk to function! So take it easy, I know it’s tempting, but that cane and cream soda WILL talk to you in the morning, especially because it was only six bucks per cup. And tequila might be only R3 or R5 on Clearance Night, but that’s a really bad friend after a few of them.
Tip 5: Just take care of yourself
The best thing is to take care of yourself and your friends. Just be careful.
Peace out!
etto
I know I have talked about this issue once before but it’s a really bad habit for some of us and I think it’s best if you take this one seriously! This is the main reason for people getting really drunk. It’s easy…Just drink one type of thing, either just cider (my favourite), just shooters, just beer, etc.
But shooters might be one of the bad ideas after all. Just drink one or two but after the third one, things might start going downhill from there (and it’s not nice going downhill while everything is spinning). Be careful what you drink and with what you mix it with.
Tip 2: Don’t drink flu or allergy pills if you’re planning to go out the night!
I’ve made this mistake over the weekend. I took allergy pills for my very bad sinus problem and ended up chundering after only a few drinks. This is the worst feeling in the world: missing out on the party because everything is spinning too much and you feel as sick as a dog.
Tip 3: Don’t go out with people that don’t really care about you!
I know this sounds weird and lame but you always need at least one really good friend next to you when you are vomiting your lungs out. Just remember, these people are your friends, but they will only laugh at you when you’re drunk. You need someone with you that will take care of you when you need help. So take your best friend or boyfriend with you when you go out with a group of random friends.
Tip 4: Don’t go overboard on Clearance Night
I know the prices are ridiculously low but don’t over-drink! Saturday-night was clearance night at Rhodes for this term and the prices were all under R10, needless to say: Everyone was too drunk to function! So take it easy, I know it’s tempting, but that cane and cream soda WILL talk to you in the morning, especially because it was only six bucks per cup. And tequila might be only R3 or R5 on Clearance Night, but that’s a really bad friend after a few of them.
Tip 5: Just take care of yourself
The best thing is to take care of yourself and your friends. Just be careful.
Peace out!
etto
Friday, October 17, 2008
FULL CIRCLE
FULL CIRCLE
The issues of race and racism are said to be worn out topics and need not be mentioned anymore, but with the recent occurrences of racist behaviour around the country and on face book it’s clear that the issue is still very real and needs to be paid attention to. After all the bloodshed that stains our constitution, or rather our democracy people still continue to be oblivious of South Africa’s tragic past of apartheid (http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~cale/cs201/apartheid.hist.html). It seems our forefathers suffered in vane in that it seems racism continues to imprison the minds of South Africans, especially the South African youth particularly in universities. It has manifested into a legacy that will not go away and we choose to ignore it and follow illusions that race is not an issue any more.
Take the incident at the Free State University for example; to go against the idea of residence integration white students resorted to racism to show their protest. Would it have not been enough to voice their antagonism to the idea instead of feeding elders food with urine? And to top it off made a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SNhpY6gjLw) of this catastrophe. These people fall within the demographics of their care takers, people who raised them while their parents were too busy in meetings or being socialites.
The greatest injustice is that people still find ways to justify this horrible behaviour through ideologies and misleading perceptions taking the blame away from the perpetrators. They were looking to blame the FF for the appalling behaviour of the students. Cummins (2003) claims that, “individuals who feel invalidated and-or wilfully abandoned will experience anxiety, anger, hostility and violence. We add another consequence: racism”. Are we then saying by virtue of having uncomfortable circumstances we then have the right to vent our frustrations on other people’s dignity, could they have not done this to their people of their own race? Or found any other way of displaying their feelings of being abandoned? By so doing we are disregarding the fact that as humans unlike animals we are bestowed the ability to think rationally and make rational decisions. Where then do we place the responsibility if we are going to give excuses for the people who made the conscious decisions to infringe on another person’s rights?
One thing I believe should be made clear is that colour is something that exists and will never go away no matter how much we wish it away. But does our biological attributes then dictate how one should be treated or how they should behave? South Africa is already ailing due to the political instability she cannot handle another racist period. Do we really want to go back to a time place where one was thrown in to little boxes labelled black and white and discriminated against due to these differences?
And no racism is not only propelled by white people, it is a phenomenon that also occurs through other races. I will speak with specific reference to the black population I associate with. As a black man who dated a white woman in Rhodes I would have expected the resistance to a mixed relationship from the white population because that is that is what happened during apartheid, but it was more often than not from the black students. Apart from that we continue to judge black people who associate with white people calling them “coconuts”. Who are we to judge or dictate who one befriends or what culture they choose to follow? Are we not by so doing recreating the state of discrimination and racism ourselves?
Does the difference in our skin colour really matter in determining who we are and how we should relate to one another, are we really that ignorant? Our differences will always exist the solution is to acknowledge them not try and look away and disregard them but rather find a way of uniting in our diversity and apportioning blame where it should be.
The issues of race and racism are said to be worn out topics and need not be mentioned anymore, but with the recent occurrences of racist behaviour around the country and on face book it’s clear that the issue is still very real and needs to be paid attention to. After all the bloodshed that stains our constitution, or rather our democracy people still continue to be oblivious of South Africa’s tragic past of apartheid (http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~cale/cs201/apartheid.hist.html). It seems our forefathers suffered in vane in that it seems racism continues to imprison the minds of South Africans, especially the South African youth particularly in universities. It has manifested into a legacy that will not go away and we choose to ignore it and follow illusions that race is not an issue any more.
Take the incident at the Free State University for example; to go against the idea of residence integration white students resorted to racism to show their protest. Would it have not been enough to voice their antagonism to the idea instead of feeding elders food with urine? And to top it off made a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SNhpY6gjLw) of this catastrophe. These people fall within the demographics of their care takers, people who raised them while their parents were too busy in meetings or being socialites.
The greatest injustice is that people still find ways to justify this horrible behaviour through ideologies and misleading perceptions taking the blame away from the perpetrators. They were looking to blame the FF for the appalling behaviour of the students. Cummins (2003) claims that, “individuals who feel invalidated and-or wilfully abandoned will experience anxiety, anger, hostility and violence. We add another consequence: racism”. Are we then saying by virtue of having uncomfortable circumstances we then have the right to vent our frustrations on other people’s dignity, could they have not done this to their people of their own race? Or found any other way of displaying their feelings of being abandoned? By so doing we are disregarding the fact that as humans unlike animals we are bestowed the ability to think rationally and make rational decisions. Where then do we place the responsibility if we are going to give excuses for the people who made the conscious decisions to infringe on another person’s rights?
One thing I believe should be made clear is that colour is something that exists and will never go away no matter how much we wish it away. But does our biological attributes then dictate how one should be treated or how they should behave? South Africa is already ailing due to the political instability she cannot handle another racist period. Do we really want to go back to a time place where one was thrown in to little boxes labelled black and white and discriminated against due to these differences?
And no racism is not only propelled by white people, it is a phenomenon that also occurs through other races. I will speak with specific reference to the black population I associate with. As a black man who dated a white woman in Rhodes I would have expected the resistance to a mixed relationship from the white population because that is that is what happened during apartheid, but it was more often than not from the black students. Apart from that we continue to judge black people who associate with white people calling them “coconuts”. Who are we to judge or dictate who one befriends or what culture they choose to follow? Are we not by so doing recreating the state of discrimination and racism ourselves?
Does the difference in our skin colour really matter in determining who we are and how we should relate to one another, are we really that ignorant? Our differences will always exist the solution is to acknowledge them not try and look away and disregard them but rather find a way of uniting in our diversity and apportioning blame where it should be.
BA? wow, that's easy!
I'm going to write about something a bit different from my normal alcohol related stuff, an opinion piece about BA and Bjourn subjects. So feel free to join the debate and leave a comment =)
There have been so many countless times that someone asked me what I’m studying, and when I reply, “Bjourn”, the reaction is immediately negative towards my degree. Mostly I get people saying, “Oh, so you’re a BA-student! That’s so unfair because that’s an easy degree!” as I was once told by one of my friends, Gregory Viljoen. I would like to hereby give an argument correcting this perception of BA and Bjourn degrees.
All the subjects at Rhodes are difficult, some might be a bit easier than others but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy. We are all here to learn about new things so most of the things we learn in university are totally different to the things we studied in school. Therefore, logically, it would make sense that university must be harder than school.
Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) aren’t always appreciated by others outside the Journalism Department. Every time I tell someone that I do journalism, they just say “oh, another journalism student” and laughs it off. But it’s difficult being a journalism student. Try competing with the rest of your class for one of 120 spots. Yes, only 120 students get places in JMS2. Now that’s hard! To eat, sleep and breathe journalism the whole year, even in the holidays, just so you can show the Journalism Department that you really, really want to be a journalist and that you deserve to get into JMS2. It’s a lot more work than you might think it is and you really have to have good journalistic skills along with excellent writing skills. On the department-website they explain how a Bjourn works if you don’t believe me. (http://www.ru.ac.za/jms/degreesanddiplomas/bjourn)
I don’t have experience in a lot of subjects but I do know that there are students that think languages are the easiest way out. “Wow, you got it off easy doing languages,” Greg Viljoen told me once after our conversation about my subjects. And later this year when I complained about writing a French test the same person said to me, “You’ve been doing French the whole year, you must speak it fluently by now!” Now this bothers me a lot because I’ve been doing French for the whole year but that doesn’t mean I’m fluent in it! There are so many aspects of a language you must learn to understand and it takes years to fully understand it. There’s still things you can learn from you home language even though you spoke your first words in it. French for example, has different genders for different words. Some words are feminine and some words are masculine (I know that German has that as well). It’s really difficult if you come to think of it. Just try and research French on the internet and see for yourself! (http://french.about.com/library/weekly/bl-gender-m.htm)
Another one of my friends, Jessica Marais, told me that I’m lucky doing Afrikaans- Netherlandic Studies because it must be one of the easiest subjects. (http://www.fourhensandacock.blogspot.com/) But there’s actually a lot more to it. You have to learn the theory behind writing and narrative and it’s really difficult to understand some of these things sometimes.
So before you criticise other subjects again, remember that this is Rhodes University. Everything is difficult otherwise it wouldn’t have been called a university!
There have been so many countless times that someone asked me what I’m studying, and when I reply, “Bjourn”, the reaction is immediately negative towards my degree. Mostly I get people saying, “Oh, so you’re a BA-student! That’s so unfair because that’s an easy degree!” as I was once told by one of my friends, Gregory Viljoen. I would like to hereby give an argument correcting this perception of BA and Bjourn degrees.
All the subjects at Rhodes are difficult, some might be a bit easier than others but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy. We are all here to learn about new things so most of the things we learn in university are totally different to the things we studied in school. Therefore, logically, it would make sense that university must be harder than school.
Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) aren’t always appreciated by others outside the Journalism Department. Every time I tell someone that I do journalism, they just say “oh, another journalism student” and laughs it off. But it’s difficult being a journalism student. Try competing with the rest of your class for one of 120 spots. Yes, only 120 students get places in JMS2. Now that’s hard! To eat, sleep and breathe journalism the whole year, even in the holidays, just so you can show the Journalism Department that you really, really want to be a journalist and that you deserve to get into JMS2. It’s a lot more work than you might think it is and you really have to have good journalistic skills along with excellent writing skills. On the department-website they explain how a Bjourn works if you don’t believe me. (http://www.ru.ac.za/jms/degreesanddiplomas/bjourn)
I don’t have experience in a lot of subjects but I do know that there are students that think languages are the easiest way out. “Wow, you got it off easy doing languages,” Greg Viljoen told me once after our conversation about my subjects. And later this year when I complained about writing a French test the same person said to me, “You’ve been doing French the whole year, you must speak it fluently by now!” Now this bothers me a lot because I’ve been doing French for the whole year but that doesn’t mean I’m fluent in it! There are so many aspects of a language you must learn to understand and it takes years to fully understand it. There’s still things you can learn from you home language even though you spoke your first words in it. French for example, has different genders for different words. Some words are feminine and some words are masculine (I know that German has that as well). It’s really difficult if you come to think of it. Just try and research French on the internet and see for yourself! (http://french.about.com/library/weekly/bl-gender-m.htm)
Another one of my friends, Jessica Marais, told me that I’m lucky doing Afrikaans- Netherlandic Studies because it must be one of the easiest subjects. (http://www.fourhensandacock.blogspot.com/) But there’s actually a lot more to it. You have to learn the theory behind writing and narrative and it’s really difficult to understand some of these things sometimes.
So before you criticise other subjects again, remember that this is Rhodes University. Everything is difficult otherwise it wouldn’t have been called a university!
Comment on Comic on "four hens and a cock"
Guys (and Girls) go check out the comic on the blog "Four hens and a cock"! http://www.fourhensandacock.blogspot.com
I was looking for a really nice comic and found this one about an everyday girl, coming to Rhodes and having a new experience that she would never imagine could happen to her. It’s a really interesting comic filled with colour. But the problem was that I couldn’t really see what the point of it was. It’s about girl that’s straight and gets kissed by a lesbian, right? So what’s the point they were trying to make? I think it’s a really cool comic but I also just think you they should’ve had another strip to make the point clearer. For example, where the “Jess” character admits to her friends that she liked the kiss or that she totally despised it and was forced into it or something. Just something that would make the point clear and obvious. But for the rest of it, I salute them – it was pretty cool and I'm sure guys will find it heavenly...
Peace out grasshoppa's!
=) etto
I was looking for a really nice comic and found this one about an everyday girl, coming to Rhodes and having a new experience that she would never imagine could happen to her. It’s a really interesting comic filled with colour. But the problem was that I couldn’t really see what the point of it was. It’s about girl that’s straight and gets kissed by a lesbian, right? So what’s the point they were trying to make? I think it’s a really cool comic but I also just think you they should’ve had another strip to make the point clearer. For example, where the “Jess” character admits to her friends that she liked the kiss or that she totally despised it and was forced into it or something. Just something that would make the point clear and obvious. But for the rest of it, I salute them – it was pretty cool and I'm sure guys will find it heavenly...
Peace out grasshoppa's!
=) etto
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Islamaphobia: Today's threat
Before commencing I must first say that I have chosen such a contentious piece, not because I am a boring and serious individual, but rather to elucidate the many misconceptions held by many students I have spoke to about my religion.
Today, we live in a world where the word Islam has become indivisible from terrorism, injustice, barbarism and the halting of self improvement. It is not hard for one to surf the net and find troves of information slandering this mystical and misunderstood faith. It has been linked to a satanic cult, a sexual cult for those who practice perversions and a whole host of other nefarious unimaginable doings. Yes, one can without any doubt presuppose that today’s Red Army is not a political system but an entire way of life, a religion.
Yet, what is it about this archaic religion that attracts its 1.5 billion followers? What is it about this fundamentalist cult, which makes it the fastest growing religion globally? In a last survey Islam was said to be growing at 240% since the eighties, whilst the runner up, Christianity, only at 44%. Why is it about Islam which invokes such strong passions among its followers like no other religion? The answer: Pure Monotheism. “In the name of Allah Most Beneficent, Most Merciful. Say: He is Allah, the One and Only .Allah, the Eternal, and Absolute. He begetteth not nor is he begotten. And there is none comparable to him”. (Quran: Surah Ikhlas) What a powerful creed! There is no other belief system which describes God with such reverence. It is because of this profound book with such cogent commands that arouses such zealousness among its readers.
However, to those foreign to its teachings, the book and faith is judged by the ineptitude and follies of its many followers. Does this make the belief flawed, because man is flawed? Are the allegations and misconceptions about Islam validated if we delve into authentic Islamic sources or are the refuted by the Quran and Sunnah. The question to put it artlessly is this: What does Islam really teach?
What are the many assumptions made by those ignorant of its teachings? One of the main accusations is that Islam is a religion of violence and plunder. His holiness the pope himself subtly insinuated that it was spread by the sword. How true is this? Then one hears the word jihad and fear is arisen throughout the western world. Another blast, another suicide bomb?
Islam literally means peace. Submission, a total denial of all ones own human desires, in order to succumb to the will of one’s creator. This is the true jihad. Is it in anyway murderous? “Anyone who looks after a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting in the cause of Allah or like a person who prays all night and fasts all day” (hadith) “ The best jihad is to speak the word of reason to an oppressive ruler” (hadith) Does this seem like hateful and heinous instructions?
Islam is also thought to be forced upon people. The typical, “My way or the highway” attitude. How does the Quran support this? “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error.”(2:256)
“Invite al to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious” (16:125)
The prophet (peace be upon him) has also said that whosoever harms a non-Muslim has harmed me. This is the guidance from a man who has been so defamed in the west. He has been portrayed as a sexual pervert, a bloodthirsty tyrant and so many more lies. One would think that Hitler is mild when compared to the prophet of Islam. Yet, his teachings are still being adopted and practiced by millions almost two thousand years after his demise. Surely, the outsider must ask: Is there not something virtuous in his message. Does the enquiring western mind of independent thought and forward thinking not investigate beyond the political slander propagated by those controlling media, to achieve there own agenda. “None of you has faith unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” (hadith) “Visit the sick and hungry and free the captives” (hadith) Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every man or woman (hadith) “here is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab or for a non-Arab over an Arab, or for a white over a black or for a black over a white except by their righteous deeds.” Are these words not compatible with men such as Jesus (peace is upon him) Gandhi and Buddha? Yet, this man is likened to the Stalin’s and Mussolini’s of history.
Islam is not just a religion; it is a way of life for all humanity. It is a beacon of light shining brightly against oppression, immorality, racism and is the way out of anarchy.
Muslims created a tradition of unsurpassable splendour, scientific thought and timeless art. This article is too short to even attempt to eradicate all the fabrications about Islam, or do justice to all its teachings. It is written in the hope that those who are ignorant about Islam will read it and do some self-investigation before conforming to the beliefs of that intent on maligning and distorting the truth.
In conclusion, Islam is a simple religion for all mankind but is misunderstood because of fanaticism on the one hand and negative media coverage on the other.
To my fellow Muslims, the time has come to educate ourselves in our faith, so that we may espouse the values so dear to our prophet. “Hold fast onto the rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves” (3:103)
By: Shazaad Patel
Today, we live in a world where the word Islam has become indivisible from terrorism, injustice, barbarism and the halting of self improvement. It is not hard for one to surf the net and find troves of information slandering this mystical and misunderstood faith. It has been linked to a satanic cult, a sexual cult for those who practice perversions and a whole host of other nefarious unimaginable doings. Yes, one can without any doubt presuppose that today’s Red Army is not a political system but an entire way of life, a religion.
Yet, what is it about this archaic religion that attracts its 1.5 billion followers? What is it about this fundamentalist cult, which makes it the fastest growing religion globally? In a last survey Islam was said to be growing at 240% since the eighties, whilst the runner up, Christianity, only at 44%. Why is it about Islam which invokes such strong passions among its followers like no other religion? The answer: Pure Monotheism. “In the name of Allah Most Beneficent, Most Merciful. Say: He is Allah, the One and Only .Allah, the Eternal, and Absolute. He begetteth not nor is he begotten. And there is none comparable to him”. (Quran: Surah Ikhlas) What a powerful creed! There is no other belief system which describes God with such reverence. It is because of this profound book with such cogent commands that arouses such zealousness among its readers.
However, to those foreign to its teachings, the book and faith is judged by the ineptitude and follies of its many followers. Does this make the belief flawed, because man is flawed? Are the allegations and misconceptions about Islam validated if we delve into authentic Islamic sources or are the refuted by the Quran and Sunnah. The question to put it artlessly is this: What does Islam really teach?
What are the many assumptions made by those ignorant of its teachings? One of the main accusations is that Islam is a religion of violence and plunder. His holiness the pope himself subtly insinuated that it was spread by the sword. How true is this? Then one hears the word jihad and fear is arisen throughout the western world. Another blast, another suicide bomb?
Islam literally means peace. Submission, a total denial of all ones own human desires, in order to succumb to the will of one’s creator. This is the true jihad. Is it in anyway murderous? “Anyone who looks after a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting in the cause of Allah or like a person who prays all night and fasts all day” (hadith) “ The best jihad is to speak the word of reason to an oppressive ruler” (hadith) Does this seem like hateful and heinous instructions?
Islam is also thought to be forced upon people. The typical, “My way or the highway” attitude. How does the Quran support this? “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error.”(2:256)
“Invite al to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious” (16:125)
The prophet (peace be upon him) has also said that whosoever harms a non-Muslim has harmed me. This is the guidance from a man who has been so defamed in the west. He has been portrayed as a sexual pervert, a bloodthirsty tyrant and so many more lies. One would think that Hitler is mild when compared to the prophet of Islam. Yet, his teachings are still being adopted and practiced by millions almost two thousand years after his demise. Surely, the outsider must ask: Is there not something virtuous in his message. Does the enquiring western mind of independent thought and forward thinking not investigate beyond the political slander propagated by those controlling media, to achieve there own agenda. “None of you has faith unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” (hadith) “Visit the sick and hungry and free the captives” (hadith) Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every man or woman (hadith) “here is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab or for a non-Arab over an Arab, or for a white over a black or for a black over a white except by their righteous deeds.” Are these words not compatible with men such as Jesus (peace is upon him) Gandhi and Buddha? Yet, this man is likened to the Stalin’s and Mussolini’s of history.
Islam is not just a religion; it is a way of life for all humanity. It is a beacon of light shining brightly against oppression, immorality, racism and is the way out of anarchy.
Muslims created a tradition of unsurpassable splendour, scientific thought and timeless art. This article is too short to even attempt to eradicate all the fabrications about Islam, or do justice to all its teachings. It is written in the hope that those who are ignorant about Islam will read it and do some self-investigation before conforming to the beliefs of that intent on maligning and distorting the truth.
In conclusion, Islam is a simple religion for all mankind but is misunderstood because of fanaticism on the one hand and negative media coverage on the other.
To my fellow Muslims, the time has come to educate ourselves in our faith, so that we may espouse the values so dear to our prophet. “Hold fast onto the rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves” (3:103)
By: Shazaad Patel
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