Stealth Jihad

I t seems that many people don't know Muslims, nor have ever spoken or dealt with regular Muslims.

I want to quickly , and first tell everyone, reassure people that Muslims, who are supposed to be honest and truthful, don't lie. Sure, sometimes even Muslims might fib about their weight, or if asked:"are your eyes really blue?"  Might reply: "Yes" and they are telling a "fib". In Islam though, there is no permissible "fibbing", there is lying to be kind, or a peacemaker. Meaning, lying is only permitted when one wants to make peace with his close friend or family member, so he says something which is like a "white lie". For example, a lie to avoid anger of a loved-one e.g. "I didn't mean to eat your cake" ;"I thought it was left over and nobody wanted it."
You can probably think of better white lies than I can. "I don't think you're fat at all" or maybe,  

"I hope the kids all look like you", lol.

Tariq Ramadan:

Tariq Ramadan seems like a nice guy, he's respected as well. He has an important position as head of Islamic studies, at a University in London. Oxford? I mean he is quite benign seeming. But R. Spencer wrote an entire book about Stealth Jihad, or another book about Tariq Ramadan. I mean, its like "you're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't", to quote some one who said that. Because some Muslims are very outspoken, they are easy targets. And then, when Tariq Ramadan gave charity to a group and that group gave charity to Hamas, Tariq Ramadan became "suspect". Spencer, says, though I am suspicious of his motives for doing so, that Tariq R. is like a "sleeper", y'know, planning on something "evil", e.g. "jihad" and if you've seen the documentary film "Jihad in America", you might not be able to sleep at night with Tariq in Town. I'm joking of course.

So we have to learn to be more careful in our remarks, or where we give charity.

So my advice with regards to the incident described above, is that we should give charity at home or to people we know, such as needy neighbours or we can give food and clothing, instead of cash. We have to protect ourselves too. And Muslims know that we have a big PR problem, we have to work harder to build trust, and also be as honest as possible.

Sometimes people (other Muslims) might suggest that we should not blog or comment to ignorant people about Islam. I know it is difficult and we are not all scholars, or well read, or even have the time or (sometimes) the sheer energy required - are you drained at the end of the day? Do you dread going to your inbox to read the mail? But take heart that someone somewhere is learning something new, be it a Muslim or a non-Muslim, or someone is at least willing to engage in a positive normal conversation. So much on the internet revolves around the person of the Prophet, and misconceptions about Islam in general.

Tariq Ramadan is able to enter the US now, after having been banned for 5 years. But he is  not a stealth Jihadist, nor a "sleeper" of any sort. We wish him well.

Yusuf Estes tonite:

Brother Yusuf Estes, a beloved and consciencious Muslim is in Bahrain on the last leg of his Bahrain tour, the third night is tonite (Revised - this is an older draft, Yusuf  Estes was here, is no longer here.) at the Bait al Quran where he will be speaking. Probably about now. So, go to live streaming from his website (I'm not sure which one, maybe www.shareislam.net for more on the activity he has prepared for tonight's audience.

You might enjoy this, if you liked "Stealth Jihad"