This will anger the Pork producers in Iowa

     Muslims, Christians, and Jews all have been told to not eat pork. Now here's a Christian minister standing up to tell his people what Muslims already practice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQQLU4J_pE0

     Allah tells us in the Holy Qur'an, "So eat of the lawful and good food which Allah has provided for you, and thank the bounty of your Lord if it is Him you serve. He has forbidden for you only carrion and blood and swine-flesh and that which has been immolated in the name of any other than Allah; but he who is driven thereto, neither craving nor transgressing, Lo! Then Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (Al-Qur'an 16:114-115)

     For Jews, the laws of kashruth originate in the Torah (Waijkra/Leviiticus 11:1-47) and are observed by practicing Jews. This applies to Christians, too. Go ahead, check in Deuteronomy 14:8 and see that I'm not lying to you. 

     I know, I know...many of you non-Muslims will probably say that "oh, it's only dealing with the live animal that will get you sick." Or, "yeah, yeah, lots of uncooked meat will make you sick." Well, folks, I've got a news flash for you! Handling raw pork or consuming undercooked pork kills more people around the world than you can imagine. There are documented cases of humans contracting tapeworms, Trichinosis (a type of roundworm), Hepatitis E, worms in the brain (just ask that lady in Mexico), Yersiniosis, and more than 30 other deadly parasites from pigs, alive or dead. 

     And, now, just in time for Prime Time, we see the relaunch of Swine Flu, which has been politically corrected to H1N1 because the of the pork industry's strong lobbying power within the US government.  
     {{Hey, Senator Grassley, how's that pork chop tasting with your dinner? Hope you cooked it well!!!}}

     And, believe it or not, any biology student who has dissected a fetal pig can tell you that they are taught the pig has an anatomy closest to that of a human being. 

     Golly gee, Buckwheat, do you think that perhaps the Torah, Bible, and Qur'an are teaching people something only The Creator has knowledge of? Perhaps, just perhaps, the "other white meat" isn't such a good thing after all...

An Execution, Murder, and the Wrath of Our Creator

     It’s done.

     At 9:11 PM Eastern time on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, the D.C. Sniper, John Allen Muhammad, received a lethal dose of intravenous poison, putting an end to the life of a conflicted, misguided, and murderous coward who hid in a retrofitted car trunk to carry out his homicidal rampage that took the lives of at least 10 innocent individuals.

     Like so many of the same ilk—John Allen maintained his innocence right up to the end, refusing to make a statement, and remaining stoic—something that reflected the deadly demeanor of his emotionless killing spree. It’s ironic that the witnesses to his execution were struck by how quietly he died—unlike how his victims’ lives were stolen from them and their loved ones. Although John Allen’s lawyer accused the State of Virginia of executing a Gulf War veteran who was severely mentally ill, it’s even more ironic that his execution took place the day before Veterans’ Day.

     From the moment that the attacks began in the Beltway, Islam’s haters were using John Allen’s last name as a badge of blame for all Muslims the world over—evidence enough for this rabble that Muslims and Islam are inherently violent, flawed, and primitive.

     The terrible tragedy that took place at Fort Hood, Texas a few days prior is just another example of how one individual who shares a certain faith, race, or ethnic origin can plow the road for bigots who place the culpability at the feet of one-fifth of the earth’s population.

     While watching Tuesday’s memorial service on CNN for the 12 slain soldiers and lone civilian at Fort Hood, I was struck by President Obama’s statement that a “twisted logic” drove the accused gunman, Major Nidal Hasan. “No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts. No just and loving god looks upon them with favor.”

     “For what he has done,” Obama said, “we know that the killer will be met with justice — in this world, and the next.” How true. There is no punishment on this earth that can match the wrath of Our Creator. Moreover, Islam teaches that part of receiving Allah’s forgiveness is to accept the responsibility of what you have done: admit it and ask for forgiveness from those who you have wronged.

     The D.C. Sniper, the Fort Hood shooter, and all who commit criminal acts—whether in the name of Islam or from some dark reasoning in their own perverse minds—must take the blame for not only the killings of their victims, but of the thousands, and possibly tens of thousands of people whose blood covers their hands. It lies on their souls that their odious sins caused acts of revenge.

     Let me be clear here: there will be soldiers who enter the military to exact revenge for the actions of these twisted individuals; there will be a bomb dropped with glee on a village of innocent civilians who will be classified as “collateral damage;” there will be an innocent Orthodox Christian priest brutally attacked right here in the US by a moronic, misinformed inbred because the priest “looks like a terrorist,” and there will be a Muslim woman who is assaulted and murdered in your hometown because she is wearing “a rag on her head.”

     In a widely published press release The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, has condemned the attack on Fort Hood military base in Texas: “We condemn this cowardly attack in the strongest terms possible and ask that the perpetrators be punished to the full extent of the law. No religious or political ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence. The attack was particularly heinous in that it targeted the all-volunteer army that protects our nation. American Muslims stand with our fellow citizens in offering both prayers for the victims and sincere condolences to the families of those killed or injured.”

     Along with innumerable condemnations of terror, CAIR has in the past launched an online anti-terror petition drive called “Not in the Name of Islam,” initiated a television public service announcement (PSA) campaign against religious extremism and coordinated a “fatwa,” or Islamic religious ruling, against terrorism and extremism.

See CAIR’s Anti-Terrorism Campaigns at http://www.cair.com/AmericanMuslims/AntiTerrorism.aspx

     Foaming-at-the-mouth commentators on Fox and conservative radio talk shows across the country have squarely placed their cross-hairs on Muslims in the military. Despite the long history, and the fact that they constitute the largest religious minority, Muslims serving in the US military are now having to show proof of their patriotism. Dave Gaubatz, author of the contentious book “Muslim Mafia” which declares that Muslims working in Congress are "spies," called for “a professional and legal backlash against the Muslim community and their leaders.” Pat Robertson on his 700 Club television show ridiculously claimed that Islam is “not a religion,” but “a violent political system bent on the overthrow of the governments of the world and world domination.” {{Dear Pat, where's your "Christian love?"}}

     It’s as if we have gone back eight years to September 11, 2001!!!

     As Muslims in America and the other 1.2 billion Muslims around the world mourn those innocents who have died in both senseless attacks and armed conflict, we also raise our voices to say that we are no more responsible for the acts of a few individuals or militant groups than all Christians are responsible for the acts of Hitler against millions of Jews, or the KKK against African-Americans, or Catholics are for Timothy McVeigh's bombing of the Murrah Federal Building, or for the murder of doctors who perform abortions.

     As a Muslim whose father, brother, uncles, and cousins all served this country by humbly wearing the uniform of the United States Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army, I say proudly, “I am a Muslim American, and this is my country, too!”

The death of Imam Abdullah: Symptom of a greater ill?

The funeral for Imam Luqman Abdullah on Saturday, October 31 in Detroit drew hundreds. His death in the course of a Federal Bureau of Investigation action is both regrettable and open to speculation. There seem to be many versions of the truth flying about (especially whether or not he was shot during a firefight, or after he shot a police dog that was attacking him); but, what is certain is that Imam Abdullah is dead, and the only one who knows the truth of the unfortunate matter is Allah Almighty.
 

No terrorism charges were filed against Abdullah, formerly known as Christopher Thomas, or the 10 others accused in the complaint. According to the FBI, Abdullah was a leader of a national radical Sunni group seeking to create an Islamic state within the US, where—again according to federal authorities—most of its members are black. Both of these assertions are blasted as “preposterous” by Imam Abdullah’s followers.

While not taking a contrary stance toward the federal government, it must be said that on more than one occasion federal agencies have reacted with violence toward controversial religious figures/political activists, and then skewed the evidence and/or public opinion to thwart blame. Cases in point: 1969 raid on Black Panthers in Chicago, 1992 raid on Ruby Ridge in Idaho, 1993 Branch Davidian compound in Texas, and the list goes on.

Another point that must be put forth is that Islam has reached into the hearts of many serving sentences in prison, and been a life changing guidance for most. The likelihood of re-offense and recidivism among the incarcerated who emerge as Muslims is very low. In 2003, author J. Michael Waller wrote that fully 80% of all inmates who find faith while in prison embrace Islam, comprising between 17-20% of the prison population. He also claims that the majority of these are African American, and although there is a dangerous undercurrent inherent in incarceration, other experts suggest that when radicalization does occur, it has little to no connection with their conversion inside prison, and more to do with the overall culture of disenfranchisement and social abuse suffered by minorities in the US. This is borne out by the October 12, 2003 US Senate testimony by Paul Rogers, President of the American Correctional Chaplains Association. On top of this, a 2007 Pew Research Center poll states that 72% of all African American Muslims believe that federal anti-terrorism policies unfairly target Muslims and Islam, subjecting them to additional scrutiny and harassment.

This past weekend, about 25 Muslim leaders met with federal agents in Warren, Michigan regarding the shooting death of Imam Abdullah. A handful of these leaders stressed that the raid had nothing to do with enhanced federal scrutiny of Muslims. Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi, the founder of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights said, “If it happened the way the FBI said, it had nothing to do with Islam and the Muslim community.” After the meeting, they released a statement that read: "We the religious leaders of the Muslim community of southeastern Michigan would like clarification of the sad events surrounding the unfortunate incident. We emphasize that no criminal act be confused with what Islam and Muslims stand for. Our religion stands for justice and we hope that justice will be served. We support the law of the land. We are sorrowed by the loss of life. We pray for the family and for peace."
 

Dawud Walid, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said agents told him Abdullah was killed after firing on an FBI dog that died. "(We're) not accusing the FBI of using excessive force, but there needs to be some answers," he said. "I was under the assumption that the imam was killed in a shootout. That was not the case. They didn't shoot him until he shot the (FBI) dog."

The following is a press release from Muslim Alliance of North America (MANA) regarding the shooting of Imam Luqman Abdullah by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on October 28, 2009 in Dearborn, Michigan, and a Fatwa on terrorism from the Fiqh Council of North America.

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THE FBI RAID AND SHOOTING DEATH OF IMAM LUQMAN
Lexington, KY (10/29/09) - It is with deep sadness and concern that we announce the shooting death of Imam Luqman A. Abdullah, of Masjid Al-Haqq (Detroit, MI). Imam Luqman was a representative of the Detroit Muslim community to the "National Ummah" and the general assembly (Shura) of the Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA).
 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that their agents shot and killed the Imam during a raid related to a criminal complaint alleging that members of the mosque were engaged in criminal, but "not terrorist activity." This tragic shooting raises deep concerns regarding the use of lethal force by law enforcement agents.
 

Since the investigation was "solely criminal" based upon "smuggling and fraud," we urge law enforcement and the media not to take undo advantage of this tragedy in order to demonize American Muslims generally, and those who are African American Muslims in particular.
 

The National Community or "Ummah" was established by Imam Jamil Al-Amin (formerly known as H. Rap Brown).  It is an association of mosques in several cities in the U.S. that coordinates religious and social services primarily in the Black American community. Reference to the "Ummah" as a "nation-wide radical fundamentalist Sunni group consisting primarily of African-Americans" is an offensive mis-characterization.
 

To those who have worked with Imam Luqman A. Abdullah, allegations of illegal activity, resisting arrest, and "offensive jihad against the American government" are shocking and inconsistent.  In his ministry he consistently advocated for the downtrodden and always spoke about the importance of connecting with the needs of the poor.
 

It is our hope and prayer that a thorough investigation will be carried out with the greatest integrity. We urge the Muslim community and all Americans committed to justice to actively monitor both the investigation and trial of the accused. Also, we urge law enforcement authorities to release Imam Luqman's remains expeditiously so that they may be buried according to Islamic practice.
MANA is committed to the establishment of viable, healthy and dynamic Muslim communities, neighborhoods and institutions that meet the religious, social, economic and political needs of the Muslims in this land. For more information about MANA's programs including SHARE centers, Healthy Marriage Initiative, Community Re-entry Program; as well as the National Campaign for Healing & Reconciliation, visit our website at www.mana-net. org.

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U.S. Muslim Religious Council Issues Fatwa Against Terrorism
 

The Fiqh Council of North America wishes to reaffirm Islam's absolute condemnation of terrorism and religious extremism.
 

Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians’ life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram – or forbidden - and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not “martyrs.”
 

The Qur’an, Islam’s revealed text, states: "Whoever kills a person [unjustly]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind." (Qur’an, 5:32)
 

Prophet Muhammad said there is no excuse for committing unjust acts: "Do not be people without minds of your own, saying that if others treat you well you will treat them well, and that if they do wrong you will do wrong to them. Instead, accustom yourselves to do good if people do good and not to do wrong (even) if they do evil." (Al-Tirmidhi)
 

God mandates moderation in faith and in all aspects of life when He states in the Qur’an: “We made you to be a community of the middle way, so that (with the example of your lives) you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind.” (Qur’an, 2:143)
 

In another verse, God explains our duties as human beings when he says: “Let there arise from among you a band of people who invite to righteousness, and enjoin good and forbid evil.” (Qur’an, 3:104)
 

Islam teaches us to act in a caring manner to all of God's creation. The Prophet Muhammad, who is described in the Qur’an as “a mercy to the worlds” said: “All creation is the family of God, and the person most beloved by God (is the one) who is kind and caring toward His family."
 

In the light of the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah we clearly and strongly state:
1. All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden) in Islam.
2. It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence.
3. It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians.
 

We issue this fatwa following the guidance of our scripture, the Qur’an, and the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him. We urge all people to resolve all conflicts in just and peaceful manners.
 

We pray for the defeat of extremism and terrorism. We pray for the safety and security of our country, the United States, and its people. We pray for the safety and security of all inhabitants of our planet. We pray that interfaith harmony and cooperation prevail both in the United States and all around the globe.
- The Fiqh Council of North America