Islam
This refers to a recent article by one of your learned columnists wherein the writer tried to initiate some discussion on the subject-- but the response has been rather cold. It appears that mainstream Muslims are not interested in entering a debate on a subject that has been dealt with finally and conclusively some fourteen hundred years ago. Islam is a complete religion based on five basic principles - and Jihad is not one of them. One billion Muslims of the world lead their personal and social lives around these precepts, although there are differences and variations in mode, method and practices. Mainstream Islam teaches love, humanity, justice, discipline, abstinence, sacrifice, good neighbourliness, dutifulness, truthfulness and all the other good virtues for establishing peace and harmony in personal, family, social, national and international spheres. Politics, obviously, messes things up!
Although all wanton and despicable acts must be condemned but we must not jump to any conclusion and suggest discovering fault lines in our faith and way of life, just because someone else does not like it!
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