Koran and Jihad

Submitted by Christian Doumit (Spain), Jul 31, 2002 at 06:56

RE Paul Johnson and agressive Islam:

The Koran refers to fighting pagans, not the believers and that includes the Jews and the Christians.

According to Al Azhar's Islamic Research Academy, the concept of Jihad refers to the "defense of the nation against occupation and the plunder of its resources". But it does not cover the killing of innocent people, the elderly, women, and children, which is forbidden
by Islam. The teachings of Islam also forbid the destruction of buildings and establishments not connected with a specific battle.
The statement drew a distinction between violence perpetrated by oppressors who have no respect for what is sacred and violenceas a legitimate defence launched by the weak to win their rights.

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