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Benevolent Face of Islam

Reader comment on item: [Finding Moderate Muslims:] Do you believe in modernity?

Submitted by Waseem Sayed (United States), Oct 12, 2009 at 00:01

When a politician risks displeasing a lot more people than he will please, to speak in favor of someone, people should pay attention - especially when it affects our safety and security. Recently, in Canada, at the inauguration of another of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's mosques, Mr. Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada did exactly this. He knew that Muslims in general consider the Ahmadis heretics and outside the pale of Islam. He knew that by praising them he would earn the ire of the million strong Muslim community in Canada - yet he spoke candidly and forthrightly about the Ahmadi Muslims as being the benevolent face of Islam. Here is what he said and this is straight from the Canadian PM's website:

Prime Minister Harper attends opening of Baitun Nur Ahmadiyya mosque
5 July 2008
Calgary, Alberta

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today participated in the unveiling of Canada's largest mosque complex. The spectacular 48,000-square-foot Baitun Nur mosque was inaugurated by the head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community, His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

Prime Minister Harper said the mosque symbolized how the relatively small Canadian Ahmadiyya community, most of whom are recent immigrants from Central and South Asia, has prospered and flourished in Canada's pluralistic society. "Ahmadis are renowned for their devotion to peace, universal brotherhood and submission to the will of God – the core principles of true Islam," said Prime Minister Harper. "They are also renowned for working together to serve the greater good through social, health and education initiatives, as well as mosque projects like this one. And wherever they live in the world, Ahmadis are renowned for participating in the larger community and peacefully co-existing with people of all faiths, languages and cultures."

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to His Holiness the Kalipha as a champion of peace and religious freedom. "We especially applaud the Kalipha for denouncing those who pervert faith by claiming it as a justification for violence," Prime Minister Harper said, noting that many Ahmadis who endured persecution in their homelands have found religious freedom in Canada.

"Calgarians, Albertans and Canadians will see the moderate, benevolent face of Islam in this mosque and the people who worship here," the Prime Minister said. "They will see your love for Canada and your patriotism, and they will see that just as Ahmadis have embraced Canada, Canada has embraced you."

All of us who share this planet will benefit knowing more about this Muslim Community: www.alislam.org

Submitting....

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Title Commenter Date Thread
Do I pass? [680 words]hypocrite-ingrateJul 5, 2017 01:12239847
My opinions [607 words]Jeffrey SchillingJun 25, 2012 16:10196675
1all [142 words]slave of Allah!Feb 16, 2012 02:27193402
moderate? [121 words]slave of Allah!Feb 16, 2012 02:19193401
Guidance is Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad - no Scholar can change this guidance. [119 words]Syed NasimNov 27, 2015 19:34193401
Please read Q5:33 several times [99 words]PrashantJan 24, 2017 04:20193401
mask down [21 words]ruiJan 29, 2012 22:30192894
3Alhamdulillah.... I failed your test [93 words]Muhammad Fahmi ZulkefleeApr 3, 2011 18:24183841
where is the test? [45 words]TabasamApr 27, 2011 14:00183841
Wa 'alaikumussalam, I forgot [31 words]FahmiApr 27, 2011 18:20183841
I passed your test and am proud of it [63 words]NotAMuslimApr 28, 2011 02:49183841
Here is the test [1 words]NotAMuslimApr 28, 2011 02:50183841
4Another victim of Arabian imperialism and of Islam [285 words]dhimmi no moreApr 28, 2011 19:52183841
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2No, it's apostacy [105 words]JasonNov 15, 2012 14:22183841
1Benevolent Face of Islam [414 words]Waseem SayedOct 12, 2009 00:01162967
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1Reasonable Questions from Dr. Pipes EXCEPT... [78 words]JamalSep 10, 2007 08:55108418
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34 False Tenets. [1325 words]Manuel F. NuñezDec 30, 2007 20:04103197
2governing by religion is chaotic [25 words]J. AttardSep 9, 2010 16:49103197
Where do I take the test??!! [18 words]Qasim ManzoorApr 22, 2007 11:4990182
Modern Afghan muslim [218 words]FaridDec 4, 2009 01:5190182
I failed [6 words]farooqFeb 22, 2007 17:2178390
2Proven point. [114 words]Atiem QJan 23, 2007 13:5574268
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Yeah, but... [632 words]Trevor SwoverlandAug 30, 2006 16:0854400
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oh really? [33 words]zenApr 2, 2007 06:5654400
Before correcting others... [79 words]GovJun 30, 2008 12:2854400
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5 minutes [64 words]MichaelAug 27, 2006 20:1153735
re: 5 minutes [72 words]davidFeb 1, 2007 21:0053735
there you go [15 words]Frank CottonAug 20, 2007 12:1753735
Cute but Ignorant Comments... [1101 words]Manuel F. NuñezJan 2, 2008 09:0653735
35Questions Muslims can't answer!! [3411 words]Salman SaeedJul 9, 2006 08:2649263
Muslims Do Answer!!! [149 words]Azmat ZuberiAug 11, 2006 17:5149263
reply [203 words]a name would only bias the responseSep 30, 2006 21:1249263
I recently chose Islam after living as a Roman Catholic [616 words]dBirchMay 29, 2007 17:1049263
1I am a Roman Catholic married to a Muslim..... [177 words]Brenda BakkaliAug 16, 2007 19:1649263
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3LA CAÍDA DEL IMPERIO ROMANO CON LA INVASIÓN DE LOS BÁRBAROS [553 words]lusaotApr 15, 2009 18:5149263
HERE IS THE ANSWER FOR YOUR DOUBTS [167 words]Mohamed ShafeeqMar 25, 2010 14:2049263
All! [114 words]the slave of ALLAH!Feb 16, 2012 02:1249263
siempre lo mismo, me han cansado estos artículos todos iguales [93 words]Manuela GarreffaFeb 27, 2012 03:3149263
May not be the exact answer you are looking for but it's my 2 cents [128 words]TjSep 12, 2014 09:1149263
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They all got answered. [1 words]Mohammed Nedal Al HalabiJun 17, 2020 01:1349263
Questions for our dear Mohammed Nedal al-Halabi صلى الله عليه وسلم [291 words]dhimmi no moreJun 17, 2020 14:3449263
1a moderate muslim answer and critique [1626 words]Abdul Rahman ReijerinkJun 28, 2006 09:2448342
1Phew! I failed. [74 words]AhmedJun 20, 2006 19:5447966
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2fending ignorance [130 words]a name would only bias the answerSep 30, 2006 20:4047966
The bottom line......... [19 words]Tim JOct 2, 2007 02:3747966
Alhamdulilah I failed! [20 words]AhmadDec 7, 2008 14:2947966
Jihad [37 words]CorrectionMar 4, 2006 01:4238830
Jihad [68 words]Correction 1Apr 19, 2006 10:4738830
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1RE:did muhammed kill anyone [50 words]ManishMar 29, 2009 22:5737592
response [124 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
KhalilNov 28, 2005 08:2728911
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2Modernity? Why not? [241 words]SubriahJul 15, 2006 02:4028911
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With my due respect, America is not the world and 500 years is not the whole human history [51 words]Abdou NianeNov 2, 2005 04:5427661
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1Missunderstanding & Misuse Islam Flexibility [152 words]Citra PratiwiJan 12, 2006 13:0426960
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Yes and yes again... [159 words]aliaDec 6, 2007 15:0126443
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1I have failed as a good Muslim should [17 words]Danial Khan HadiSep 25, 2005 02:5326278
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blasphemy [42 words]KeoniFeb 13, 2007 02:1519836
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w/response from Daniel Pipes
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w/response from Daniel Pipes
alia robiaNov 5, 2004 00:3618105
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2Google - "Quran kill" ... unbelievable [53 words]Ward PdanSep 19, 2006 13:0812669
ISLAM:The bitter truth [421 words]INDIA 4 HINDUSSep 27, 2006 16:4712669
he killed and approved of killing [52 words]david bare Proffessor of divinityOct 4, 2006 11:2012669
Not all Muslims are extremists! [78 words]JasminOct 24, 2006 00:3212669
MISINFORMED [59 words]jANISDec 29, 2006 14:0312669
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Sherman's march on Iraq [1711 words]BJul 10, 2007 01:2812669
response to observer, Sikhs are NOT hindus, and hindutva IS NOT hinduism. [251 words]khkJul 26, 2007 17:0812669
SIKHS ARE NOT HINDUS. [100 words]quagJul 26, 2007 17:1512669
agree [42 words]sdSep 11, 2009 13:2012669
From the Heart of an American Youth [337 words]Courtney WagnerNov 18, 2009 19:3812669
i dont believe it [76 words]AnnaApr 14, 2010 23:2912669
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I condemn that it's completely against the context in quran [47 words]MohammedJan 10, 2012 16:1412669
What is a moderate muslim? [114 words]A.NielsenDec 14, 2003 12:2212651
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Your Useful Questions - an Excellent "Islamist-Litmus Test" [396 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Goran AndrijasevicDec 8, 2003 01:4612527
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Domination. [20 words]eric mudasiDec 5, 2003 03:0912495
Typical Moderate Muslim [129 words]N. KhanDec 4, 2003 13:4812481
In response to "Typical Moderate Muslim" [530 words]HayyahJan 25, 2005 14:0412481
Clarification of my earlier comment [225 words]hayyahJan 25, 2005 14:1312481
Moderate PERSON, that happens to be a muslim... [245 words]AliaDec 6, 2007 14:3412481
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khilafa .. the need of the time [35 words]Mohhammad al hajMar 27, 2006 03:1212406
Khilafa call tiresome [89 words]Abdul Rahman ReijerinkJun 28, 2006 10:3112406
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still their source is one [82 words]T.A.Dec 1, 2003 04:4012393
Where is modernity in Islam? [213 words]samy mikhailNov 30, 2003 22:3612392
wrong perception. [202 words]bilal ahmedOct 8, 2007 16:4412392
LOL [74 words]EsmeraldaOct 9, 2007 03:2812392
Who's moderate? [359 words]JamesNov 30, 2003 20:0712391
Great idea. . . But. . . [177 words]Lilith PalomaNov 30, 2003 10:3712387
Great questions [22 words]SriramNov 30, 2003 00:4812383
In addition [67 words]Adelaide Gerol MeisnerNov 29, 2003 22:4612381
Questions are concise and to the point [125 words]EdNov 29, 2003 22:1812380
what is Israel's obligation [81 words]y BrandstetterNov 29, 2003 16:4412376
Moderate Islam? [134 words]CharlesNov 29, 2003 14:1912375
Maybe Not [173 words]Nicholas G. WionNov 29, 2003 00:2412370
Global Goals of Islam [109 words]Fred TrinkerNov 28, 2003 18:3712368
Another test for Moderate Muslims [10 words]Stan BrinNov 28, 2003 07:4412362
Now You See Me, Now You Don't [444 words]Alo KievalarNov 28, 2003 07:1212361
Distinguishing Free Speech From Terrorist Propaganda [102 words]Yirmeyahu Ben-DavidNov 28, 2003 06:5312360
Re Article- Thanks [5 words]Bill McCrawNov 27, 2003 20:1912356
Great suggestions but ... [161 words]Ivan BarnaNov 27, 2003 20:0112355
Your commentary on Muslims [9 words]Walter D'UllNov 27, 2003 17:4712354
You must not trust them at all [175 words]f shawkiNov 27, 2003 17:3812353
another 'Useful Question'? [106 words]ron thompsonNov 27, 2003 17:1512352
Thanks [27 words]Robert G. MogullNov 27, 2003 13:3612350
Nice ! Very nice Daniel [133 words]KaiserNov 27, 2003 12:4912349
The Myth of Tests for (and of?) Moderate Islam. [393 words]Patrick MooreNov 27, 2003 12:0512346
Remember the Left [330 words]Jason EritanoNov 27, 2003 10:3312344
Is Muslim Modernity Possible? [132 words]Darwin BarrettNov 27, 2003 10:2512343
Islamic Leadership in the United States [182 words]Professor Nitza NachmiasNov 27, 2003 03:4712341
Excellent questions [24 words]Joseph M. EllisNov 27, 2003 02:2912340
Nice Try, BUT WRONG [37 words]mvmNov 26, 2003 23:5412339
Pretence is more than just a possibility its a near certainty [137 words]Lloyd Lionel KleinNov 26, 2003 18:5212335
If you really want to know the truth. [140 words]A guyJul 4, 2008 17:5312335
Moderate? [49 words]Charles TisseNov 26, 2003 18:4812334
How fine a line, or, where's the cameleon? [177 words]yonasonNov 26, 2003 16:5112332
One question only [105 words]Boris GalinskyNov 26, 2003 14:3112330
Tolerance [110 words]Stephen BermanNov 26, 2003 14:1912328
Moderate what? [159 words]Gideon KannerNov 26, 2003 13:4912326
DO YOU BELEIVE IN MODERNITY [76 words]Frank MalekNov 26, 2003 13:1612324
Thank you [259 words]Susan PetreaNov 26, 2003 13:1212323
Civil Liberties should be supspended [310 words]Jason EritanoNov 26, 2003 13:0412322
Profile Me! [76 words]Marc SeganNov 26, 2003 11:0112319
Muslim definition of "innocence" [39 words]Alex CoalsonNov 26, 2003 10:4312317
Islam vs. Modernity [133 words]Arlinda DeAngelisNov 26, 2003 10:4312316
Pipes' Intelligent Analysis of Islam [396 words]Anne HeltonNov 26, 2003 10:3312314
ONE Islamic cleric? [64 words]ScottNov 26, 2003 10:3112313
Modernity [32 words]Sandy PriceNov 26, 2003 10:2912312
Moderate criteria [269 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Boris FrenkelNov 26, 2003 10:2112311
1TRUTH is Hard to Find due to al-taqiyya and al-tauriya. [1266 words]D. WallsNov 26, 2003 10:0212309
You make the truth even harder to find [198 words]Abdul Rahman ReijerinkJun 28, 2006 10:1112309
Islam and Modernity [274 words]Vijay DandapaniNov 26, 2003 09:5112308
In response to commenter "Vijay" [275 words]ReemOct 31, 2004 21:2912308
Where Are the Moderate Muslims? [58 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Richard RheinerNov 26, 2003 09:4712307
Blame the Left [207 words]Jason EritanoNov 26, 2003 09:4512306
Questions for "Moderate" Muslims [67 words]Orley SwartzentruberNov 26, 2003 09:4012305
Response to Swartzentruber [37 words]BobDec 16, 2003 14:2612305
I agree, except for one point [209 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
David BernsteinNov 26, 2003 09:2612304
What is Islam [282 words]Budd KopmanNov 26, 2003 09:1812303
Solution? [5 words]MortonNov 26, 2003 09:1612302
1Moderate Muslims [40 words]Patrick MulliganNov 26, 2003 09:0512301

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