Isnt This Awful?
…A community debate over religious freedom surfaced in Western Pennsylvania last week when Dutch feminist author Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Somali refugee who has lived under the threat of death for denouncing her Muslim upbringing, made an appearance at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
Islamic leaders tried to block the lecture, which was sponsored through an endowment from the Frank J. and Sylvia T. Pasquerilla Lecture Series. They argued that Hirsi Ali’s attacks against the Muslim faith in her book, “Infidel,” and movie, “Submission,” are “poisonous and unjustified” and create dissension in their community.
Although university officials listened to Islamic leaders’ concerns, the lecture planned last year took place Tuesday evening under tight security, with no incidents.
Imam Fouad ElBayly, president of the Johnstown Islamic Center, was among those who objected to Hirsi Ali’s appearance.
“She has been identified as one who has defamed the faith. If you come into the faith, you must abide by the laws, and when you decide to defame it deliberately, the sentence is death,” said ElBayly, who came to the U.S. from Egypt in 1976.
Hirsi Ali, an atheist, has been critical of many Muslim beliefs, particularly on subjects of sexual morality, the treatment of women and female genital mutilation. In her essay “The Caged Virgin,” she also wrote of punishment, noting that “a Muslim’s relationship with God is one of fear.”
“Our God demands total submission. He rewards you if you follow His rules meticulously. He punishes you cruelly if you break His rules, both on earth, with illness and natural disasters, and in the hereafter, with hellfire,” she wrote….
Although ElBayly believes a death sentence is warranted for Hirsi Ali, he stressed that America is not the jurisdiction where such a crime should be punished. Instead, Hirsi Ali should be judged in a Muslim country after being given a trial, he added.
Beau Brummell on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 8:55 pm
This is a very scary belief, especially coming from a president of an American Islamic Center.
I am glad that he doesn’t want to kill her in the US, but horrified that he thinks that someone who questions his belief with personal historic reasoning should be put to death.
If a secular person started making comments about the need to put creationists to death, the person would be put away? What makes this believe OK in Islam?
ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 9:19 pm
Like I said. Religion sucks. All religions.
mr bones on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 9:26 pm
I thought that it was a known fact that the punishment for renouncing the Muslim religion is death. No comment required.
haysus on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 9:57 pm
That is terrible. No one should have to live in fear of their lives just because of a religious choice.
Maverick on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 10:48 pm
Don’t forget that islam is the religion of peace. I have yet to see some proof of that though.
? on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 11:00 pm
What’s awful about it? The fact that she is an apostate or that a religious leader is calling for her execution? I think the former is to be honored and the latter is to be condemned.
The Craig on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 11:46 pm
Yes it is awful, people of every faith are just as capable of ignorance as the next. I watched her documentary on PBS this weekend…she’s a brave and normal human being.
Lee on Sun, 20th Dec 2009 11:54 pm
Praise God atheists have freedom in America.
Check out this Islamic inspiration from one bloghttp://www.bh4all.net/movies/Default_0.w…
Who's got my back? on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 12:18 am
Those who take the greatest offence to criticism of their beliefs must be those with the weakest faith. Anyone who was confident and secure in their beliefs would have no need to feel that way.
icarus62 on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 12:52 am
Ask a question….not tell a story that takes up time
babo1dm on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 1:19 am
Depends on what side your on I guess!
Jai on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 2:16 am
Her spirit promoted these value and not the body; as a man who has been spiritually killed continually for over 3 years by people who are of no faith, I find it alarming that death is still interpreted in a physical capacity.
The earth is round, the earth is flat. If you don’t hold the message you tend to refuse it and maybe still hasn’t lost any values in doing so.
If the faith is challenged on a moral issue then this can only be considered healthy, for greater morality and wisdom should reign; is this shown or hidden?.
Is it more the mission to create infidel or to raise the infidel?. If there are misinterpretations of faith then it is better to show reason and deter others from the ignorance.
A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Paul B on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 2:37 am
That is awful. It sounds like she was brought up in a religion that did not give her personal freedoms.
shardnay on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 2:45 am
that is life… that is another good reason to join the puffins to stop the pegnuins from ruling the world
Puffin Defense on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 3:14 am
“To Each His Own”
ArchAngel Raziel on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 4:07 am
That is why Freedom of Religion and the Freedom of Speech are so important, and should not be taken lightly. People might not agree, but they still have the right to say what they think and believe. Others may not like it, but choice is the thread of our society.
mtnexplo on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 4:42 am
And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.
If Allah be a god can he not deal with it himself?
Or is he a no god that the Muslims have to do it all for him?
We are not to fear Allah then, but murderous Muslims who have no power with any god.
Are they not like wild animals?