Civil Nations
I get asked a lot of questions about what is going on in the Middle East. I get even more questions about Islam. Perhaps that is because I have been working in the Middle East for 28 years this January, conducted my doctoral research there, wrote a major book about the history of Mormons in the Middle East, lived there, and continue to travel there on a very regular basis. Whatever the case, when someone asks me about the significance of Luxor, Egypt relative to its positioning on the Nile, I explain and they believe me. When someone asks me about Petra, Jordan I gladly tell them why the world is fascinated by this wonder and the significant role the Nabatean people played in ancient Middle Eastern trade. When someone asks me if BYU’s Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies will ever be transformed into an LDS Temple on the Mount of Olives I firmly explain that it was built with no such intention at the time of construction and the basic educational purposes of the building will not change. Once again, they believe me. Apparently, I am credible source in their eyes.
However, and this is a big however, when I am asked about Islam and the Middle East (and lately I am asked about Islam multiple times a day), I explain that Islam is a religion of total submission to God, a religion of peace, a religion of tolerance and love, a religion of almsgiving to the poor, a religion of fasting, a religion of prayer five times a day (at least), a religion whose founder the First Presidency identified as inspired by God. This time, it is not uncommon at all, that they don’t believe me.
They frequently ask a reasonable follow up question: “Well, what about suicide bombings and shootings in Ankara, Paris and other places?” My response is essentially the same every time. Perhaps it is the brevity that catches people off guard—I’m not sure. My response is: “The noble religion of Islam has been hijacked by frauds. They claim Islam but it is not Islam. Hell will freeze over 1000 times before those murderous acts can be accurately ascribed to Islam and the Quran. The murderers are liars, horrible liars. Please don’t believe the claims of liars.”
In response to my explanation I am frequently greeted with a blank stare. A curious, “How do I respond to that streamline explanation—especially in light of what I heard on the radio this morning driving to work?” I add that not to be snarky but to communicate that most of the people that ask me questions about Islam and then refuse the answer are getting the lion’s share of their information about Islam from talk radio and one or two television newscast programs. So I follow their question with a question of my own: “Please tell me, how many good friends do you have that are adherent Muslims?” Almost without fail the answer is, “None.” Another follow-up question: “How many Muslims have you actually met in your lifetime?” Almost without exception the answer is: “None.” On occasion, however, the answer is, “I met one a few years ago.” Another follow-up question: “Great, do you remember their name?” Response: “No, I don’t.”
In other words, the heavy and searing accusations and claims against Islam are frequently made by people that literally have never met a Muslim. Or, if they have met a Muslim it was such a brief encounter that they cannot even recall a name. That is nothing shy of astonishing. Furthermore, if the person making these uninformed claims happens to be a Mormon, it is even worse in my opinion. No religion in American history has been smeared more in the public square than Mormons. Does a Mormon really want to turn around and do the same thing to Muslims?
An invitation to my readers. Please jump to the comment board of Civil Nations and tell everyone that follows this blog, frequently or infrequently, about your experience meeting and associating with an adherent Muslim that has terrorist leanings. It is possible that there may be many posts in response to this invitation that are affirmative. I look forward to reading them. A second invitation to my readers. Please jump to the comment board of Civil Nations and tell everyone that follows this blog, frequently or infrequently, about your experience meeting and associating with an adherent Muslim that matches the description that I provided earlier in this post. It is possible that there may be many posts in response to this invitation that are affirmative. I look forward to reading them.
I’ll be watching the comments with interest. Perhaps you will too. Let the discussion begin.
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