Since Muslims behave or tend to associate with each other (and expand) with a Pan-religious mindset, it probably makes sense to have a global poll that could understand the thoughts and aspirations of many amongst them. Most of the Muslims point to the several "hurts and insults" to their religious brethren that sometimes makes some members act in an extremist mould. A Gallup Poll of the Muslim World surveyed a representative sample of 90 percent of the world's 1.3 billion Muslims, the most comprehensive study ever done. The findings are explored in the new book "Who Speaks for Islam?" by John Esposito, Islamic studies professor at Georgetown University; and Dalia Mogahed, executive director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies in Washington. This was an ambitious six-year project that involved hour-long, face-to-face interviews with residents in nearly 40 nations, Gallup has looked the perspectives of Muslim men and women – urban and rural, educated and illiterate, young and old. Below are some interesting findings listed under major categories. On Islam & Democracy • Large majorities cite the equal importance of democracy and Islam to the quality of life and progress of the Muslim world. They see no contradiction between democratic values and religious principles. • Political freedoms are among the things they admire most about the West. • Substantial majorities in nearly all nations say that if drafting a new constitution, they would guarantee freedom of speech. • Most want neither theocracy nor secular democracy but a third model in which religious principles and democratic values coexist. They want their own democratic model that draws on Islamic law as a source. • Significant majorities say religious leaders should play no direct role in drafting a constitution, writing legislation, determining foreign policy, or deciding how women dress in public. Read more

This is the speech that Swami Vivekananda gave on September 11, 1893 - 108 years before another storm.. malafide albeit... hit the US. This speech is the cornerstone of Swami Vivekananda's teachings and explorations. I think it is a great speech - although it does not fully capture his genius! He was one of the greatest giants of his age. ****** ******** ******** "Sisters and Brothers of America. [At this moment came the three minute standing ovation from the audience of 7,000] It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects. "My thanks also to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. "I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. "I will quote to you brethren a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest childhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: 'As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.' Read more

Vatican newspaper says that Islam is the largest religion in the world. 17.4 % of the world population is Catholic while Muslims are 19.2%. So there is some kind of despair. "It is true that while Muslim families, as is well known, continue to make a lot of children, Christian ones on the contrary tend to have fewer and fewer," the monsignor said. It is like two armies fighting each other where each thinks that just by increasing the numbers they can prove their "God" is better than the others'! Its a tribal mentality that runs through the heart of these people - both Muslims and Catholics and the evangelists. But when people do not want to think and take responsibility but need a pastor or a Prophet to care for their sins and happiness, then how can you expect any understanding of God/Truth itself? Read more