Islam is too sensitive

Historian Tom Holland has received death threats after channel 4 screened his documentary on the history of Islam. The Television station was this week forced to cancel a second screening of the controversial documentary after the presenter was threatened with physical violence.

Once again the intolerance and hypersensitivity of a minority has been demonstrated when a perceived slight is suspected.

I watched the entire documentary online last night and I was like: 'what's all the fuss about?'

The programme was thoughtful and well researched and mirrored the views of many serious historians.

Despite their flaws, Christianity and Judaism have withstood the probing and scrutiny of historians. Until Islam is prepared to do so, questions will continue to be asked about its validity.

Islam is a proud faith with a solid history that has introduced many good things in the fields of science and medicine and has nothing to fear. But it must be prepared to be scrutinized.

The American Ambassador to Libya and three others was killed yesterday when gunmen attacked U.S. consulate in Libya.

Radical Islamists in Cairo tore apart Stars and Stripes flag in protests over film attacking Prophet Mohammed.

Someone published a cartoon or prophet Mohammed, in far-away Denmark. The author of that cartoon was a Dutch man, NOT a Nigerian and had never visited Nigeria. The cartoon was not published in Nigeria, but in far-away Denmark. Yet, some Muslims went on a rampage in Nigeria, burning over 20 Christian churches, looting and destroying businesses owned by Christians, and murdering over 200 Nigerian citizens!

Isioma Nkemdilim Nkiruka Daniel is a Nigerian journalist whose 2002 Thisday newspaper article comment involving the Islamic prophet Muhammad sparked major religious riots and caused a fatwa to be issued on her life. She ran away from fatherland and went into hiding!

Sir Ahmed Salman Rushdie is a British Indian novelist and essayist. His fourth novel, The Satanic Verses (1988), was the centre of a major controversy, provoking protests from Muslims in several countries, some violent. He went into hiding after death threats were made against him, including a fatwā issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran, on 14 February 1989.

The publication of The Satanic Verses in September 1988 caused immediate controversy in the Islamic world because of what was perceived as an irreverent depiction of the prophet Muhammad.

The publication of the book and the fatwā sparked violence around the world, with bookstores firebombed. Muslim communities in several nations in the West held public rallies, burning copies of the book. Several people associated with translating or publishing the book were attacked, seriously injured, and even killed. Many more people died in riots in some countries.

This morning Yemeni protesters, angry over a film mocking Islam, stormed the complex of the US embassy in Sanaa, defying efforts by riot police working as security guards to hold them at bay. Protesters torched a number of diplomatic vehicles as security forces used water cannons and warning shots in a bid to drive them out.

I implore all Muslim friends to hearken to the prayers of my friend Rasak Umoru over these developments:

“Oh Allah touch their hearts and restrain them from further damage and collateral damage on any human lives and properties....Summa Ameen.

“A peaceful protest is understandable but no, not a violent one like the unfortunate one that happened in Libya yesterday...We cannot afford the loss of lives of any innocent soul anymore certainly this is what Shaytan [Devil] wanted by using those lunatics to perpetrate such acts.

“The Yemenis should please with the love and fear of God stay out of trouble and leave judgment to Allah.....It's not a threat but factual that the wrath of Allah will touch every single soul that has a part overtly or covertly in that blasphemous film.....Remember Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him forbids us in his hadith from taking the life of an innocent soul which is synonymous to killing of the whole mankind in weight of sin according to him in the sight of God....Allah also forbids us in the Quran from being aggressors as God loves not the aggressors.

“Caving in to violence will only help fuel the inordinate agitation of and joy of enemies of Islam....

“I enjoin my Muslim brothers and sisters in Islam to please join me in spreading the message of tolerance and peace in the face of provocation of this nature at this unfortunate time.....”

I pray others will follow Rasak's footsteps, and Allah grant all more wisdom as they keep spreading this message for peace of humanity.

Sallam.....Peace
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Daniel Elombah