The Birmingham Islamic Society Advertisement

How many of you read the following advertisement in the Birmingham News on Sunday, May 27?

Paid Advertisement

“Who so ever kills a soul unless for a soul (i.e., for legal retribution for murder) or for corruption done in the land (i.e., that requiring death penalty), it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and who so ever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind,”
(Qur’an 5:32)

The Birmingham Islamic Society affirms and reiterates clearly that those who commit acts of terror, murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but are also betraying the values of the faith they claim to represent. No Injustice towards Muslims can ever justify the massacre of innocent lives, and no act of terror will ever serve the cause of Islam. We repudiate and dissociate ourselves from any Muslim group or individual who commits such brutal and un-Islamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a small minority of Muslims acting outside the teachings of both the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and the prophets who came before him, peace be upon them all.

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for God, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, God is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed God is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.
(Qur’an 4:135)

Birmingham Islamic Society

1810 25th Court South

Birmingham, AL 35209

(205) 879-4247

So, what is your impression?

Allow me to express a few of my reactions.

First, I accepted the apology at face value. I received it as genuine and sincere.

I certainly appreciate the Birmingham Islamic Society’s attempt to take a stand against terrorism which hides under the guise of Islam. Although not entirely forceful, their strongest statement declared, “We repudiate and dissociate ourselves from any Muslim group or individual who commits such brutal and un-Islamic acts.”

Additionally, I reminded myself I must be cautious to critique the apology. Therefore, I should take it as just that, a sincere statement. That is my first impression.

After reading it a second time, I formed a few other responses.

Next, I asked why now?

Why is the Birmingham Islamic Society apologizing now? What prompted the apology? Did they apologize before today? If so, when did they apologize? The advertisement makes it sound as if they had apologized before—The Birmingham Islamic Society affirms and reiterates. If they have apologized before now, when did they first express regret? I do not recall such a confession, although that does not mean they have not apologized before Sunday. Again, I asked myself “why did they apologize today.”

Next, I asked why did they not apologize specifically for 9-11?

Why did they not mention the 9-11 act of terrorism? We can assume that is what the Birmingham Islamic Society was referring to, yet one cannot be sure since the ad did not refer to it expressly. Do they accept responsibility for these acts of terror? I think the advertisement would have carried much more force if it had referred to 9-11 directly.

Then, I asked what are the boundaries or ramifications of this apology? Does this apology include the persecution the Global Islamic Jihad terrorists take out on those who receive Christ as Lord and Savior in Muslim nations (see www.persecution.com)? Additionally, does this advertisement include the Muslim acts of terror worldwide—the murder of school children in Russia, the bombing of a train in Madrid, Spain; the suicide bombings in public squares, restaurants and other public places; the rape, murder and beheadings of people in Darfour?

Also, I asked what are the leaders of The Birmingham Islamic Society or any other Islamic Society doing to confront the radicals that have highjacked the Muslim religion? Do they realize that those who commit mass murder in the name of Islam are not just a few fringe elements? Sure, they apologized today, yet what are they doing tomorrow to confront the terrorists? What are they doing to rid the world of terrorism that has its roots in the Islam religion?

Finally, I asked would the advertisement be more effective if the Birmingham leaders issued a fatwa instead of an apology?

A fatwa is an Islamic religious ruling, a scholarly opinion on a matter of Islamic law. Osama bin Laden issued a fatwa in 1998, saying that any American, whether Muslim or not, should be killed. Due to that edict thousands of innocent souls have paid the ultimate price of their life since then. Isn’t it time for the leaders of Islam to issue a fatwa against terrorism?

There is so much more on my mind. I better stop.

Isn’t it interesting that I would ruthlessly evaluate the admission? Perhaps I would be wise to return to my first instinct and accept it as fair and honest.

I would be curious, however, to hear from you. What do you think of the advertisement?