Saturday, October 2, 2010

Islam for Dummies: 20/20 Edition



ABC's 20/20, the news broadcaster, took the initiative and did a special on Islam and Muslims in America. An assorted group of Muslims, men, women, children, from just about everywhere answered questions posed from thousands of viewers worldwide, such as:

  • What is Islam?
  • Are Muslim women oppressed?
  • What does the Qu'ran really say about violence against non-believers?
  • Does Islam condone violence?
  • Is there such a thing as a moderate Muslim?
  • Where are all of the moderate Muslims?
  • Why aren't more Muslims speaking out against acts of hate?

If you didn't catch it last night, no worries, because you can catch it here:


(click on the picture to view the episode)

Obviously they weren't able to answer all the questions that were posed, in such a short period of time, as one hour. So from my understanding, they are planning to do another special of Islam: Questions and Answers.

Although, in my personal opinion, this should have been done years ago, kudos, again, to 20/20 for taking this course of action and trying to build bridges between the Muslims and non-Muslims in America. And hopefully the rest of the world.

11 comments:

JUST ME said...

I love 20/20.

Except their "To Catch A Predator" episodes. How boring. Every guy is the same creepy douchebag who cries after being caught.

C said...

Asalaamu Alaikum

Pretty good except why do they keep choosing muslims like Irshad Manji to represent us and they still have some mistakes too like whoever said Jesus alaihisalam is on the right hand of God? The last part though really made me cry. Its sad that a tragedy is what it takes to make them realize we are human.

Farnnay said...

Just Me: lol.


C: I completely agree and was heartbroken about the tragedy. So sad that it took that to bring people together. And when I saw Irshad Manji and Hirsa Ali, I literally cringed.

Overall, I think they did an good job though.

Anonymous said...

I loved the show except the fact that they got Hirsa Ali. I mean she chose to become an athiest cuz she didn't like it, said horrible things about Islam (not on 20/20, just in general) so why do they need to hear what she has to say? And she wants to reform it, change the Quran around. Wish they could have interviewed more prominent Muslim Islamic Scholars but it's all good. Better than nothing! :)

Soda and Candy said...

Hi girls!
Just dropping by to say I've basically quit blogging, I just didn't want to make a big thing out of it! Real life just got too real and too busy! But I'll always think of you girls very fondly, best wishes to all of you!

Anonymous said...

it = Islam

AL said...

those questions are annoying and offensive

Anonymous said...

These people criticize muslims for submitting to Allah, but they are free to impose their wills on us and the rest of the world? people need to rethink the standard. i ask muslims to live up to their timeless and most progressive book we revere as THE Quran.. and stop trying to live up instead to whatever extreme ideas it means to be 'american.' (requiring compromise of ur principles). we are so quick to defend imperialists that rape women and torture innocent people in prisons and indiscriminately kill civilians and children and drive their soldiers to commit suicide by the numbers..and we are so quick to condemn people that we know little about, who are defending their homes and beliefs, cleanse their societies of vices and pornography, while this military and allies FUEL those that misrepresent Islam to improve america's false case to wage wars.. BUT WE ALL CANNOT SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO! and isn't there a difference between a person/muslim that defends his land, home, property and family from invasion while standing up for his beliefs, versus the people and muslims that kill, invade, and support the killing of people when they do not konw why they are even killing. if we allow ourselves to be passive while our lands are destroyed what will become of us?? this is what they really want. lay down and be peaceful so that we can invade, ravage, pillage ur lands in the banner of democracy, so that we have full control of the worlds resources and dictate all matters according to our version of rule. if we only understood the reward of standing with those who stand for truth and justice without fear..

a war with so-called "radical islam" is a war with Islam. period. we need to have solidarity with the innocent muslims and nonmuslims that are in prisons and being tortured by this government with ur tax dollars as their homes are showered with missiles and bombs. where are the people to point out how backwards our country is for even debating this religion when Freedom of Religion is SUPPOSED to be so obvious!.. oh lets not bring up how native americans, blacks, hispanics, chinese, and japanese have been oppressed in the past. or the oppressive economic system we have. or the spreading of drugs and addictions and fueling of drug warlords we do. so lets talk about who is bakcwards and who is really promoting ignorance, bigotry, injustice and backwardness in muslim coutnries and elsewhere. i call on those who have the courage to admit whats wrong with our governments, our LEADERS. thats waht will make a difference.. seeking a change in leadership that actually serves its people, not selfish interests and corporations and evil tyrant oil tycoons. take america and its founding values/principles back from these ignorant rulers..

it's jus so ironic that everyone's complaining about muslims who dont condemn other muslims or random crazy people commiting desperate acts, but no one wants to get to the roots of the problems and no one is allowed to question for a MOMENT- this government and its consistent actions against all of humanity that all of us have to pay for. where are THOSE "moderate citizens of america that do not side with the RADICAL americans as they allow slaughter of millions upon millions of people and subject their own soldiers to fight unwinnable wars.." let their voices speak up. speak up against the atrocious wars in afghanistan and economic support of genocide, exploitation, and hoarding of resources committed by america with your tax dollars (trilliions and trillions of dollars in the pockets of the war machine). thats whats important.. not ur irrational fear about muslims or mozlems or whoever.

Anonymous said...

These people criticize muslims for submitting to Allah, but they are free to impose their wills on us and the rest of the world? people need to rethink the standard. i ask muslims to live up to their timeless and most progressive book we revere as THE Quran.. and stop trying to live up instead to whatever extreme ideas it means to be 'american.' (requiring compromise of ur principles). we are so quick to defend imperialists that rape women and torture innocent people in prisons and indiscriminately kill civilians and children and drive their soldiers to commit suicide by the numbers..and we are so quick to condemn people that we know little about, who are defending their homes and beliefs, cleanse their societies of vices and pornography, while this military and allies FUEL those that misrepresent Islam to improve america's false case to wage wars.. BUT WE ALL CANNOT SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO! and isn't there a difference between a person/muslim that defends his land, home, property and family from invasion while standing up for his beliefs, versus the people and muslims that kill, invade, and support the killing of people when they do not konw why they are even killing. if we allow ourselves to be passive while our lands are destroyed what will become of us?? this is what they really want. lay down and be peaceful so that we can invade, ravage, pillage ur lands in the banner of democracy, so that we have full control of the worlds resources and dictate all matters according to our version of rule. if we only understood the reward of standing with those who stand for truth and justice without fear..

a war with so-called "radical islam" is a war with Islam. period. we need to have solidarity with the innocent muslims and nonmuslims that are in prisons and being tortured by this government with ur tax dollars as their homes are showered with missiles and bombs. where are the people to point out how backwards our country is for even debating this religion when freedom of rleigion is supposed to be so obvious!.. oh lets not bring up how native americans, blacks, hispanics, chinese, and japanese have been oppressed in the past. or the oppressive economic system we have. or the spreading of drugs and addictions and fueling of drug warlords we do. so lets talk about who is bakcwards and who is really promoting ignorance, bigotry, injustice and backwardness in muslim coutnries and elsewhere. i call on those who have the courage to admit whats wrong with our governments, our LEADERS. thats waht will make a difference.. seeking a change in leadership that actually serves its people, not selfish interests and corporations and evil tyrant oil tycoons.

it's jus so ironic that everyone's complaining about muslims who dont condemn other muslims or random crazy people commiting desperate acts, but no one wants to get to the roots of the problems and no one is allowed to question for a moment- this government and its consistent actions against all of humanity that all of us have to pay for. where are THOSE "moderate citizens of america that do not side with the RADICAL americans as they allow slaughter milions upon millions of people and subject their own soldiers to fight unwinnable wars.." let their voices speak up. speak up against the wars in afghanistan, mercenaries in baghdad, toppling of people rule for puppet governments, exploitation of people and resources committed by this government with ur tax dollars (trillions upon trillions of dollars in the pockets of the war machine corporations).. thats what matters, not ur irrational fear of 'muslim terrorists' or mozlems or whatever.

Anonymous said...

"On this day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion." 5:3

"And he who does not rule by the Laws Allaah sent down, it is they who are the disbelievers." (5:44) "And he who does not rule by what Allaah sent down, it is they who are the wrongdoers." (5:45) "And he who does not rule by what Allaah sent down, it is they who are the rebellious." (5:47)

The Prophet S said: “Judges are of three types, two of them will go to the Hellfire and one type will go to Paradise. The one who knows the truth and judges with it – he is in Paradise. One who knows the truth but doesn’t judge by it, will go to Hellfire. The one who doesn’t know the truth and judges between people with ignorance, will go to the Hellfire.” [Abu Daud, Tirmidhi]


"Do you, then, believe in part of the Book and disbelieve in part?" (2:85)

just as jews and christians have elevated the rabbis, priests, and their own whims above the word of God, msulims are beginning to elevate the words of some of their scholars and their own desires above the true word of God.

"O you who believe, obey Allah and obey His Messenger, and the people in authority among you. And if you dispute over anything, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you really believe in Allah and the Last Day, that is best in terms of consequences." (4:59)

linlah said...

Dang, I'm sorry I missed this 20/20report, but I always have you to clear up any questions.