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Anti-Islam Poison and its Antidote The Muslims in America used to get disgusted when they saw anti-Islam material in the media, encyclopedia, books, booklets, brochures and flyers. Now, it appears that Muslims are accustomed to such material and learning to ignore it, as if the problem does not touch them personally. It is a dangerously false feeling. Negative propaganda against Islam and Muslims is in part based on genuine ignorance but in a greater part it is a calculated, goal oriented campaign of smear. It's main goal is to create mis-apprehension of Islam and Muslims through mis-perception which is created through mis-information, dis-information and stereotyping. Such campaigns are launched by religious and political demagogues. Very few Muslims realize the cost of anti-Islam propaganda world wide, in general and in North America, in particular. This cost, financially and politically, is great to Muslims individually, as well as to the Ummah. Muslims are paying individually as their businesses do not have much non-Muslim clientele. Their promotions and job stabilities depend upon their perception as Muslims, "Fundamentalist" or "Moderate". Muslim women who insist upon wearing hijab are either denied jobs under false pretext or fired when they begin wearing it on the job. Muslim girls face difficulties in obtaining exemption from gender-mixed swimming and other sport activities at their schools. Islamic holidays, such as the Eids, are not recognized. Even time off for Salat al-Jumu'ah is hard to obtain or impossible in some cases. The anti-Islam poison has created a condition in which many Muslims hide their identities as Muslims and in a large number of cases leave Islam altogether. Muslims themselves have a duty to do whatever is necessary to remove the anti-Islam environment from North America. There are many ethnic groups who have gone through similar hardship and were successful in becoming acceptable, for example, Jews, Irish, Italian, African, Spanish speaking, Chinese, Japanese, Germans and others. Now, it is the Muslims' turn to work hard and gain acceptance. But, Muslims have an additional responsibility of making Islam, perceived to be a totally alien and unacceptable religion, into an acceptable way of life, at least for the Muslims in North America. There are hundreds of books, booklets, brochures, flyers, tracts, audio-tapes and videotapes against Islam spreading poison among the people, who are otherwise good-hearted people. These good-hearted people may easily be won over only if the Muslims give them an opportunity of education about Islam and Muslims. As the Ummah, Muslim majority countries are ill treated and the West interferes economically, socially and politically to subvert Islamic movements, thereby stifling the establishment of Islam as a total system. Pakistan, Algeria and Sudan are some of the most obvious examples. Muslims have a duty and necessity to remove mis-information and dis-information and spread the truth about Islam worldwide. Anti-Islam demagogues and liars come in all shapes and colors. Some have a reputation as "Orientalists" and "Scholars" and others are lowly street worms and there are others in between. Just to get some taste of the lies and anti-Islam poison read the following quotes. The Names of speakers, authors, publications and publishing organizations are omitted so that they do not get free publicity and notoriety.
What is the antidote? Darkness is the absence of light. Ignorance is the absence of knowledge. Ignorance is the mother of prejudice. With the exception of a few liars and demagogues, people in the West have good nature and are attracted to the truth and decency. Since the time of the Crusades, the West has been receiving small or big doses of poison against Islam and Muslims. While there were no Muslims or a very insignificant minority of Muslims were living in the West nothing could be done to bring the light of Islam in wide wilderness of darkness about the knowledge of Islam. Now, there is no excuse as the Muslims are living as significant minorities in North America and Europe. The status quo of wide spread poison against Islam should not be acceptable to Muslims. The knowledge of true Islam has to become common knowledge in the West. The question arises, who has the duty to educate people to the Truth about Islam and Muslims?
Naturally, it is the responsibility of Muslims themselves! This is the modern day Jihad. The jihad of the pen, tongue and the media in the West, to help the West to know the Truth about Islam. Allah is calling you as we read in the Qur'an:
The Institute of Islamic Information & Education (III&E) came into existence in response to the challenge of educating North American people about Islam and Muslims. The III&E has published numerous titles and distributed millions of copies in North America. The III&E has da'wah training program for Islamic workers. Our projects include radio and television broadcasts and utilization of the print media to propagate Islamic knowledge. You are requested to help the III&E. You are requested to do two things as Allah has commanded: (1) Spend your wealth for the cause of the propagation of Islam, which is the meaning of "amwalikum", "your wealth". Since we live in North America we have the responsibility of educating people of North America. Become a regular monthly donor to the III&E; ask for the Automatic Donation Authorization form from the III&E, fill it out and return with the required voided, unsigned check. In addition, provide financial help for spreading Islamic knowledge locally, wherever you live and work. (2) Spend your time and talent to spread the knowledge of Islam which is the meaning of "anfusikum", "in person", as Allah has commanded in the Qur'an. The III&E is a not-for-profit, religious, tax exempt organization, status recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), State of Illinois and United States Postal Service (USPS). The III&E will accept as low a donation as $10 and as high as a million dollars or more; the more the better and our projects need millions of dollars. The more money you donate to us, the more work we will do for the cause of Allah on your behalf so that you receive highest reward from Allah.
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