islam Archives

Funny video gives us a crash course in Islam and the Five Pillars

April 24, 2012 by Andrew Leave a Comment

This video is from a series of crash-course history lessons. It starts by making the case that in the West the history of Islam is not well known. It’s hard to debate that.

John Green is charismatic and funny in this video – and yet it quickly covers the history of Islam without religious bias and judgement. Topics include the Rightly Guided Caliphs, hadiths, Abu Bakr and the differences between the Sunni and Shia.

It’s well worth watching this video, all 12 minutes of it, especially if you wish to have an opinion on Islam.

In Pure Spirit

What did you think of the video? Does it cover Islam accurately – if rather quickly? This blogger certainly learnt about Islam by watching. Did you?

Christians protecting Muslims while they pray in the Egypt protests

February 3, 2011 by Andrew 1 Comment

This is a fantastic picture. It’s come from the protests in Egypt and is being described as Christians protecting Muslims while they pray during the protests.

Coptic Christians make up about 10% of Egypt’s population and there’s been suggetsions they have much to fear from revolution – if an extreme Islamic faction takes control of Egypt then some worry about the fate of the Coptic Orthodox Church. However, one of the aspects of the current protests in Egypt is how non-religious they’ve been. This is Egyptian brother and sister standing beside Egyptian brother and sister.

Banned: Valentine’s Day leads to hand holding and free sex

February 14, 2010 by Andrew Leave a Comment

In Indonesia, some Muslim leaders have commanded the faithful not to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

The Western / Christian day has become increasingly popular among the young and liberal population of the nation’s larger cities.

Abdullah Cholil, leader of Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Islamic organisation in Indonesia said;

“We forbid Muslims to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The day is often celebrated by young, unmarried people. They celebrate Valentine’s Day by holding hands or having free sex, which they are not supposed to be doing,”

Lalilurrahman, the East Java branch chief of the country’s highest Islamic body, the Indonesian Ulema Council, noted that the day had nothing to do with Islamic tradition and should not interest Muslims. He said;

“Valentine’s Day originated from Western culture. It’s not in accordance with Islamic and Eastern culture.”

In Indonesia’s largest cities many shops are selling both Valentine’s Day gifts and Chinese New Year memorabilia.

In Pure Spirit

What do you think? Are these religious leaders worried that Valentine’s Day is corrupting their traditional beliefs or do they simply dislike what it is supposed to stand for?

If you’re Muslim and have done something romantic on Valentine’s Day for your partner then it would great to have your thoughts in the comments below.

Muslins banned from yoga in Indonesia

January 25, 2009 by Andrew Leave a Comment

Indonesia is the largest Muslin country in the world. Although officially secular some 90% of the 234 million population is Muslim.

The Council of Ulemas, 700 clerics and the country’s top Islamic body, explained that the use of yoga could erode the Muslim faith. The ancient Indian practice is popular in Indonesia, especially Jakarta, but it contains ritualised elements of Hinduism. The recital of Hindu rituals in yoga mantras is considered haram for Muslins.

The Council of Ulemas was formed in 1975 by then-President Suharto. The Council was initially founded to allow politics and religion to continue alongside one another in Indonesia without crossing paths. In recent years, though, the Council of Ulemas has become more involved in politics and the issuing of fatwas.

In Pure Spirit

What do you think? Is it a good idea to keep religion and politics separate? Is it possible?

Is it wrong of clerics to clearly spell out what is considered right or wrong according to their religious teachings?