Islam is a tolerant faith that respects other beliefs
"To you your religion and to me mine" (Quran 109:6) is the Muslim attitude to different faiths.
Tolerance isn't believing the same as others, but acting in a kind and just manner, despite religious disagreement.
'Kuffar' is not a "term of abuse for non-Muslims," as Moncrieff writes. One who declines the invitation of Islam is a kuffar. Quran 60:8 says: "God forbids you not from dealing kindly and justly with them (ie, non-Muslims). For God loves the just."
A devout Muslim must be pleasant with people, regardless of religion.
As for the Muslim belief in heaven and hell, Christians share the same belief. In Matthew 5:22, Luke 3:29 and Mark 3:29 (among numerous other verses in the Bible), hell is either mentioned or strongly implied.
Furthermore, Islam does not promote the idea of an "inferior species".
All humans are created from a single cell, are prone to fatigue, sickness, etc and all will die. Considering others inferior is arrogance.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Anyone with the slightest bit of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise." (From Thomas Cleary's The Wise Sayings of the Prophet, Shambhala Publications.)
Regarding suicide bombing, suicide is forbidden in Islam.
As for the Muslim Council of Britain not attending a Holocaust commemoration, I would say this: huge numbers of Muslims have died in Chechnya, Bosnia, Iraq, Kashmir, Palestine, Sudan, east Turkestan and Afghanistan, among other countries, and no commemorations have been held by Muslims.
What is the reason? It is simply that Muslims believe in grief, but not excessive, permanent grief.
Ironically, after he has finished spreading fear about the "implications of such a belief", Mr Moncrieff ends by calling on Irish people to be more tolerant of Muslims than British people.
As Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) said: "Why do you see the speck in your neighbour's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?'
Colm Gillis
69 Riverview Estate
Glasheen
Cork
