As this issue of BCCN went to press, it had been 41 days since Taliban militants abducted 23 South Korean Christians in the insurgency-prone Ghazni province of Afghanistan. Two of the captives have been murdered; 19 remain captive.

This article was written by Dr. Nazir Khaja, an American muslim leader. He is a doctor and professor at UCLA, and also a peace activist. Following is an abridgement of his comment, which appeared in ArabNews, the first English daily newspaper in Saudi Arabia.

THE CHURCH GROUP was on its way allegedly to provide free medical services to poor Afghan citizens, when their bus was hijacked. The leader of the aid group, and another member of the group, have been killed. The kidnapping is the largest abduction of foreigners in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001.

By their acts of violence, the Taliban and other extremists capture headlines, and leave an impression of Islam as a band of primitive tribesmen, or as a cruel and barbaric religion unable to hold its zealots in check.

Like Christianity, Judaism and other religions, Islam is what its adherents understand it to be. This is largely determined by what its religious leaders interpret its religious texts to mean.

Christianity and Judaism – over their long history, and despite bitter struggles within –  have evolved their own system of an understanding of faith, based on ethical/moral values. These can be easily understood and accepted by lay people, and are not entirely dependent on the interpretations of the clerics.

Islam, unfortunately, remains at the mercy of clerics who interpret each and every aspect of life on this earth – and even the hereafter! This is a major source of confusion and conflict within Islam, as we look at the daily reports on sectarian and other forms of violence in the Muslim world. The Muslim masses remain vulnerable to exploitation by the clerics, and their interpretations of the texts.

Continue article >>

As for the Korean evangelists: they may have a fervent faith, but some in their own society see them as pawns in a competition among churches. The competition feeds fundraising for missionary trips, which also serves the coffers of sponsoring churches.

These are the new moneychangers on the temple steps. In ancient times, Jesus chased them away – as they were not holy. Certainly, the photo opportunity in the Seoul airport – before the warning signs about Afghanistan – ferments media-grabbing sensationalism, while foretelling a folly.

The ultra conservative Taliban are prevalent along the region traveled by the evangelists. Their understanding of Islam, and also of the world we live in, is at best primitive – if not barbaric. What did the evangelists surmise as the logical possibilities? Could they not see they risked their own – and others’ – injury or death?

They risked not only their lives, but innocents in that region of Afghanistan,  and those who they came to save into their faith. The Taliban’s response was consistent with their past record of intolerance. Their destruction of the historic Buddha statues of Bamiyan a few years back is but only one of several examples of their medieval mindset and behaviour. They reacted predictably to a group of religious fanatics, with their own fanaticism.

Physical confrontation is not necessary, according to the Holy Qu'ran, which states: “If anyone killed a person, unless it was for murder or spreading mischief on earth, it would be as if he killed all of mankind. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he had saved the lives of all mankind.” (Sura 5:32).

Killing is unacceptable. Islam emphasizes tolerance, inviting others to lead peaceful lives within the societies, based on their own law and tenets. Within Islam, hostage taking, suicide or terrorist attacks are not permitted. They are considered a great sin. To take innocent persons hostage by availing of some opportunity, and then bargaining with their lives, is entirely against Islamic teaching.

The majority of Muslims believe in an Islam that is in accord with the civilized, humanitarian and tolerant values and norms of this world. Their voices need to be heard. It is not just the Koreans who are being held hostage; it is also the spirit of Islam that is being held hostage. Let’s not be silent anymore.

– courtesy of Assist News Service

September 2007