What's your opinion about Islamic religion & Muslims, and is there any difference between West & East Muslims?
113560
I notice that Muslims in the West are more naive and believing. Many of them are either extremely religious or liberal. Many of them would study the history of Islam, and the Life of the Prophet Muhammad, amongst many Islamic resources, as they progress, or before they convert.\nThey focus less on the rituals (like which foot goes into the bathroom, which side is better to sleep on etc, more on theoratical and scholarly side.)\nHowever, Muslims in Asia are in both extremes. Extremely religious, or extremely non-religious. Many of the non-religious people don't even know their own religion at all, they're only born Muslim.\nMany are rather moderate and practice their religion so personally you'd never know they were really muslims, even if the women in the family wore headscarfs.\nMany are nice, ordinary people.\n\nHowever, they focus more on the "physical", the rituals, less on the history, mostly by route memorization of specific texts and verses picked here and there rather than knowing the full meaning and verse, sentence, paragraph or origin of the text. This could be because they were born Muslim and many have read the Qu'ran by memorization only.\n\nThis isn't counting the extreme-thought Muslims who are holier-than-thou with their attitudes but still sleep around and drink alcohol - like my Saudi friend.
349600
Ok... Some pratical challenges facing muslims living in western countries.....\nProblems with how the banking system complys with Sariah law. How can muslims take a mortgage when lending money at interest is forbiden.\n\nHow to find a halal job. Can you work in a supermarket that sells alcohol.  Does your company support the war on Iraq, how can you square that with your beliefs.  Can a women wear her hijab to work? etc
279930
In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful, I'll try my best to help you if u r really interested in Islam.\nFirst of all I'm Muslim because Islam has provided me the internal peace I'm searching for, In Islam I've found the unity of all Muslims in alot of occasions for example the times of prayers when u see alot these Muslims (not all of them due to lack of their faith) doing the same moves and asking the only God, renweing their faith five times a day through the whole day, especially Al-Fajr prayers when u wake up from your bed and go to make wodoo2 by washing your limbs and head with water then going in your path towards the mosque (if it was accessible or close to you) or towards the place where u do ur prayers and in the silence of the surroundings making the dialogue with your only God.\nI've found their unity in yearl pilgrimage (called hajj) to Makka from different spots of the earth having one target which is pleasing the true king of everything.\n\nI've beleived in Islam while i found it's talking to your mind and soul and guiding you to how to live peacefully with others and how to deal with all your problems.\n\nI've beleived in Islam while it has solved many of my daily problems and even fllowing it's commands made me a better person by the testaments of other people knowing me.\n\nI've beleived in islam while it dealt with other religions peacefully and has granted them free will to deal with their religions whether it was.\n\nI've beleived in Islam while it has been based on what humans can do not miracles, miracles have never been introduced in islam except when it was so necessary and in situations which will not face a normal(not a prophet) person ever.\n\nI beleived in islam while it treats my mother and father nicely and gave rights to women as far as they demand and more.\n\nI beleived in islam while u r in direct contact with God and not needing anyone or anything in between you.\n\nI beleived in Islam while I've found it's prophet telling about things which was far futuristic than his era and have been fullfilled as he said and will be fullfilled as he said.\n\nI beleived in Islam while when I read Quran I feel it's like a heavenly words coming through my spirit.\n\nI beleived in islam while it makes me manage my life easier than I could do.\n\nI beleived in islam while it made me respect myself as a human and gave me the right way to establish a successfull person.\n\nI beleived in it while I've talked to many christians and Buddhists, infidels and read about judaism but they never gave me the answer which can make me have peace with myself.\n\nThe greeting of islam is Peace be upon You so how come it calls for war and terrorism.\n\nIslam makes me clean, tidy, relaxed, thoughfull, considerate and trustfull.\n\nIslam means (maybe I'm not so good in English) providing yourself to your God.\n\nI've a special Doaa(asking God) which whenever I use it never fails.\n\nIslam deals with me by discussion of matters not by faith without reasons, there're ofcorse things which have to be beleived but it has reasons why should u beleive in.\n\nIslam has dealt with me as a normal human not burdening me without care.\n\nI hope i can talk more but I'm not a scholar anyway, u coudl email me on my add.: ahmedeldeeb@yahoo.com and I'll send you some links, books and even will try to get you to some place where u can learn about Islam if u really want it and will Inshaa Allah(God willing) try to provide you with the nearest place that could help you.
908851
Something to consider about Islam is that they lack any central leadership, unlike Christianity.  When people are looking for a blanket Christian statement, they typically look to the Catholic church, as it is the most organized.  Islam is far more factionalized.\n\nI admit that the muslim mainstream hasn't responded quite in the way that I had hoped.  It seems that non-american, or at least non-western muslims are curiously silent when islamic terrorists strike against the west and it's interests abroad.  Some, like Pakistan in 2001, rejoiced at it.  \n\nIt's difficult to make any broad assertions regarding Islam, because you risk alienating the few who do have respect for the west, and christianity.  It is perhaps up to these few to provide the extinction of the terrorist mindset that for some reason inflames much of the middle east:  That Israel needs to be destroyed, and the West represents pure evil.\n\nRegarding democrats, I think the party has been misled by people like Michael Moore.  I get the idea that if he had been born in Saudi Arabia, it would've been he who piloted one of the jets on 911.\n\nActors, for some reason, become successful and therefore feel entitled to be political analysts.  Of course, we all have the right to protest, but they take it too far.  The media is the most powerful mover of minds of our time, and they weild it like a nuclear weapon.\n\nI believe firmly that whatever the Right's faults, they've got an innate advantage over the Left, in that they cater more to national security than civil liberties, and with good reason.  With terrorists eternally seeking our destruction, there need to be some sacrifices to our ultimate endurance.
226003
this may not be EXACTLY  the difference in the rituals, but the diffenence in their belief  which I think probably is more important.\n\nhttp://www.dianedew.com/islam.htm
173256
Do Muslims remain misfits in western society? I am not at all sure that they do. Sure there are some Muslims who do not seem to like western culture and values, but can this be applied to the whole of the Muslim world? I don't think so. Many, many Muslims live and enjoy their lives in the west. In our society they are free to worship as they please and live their lives as they wish. This is a strength of our western culture that I believe most Muslims thoroughly appreciate. Yes there have been people who claim to be Muslims who flew planes in to the World Trade Centre, planted bombs on packed Spanish commuter trains and blew up London tube trains and buses, but these are a twisted minority and do not represent the vast majority of peaceful law abiding Muslims living in our midst. It is my understanding that the holy Qu'ran instructs Muslims how they should conduct themselves when living in foreign countries and I think most adhere to this teaching. Only learning and knowledge of each other and our different beliefs will conquer ignorance. Don't give in to ignorance. That is truly a sin.
1171656
I have no opinions of them as a "whole group". Each person should be judged individually.  I have an Egyptian friend, he's even a Muslim, but I judge him on the person he is and nothing else.
768263
Hello! Okay im a muslim and i will tell you what muslims believe: "we believe that all prophets peace be upon them (Jesus, moses, abraham, lut, joseph...etc) came with true religions from Allah (God) but coz torah and bible are being modified so much then we think it's no longer the same true religion it used to be" i respect you and i respect your religion but islam is the only religion that is not modified so it's so pure and true as it first came...
326217
Why do you think all Americans hate Muslims?  I lived in Indonesia for awhile.  I even fasted for Rahmadan (please forgive my spelling) out of respect for my host family.  It was hard, but I though alot about God during that time.  I went to church last sunday and heard a surrmon on how Islam is a false religion.  I got so mad I walked out and will not return to that church.  If we do not preach religious tollerance, what will the world become.  So, no personaly I do not hate Muslims.  What I don't like though, are terrorists foriegn or American.
536927
Islam (the muslim faith) is a hot topic for discussion right now. \n\nAs a western Christian I find some of the traditions and beliefs of muslims to be incompatable with my own, yet that has not stopped me from getting to know some wonderful muslims that have taught me much about unconditional friendship. \n\nI've also discovered that the Islam that is practiced by certain feared groups appears to be a little different from that practiced by the muslims that I have known. But then Christianity seems to be interpreted and practiced in many different forms too - otherwise there wouldn't be so many different types of Christian churches. Go figure. Religion is certainly interesting. :)
129992
No, I don't hate Islam.  My husband is a Muslim and I love him so dearly.  All I want is for people to respect the religion.  I know a lot about it because my husband shares the Qur'an with me and we talk about it but I have my own belief and he does not force me to be a Muslim.  All I can say is as long as we believe in one God there will be no difference.
1128567
Muslims are NOT bad... the muslim extremists are... There's a HUGE difference....\n\nMost muslims are wonderful, peaceful people... it truly is a shame that they have such a terrible reputation because of a few bad apples...
491880
Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and the world. The increase rate in Islam in the past 50 years was 235%, a lot more than any faith.\n\nSo the big question is: Isn't it ironic that Muslims are getting called terrorist and yet, more people are becoming Muslim daily than any other? Why is that? \n\nSo one issue is definitely overcoming stereotypes and  trying to balance Muslim morals in a society where morals are lacking.\n\nOne big contemporary issue although it may seem hidden is the Muslim youth because they are in a sense alienated from the 'elders' and then want to fit in with their friends at school. Ultimately they need to find a balance. \n\nI think that's a general principle: trying to find a balance in everything including, especially, Life itself.
875949
yes, I totally agree 100%.. I am muslim and it seems the west just doesnt even care one twit about teaching the facts about it.. We are all blood thirsty terrorists to them.. They never realize that its not the religion to blame, its twisted fanatics who interpret the faith wrong to blame, which there are fanatics everywhere in all faiths.. 99.999% of muslims fear terrorism like the rest of the world.
1048147
Islam is a Intolorant religion.Most non Muslims move out of Muslim countries.Ask a Coptic who lives in Egypt what it is like living there.
799815
I am not Muslim.\n\nBut yes I do.\n\nAnd here's why-\n\nI've heard about Islamic extremists all of my life.I barely remember listening to the news as a kid about the trouble in Beirut.Then the World trade center(I could see the smoke as I grew up 25 miles north of NYC),then the USS Cole and the embassies,then 9/11.\n\nI've been in Iraq for almost two years.I listen to prayer calls daily.I've read and asked people about Islam.I've seen Arabs praying in private and out in the open.\n\nBefore all of this I would have told you all Muslims are terrorist.After my learning experience of learning about the religion,it's values,and what it was founded upon,I can tell you only a fraction of Muslims act like terrorist.\n\nMy experience with Muslims has been positive.They are nice people,with strong beliefs like any other religion.\n\nI chose to educate myself about Islam.I am glad I did.I'm also glad to be on Answers because I've met some wonderful Muslims that I trade e-mails with.
903050
Muslims pride themselves on the fact that their religion has not changed in its 1400 year history.  In other words, they think it's great to live in the Middle Ages.\n\nIslam needs a reform movements, similar to t hose that have occurred in Judaism and in Christianity.  It has made the mainstream of both of these religions much more tolerant and humane.  \n\nIt really is a pity.  At one time, Islamic countries were more tolerant than Christian ones.  But you have to go back seven hundred years ago to find that.  So it wasn't in the lifetime of anyone living today, that's for sure.\n\nI have nothing against individual Muslims, but they belong to a religion that has some very hateful teachings.  And I do get fed up with the hypocrasy, and the distortions, and the lie that Islam is a religion of peace.  Sorry, but there's way too much evidence to the contrary.