May 24, 2009

Islam - waking up?

A new hope from Pakistan -- from MS/NBC/Associated Press:
Pakistan's mystics targeted by Taliban
'And to think they do this in the name of Islam,' one says

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - Worshipers still flock to the grave of Rahman Baba, a Muslim mystic revered by millions in Pakistan and Afghanistan. But they now pray at a mound of rubble and twisted steel — all that remains of his tomb since militants bombed it.

The blast in March was the most high-profile in a recent spate of attacks against Pakistan's homespun, tolerant brand of Islam by hard-liners trying to replace it with the more austere version espoused by the Taliban, al-Qaida and other Sunni extremist groups.

"This hurts deep in my heart," said Ihasan ul-Haq, as he looked through a rainstorm onto the ruins of the once ornate, whitewashed tomb on the outskirts of Peshawar, a main northwestern town coming under the influence of the extremists. "And to think they do this in the name of Islam."
An excellent article -- one that gives great hope but also shows the dark side of what the USA built up while trying to counter the Soviets in Afghanistan during the 1980's. My first wife was a Sufi and these are some of the most kind and gracious people you would ever meet. It is tragic that they are now pawns in this political battle. The Taliban needs to be removed now, force does not equal purity. The Taliban and all other forms of radical spiritual practice are worshiping the hind end of Satan, not the clarity of God. A great quote from Pakistan's Foreign Minister:
"If you want to understand the inclusiveness and tolerance of Islam, you have to visit the shrines of Sufis," Qureshi said. "I believe that if you want to counter terrorism in long term, the strongest weapon is not the Kalashnikov, it is education, it is a changing of hearts and minds."
Posted by DaveH at May 24, 2009 11:45 AM | TrackBack
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