May 2, 2008

Indian Students Protest Exam Question on Muhammad

New Delhi — A graduate examination’s question about the Prophet Muhammad led to violent student protests at Ranchi University, in eastern India, on Thursday.

According to a local newspaper, the question on a master’s history exam was: “Prophet Muhammad began his career as a trader and ended as a raider. Comment.”

Dozens of students, who attacked the main university building and damaged property, were beaten by the police, and five students were arrested. Hundreds of residents in the neighborhood joined students in a protest procession that paralyzed the city for hours, the paper reported.

University administrators immediately canceled the history examination and said they were going to determine who had placed the question there in the first place.

“We have set up a committee to conduct the probe and identify the culprits within 24 hours,” A.A. Khan, the university’s head, told the newspaper. “The culprits will be punished sternly.”

Mr. Khan said that the life of the Prophet Muhammad is discussed under the topic “Rise of Islam” in the graduate history course, but there is no content relating to the question asked in the exam. Every exam at the university is written by a panel of five instructors.

“Our task now is to find out which of these five teachers was responsible for drafting and incorporating this question on Prophet Muhammad,” the university’s examination controller, A.K. Mahato, told the newspaper. —Shailaja Neelakantan

Comments

1. It doesn’t bode well for Islamic studies particularly in western universities. Any tough questions about Muhammad or say its pre-Islamic history of the Kaaba and the gods there – for example – might end with someone being attacked.

   This kind of religious interference can only detract from real academic freedom and inquiry – that could in effect turn these schools into madrasa type institutions – where the teaching of Islam is concerned.

   — Ann    May 2, 11:18 AM    #

2. How can the test creators be that asinine?

   Putting a religious question in a history exam, especially one with that kind of tonality, only ignites a big flame of serious problems. Wasn’t that exam reviewed before it was published?

   — Carlos    May 2, 11:48 AM    #

3. Ann may be right that the violent protest does not bode well for Islamic Studies deparments. But was the ‘question’ really asking a “hard” question? It looks more like a “provocative” one, rather than something with academic value. Carlos is right, it was ‘asinine’ rather than anything academic.

   — faiz    May 2, 12:34 PM    #

4. Mohammed began his career as a merchant and went on to become a genocidal pyschopath, pedophile, adulterer, and religious bigot.

   — Marty    May 2, 12:36 PM    #

5. I’m not an islamic studies person, so I can only comment as a critical thinker: maybe this is a hard question; it asks one to comment on the life of a prophet from the writings that presumably were done in class, to examine the perceptions of this person and his life and works and the influence he has today. It may be challenging students to even question the question—why would it be asked this way? How does it relate to course content etc.

   It may well fit into the course content, which we can’t assess here. If higher ed is supposed to teach us to use our brains to solve problems, then the response to a contentious question being violence shows that these students aren’t doing so well in my books.

   Why not insert a Christian saint or middle-ages Pope in there and think about the question. There were lots of traders and raiders there too.

   — Canadian    May 2, 12:53 PM    #

6. Good comments all. The aspect of religious censorship is intolerable however the lack of sensitivity in the wording of the question was not bright on the part of the writer. Academics and Students alike must continue to look at all religions critically, a failure to do so only encourages the intolerance of the religious no matter what faith they profess. Allowing superstition and ingnorance to dictate education is a prescription to the re-entry of the dark ages. However cultural sensitivity also goes along way toward promoting education and learning. Find the middle groung here.

   — History Grad    May 2, 01:19 PM    #

7. faiz

   Should we limit all the questions to not being – “provocative” when it comes to Islamic studies. But with all other studies “provocative” would be allowed. I think what you want is a madrasa. Where you sit up – hour after hour and recite the Koran – without thought or question – at least not “provocative” questions – about the Prophet or Islam and its early or pre-Islamic history. What you want is the version of Islam you get when you go to the Mosque – the cleansed version. But in Universities – we need the intellectual version – we need to divorce it from religion and make it into a course of study. Where all aspects can be examined – even what is considered “provocative”.

   — Ann    May 2, 01:22 PM    #

8. It is okay to talk about being sensitive to Islam – but this protest against a single examination question sets precedence. In future can we expect that if Islam is not taught in a way that Muslims think it should be [the way they are taught in the mosque] can we expect riots and threats of violence – to bring those teachings in line with Muslim expectations. Than again which Muslim expectation shall we bring the studies in line with – the Wahabi? the Sufi?

   In several high schools in Europe they don’t cover the Holocaust as Muslim students will get offended.

   This is bad news.

   The Georgetown University – [Saudi funded] Islamic studies center has already been approached by a congressman – about the way Islam is being taught at that school – as no hard questions are being raised there.

   The same fears are being expression about the Saudi funded Islamic studies within the UK. As the Saudis have given about $500,000,000 to top UK universities for Islamic study centers.

   Take one look at Saudi Arabia. We are in essence being sensitive to the Saudi regime – which shows no sensitivity to any other religion. You can’t even take a bible or a cross into that country. And they are allowed to fund subjects for study in our Universities.

   — Ann    May 2, 02:06 PM    #

9. The question was poorly constructed. There’s a difference between academic freedom and intentionally offending people.

   — Dustin    May 2, 03:54 PM    #

10. The “How can the test creators be that asinine?” comment hits the nail on the head.

    How about, “‘Jesus had a big black dick. Discuss.”?

    Sophomoric inflammatory is not “provocative”… it’s banal and harassing.

    — David    May 2, 03:59 PM    #

11. With reference to the comments of Marty, number 4. I read in your user agreement the following:
    “3.Restrictions on Use. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may not:
    g.use the Service to upload, transmit or otherwise distribute any content that is unlawful, infringing of intellectual property rights, defamatory, harassing, abusive, fraudulent, obscene, contains viruses, or is otherwise objectionable as reasonably determined by The Chronicle;
    I am hoping someone can explain the seeming contradiction?”

    — Mojumdar    May 2, 04:00 PM    #

12. marty:

    Can you find any prophet from any Abrahamic religions who was not either genocidal pyschopath, pedophile, adulterer, or religious bigot, or all of the above?

    — illana    May 2, 04:10 PM    #

13. Whatever the appropriateness, inappropriateness, or insensitivity of the question, it hardly justifies the reaction. Jesus Christ started his career as a carpenter and ended as a traitor. Comment? Perhaps offended Catholics will riot.

    — CW    May 2, 04:16 PM    #

14. I am offended by anyone who cannot tolerate a “provocative” question in a history exam! Should universities now employ censors for history exam questions?

    — Armando    May 2, 04:25 PM    #

15. I cannot believe this after reading the comments from my learned and honored colleagues.
    Are we really academicians?
    I DOUBT very much…

    — Naushad    May 2, 04:31 PM    #

16. It would be useful to keep in mind that this incident took place IN INDIA, a nation with a long history of communal (Hindu-Islamic) discord.

    — Eulenspiegel    May 2, 04:31 PM    #

17. Marty is going to get The Chronicle attacked if you don’t expunge his post quickly.

    — Jim    May 2, 04:49 PM    #

18. David (#11) – excellent analogy.

    — J    May 2, 04:51 PM    #

19. And this was for a Masters examination in history? Imagine if it were for a high school certificate examination! Asinine or not, the question was provocative. A brilliant student could have used that question to provide a good exposition rebutting whatever premise those who set the question had in mind. That is academics.

    — Sol    May 2, 05:00 PM    #

20. According to the article, the last word in the test item was: “Comment.” If a student did not like the question, this would be the appropriate place to make such a comment. Instead, they rioted, including property damage? Sheesh—the Molsem culture is obviously dysfunctional to the core and should be excluded from serious interchange with other cultures until they are themselves willing to intelligently and freely discuss ideas. If Muhammed was not a raider, the test-takers had ample opportunity to state this in a rational manner.

    I personally find David’s comment about Jesus’ anatomy very offensive to the nth degree—but it would never occur to me to attack David or even ask that he be fired. He has freedom of speech in a civil society.

    Have a happy day!

    — Henry    May 2, 05:01 PM    #

21. Considering the Indian context of managing multiple religions, this question in the exam was definitely framed to hurt and to provoke a community that feels marginalized and ignored. The fact that they over reacted is exactly what the provocateur had wanted. Does academic freedom also defend bad manners?

    — Ruhi    May 2, 05:13 PM    #

22. Eulenspiegel
    “INDIA, a nation with a long history of communal (Hindu-Islamic) discord.”

    Before the majority of India’s Muslims decided to go off to create Pakistan and what is now Bangladesh – the criticism of Islam by Hindus were very much the same as those being made in Europe about the conduct of Islam today.

    Sixty or seventy years ago in India – they were saying ‘how can we be expected to show tolerance – to those who practice intolerance?’

    The same sorts of things can be heard in Europe today.

    To spread Islam in India 80-100 million (minimum) Hindus died and many millions were enslaved. But to talk about it in India is considered as offensive to Islam – and recently Muslims went to the Indian court to try to get this portion of history erased from the history books – as it was deemed to be offensive to Islamic sensibilities. They were rightly overruled.

    It’s a slippery slope trying to alter everything in society to fit in with Islamic sensibilities.

    Muhammad was a trader as well as he was a raider. The Koran has specific instructions on how to divide up the booty or spoils once the raid is done. That includes the rape or taking of women as slaves – Sura 4:24.

    If this had to be studied – I am not sure how we can phrase that – so we don’t cause a riot.

    — Ann    May 2, 10:16 PM    #

23. How dare the professor ask a provocative question about Mohammad! Next thing you know he’ll be wanting the art students to draw pictures of Mohammad…and dude, just how stupid is that. I mean, talk about asinine!!

    — Jester    May 3, 05:17 AM    #

24. To all who view Indian history as period of discord and disharmony between Hindus and Muslims, perhaps need to be aware that India is also the land of the composite culture of Hinduism and Islam. The finest example of architecture – The Taj Mahal vouches for that. There is also poetry, music, language, way of life of which we are very proud of. So discord and especially with the intention of creating discord is unwelcome. Academic freedom cannot be a euphemism that defends it.

    — Ruhi    May 3, 01:14 PM    #

25. Indian education has gone to dogs. Education, politics, religion, etc. are intermingled. In India, there is no academic freedom or free speech rights. Most of the students are there because they have no jobs or other occupations. Hooliganism and violence are wide spread and the administrators and religious fanatics support these students. India is not a real democracy. Too bad for education!

    — kvc    May 3, 01:54 PM    #

26. Dear Ann, please read the Quran carefully, and interpret it carefully. If you do not know Arabic, then find an instructor and learn it first before you use translations as your guide. If you do not know Islamic history, then please read up about it and preferably find a reliable scholar who can assist you in your research. In addition please do not take Surah’s out of context, without knowing the history, situation, and circumstances of which the Surah was revealed. The Surah which you mention does not say men can rape women. NO WHERE in the Quran does it say men can rape women. There is no record of ANY Muslim, in the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) or after his time where permission was given to rape women. In fact this was a custom before the time of the Prophet (PBUH) and to prevent people from falling into this disgusting and violent practice, he specifically told his soldiars before every battle, to leave women and children alone, leave the elderly alone, leave non-combatatants, monks, the disabled alone. To not harm animals, and to not cause distruction to property or livelihood. What leader do you know of, in all of history who has said this to his soldiars? We are so used to hearing stories of how armies rape and pillage that we automatically assume Islam is the same. I suggest you do some deep reading before you put Islamic armies in the same context. Islam does not approve of any war which is fought for pillaging and raping. In fact the booty from this type of war is unlawful for Muslims.
    So please don’t disservice yourself and others by implying that Islam is a religion of raiders and rapists. It was the custom of the day to take slaves. Islam did not invent this idea. In addition this slavery was not based on race, sex, religion, or social status as was the slavery of many other nations. When wars were fought, the loosers became the slaves of the winners. This included everyone. Chieftens could become slaves. The rich could end up as slaves. ANYONE could be a slave. Women who were captured also became slaves if they belonged to the loosing side. This was an ACCEPTED practice. EXCEPT that once Islam came, rights were given to the slaves where previously they had none. In Islam slaves ARE NOT TO BE HARMED IN ANY WAY. In fact Islam has many laws protecting the rights of slaves, in addition to giving them new rights. Islam forbade men from having sexual relations from any woman that was not married to him EXCEPT women who were their slaves and were WILLING to enter into a sexual relationship. There is no force in Islam. You might think its a disgusting habit anyway to have sex with a married woman even if she is willing. I don’t want to bore you, but go to this link and you will get your answer (http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503544596).
    Another thing I would like everyone here to consider. IF Islam was so bad to women, so degrading and violent, WHY then are educated, intelligent, modern women CONVERTING TO ISLAM EVERY DAY?? Please people, women are not stupid. We can think for ourselves, and make our own decisions. And those that truly want to find dignity, will see that there is no religion on the face of this earth that has brought more dignity and rights to both men and woman other than ISLAM.

    — razia    May 3, 08:21 PM    #

27. razia — You are off the radar! Please don’t practice taqiya here. “Educated, intelligent, MODERN women converting to islam every day”??? Maybe we should all purchase stock in a company that manufactures that disgusting thing you call a “niqab,” this way the MODERN woman will only barely be able to see her way through the slit made for her eyes.

    After all, why would she need to see when she is not allowed to drive in your MODERN educated belief system?

    And by the by, for those dumbos in education who keep comparing islam with the early years of Judaism and Christianity, the whole point is that the believers of today have moved on and condemn evil done in the Name of God. The same must now happen in islam and only with critiques will that occur, not in submitting to its rants, terrorism and threats of violence. Does the name Theo van Gogh come to mind?

    As for raiza’s comments on Ann, go girl; you have it right and here to prove it is ex-muslim scholar Abul Kasem’s comments on how islam treats MODERN women:

    “According to Islam, Muslims are at perpetual war with the non-Muslims. Wherever, there is even a shred of Islam (even a single Muslim) it is incumbent upon him to enforce Islam in whatever capacity. This means, as per Islamic law (Sharia), infidel women, who do not comply with the Islamic dress codes, are captives of the Muslims living in the infidel territory. In Hedaya, the Hanafi law manual, we find that a Muslim living in an infidel land is allowed to have unlimited sex with the non-Muslim women without having the need to marry them. This should explain why, many Islamic men in the infidel world are caught for raping the ‘slutty’ ‘bitchy’, ‘whores’; of the western countries. They deserve to be purified by Islamic rape, as many such Muslim will say.

    “The Islamic hatred for western women who do not cover their bodies with Islamic ‘tents’ knows no bound. In 2006, the Mufti of Australia, Sheikh Hilali considered these western women as the ‘cat’s’ meat, that is: these western women deserve to be eaten (sexually) by Muslim men who chance upon them. We might not like what Mufti Hilali said, but he is absolutely correct. Islam allows Muslim men to have forced sex upon non-Muslim women who do not cover their ‘meat’. Here is the proof:

    “In verse 33:59. Allah says: O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever of Forgiving, Most Merciful.

    “The most eminent tafsir (exegesis) writer, bin Kathir comments on this verse:

    “Here Allah tells His Messenger to command the believing women — especially his wives and daughters, because of their position of honour — to draw their Jibes over their bodies, so that they will be distinct in their appearance from the women of the Jahiliyyah and from slave women. The Jilbab is a Rida’, worn over the Khimar. This was the view of Ibn Mas’ud, ‘Ubaydah, Qatadah, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Sa’id bin Jubayr, Ibrahim An-Nakha’i, ‘Ata’ Al-Khurasani and others. It is like the Izar used today. Al-Jawhari said: ‘The Jilbab is the outer wrapper. ‘Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn ‘Abbas said that Allah commanded the believing women, when they went out of their houses for some need, to cover their faces from above their heads with the Jilbab, leaving only one eye showing.’ Muhammad bin Sirin said, ‘I asked ‘Ubaydah As-Salmani about the Ayah: (to draw their Jalabib over their bodies.) He covered his face and head, with just his left eye showing.’ (That will be better that they should be known so as not to be annoyed. ) means, if they do that, it will be known that they are free, and that they are not servants or whores.

    “Please read the last sentence once again. It reads:

    “[If they do that, it will be known that they are free, and that they are not servants or whores—ibn Kathir]

    “The above explanation of ibn Kathir mean:

    “Muslim women must always keep their ‘meat’ covered whenever they venture out.

    “Infidel women who do not hide their ‘meat’ inside Jilbab and Hijab are either maidservants or whores.

    “The white Australian women who do not dress Islamically are maidservants or whores.

    “In Islam, Muslim men are allowed to have unlimited sexual intercourse with maidservants and/or sexual slaves. A Muslim man commits rape if and only if he has sex with a Muslim woman out of wedlock. Having forced sex with an infidel, uncovered woman does not at all constitute rape, Islamically speaking.

    “The natural conclusion is that Muslim men are completely free to Islamically rape these infidel women, if these whores fall in Muslim men’s hands.

    “I quoted from the Koran and the tafsir of ibn Kathir to dispel any doubt that the non-Muslims might have about the unremitting hatred Islam has for infidel women, who do not comply with the Islamic specifications of women’s dress code.”

    Question for raiza: is it also a “dignity” for women in islam to have their genitalia mutiliated before they are old enough to make their own decision, or for a young woman to be the victim of an “honor” killing for being in the company of a man who is not a relative?

    The prosecution rests its case.

    — steve    May 4, 03:25 PM    #

28. I just hope that, one thousand years from now, an exam question that is critical of L. Ron Hubbard does not provoke a similar reaction on the part any of (Battlefield) Earth’s (then) billions of Scientologists. TomKat be praised.

    — Jojo    May 5, 06:17 AM    #

29. The controversy here is not that someone asked an inflammatory question about the prophet, it’s that too many “intellectuals” fail to recognize the nature of a truly pagan religion.

    — Jim    May 5, 08:47 AM    #

30. Maybe it is because I have so recently been a student, but my biggest concern is how the students were going to be evaluated on this item. There are no clues in the question about an appropriate answer, leaving me to guess that there would be no objective evaluation. I fear that any answer, no matter how thoughtfully written with appropriate referencing of the history material, would be judged unacceptable if it disagreed with the grader’s point of view. The students should have protested this obviously poorly worded and potentially discriminatory question but NOT with violence. Given the sensitive nature of religion (in all societies, not just India) it seems that questions that touch on these topics should be carefully written. This is either the case of a short-sighted instructor or a direct attempt to create a problem.

    A better way to ask the question would have included information regarding how the answer would be evaluated. For example, “Assess the historical accuracy of the following statement, ‘Prophet Muhammad began his career as a trader and ended as a raider.’ Support your conclusions.” This seems like a fair question if the ‘life of the Prophet Muhammad is discussed under the topic “Rise of Islam” in the graduate history course.’ Unfortunately, many faculty have little or no training in writing good test items. This is a skill know I am continually trying to improve.

    — fairly new instructor    May 5, 03:08 PM    #

31. Those grad students need to get over it! As anyone who has studied Islam knows, the Prophet was no angel by any standard.

    — muslim mike    May 5, 04:02 PM    #

32. The word “al-Taqiyya” literally means: “Concealing or disguising one’s beliefs, convictions, ideas, feelings, opinions, and/or strategies at a time of imminent danger, whether now or later in time, to save oneself from physical and/or mental injury.” (Taken from Wikipedia.org)

    Before I answer your questions, I want to say that the conduct of many muslims today, in addition to the laws that some “Muslim’ countries and regimes employ are definately not in accordance with Islam. So it is no wonder that non-Muslims think that Muslims who defend Islam are trying to mislead or disguise the true motives of Islam. On one side you have people telling you Islam is a peaceful religion, and on the other side you see nothing but oppresion and mayham. It is no wonder you don’t believe me. So Steve, I am sorry that you feel Islam is such a hateful religion. But if you are really interested in the truth, then don’t mix what the religion preaches, and what the people of today do. Humans make mistakes. Sometimes they don’t follow directions, and sometimes they twist words to suit their own benifit. It doesn’t mean the guidebook it wrong. Now for your questions:

    1) Search on the web, go to any mosque, ask any Muslim. You will find the number of Muslim converts both in America and abroad is on the rise.

    2)‘After all, why would she need to see when she is not allowed to drive in your MODERN educated belief system?’ Exactly. WHY would she need to see if she wasn’t allowed to drive. Or get an education. Or heck, even leave the house? I mean what kind of retarded religion commands women to cover themselves when they are sitting at home, oppressed and enslaved and unable to go out in the first place, doesn’t it? Hmmmm… Actually Steve you answered your own question. that is PRECISELY why women are asked to cover in Islam, so that they CAN go out and have active roles in society.

    But Islam is also a practical religion. Think about why prostitutes dress provocatively. Is it because they don’t have enough money to buy regular clothes? No, its because revealing clothing attracts men. Does that surprise you? Then think about why professional women wear covered clothing like pant-suits to work. Is it because they are boring? No. it’s because they want to convey intelligence. When a woman wants to seduce a man she acts dumb and reveals her body, and when she wants him to stay away, she covers up and revels her intelligence. When a woman tries to do both, in most cases a man will ignore her mind and focus on her body. It’s a natural thing. Men are not angels. Even if the man is trying hard not to pay attention to a woman’s bustline, or butt, if it’s out there for him to look at, it will be hard to ignore. Islam understands that women are an integral part of intellectual society, and the command to cover was given so that WHEN men and women interact, there will be a barrier between her physical beauty, and his eyes. Please also note, that the burden of preventing sexual wantonness is not only on the women. Men are also commanded to lower their gaze, and dress modestly (Surah 24:30-31). The details are not commanded for men only becuase the responsibility of providing for the house, and protecting the family are on the man, and this responsibility may put him in situation where he cannot be fully covered. (ie: during war, or perhaps job requirements restrict clothing, such as farmers, etc)

    3)At the time this Surah was revealed, Islam had not spread all over Madina. Thus, there were non-Muslims living alongside Muslims. Prostitution was rampant before Islam. BUT the free non-Muslim women in those days used to also cover their heads, and wear long dresses. But they would leave their chest and arms exposed. So the extensive command to cover was also given to differentiate between the Muslim women and the non-Muslim woman, in addition to the prostitutes, who barely covered anything. Slave women were also included in this category because slave women were not allowed to cover as the free women were in the NON-MUSLIM socity.

    Notice an important point here: The covering up of a woman, signifies her status, both in the olden days, AND in the modern world. Compare Luara Bush, to the girls walking the street. I’m sure you get the point.

    4)ex-muslim scholar Abul Kasem’s commentary? Lol. Please Steve, don’t embarrass yourself.

    5)Your ‘logical’ conclusion, that ibn Kathir’s commentary on this Surah is proof that Muslim men can freely have sex with non-Muslim women is so laughable, I’m not even going to comment. You are the perfect example of how people take words and twist them to suit their own theories.

    6)Saudi Arabia is the country that you are referring to when you say that Muslim women cannot drive. Note: Saudi Arabia is a COUNTRY, not the Quran. It’s laws are derived from the Quran, but are twisted so that the ruling government, which very few Muslims consider to be Islamic, can oppress its people. Where in the Quran does it say women cannot drive cars? Now there were no cars back then, but lets substitute camels for cars, since that was the main mode of transportation back then. Where in the Quran does it say women cannot ride camels? Where does it say that
    women cannot leave their homes? What examples do you have of the early Muslims, where women were forced to sit inside and do nothing? The practices of many Muslims and so called Islamic nations TODAY are based not on Islam, but on cultural traditions, including female genital mutilation (FGM), and honor killings.

    There is a lot more detail that I could write about, but I urge you to go and do your own research, and to look at things objectively, without biases. Also note that the Quran is the letter of the law, and the practical application of this law were demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). So in addtion to studying the Quran, people need to look comprehensively at the life of Muhammad (pbuh) in order to truly understand Islam.

    — razia    May 8, 02:16 PM    #

33. Razia you go girl!!! its so refreshing to see someone who uses facts rather than fiction.(Steve please use your own brain and do your own research!). Defaming Islam is low, as you can see what it achieved during its rise compared to other civilisations.

    — Shab    May 9, 07:17 PM    #

34. Henry wrote:

    I personally find David’s comment about Jesus’ anatomy very offensive to the nth degree—but it would never occur to me to attack David or even ask that he be fired. He has freedom of speech in a civil society.

    Yes, Henry the difference is that David’s comment was in a personal post and not on a test. How would your sensibilities react if the question was on the GRE or another entrance exam. You probably would not be so open. I recall years ago when an Art Show had a image of Jesus in Urine. The country lost its mind and NEA lost considerable funding, which is even being felt today. You see the ones in power do not have to riot, they have the power to cut and withhold money, enact restrictive and punitive laws etc.
    In the words of henry…Have a happy day!

    — D    May 10, 11:16 AM    #

35. My problem with the question is that the proper answer is a simple “True — read the Qu’ran and the hadith.”

    As written, it requires no further discussion or elaboration.

    Of course, one could go into the violent nature of Islam as preached by Muhammad and the legacy of violence he left behind — but if you did that, these grad students might feel obliged to cut your head off.

    — Greg    May 17, 11:08 AM    #

36. #12 — Mojumdar

    Here in the West, there is an old adage that applies — “The truth hurts.”

    There is also another — “Truth is an absolute defense.”

    As such, it is hard to see how posting truthful comments that directly relate to the topic at hand can be seen as a violation of the terms of service.

    — Greg    May 17, 11:12 AM    #

37. Razia, Have you ever hear of Banu al-Mustaliq? It was a small but rich village your dear prophet attacked by surpise. After taking men, women and children captive, he let his men rape the women. Read the hadith! Muslims always distort their own history, and lie to cover up the vile words and actions of their religion. Rape of female captives (those who your right hand possesses) is clearly and explicidly permitted in the Quran. Stop making excuses! Think about all those critics (Old men, girls, nursing mothers, poets) Mohammad murdered or the villages he attacked and plundered. Tabari says the prophet personally led 26-27 raids. The last chapter of Muslim’s hadith are nothing but a listing of people who participated in the expeditions. Why do you thoink there is a chapter in the Quran named “Plunder’ that regulates spoils of war? (Mohammad got 20%)
    Pathetic!
    ‘Raider’ is too kind – there are other words that would describe the man better.

    Kactuz

    — j. Kactuz    May 19, 10:26 PM    #

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