THE scathing verbal assault launched by several American evangelists against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as also reported by Anjum Niaz in Blasphemy! in the issue of October 20, was unbearably painful. By using such vile language and hurting other people’s feelings, Falwell, Graham and Robertson are certainly not following the example of Jesus Christ or the teachings of the Bible and are unworthy of being called Christians, much less Christian leaders. You can only lift anyone if you are on a higher ground than that person is.

During the past many centuries, be it the Crusades, the colonization of Islamic lands by the European powers, the Serbian ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Kosovo or the genocide in Chechnya, no Muslim ever called these acts — many of which were carried out in the name of Christianity — in which hundreds of thousands of Muslims were killed, as “Christian terrorism”.

More than that, it is simply unthinkable for any Muslim to launch an attack on the great founder of Christianity. On the contrary, even a six-year-old Muslim child anywhere in the world takes the name of Prophet Jesus (PBUH) by showing proper respect: Hazrat (the presence) Isa (Jesus) Alaihis-salaam (Peace be upon him). Likewise, nobody amongst us is ever disrespectful of Prophet Moses (PBUH), despite the Israeli atrocities committed against the Palestinians. That is the difference.

Many prominent figures in the West, such as Dr Robert Crane (who had been an advisor to President Nixon), the boxing legend Muhammad Ali (who is now a UN ambassador of peace) and Dr Maurice Bucaille (the French academician), who had embraced Islam decades back, or Prince Charles, have all been speaking in defence of Islam and its Prophet (PBUH), without anyone ever holding a gun to their heads.

They would be able to tell the truth about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), like the American judge Pierre Crabites, who had said, “Muhammad was probably the greatest champion of women’s rights the world has ever seen”. They could also narrate countless incidents of the Prophet’s kindness, humility and respect for others, like that of the non-Muslim woman who used to throw trash over him whenever he passed by her house. Once, when she didn’t do that for a few times, he correctly sensed she might be unwell and went to inquire after her health. The lady was so impressed by his kindness that she became a Muslim. Or of the woman for whom he showed great respect by spreading his garment for her to sit upon because she had been his nurse — this from a man who commanded greater respect and authority than a king does.

These are the unmistakable signs of an utterly humane and loving person, not those of a “terrorist”. As he said, love was the foundation of his existence; to him children were “the flowers of Paradise” who ought to be treated with kindness, affection and respect; and the best Muslim house is that in which is an orphan who is benefited.

Mr Falwell and others are advised to have an exchange of views with their fellow Westerners who have seen the truth and beauty of Islam and its great founder. This will surely remove their misconceptions and help prevent, rather than instigate, a clash of civilizations.

SAMINA AHSAN
Karachi