Dear Editor,

The pronouncements on Islam and the Holy Quran by one Oliver Barclay [ please note: link provided by LOSP web site ] (SN 15/11) represent the continuation of a disturbing trend that has emerged over the past three months. This trend to which I am referring has to do with the sudden emergence of Islamic experts.

The letter of Mr Barclay, contrary to subsequent analysis by those who sought to defend his views, should be seen not merely in terms of misinterpretations and flawed analysis, but in terms of sheer dishonesty. Some of my fellow Muslims sought to address this issue, but from an abstract perspective. However, one has to deal directly with the Barclays of this world and expose their lack of basic integrity. An unsuspecting public was treated by Barclay with quotes extensively from the Glorious Quran. However, his lack of basic ethics did not allow him to provide an unsuspecting public with the true and full picture. Here are a few examples;

Barclay Quote: Not to befriend a non believer even if he be your father or brother. The Quran continues: If they love infidelity above faith. If any of you do, they do wrong.

Barclay Quote: Kill the disbelievers wherever you find them.

Glorious Quran

And slay them wherever ye catch them and turn them out from where they have turned you out. For tumult and opposition are worse than slaughter. But fight them not at the Sacred Mosque unless they first fight you there. But if they fight you slay them. Such is the reward for those who suppress faith (Footnote: suppress faith in the narrower and broader sense - if they want to forcibly prevent you from exercising your sacred rights they have declared war on your religion, and it would be cowardice to ignore the challenge or to fail in rooting out the tyranny). I urge fellow intelligent Guyanese to research for themselves.

Darell Ramlall (SN 20/11) suggests that Barclay got it right. Wrong Mr Ramlall, you are the one who advocated going to the source, how convenient that you chose to ignore your own advice. In reading the Glorious Quran in its entirety you will discover that you have been duped by your friend Barclay and that after all the Glorious Quran is not as you so ignorantly suggest replete with intolerance to unbelievers and steeped in male chauvinism.

A word of caution to Mr Harrop (SN 23/11). The Glorious Quran was not written by man, but revealed by Almighty Allah (SWT) in the original language of Arabic to the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) It was only translated, not interpreted by man. The Quran has both English and Arabic side by side. Muslims are exhorted to commit the Quran to memory for the very reason of maintaining authenticity. Almighty Allah did not reveal a Bible, but the Gospel in its original language of Aramaic. Was English a language at that time? I hope you get the message.

Finally Mr Editor, the Barclays, Ramlalls and Harrops of this world collectively or individually will never stop the tide of Islam. One in every four humans lays claim to being a Muslim and it is estimated that in fifty years one in three. A recent worldwide survey on the most influential person in history, conducted by Research Scientist Michael White (a non-Muslim SN 15/7) concluded that no less a person than the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was regarded as the most influential.

Yours faithfully,

Abdul Rahim Forde