Comment
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In our last edition, the Inquirer reported on its front page the controversy caused by the appearance of homophobic and sexist preacher, Abu Usamah, at a meeting held by the City University Islamic Society. In the same edition we also gave front-page coverage to the unrelated attacks on Muslim City students near campus. Many students, of varying backgrounds, have come forward thanking us for our coverage.

However, leaders of the ISoc argued that our coverage was biased and implied the students had brought the attacks upon themselves. This is not at all what the Inquirer believes, nor do we think a reasonable interpretation of the coverage given.

We asked the ISoc to address these issues by writing for us. Instead, in late December their website carried a long post criticizing us, which was duly reported on our own website. The result was an almighty online fracas, in the course of which ISoc members accused the Inquirer of peddling “sick Sikh” views (a false assumption on account of the editor’s surname) and called homosexuality “a disease”, adding that Muslims who disagreed were not true Muslims.

We believe in freedom of speech and have no enthusiasm for bans on speakers whose views are simply offensive. We prefer to take them on in open and respectful debate, without derogatory name-calling.

In absence of a reply, we reproduce here a shortened version of the ISoc website statement, along with an article submitted by Muslim students (whose wish for anonymity, in the circumstances, we fully understand) taking issue with the ISoc. We hope you find them interesting.
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A statement from City Islamic Society
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Over the past two years, the Islamic Society has received numerous verbal and written attacks from bloggers, the odd newspaper journalists, right-wing think tanks, self-professed neo-conservatives who are hell-bent on demonising all Muslims, a few university staff members (although the vast majority have been extremely kind, supportive and helpful), and our very own “friends” from the City Inquirer, who produced an incredibly flawed report regarding the Islamic Society and its speakers.

The evil vain talk that we read and hear from the groups that verbally attack the Islamic Society is undoubtedly a sign of their hate towards a religion of truth and strength. They envy the state of peace and contentment that envelopes the hearts, souls and lives of every practicing Muslim. “Peace be to you” we say to them, for they will not hear anything from us but good.

However, we would like to let them know that there lies a great day before us. This is the Day of Judgement. Be careful those who slander the Muslims, because we fear for you a terrible punishment in the next life. This world does not end at death. No, rather this life is only a test for the next.

The ultimate destination for every man and woman is either paradise or hell. If they persist in their falsehood and evil talk they will be raised before Allaah on a day when every parent will run from their children, when the children will run from their parents, when the mother who is nursing will abandon her child, and when the pregnant woman will abort.

Since Allaah is just, and the Greatest of Judges, He, the Exalted, will permit the very people that they mocked and laughed at in this world, the Muslims, to laugh at them in the next world. Except only, the mockery and the laughter of the next life will last for eternity, with the Muslims reclining on high lofty thrones as Allaah punishes the slanderers with the ever-lasting punishment.

To conclude, we call our bloggers, our newspaper journalists, our rightwing think tanks, the self-professed neoconservatives, our fellow university staff members, and our colleagues from the Inquirer to a way of life for all types of people, from whatever race or background they may be.

A call to a religion of truth, an ideology of inner and outer peace, and a system of conduct that liberates hearts and minds. A way of life based upon submitting to Allaah. For it is only in submitting to Allaah’s Will that human beings gain peace and tranquillity in their hearts, minds, souls and lives.

We urge you to accept this call and accept this invite, and you will attain the Mercy of your Lord with all your sins being forgiven with an ever-lasting reward of Paradise; gardens under which rivers of honey, milk, wine and water flow, palaces made out of pearls, gold and silver; everything that the heart desires.

If you do not accept this call and this invite, then although we will continue treating you with good will, uttering words of peace and showing you respect, we do however warn you of a terrible final destination in the next life, the life after death, a life of a severe and painful punishment, a humiliating torment, the ever-lasting curse of your Creator, and the blazing Fire whose fuel is disbelieving men, women and stones.

Such is the end for those who do not embrace the religion of Islam. This is our reply, these are our statements; words to be written in gold, the words of Allaah, the Supreme. This statement has been shortened because of the length of the original. To read the full statement please visit www.cityisoc.com

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Also read the open letter from Muslim City Students