By Lubna Abdel-Aziz A grave injustice has been committed against God's religion of submission and peace. The youngest and the fastest-growing of the world's great religions, Islam, has been chided and derided by non-followers, since its inception in 622 AD, with the migration of its holy prophet Mohammed, from the city of Mecca to Medina, known as the Hejra. The irony is that during the past few decades, more injustice has been hurled on it by its own fervent disciples, than by its detractors. No, Islam is not the violent creed of terrorism and bloodshed, and Muslims are not the savages and brutes that slay and stone. In a recent Time magazine article, it was shocking to learn that honorable men of the cloth, like Franklin Graham, son of the much revered Billy Graham, recite passages of the Koran, taken out of context, as proof that Islam is a religion of hatred and war, not love and peace. Intellectuals like former Speaker of the House Newton Gingrich, has compared it to Nazism. They point to Jihad and Sharia law as their indisputable evidence. They freely use a newly-acquired phrase of "Judeo/Christian heritage", forgetting that only in Islam and not in Judaism that Jesus Christ is venerated, as God's holy prophet, who will sit by his side on Judgment Day. They prefer to remember the Crusades, and forget the Crucifixion. In this, the holiest month of Islam, it behooves us to recollect some of the unrivalled accomplishments and refined culture of this great religion, and it precious legacy in art, literature, science and architecture. Within 100 years of its birth, the Islamic Empire spread throughout Asia, Africa and Europe, allowing trade to flow freely across the 3 continents. The great civilizations of Persia, India, China, Greece, Rome and Egypt were allowed to retain their culture and remain intact, contributing greatly to Islamic civilization. Their philosophy was to embrace knowledge, as the holy prophet believed that "the ink of the scholars is more precious than the blood of martyrs". Artistic and intellectual treasures of subject provinces were cherished rather than destroyed. By embracing much of the classical knowledge, Islam was able to unite millions into one great brotherhood. The Arabic language of the Koran became the language of faith, philosophy, art and science. Intellectual activity flourished as mass-production of paper was introduced, based on Chinese paper-making technology. Public education, mandated by the holy prophet, spread far and near, and public libraries became commonplace. Arabic numerals, imported from India, replaced Roman numerals, and, for the first time, introduced the concept of zero. With the study of history and linguistics, massive translations from Greek, Roman and Sanskrit became available to Arabic scholars, allowing Arabic literature to flourish. It is through Arabic translations that the Hellenic classics reached Medieval Europe, making the Renaissance possible. Medicine was elevated to a science, based on observation and experimentation, rather than conjecture. Many free hospitals were opened to the public and asylums were maintained for the care of the mentally ill. Antiseptics were first introduced by Abou Bakr el Razi in the early 10th century making the connection between bacteria and infection. Veterinary science led the field for centuries, while alchemists made numerous discoveries, among them the distillation of petroleum and the forging of steel. Islamic scientists are credited with the development of the basics of what we now call, 'the scientific method.' Islamic mathematicians refined algebra, and developed trigonometry. They built the world's first observatory and made important contributions to astronomy. Yet many prefer to ignore or are truly ignorant of the legacy of Islamic culture. Perhaps the most perceptible of Islamic contributions is its architecture. The Taj Mahal in India, the Alhambra in Spain and the Royal Mosque in Isfahan, Iran, are glaring examples of the structural grace and elegance of Islamic architecture, which remains unique and much admired by artists and scholars worldwide. Nothing can be more expressive of holy worship than the slender, towering minarets. which seem to stretch and reach the heavens in submission and prayer. Islamic craftsmen developed carpet-weaving into a fine art. Pottery reached its highest development under their skilful techniques, and glassware used in mosques and windows flourished in Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Persia. Islamic carving on wood and ivory is intricate and delicate, displaying the great art of calligraphy, which is not only unique to Islam, but can never be matched, not even by the Chinese. Hold a book of poetry or fables admire the most beautiful binding ever produced; browse through the flourish of illustrations. You need not know the language. Its stunning beauty will take your breath away. Such is the delicate art of a great civilization and religion that finds converts and believers flock to it daily from every corner of the globe. Islam embraces Christianity and Judaism as God's religions. The few who wish to soil it with innocent blood will never be forgiven by the true disciples of Islam. Rather than dwell on generalities, or flout your insensibilities, step into a mosque and observe the faithful kneel in humility and raise their hands up to the heavens as they pray for peace, love and brotherhood, and you are sure to blush at the injustice about Muslims and Islam. The holy month of Ramadan is not only about abstinence from food and drink, but abstinence from all that is ugly, evil and unjust among humans. There is nothing more frightening than ignorance in action. -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1842)
