I’ve been re-reading the Koran the past few weeks. I’d previously read it only in bits and pieces, and I thought it was time I read it straight through, with truly focused attention and an open mind — and I have to say it has been, to put it mildly, an eye-opening experience.
I’ve been rather harsh on Islam in these pages over the years, but given the transforming effect this Book has had on me I may have to re-think a great deal of what I have said — not only about religion in general, but also Islam in particular, and about the defensibility of our decadent Western civilization.
I’m still trying to digest all of this — my head is spinning, and the ground is shifting under my feet. I’ll have more to say shortly, insh’Allah.
17 Comments
Happy April Fool’s, Malcolm.
ditto to what Kevin said.
Meanwhile, under the banner of Islam, UN employees are murdered because they bear some sort of resemblance (in the eyes of their murderers) to a nut-case Bible-thumper/Koran-burner from Florida.
I’ve always wanted to see Damascus, which is the world’s oldest continually inhabited city. I’m sure there is even a Road to Damascus, unlike the Road to Mandalay (which is actually the Irrawaddy River).
While I am sure that the many epiphanies you discovered on this April Fool’s Day were enlightening, I do not think that one can understand Islam without actually spending time in Muslim countries. Istanbul, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur would be good places to start. It would truly be an eye opening experience. There are some things about Islam which cannot be learned from NRO, Gates of Eden, or even the New York Times.
Gates of Vienna, I think you must mean.
I’m sure you’re right about NRO (though that accursed kuffar McCarthy certainly seems to know a thing or two), and you are most definitely right about the NYT.
That’s why I wanted to re-read the Holy Koran. Presumably making a careful study of the recitation of God to the Prophet (PBUH), as recorded in the Book, and the hadith, as recorded by his companions, is a worthwhile approach?
But maybe you’re right, and staying in a hotel for a few days and riding around on a camel taking pictures is enough to do the trick. Certainly much easier, if it works.
Many paths, one summit.
You would be hard-pressed to find a camel in Istanbul, Jakarta, or Kuala Lumpur, but what-ever.
Some things are better revealed than told. I’m just sayin’.
“You would be hard-pressed to find a camel in Istanbul…”
Can’t speak about the other two Peter – but apparently you’ve not read the labels on cigarettes recently. RJ Reynolds insists their tobacco comes from Turkey. And RJ Reynolds sells alot of camels.
That stuff has to be shipped via some Turkish port – I’m betting, Istanbul.
oh, man. you had me goin’ there for a few seconds! (~_^)
JK: I think you may be mistaken. The chief export of Turkey is Turkish Taffy.
Might wanna check that again Peter. Tobacco is listed #1 as an agricultural product – “taffy” being a foodstuff doesn’t even make the list.
Granted – tobacco doesn’t make the list on exports – but neither does taffy. Lessin’ tobacco can be properly called a foodstuff in which case it’s grouped as #2. In Arkansas it’s an essential ingredient, in Californy I reckon it probably ain’t.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tu.html
Okay Peter, I’ll relent (a little bit – but only “seasonally speaking” ’cause Halloween is such a big to-do in Arkansas).
I Googled and much to my surprise I find Bonomo’s makes wax lips, Zagnuts, BB Bats, wax bottles, Sky Bars, candy cigarettes, Kits, and Sugar Daddies.
Good thing Turkey is still “officially” in NATO – else Arkansas would legislate an import ban on everything but Camels.
The thing I never understood about Turkish Taffy is that the guy on the wrapper wore a fez, which are not worn in Turkey. Maybe it should have been called Ethnic Taffy instead.
You are correct about tobacco. In California, the main food groups are tempeh, rice crackers, and the Double Double from In-N-Out Burger.
Whoops: I am wrong. A quick check of wikipedia shows that the fez is worn in Turkey. I thought it was Moroccan. Boy, is my face red.
Well Peter, it would appear you and I best hit a search engine afore we set our tapping fingers blazin’ away on a keyboard.
And I was thinking the fez was only worn by Shriners . . .
Jeffery Hodges
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Let us not forget that FEZ is also a great Scrabble word. While some would argue that the overall contribution to civilization made by Muslim countries is roughly equal to the contribution made by Bachmann Turner Overdrive, I would disagree. Islam has also thoughtfully given us many fine words with Q which are not followed by a U (such as FAQIR and QADI), which are a boon to Scrabble players everywhere.
Don’t forget polo Peter – except that we effiminate Westerners prefer not using dead goats (partly because of the flies, I think) the rules seem pretty much the same.
Yes. We owe alot to Islam in way too many “entertainment” activities to deny their many contributions.
I’m not so good at polo. The last time I played, all of my horses drowned.