Thanks for a useful article. I’ve recently moved to Xinjiang and was surprised to realise just how many misconceptions I had about muslims and Islam. It’s great to experience a culture and have dodgy stereotypes replaced by some understanding of real people.

I agree with you that good can be found in all peoplesfrom all four corners of the world. Not everyone is a fanatic in there beliefs, but I would like to know from a muslim perspective, why is there such silence amongst the muslim communities for acts such as destruction of churches, killing of gays, bombing of innocent people, yet we see a world wide revolt when a danish cartoonist in his own country , protected by danish law under freedom of speech, submits a cartoon not too far off of the truth he was emphasising. Why is there so much tolerance in the muslim community for acts of terror, yet such violent responses for editorials or cartoons? This question has always baffled me. I am not trying to be inflammatory, please accept my apologies for any offense this may cause, just an honest question.

The probelm with your biblical defense is failing to acknowlege who is defined in the Quran as “innocent”. The hadiths expand on this to exclude non-believers. Out of the great Islamic universities in Cairo you will find Imams who use this loophole to justify jihad as acceptable punishment for non-believers. As far as comments towards religious wars, the crusades were a defensive battle, and no one in histroy has killed more muslims….than muslims.
I am afraid the author is comparing apples and oranges when comparing Islam from China to the Arabic nations or African nations. China is ruled by strict atheist governement with tight restrictions on allowed religions vs. arabic countries run by strict Islamic governance according to Sharia law. I full heartedly belive that there are great abd bad people of all walks, but perhaps you should spend a year abroad in muslim controlled Nigeria and report what that life was like.
Whoever wrote that mohamod would be disappointed in Islam today, would that be disappointed at those fighting for a one world caliph, or those resolving to live peacefully with Jews and Christians? There is a huge seperation from his teachings concerning muslims to his teaching concerning infidels and dar al islam.

You grew up with misconception about Islam once, by writing your article based on your experiences, I consider you had new conception about Islam, wether you agree or disagree with Islam. I am a muslim, if I found goodness (teachings and practicing) in any other religions (which are many), I don’t hesitate to say those are right and I agree not just wholeheartedly but my whole body.

Agreeing other teachings (which are good) is the way we learn and absorb a new perspective about something.

I see you had a little worry…. which you shouldn’t .

“I’d be interested to hear if people think I’m being soft, brainwashed, or dead-on.”

Just from reading this one post, it seems to me you’re a reasonable and honest person. I could be wrong, but there’s nothing in what your write that would ever make me think “soft or brainwashed” so just the idea that you think people in the states might think that comes to me as a small culture shock. Interesting – one of the things I’ve noticed by living here is how much more I understand the U.S. by living in China!

Good luck to you.

There is only one Islam and that is the Islam of Muhammad. It is detailed in the Quran and his biography. Muslims have different takes on their faith. Some practice it more than others. But there is only one Islam.

We chinese in indonese have seen all terrible and barbaric things by islam through muslims. You should read this article:
http://www.faithfreedom.org/articles/free-thought/why-attack-only-islam/

My view and many other chinese’s view in indonesia have been summarized in that article.

I don’t believe your comment raises any sort of argument, so please do expound upon how I have erred.