Koran Burning: Dehumanizing Muslims
America's at war with Islam.
by Stephen Lendman
Despite constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom, America consistently violates fundamental rights, including respecting all faiths equally.
More than other ethnic/religious groups, Western discourse portrays Muslim/Arabs stereotypically as culturally inferior, dirty, lecherous, untrustworthy, religiously fanatical, and violent.
In his book, "Reel Bad Arabs : How Hollywood Vilifies a People," Jack Shaheen explained how they've been defamed and vilified throughout decades of cinematic history. From silent films to recent ones, they encourage prejudicial attitudes, and reinforce notions of Western values, high-mindedness, and moral superiority.
Worse still are slanderous post-9/11 media commentaries about dangerous gun-toting terrorists, the need to closely monitor them, and rid society of those considered dangerous.
Never mind rule of law principles, right or wrong, or whether accused targets are guilty. Saying so's all that matters to justify America's war on terror. It needs enemies. When not around, they're invented.
As a result, Muslim Arabs and others suffer hugely, including at home. Koran burning incidents provide more proof. It symbolizes America's contempt for Islam.
Importance of the Koran
According to observing Muslims, the Koran's an exact record of words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to Muhammad. He taught them to others. Scribes passed them on. Throughout centuries of Islamic history, its 114 chapters remained unchanged.
The Koran's the primary source of Muslim faith and practice. It covers all human concerns, including wisdom, beliefs, worship and law. It also focuses on God's relationship with humanity, and provides guidelines for a just society, proper relationships, and just divisions of power.
It teaches love, not hate; peace, not violence; charity, not selfishness; and tolerance, not terrorism. Its five pillars include profession of faith, prayer five times daily, fasting during Ramadan, charity, and performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime for those able to afford it.
Clashes Over Latest Afghanistan Koran Burning Incident
It's happened before and each time incites rage. The latest incident involves US Bagram Air Base forces dumping Koran copies and other Islamic holy materials in debris piles for burning.
Military officials lied saying they contained "extremist inscriptions" and were used to "facilitate extremist communications." The latest incident followed previous ones and release of a January video showing Marines urinating on Afghan corpses.
