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Learn About Islam, Muslims Tell Santorum
Infuriated by offensive remarks by White House aspirant Rick Santorum, a leading US Muslim group has urged the Republican candidate to read more about Islam and the Muslim holy book to know more about Muslims.
“We suggest that Mr. Santorum educate himself about Islam and the American Muslim community by reading the Qur’an that we will send to his campaign headquarters next week,” Ibrahim Hooper, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)’s National Communication Director, said in a statement obtained by OnIslam.net.
Santorum said Saturday, January 21, that the concept of equality “doesn’t come from Islam” or “Eastern religions”.
He argued that equality comes from “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
“I get a kick out of folks who call for equality now, the people on the left, ‘Well, equality, we want equality.’ Where do you think this concept of equality comes from?” Santorum asked supporters packed into a restaurant in South Carolina.
“It doesn’t come from Islam. It doesn’t come from the East and Eastern religions, where does it come from? It comes from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that’s where it comes from.”
Hooper said the Republican candidate, who seeks the country’s highest seat, has inaccurate information about religions.
“The Qur’an, Islam’s revealed text, is the best refutation of Mr. Santorum’s inaccurate and offensive remarks, which are unbecoming of anyone who hopes to hold our nation’s highest office,” he said.
“Christians, Jews and Muslims all worship the same God and share religious traditions that promote justice and equality.”
Islam for Equality
The Muslim leader stressed that the Noble Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) exhort followers to achieve racial and gender equality.
“The Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stress racial and gender equality,” he said.
“The Prophet said: ‘All people are equal as the teeth of a comb,’ Hooper said.
The CAIR official cited verses from the Noble Qur’an and the Prophet’s sayings that stress the idea of equality.
“God states in the Qur’an: ‘Say ye: ‘We believe in God and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and it is unto Him that we surrender ourselves.’,” he said.
“As the Prophet said in his last sermon: ‘All humankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Also, a white person has no superiority over a black person, nor does someone who is black have any superiority over someone who is white — except by piety and good action.’
Republican candidates have repeated attacks on Muslims and their faith in a bid to win nomination of their party to run against incumbent president Barack Obama in this year’s elections.
Last week, former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who seeks to win the Republican party nomination for the November presidential election, said he would only support a Muslim candidate if he renounces Shari`ah.
Santorum had also described Islamic Shari`ah as “an existential threat” to America.
Former candidate Herman Cain had also said that he would not appoint a Muslim in his administration.
Cain, who withdrew from the race for the White House, later modified his position by calling for an unconstitutional “loyalty” oath for Muslim appointees.
A Republican Missouri lawmaker had also described Islam as a disease like polio while another Alaska Rep. branded Muslims as ‘occupiers’ of American neighborhoods.
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