Ashley Bennerson
9/16/2010
1:46 p.m.
The Gambian president stated that Muslims should be “united in the practice of our faith, stand firm to protect the religion and beware of detractors who are nothing but disciples of Satan disguising themselves as Muslims, to bring division and hatred among us”. This message was sent across to the Gambian people at the time when there were some so-called Muslims speaking the language of sectarianism. The Gambia is a peaceful country. Regardless of ethnic identity or political affiliations, people are living in peace, love and harmony. The reason for this is the enviable prevailing religious tolerance, which enables the different religious groups in the country to co-exist peacefully. Anti-Islamic agents are not allowed to come and attempt to destroy what took so long to achieve. Allah demonstrates religious tolerance in the Qur'an: "Lakum deenukunm wa liya deen - your religion is for you and my religion for me.
The people of the Gambia make valid points in this article. Religious Division in their eyes is pointless and has no valid meaning. They are expressing that everyone should respect each other’s beliefs and practices whether there is an agreement or not. The statement that “your religion is for you and my religion for me”, hits home for argument of this article. Whether or not two people have the same religion doesn’t make one or the other right or wrong. The article ends by saying that the only way to have world peace is by accepting each other’s faith and respecting one another.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201009140321.html
2 comments:
This is an article that I wish more people could read. Religion and the idea of a strong belief can fuel any fire but for it to have been said that "Your religion is for you and my religion for me," make so much sense. This is such a simple statement that those with strong point of views don't understand. It is not that people need to agree but understand that because we do not agree it is fine to coexist and have the acceptance that neither are wrong or right. Even today there was a roadside bombing in Turkey. To live peacefully is the hope amongst most people and if more could really see some of the beauty within all religions and not that you have to believe them division would have no place.
You both are so right. My article was similar, pointing out that people make such a big deal out of their differences instead of the ties that bind
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