Truth is truth, whatever its source. Since 9/11 there has been some wild stuff said about Islam and Muslims, dangerous when digested by the ill-informed. There is too much misunderstanding about the Middle East by Westerners and there is too much misunderstanding about Westerners in the Middle East. Both situations are dangerous.
Reality consists of all things that exist, whether real or imagined. Now think of Donald Duck; he too is real, because we grant him reality with our mind. So is Uncle Sam. Never doubt the reality of things of the mind, since they often exert a more powerful force on you than you realize.
Outwardly, Canada and the US seem to closely resemble each other. But when you look at the details, Canadians, by and large, are more accommodating, putting people ahead of policy.
I enjoy the freedom of North America. I do hope that I find greater tolerance of Islam in Canada and beyond than I currently find in the world. Of course, I also hope that the US will eventually exhibit more tolerance than it currently does.
My writings are arguing for reform, better comprehension, more tolerance and a stand against venal and financial, political and spiritual corruption. People should remember that Islam is a global religion; like Christianity, it is for ALL people. God rules all, from East to West. It is not restricted to non-Western people.
It is unfair and unreasonable to think that we can impose our values and culture on others forcefully. Consciously trying to expand ANY empire, culture or religion forcefully sounds much too like the Third Reich, for my taste.
As humans, we have the wonderful blessing of intellect to think, learn, unlearn and relearn when circumstances change. We have the capacity to find our way in life; ideas do not need to be forced on us. We should not be afraid to exchange ideas, have stimulating, heart-to-heart conversations, and share different thoughts that we may have.
Yilmaz Alimoglu
January 12th, 2012
Copyright © Yilmaz Alimoglu 2010-2015
I can totally relate to this.