It would appear that Islam’s profile in the West has risen quite significantly in the past few days. What with the cartoon kerfuffle and then Abu Hamza being found guilty of eleven of the fifteen charges brought against him by Scotland Yard and sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

It is evident that a primary motivation for his words and his actions was his religion. His particular “brand” of Islam which enabled him to preach words such as

“Killing a Kafir who is fighting you is OK. Killing a Kafir for any reason, you can say it, it is OK – even if there is no reason for it,” – source: The BBC

where a Kafir is a non-Muslim, and in reference to suicide bombers

“It is not called suicide… this is called martyring, because if the only way to hurt the enemies of Islam except by taking your life for that then it is allowed.” – source: The BBC

The fact that he was convicted under legislation which existed prior to the introduction of the Religious Hatred laws, demonstrate that the current laws are adequate for keeping hatred relating to religion in check and that extra legislation is unnecessary. It makes me wonder why the Religious Hatred Bill was ever conceived.

As an aside, it’s interesting to note both Hamza’s brand of Islam, and that of more moderate Muslims, claim to be the true religion. Who’s correct? I leave two quotes from the Qu’ran, and one from the Bible, to mull over

“And dispute ye not with the People of the Book [a term used for Jews and Christians], except with means better (than mere disputation) … But say, ‘We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you. Our God and your God is One, and it is to Him we bow (in Islam).'” The Qu’ran, Sura 29:46

compared with

“God hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods. For theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise). They fight in His cause, and slay and are slain.” The Qu’ran, Sura 9:111

Regardless of which interpretation of Islam someone may have, the words of Jesus Christ concerning how we treat others are fairly unequivocal

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…Matthew 5:43,44