Human Relations in Islam

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Human

Relations
in Islam

Human Relations in Islam


Aug 15, 2004
Based on a Speech at a Church
I seek refuge in God from the rejected Satan.
In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
Greetings of peace.
This is the English equivalent of Muslim salutation: Assalamu alaikum, which we offer
when we meet and shake hands. (I will let go shaking of hands with you right now, since
I only have 30 minutes to talk and besides I dont want to look like a todays politician.)
I want to thank every one for giving me this honor to speak to you at your church.
It will be an understatement to say that we are going through some very difficult times.
Relations with Muslims have become highly polarized. Continuously devastating
condition of Palestinians, tyrant and unjust Muslim rulers, US. Control over oil-rich
Muslim countries, the Sept 11 tragedy, the invasion, destruction and killings of several
hundred thousand people of Iraq, evil treatment of prisoners are some of the major factors
which have turned our world into a lawless and unjust global village.
Politics, lust, greed, self-conceitedness and vengeance have led to a continuous onslaught
of false propaganda against Islam and Muslims dating back to the crusades era.
I hope that my presence here, as an American Muslim, will be a step, a very small step,
but a step to undo the stereotypes and help inspire a constructive and sincere dialogue.
Islam has laid down a set of principles on Muslim, non-Muslim relations with special
emphasis on relations with the People of the Book, i.e., Jews and Christians.
But before I give you some examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) and
quotations from the Holy Quran, I want you to know that the Holy Quran and Sunnah or
Hadith are the two primary sources of knowledge in Islam.
In the next few minutes, I will give you a brief on the Messenger, the Holy Quran and the
Sunnah or Hadith.
Prophet Muhammad is a direct descendant of Ishmael, the first son of Abraham. (peace
be on all prophets.) Muhammad was born in Makkah in 570 C.E. Kaaba is a small
cubical house in Makkah, first built by prophets Abraham and Ishmael. It is the place
where Abraham had left baby Ishmael and his mother Hager by the command of God. It
is the house towards which all Muslims face in prayers. It is also the house visited by
Millions of Muslims during Hajj (yearly pilgrimage) and other times.

By the time Muhammad was twenty-five, he had become well known in the city for the
integrity of his disposition and the honesty of his character. He became known as the
trustworthy, the truthful.
According to Muslim traditions, Muhammad was 40 years old, when he was visited by
angel Gabriel (peace be on him) and received his first message from God. These visits
continued for the next 23 years until his death. All of the messages thus received were put
together by the Prophet in a book called The Quran. For Muslims, Quran is the word of
God. In relation to prior Holy books, the Quran itself states that it confirms what was
revealed to earlier prophets, especially to Moses and Jesus (peace be on them) and also
serves as the criterion of right and wrong. The Quran consists of 114 chapters of varying
length. Each chapter is made up of single or multiple revelations. Chapter names are
based on a word that appears in the chapter itself. In the interpretation of the verses,
historic context, events that Muslims were facing at that time and the Sunnah matter.
Sunnah refers to the sayings, approvals, disapprovals of the Prophet. These are compiled
in separate books, known as Hadith books. Unlike the Quran which was compiled by
Prophet himself, the Hadith books we have today were compiled after the death of the
Prophet. While every verse of the Quran is taken as authentic, the same is not true with
traditions mentioned in the Hadith books. Muslim scholars have classified these traditions
from authentic to false. There is a very complex but very scientific system of
classification used by the scholars in doing so.
With this background in mind, let me mention some events after Muhammad started
receiving the revelations. As was the case with earlier prophets, his invitation and
preaching to the people of Makkah met severe opposition. Some of the Muslims were
severely persecuted and tortured.
Migration to Ethopia
This is the first event in the history of Islam which shows Muslim-Christian relations. It
teaches many Islamic principles of human relations.
It was the fifth year of his prophethood, when Prophet asked some of his followers to
migrate to Ethopia, where a just king, a Christian king Negus was the ruler. A group of 12
men and 4 women made it to Ethopia and were welcomed by the King. When the
polytheists of Makkah came to know about it, they sent two envoys to the King. They
claimed to the king that the Muslim refugees should be expelled from Abyssinia
(Ethiopia) and made over to them, on the ground that they had abandoned the religion of
their forefathers, and their leader was preaching a religion different from theirs and from
that of the king.
The king summoned the Muslims to the court and asked them to explain the teachings of
their religion. The Muslim emigrants had decided to tell the whole truth whatever the
consequences were. Jafar bin Abi Talib stood up and addressed the king in the following
words: "O king! we were plunged in the depth of ignorance and barbarism; we adored

idols, we lived in unchastity, we ate the dead bodies, and we spoke abominations, we
disregarded every feeling of humanity, and the duties of hospitality and neighbourhood
were neglected; we knew no law but that of the strong, when Allh raised among us a
man, of whose birth, truthfulness, honesty, and purity we were aware; and he called to the
Oneness of Allh, and taught us not to associate anything with Him. He forbade us the
worship of idols; and he enjoined us to speak the truth, to be faithful to our trusts, to be
merciful and to regard the rights of the neighbours and kith and kin; he forbade us to
speak evil of women, or to eat the substance of orphans; he ordered us to fly from the
vices, and to abstain from evil; to offer prayers, to render alms, and to observe fast. We
have believed in him, we have accepted his teachings and his injunctions to worship
Allh, and not to associate anything with Him, and we have allowed what He has
allowed, and prohibited what He has prohibited. For this reason, our people have risen
against us, have persecuted us in order to make us forsake the worship of Allh and return
to the worship of idols and other abominations. They have tortured and injured us, until
finding no safety among them, we have come to your country, and hope you will protect
us from oppression."
The king was very much impressed by these words and asked the Muslims to recite some
of Allhs Revelation. Jafar recited the opening verses of Srah Maryam (Chapter 19
Mary) wherein is told the story of the birth of both John and Jesus Christ, down to the
account of Mary having been fed with the food miraculously. Thereupon the king, along
with the bishops of his realm, was moved to tears that rolled down his cheeks and even
wet his beard. Here, the Negus exclaimed: "It seems as if these words and those which
were revealed to Jesus are the rays of the light which have radiated from the same
source." Turning to the crest-fallen envoys of Quraish, he said, "I am afraid, I cannot give
you back these refugees. They are free to live and worship in my realm as they please."
On the morrow, the two envoys again went to the king and said that Muhammad and his
followers blasphemed Jesus Christ. Again the Muslims were summoned and asked what
they thought of Jesus. Jafar again stood up and replied: "We speak about Jesus as we
have been taught by our Prophet, that is, he is the servant of Allh, His Messenger, His
spirit and His Word breathed into Virgin Mary." The king at once remarked, "Even so do
we believe. Blessed be you, and blessed be your master." Then turning to the frowning
envoys and to his bishops who got angry, he said: "You may fret and fume as you like but
Jesus is nothing more than what Jafar has said about him." He then assured the Muslims
of full protection. He returned to the envoys of Quraish, the gifts they had brought with
them and sent them away. The Muslims lived in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) unmolested for a
number of years till they returned to Madinah.

Migration to Madina and Treaty with Jews


A Cooperation and Non-Aggression Pact
with the Jews
Soon after emigrating to Madinah and making sure that the pillars of the new Islamic
community were well established on strong bases of administrative, political and
ideological unity, the Prophet commenced to establish regular and clearly-defined
relations with non-Muslims. All of these efforts were exerted solely to provide peace,
security, and prosperity to all mankind at large, and to bring about a spirit of rapport and
harmony within his region, in particular.
Geographically, the closest people to Madinah were the Jews. The Prophet decided to
ratify a treaty with them with clauses that provided full freedom in faith and wealth. He
had no intention whatsoever of following severe policies involving banishment, seizure
of wealth and land or hostility.
The treaty came within the context of another one of a larger framework relating to interMuslim relationships.
The most important provisions of the treaty are the following:
1. The Jews of Bani Awf are one community with the believers. The Jews will
profess their religion, and the Muslims theirs.
2. The Jews shall be responsible for their expenditure, and the Muslims for theirs.
3. If attacked by a third party, each shall come to the assistance of the other.
4. Each party shall hold counsel with the other. Mutual relation shall be founded on
righteousness; sin is totally excluded.
5. Neither shall commit sins to the prejudice of the other.
6. The wronged party shall be aided.
7. The Jews shall contribute to the cost of war so long as they are fighting alongside
the believers.
8. Madinah shall remain sacred and inviolable for all that join this treaty.
9. Should any disagreement arise between the signatories to this treaty, then Allh,
the All-High and His Messenger shall settle the dispute.
10. The signatories to this treaty shall boycott Quraish commercially; they shall also
abstain from extending any support to them.
11. Each shall contribute to defending Madinah, in case of a foreign attack, in its
respective area.
12. This treaty shall not hinder either party from seeking lawful revenge.

The Holy Quran:


002.256 Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error:
whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold,
that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things.

Prophets message to the monks of Saint Catherine


Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) sent a message to the monks of Saint Catherine in
Mount Sinai:
"This is a message written by Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who
adopt Christianity, far and near, we are behind them. Verily, I defend them by myself, the
servants, the helpers, and my followers, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah!
I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither
are their judges to be changed from their jobs, nor their monks from their monasteries.
No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to
the Muslims' houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant
and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they (Christians) are my allies and have my secure
charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to
fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim,
this is not to take place without her own wish. She is not to be prevented from going to
her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented
from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation is to
disobey this covenant till the Day of Judgment and the end of the world."

Some Sayings of the Prophet


The following is a cluster of the virtues he used to inculcate in the minds of his followers:
A man asked the Messenger of Allh which of the merits is superior in Islam.
He (the Prophet) remarked:
"That you provide food and extend greetings to one whom you know
or do not know."[]
Abdullah bin Salm said: When the Prophet arrived in Madinah, I went to see
him and I immediately recognized through his features that he would never be a
liar. The first things he (the Prophet) said was:
"Extend peace greetings amongst yourselves, provide food to the
needy, maintain uterine relations, observe prayer at night while people are
asleep, then you will peacefully enter the Garden (Paradise)."[]

And he said:
"The Muslim is that one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe.[]"
And said:
"None amongst you believes (truly) till one likes for his brother that which he
loves for himself.[]"
And said:
"He will not enter Paradise, he whose neighbour is not secure from his
wrongful conduct.[]"
And said:
"A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim; he neither oppresses him nor does he
fail him. Whosoever removes a worldly grief from a believer, Allh will remove
from him one of the griefs of the Day of Judgement. Whosoever shields a
Muslim, Allh will shield him on the Day of Resurrection.[]"
And said:
"Abusing a Muslim is an outrage and fighting against him is disbelief.[]"
And said:
"To remove something harmful from the road, is charity.[]"
And said:
"Charity erases sins just as water extinguishes fire.[]"
And said:
"He is not a perfect believer, who goes to bed full and knows that his
neighbour is hungry.[]"
And said:
"Show mercy to people on earth so that Allh will have mercy on you in
heaven.[]"
And said:

"Try to avert fire even by half a date (in charity) if not by tendering a good
word.[]"
And said:
"Clothing an under-clad Muslim, entitles you to a garment from the Paradise;
feeding a hungry Muslim will make you eligible (by Allhs Will) for the fruit of
the Paradise, and if you provide water to a thirsty Muslim, Allh will provide you
with a drink from the Sealed Nectar.[]"
He used as well to exhort the believers to spend in charity reminding them of
relevant virtues for which the hearts yearn.
He said:
"The believers in their mutual love, are like the human body where when the
eye is in agony, the entire body feels the pain; when the head aches, all the body
will suffer.[]"
And said
"The bonds of brotherhood between two Muslims are like parts of a house,
one part strengthens and holds the other.[]"
And said:
"Do not have malice against a Muslim; do not be envious of other Muslims;
do not go against a Muslim and forsake him. O the slaves of Allh! Be like
brothers with each other. It is not violable for a Muslim to desert his brother for
over three days.[]"

RIGHTS OF ENEMIES AT WAR


The Rights of the Non-Combatants:
Islam has first drawn a clear line of distinction between the
combatants and the non-combatants of the enemy country. As far as
the non-combatant population is concerned such as women, children,
the old and the infirm, etc., the instructions of the Prophet are as
follows: "Do not kill any old person, any child or any woman" (Abu
Dawud). "Do not kill the monks in monasteries" or "Do not kill the
people who are sitting in places of worship" (Musnad of Ibn Hanbal).
During a war, the Prophet saw the corpse of a woman lying on the
ground and observed: "She was not fighting. How then she came to be

killed?" From this statement of the Prophet the exegetists and jurists
have drawn the principle that those who are non-combatants should not
be killed during or after the war.
The Rights of the Combatants:
Now let us see what rights Islam has conferred on the combatants.
1. Torture with Fire
In the hadith there is a saying of the Prophet that: "Punishment by
fire does not behove anyone except the Master of the Fire" (Abu
Dawud). The injunction deduced from this saying is that the adversary
should not be burnt alive.
2. Protection of the Wounded
"Do not attack a wounded person"-thus said the Prophet. This
means that the wounded soldiers who are not fit to fight, nor actually
fighting, should not be attacked.
3. The Prisoner of War Should not be Slain
"No prisoner should be put to the sword"-a very clear and
unequivocal instruction given by the Prophet (S).
4. No one Should be Tied to be Killed
"The Prophet has prohibited the killing of anyone who is tied or
is in captivity."
5. No Looting and Destruction in the Enemy's Country
Muslims have also been instructed by the Prophet that if they
should enter the enemy's territory, they should not indulge in pillage or
plunder nor destroy the residential areas, nor touch the property of
anyone except those who are fighting with them. It has been narrated
in the hadith: "The Prophet has prohibited the believers from loot and
plunder" (al-Bukhari; Abu Dawud). His injunction is: "The loot is no
more lawful than the carrion" (Abu Dawud). Abu Bakr al-Siddiq used
to instruct the soldiers while sending them to war, "Do not destroy the
villages and towns, do not spoil the cultivated fields and gardens, and
do not slaughter the cattle." The booty of war which is acquired from
the battleground is altogether different from this. It consists of the
wealth, provisions and equipment captured only from the camps and
military headquarters of the combatant armies.
6. Sanctity of Property
The Muslims have also been prohibited from taking anything from
the general public of a conquered country without paying for it. If in a
war the Muslim army occupies an area of the enemy country, and is
encamped there, it does not have the right to use the things belonging
to the people without their consent. If they need anything, they should
purchase it from the local population or should obtain permission from
the owners. Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, while instructing the Muslim armies
being despatched to the battlefront would go to the extent of saying

that Muslim soldiers should not even use the milk of the milch cattle
without the permission of their owners.
7. Sanctity of a Dead Body
Islam has categorically prohibited its followers from disgracing or
mutilating the corpses of their enemies as was practised in Arabia
before the advent of Islam. It has been said in the hadith: "The Prophet
has prohibited us from mutilating the corpses of the enemies" (alBukhari; AbC Dawud). The occasion on which this order was given is
highly instructive. In the Battle of Uhud the disbelievers mutilated the
bodies of the Muslims, who had fallen on the battlefield and sacrificed
their lives for the sake of Islam, by cutting off their ears and noses, and
threading them together to put round their necks as trophies of war.
The abdomen of Hamzah, the uncle of the Prophet, was ripped open by
Quraysh, his liver was taken out and chewed by Hind, the wife of Abu
Sufyan, the leader of the Meccan army. The Muslims were naturally
enraged by this horrible sight. But the Prophet asked his followers not
to mete out similar treatment to the dead bodies of the enemies. This
great example of forbearance and restraint is sufficient to convince any
reasonable man who is not blinded by prejudice or bias, that Islam is
really the religion sent down by the Creator of the universe, and that if
human emotions had any admission in Islam, then this horrible sight on
the battlefield of Uhud would have provoked the Prophet to order his
followers to mutilate the bodies of their enemy in the same manner.
8. Return of Corpses of the Enemy
In the Battle of Ahzab a very renowned and redoubtable warrior
of the enemy was killed and his body fell down in the trench which the
Muslims had dug for the defence of Medina. The unbelievers presented
ten thousand dinars to the Prophet and requested that the dead body of
their fallen warrior may be handed over to them. The Prophet replied
"I do not sell dead bodies. You can take away the corpse of your fallen
comrade."
9. Prohibition of Breach of Treaties
Islam has strictly prohibited treachery. One of the instructions
that the Prophet used to give to the Muslim warriors while sending
them to the battlefront was: "Do not be guilty of breach of faith."
This order has been repeated in the Holy Quran and the hadith again
and again, that if the enemy acts treacherously let him do so, you
should never go back on your promise. There is a famous incident in
the peace treaty of Hudaybiyyah, when after the settlement of the
terms of the treaty, Abu Jandal, the son of the emissary of the
unbelievers who had negotiated this treaty with the Muslims, came,
fettered and blood-stained, rushing to the Muslim camp and crying for
help. The Prophet told him "Since the terms of the treaty have been
settled, we are not in a position to help you out. You should go back

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with your father. God will provide you with some other opportunity to
escape this persecution." The entire Muslim army was deeply touched
and grieved at the sad plight of Abu Jandal and many of them were
moved to tears. But when the Prophet declared that "We cannot break
the agreement", not even a single person came forward to help the
unfortunate prisoner, so the unbelievers forcibly dragged him back to
Makkah. This is an unparalleled example of the observance of the terms
of agreement by the Muslims, and Islamic history can show many
examples of a similar nature.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN ISLAM - A BRIEF


The two primary sources of knowledge in Islam are the Holy Quran and Sunnah. The Holy Quran consists
of the Arabic text revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) over a period of 23 years. The
Sunnah refers to Prophet's sayings and deeds, also known as Ahadith. The Ahadith are collected in different
books, mostly named after the scholar who collected it.

The Right to Life


The first and the foremost basic right is the right to live and respect human life. The Holy Quran lays down:
"Whosoever kills a human being without (any reason like) man slaughter, or corruption on earth, it is as
though he had killed all mankind ..." (5:32)
"Do not kill a soul which Allah has made sacred except through the due process of law ..." (6:151)

The Right to Justice


This is a very important and valuable right which Islam has given to man as a human being. The Holy
Quran has laid down: "Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression" (5:2). "And do not let
ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just; that is nearest to
heedfulness" (5:8).

Equality of Human Beings


This has been exemplified by the Prophet in one of his sayings thus:
"No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor
does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any superiority over the white
man. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from clay" (al-Bayhaqi and al-Bazzaz).

The Security of Life and Property


In the address which the Prophet delivered on the occasion of the Farewell Hajj, he said: "Your lives and
properties are forbidden to one another till you meet your Lord on the Day of Resurrection." God
Almighty has laid down in the Holy Quran: "Anyone who kills a believer deliberately will receive as his
reward (a sentence) to live in Hell for ever. God will be angry with him and curse him, and prepare

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dreadful torment for him" (4:93). The Prophet has also said about the dhimmis (the non-Muslim citizens of
the Muslim State): "One who kills a man under covenant (i.e. a dhimmi) will not even smell the fragrance
of Paradise" (al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud).

The Protection of Honor


Holy Quran clearly lays down: (a) "You who believe, do not let one (set of) people make fun of another set.
(b) Do not defame one another. (c) Do not insult by using nicknames. (d) And do not backbite or speak ill
of one another" (49:11-12).

The Rights of the Non-Combatants:


Islam has first drawn a clear line of distinction between the combatants and the non-combatants of the
enemy country. As far as the non-combatant population is concerned such as women, children, the old and
the infirm, etc., the instructions of the Prophet are as follows: "Do not kill any old person, any child or any
woman" (Abu Dawud). "Do not kill the monks in monasteries" or "Do not kill the people who are sitting in
places of worship" (Musnad of Ibn Hanbal).
These are excerpts of the articles at http://islam101.com/rights/

MOTHERS
The Qur'an elevates kindness to parents (especially mothers) to a status second only to
the worship of Allah.
Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents.
Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of
contempt nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. (Qur'an 17:23)
And We have enjoined on every human being (to be good) to his/her parents: in travail
upon travail did his/her mother bear him/her and in years twain was his/her weaning:
(hear the command) "Show gratitude to me and to your parents: to Me is (your final)
destiny." (Qur'an 31:14)
DAUGHTERS
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be on him) said,
Whosoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive, does not insult her, and does not
favor his son over her, Allah will enter him into Paradise. (Ahmad)

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Equality in Islam
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
"No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority
over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black
man any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was
created from clay"
Justice in Islam
The Holy Quran says:
"Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression" (5:2).

"And do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from dealing
justly. Be just; that is nearest to heedfulness" (5:8).
Repel Evil with Goodness
041.034 Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will
he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!
003.134 Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain
anger, and pardon (all) men; for God loves those who do good.
Suicide is a Grave Sin
O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be
amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for
verily God hath been to you Most Merciful! (Quran, 4:29)

The Status of Muslim Civil Rights in the United States


2003
Guilt by Association
The Executive Summary of Report published by CAIR (Council on AmericanIslamic Relations) Research Center

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In 2002, Muslim community members in the United States reported 602


complaints of discrimination to CAIR. This represents a 15 percent increase over the
previous year. More than any other year, the daily experiences of Muslims in schools,
workplaces, public areas, airports, and in encounters with the courts, police and other
government agencies included incidents in which they were profiled and singled out
because of actual or perceived religious and ethnic identity. Anti-Muslim sentiment
related to September the 11th has been cited in many reports. Never before had an
international terrorist act had such a long-lasting impact on Muslim life in the United
States.
When compared to the year preceding September 11th, this years reports show a
64 percent increase. The fallout from September 11 continues to impact Muslim daily
life, whether at schools, in the workplace or in general public encounters. Mistreatment at
the hand of federal government personnel continue to be reported in substantial numbers.
FBI agents and other local law enforcement authorities have sometimes responded to
hearsay reports, and conducted questionable raids and interrogations.
In 2002, the Department of Justice has continued to take actions in the name of
combating terrorism, when in fact they have targeted broadly Arabs and Muslims in this
country. The investigation dragnet in 2002 included the special registration requirements
that singled out students and visitors to America from Muslim-majority countries. Also,
many Muslim homes and businesses were raided and private property seized pending
investigation. Moreover, queries by some FBI agents about mosque membership lists and
media reports about a proposed FBI counting of mosques raised widespread apprehension
among community members who believed they were being scrutinized based on their
religious association. Other profiling-based interrogations and searches continued
throughout the year, though reported with less frequency than the few months
immediately after September 11th. Critics of the government have charged that such
actions violated the First and Fourth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Singling out Muslims is increasing in all sectors of life. A significant number of cases
took place at private businesses, places of residence, the Internet, and courts.
Contributing to the rise of discrimination against Muslims is the continuing anti-Muslim
rhetoric, especially by some evangelical leaders and neoconservatives. A segment of this

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report documents examples of their divisive language. The vilification of Islam and
Muslims by such elements continues unabated.
This year the total number of individual complaints reported to CAIR offices
reached a new high: 602 complaints, or 15 percent increase over the previous year.
Compared to the pre-September 11th reporting year (2000/2001), this years total is 64
percent higher. It is also the highest ever record of such incidents and more than seven
times the total of the year 1995/1996, when the first edition of this report was issued.
To obtain copies of this report, contact:
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.cair-net.org
2003 Copyright, Council on American-Islamic Relations

Web Sites:

http://www.islam101.com
http://soundvision.com
http://islamicity.com

Books/Videos:

Islam in Focus by Hamudah Abul Ati


The Translation and Commentary of the Holy Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Islam the Straight Path by John Esposito
Unholy War, Terror in the name of Islam by John Esposito
Video: Islam-A Closer Look (http://soundvision.com, 1-800-432-4262)

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