Topic: Islam

The Mayor’s anti-Islamic email is a major embarrassment

September 4, 2009 |

The stamp in question

Clarksville Tennessee’s Mayor, Johnny Piper has sent an inflammatory anti-Islamic email to employees of the city, encouraging them to boycott a stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

According to the U.S. Postal Service, the stamp in question commemorates the two most important festivals—or eids—in the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. On these days, Muslims wish each other “Eid mubarak,” the phrase featured in Islamic calligraphy on the stamp. “Eid mubarak” translates literally as “blessed festival,” and can be paraphrased as “May your religious holiday be blessed.” This phrase can be applied to both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

The email in question is the equivalent of a chain letter, which according to the Snopes Urban Legends web site was first seen in 2002. The letter was modified in August 2009 to falsely accuse President Barack Obama of ordering the U.S. Postal Service to issue a 42 cent first class stamp in honor of these Islamic holidays. In fact the stamp was first issued on September 1st 2001, and has been re-release several times since then. Mayor Piper’s email painted everyone of the Islamic faith with the same brush as those who carried out the various terrorist bombings over the years.

Several questions arise regarding the Mayor’s actions in sending this email that must be answered…. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 16 Comments

Soldiers’ kindness touches APSU professor

August 24, 2009 |

On a recent July afternoon, an Army officer carrying a sword approached Dr. Bert Randall, an APSU professor of philosophy. Randall had just spent the last two hours instructing approximately 100 soldiers with the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Unit at Fort Campbell, Ky., on the Qur’an and the way its teachings regarding war and peace have been perverted and misinterpreted by extremist groups.

As he saw the officer with the sword walking toward him, Randall’s first thought was “I hope the talk was not that bad.”

When the officer gave the professor a closer view of the saber, the name “Albert Randall” was etched into it. It was a token of gratitude from the soldiers for his taking the time to talk with them.

“Such a recognition was totally undeserved, but often these are the most precious recognitions we receive,” Randall said. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

Shelbyville’s Tyson Food plant shifts holidays; trades Labor Day for Ramadan

August 3, 2008 |

SHELBYVILLE, TN: Tyson Foods in Shelbyville is rocking the boat for approximately 500 workers accustomed to the traditional Labor Day holiday on the first Saturday of September.

In its new five-year contract, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union has opted to ditch the familiar paid holiday in favor of a change that will please the plants 700 Muslim workers: Eid-al-Fitr, which occurs at the end of Ramadan. The contract contains the same number of paid holidays as before; the holidays have simply changed. Eid al-Fitr, which this year happens on Oct. 1, ends the Muslim faith’s month of fasting. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, News, Spirituality | 4 Comments

Brother Andrew inspires, teaches

By Rev. Charles Moreland | May 11, 2008 |

In the 1970s, this person was idolized for his disobedience and what can be called “illegal activities.” He flagrantly disrgarded laws of given countries to further his purpose and for his mission. His role model was the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who also violated unjust laws and confronted prejudice with civil disobedience. The prophet was Brother Andrew.

Brother Andrew was identified as “God’s Smuggler” in the 70s, and his objective was the distribution of the Bible to communist countries, an unpopular move with officials in these sanctuaries of atheism.

Brother Andrew dropped out of the media limelight for years, but his efforts today are receiving renewed attention. He is a Dutch-born evangelist with a spirit-directed mission now concentrated on the Muslims of the Middle East and the broader Islamics of the world. Islam is now his mission. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Spirituality | No Comments

‘Holy Scriptures as Justification for War’ author to present book

By Debbie Boen | April 13, 2008 |

Dr. Bert Randall will present his book, Holy Scriptures as Justification for War on Tuesday, April 15 at 2 pm in APSU’s Woodward Library (third floor). Interested parties will have a chance to order the book for almost 50% of the retail price. The cover art work by APSU senior art student Kim Balevre shows the dove still flying although it has several swords in it.

Holy Scriptures as Justification for War focuses a lens on the relation between Holy Books (Scriptures) and war. Throughout their histories, Jews, Christians and Muslims have used their Holy Books to justify external violence against the “enemies of God” and internal purges to purify the faith from heresy. This study explores the beliefs in literalism and inerrancy that are the interpretative principles necessary for such justifications. Randall begins with ten representative passages from the TANAKH, New Testament, and Qur’an that are used to justify divine violence and critiques their misuse by literalists. He goes on to explore the origins and histories of these great scriptures,examining the factual and logical flaws in literalism and inerrancy that result in perverting scripture to justify Divine violence. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events | No Comments

A presentation on Islam at the UU

By Debbie Boen | July 6, 2007 |

On Sunday, July 8th, members of Clarksville’s Islamic Center will visit the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.   Dr. Hassan Said and Mr. Hatem Shah will share a presentation on Islam.   The Unitarian Universalist is committed to a free exchange of religious thought.  Service starts at 10:30 a.m.  All are welcome.Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clarksville

3053 Highway 41A South

Clarksville

Sections: Events, Spirituality | 1 Comment »

Renowned Speaker & Instructor on Islam to Speak at Austin Peay State University.

By Terry McMoore | February 25, 2007 |

Dr. Awadh Binhazim will speak at Austin Peay State University, Tuesday February 27, 2007 from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the McCord Building – Room – 240.

Dr. Awadh Binhazim is a leader in Nashville’s Muslim community and instructor on the subject for 12 years. Binhazim is president of Olive Tree Education; a nonprofit group in Nashville dedicated to Islamic education and outreach, and was raised in Kenya. He also taught courses on Islam at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Nashville. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Events, Spirituality | No Comments

© 2009 Clarksville, TN Online is owned and operated by residents of Clarksville Tennessee.
» We are Hosted by Compu-Net Enterprises; In Partnership with Discover Clarksville and Discover Paris