Satan at work

Satan at work

Conflicts in Ambon and elsewhere are not a religious conflict,
but a satanic one. Only Satan wants to destroy the mosques,
churches and temples where the name of God is remembered.

Desperately needed is, in fact, a religious solution.

Muslim members of the Armed Forces (ABRI), supported by local
God-fearing people and disciplined Muslim volunteers placing
themselves under military command, should defend the mosques,
with their lives if need be.

Muslim and Christian defenders would have a lot at stake. If
they are successful, they would win the love and respect of the
other community. If not, the satanic forces would be strengthened
by allegations of collusion and the embers of hatred would again
be fanned.

For Muslims and Christians to defend their own is expected and
does not really mean much. But for the satanic forces of division
to be destroyed, the only answer is to make sacrifices for each
other.

This may be seen as a naive appeal. It is, in fact, the only
practical solution and it is based on explicit Koranic and
Biblical teaching.

As the general election draw nearer and everyone faces
hardship from the global economic disaster created by greed and
division, the only solution is selflessness and sacrifice.

As a Muslim I would certainly be ready to sacrifice
everything, including life itself, for the freedom of worship of
my brother Christians, Jews, Hindus and anybody of whatever
religion. I am bound to this by the teaching of the Koran.

Christians, too, are taught to "love thy neighbor as thyself"
and have the parable of the Good Samaritan to teach them the
meaning of "neighborliness".

No, these are not religious riots. Religion, in the sense of
God-fearing selfless sacrifice and true justice, is the solution,
not the problem.

RAFIQ MAHMOOD

Edinburgh

Scotland