Book Review
Chasing A
Mirage – The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State.
- Author:
Tarek Fatah
-
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.,
Canada
-
Reviewed
By: Javed I.
Chaudry
Dear Akber Hussain Sahib
I totally agree with you
that those who identify faults with a religion
and/or the practice of same by its followers are
saying nothing wrong, doing nothing wrong. As a
matter of fact those people should be applauded
for their courage, which most people do not have
or dare to show. I cannot emphasize my agreement
with you more. Like you, I also condemn Khomeni
Fatwa against Rushdi. I also agree with you that
the STOP sign must be dealt with.
When I read some of these books, I applauded the
authors’ courage, honesty and realization that a
change is very necessary. At this point I would
like to personally send a message of appreciation,
congratulation and encouragement to the author
saying, “thank you for being what you are and
thank you for opening our eyes”. But my feelings
would change somewhere half way through the book
when the author would start applauding the state
of Israel, how just a society that is and how
democracy flourishes there, and how free the
people there are, including Palestinians. As a
matter of fact, even this observation is also OK
to write, as long as it is done in a different
book. Freedom of thought, freedom of expression.
Right? Of course.
All religions are corrupt. Mankind is corrupt.
Muslims are morally corrupt people. I could not
agree more. But what does this have to do with
flourishing democracy in Israel? Hasn’t the
President Jimmy Carter already answered that
question?
Why are these “authors” using Islam and Muslims to
promote a different agenda. That’s where my
problem is. I have said this in the few letters
that I have posted here. I think we should all be
concerned. Some of these authors are doing no
justice or service to humanity, mankind, indeed
this earth. These authors are just as dishonest
and morally bankrupt as the societies they are
condemning. Perhaps more. They are beating up the
already beaten up half dead, the so called Muslim.
I cannot call them Muslim.
Respectfully, may I suggest that we should not mix
[encourage] false agenda with a good agenda? If
someone wants to reform religion, then let this be
the only topic in the book, so that the book
remains meaningful and free of bias.
Most people writing here are applauding the
writer[s] only from one angle, one dimension.
Please look again. There are more dimensions, lots
more dimensions covered in their books. We all
cannot be intellectually so dishonest and NOT
identify those dimensions, and let them get away
with their dishonesty.
Send questions or
comments to
Family of the Heart