While we focus our attention on terrorism, Islam is quietly spreading through immigration and proselytizing.
A 2015 ISIS document revealed the plans for Hijra- urging ISIS fighters to blend in with refugees and flood into Libya from Syria and Iraq to then head for Italy and then throughout Europe.
There have been Holy Wars between Christians and Muslims since the 7th century. Many of us are aware of the Crusades, but Islam has tried to colonize Europe and Africa for centuries, right up to the fall of the Ottoman Empire following World War I. And today there are Muslim leaders who want the return of the Caliphate and then some-including the so-called New World. And why not? Why should Muslims feel any differently about their belief than Christians?
Let’s imagine what it was like hundreds of years ago when Christian proselytizing was at its zenith. People of God, sharing the Gospel-because they knew that this was the right path; the only path to good living.
And so these God-fearing, God-loving people took their Gospel wherever they went-all over the world. And at times they imposed their values on “pagans.” We have heard the horrible stories from indigenous peoples. Here in Canada we continue to struggle with the damage wreaked by good intentioned Christians.
Christianity took over Europe and the new world because of these devout people. They knew they were right. They knew that the world would be a better place if all people accepted the Gospel.
The Puritans who came to America with the Hebrew Bible as their book of laws, decided that the ethics as taught in the Bible were the ones upon which to build a country and made the most significant decision of all-to separate Church from State for they, too, were running from countries where religion and politics were mixed.
And so came the birth of America-a country based on the Judeo/Christian value that all people are born with equal intrinsic value; the most important value for building a diverse, pluralistic country. And Canada followed suit. Separation of Church and state.
Christians, today, continue to proselytize around the world; sometimes at their own peril. Pastor Hyein Soo Lim has been incarcerated in North Korea on charges of trying to use religion to destroy North Korean society. This is the strength of Christian beliefs.
Which brings me back to Islam.
Pope Francis says Islam is no different from Christianity.
“It is true that the idea of conquest is inherent in the soul of Islam,” he said. “However, it is also possible to interpret the objective in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus sends his disciples to all nations, in terms of the same idea of conquest.”
Muslims believe their way is the best way, the only way to live a good life. They believe with the same intensity as Christians who continue to preach. And like Christians, who shared their views around the world, Muslims are now sharing their beliefs-everywhere.
Professor Katherine Bullock, Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Toronto at Mississauga said that supporting the establishment of The Islamic State, or Caliphate, and the implementation of the Islamic Law (Sharia), is not an expression of “radical” views, but a “normal” Islamic perspective.
Haitham Ibn Thbait, of the American chapter of Hizb Ut-Tahrir, told American Muslims earlier this year that Islam was not here to integrate, but rather to dominate.
” The problem with their (American-ed.) system is not the scores of dead.(wars in the Middle East-ed.) It is deeper than that. It is their secular faith. It is in direct opposition with our creed, when Allah says: ‘Legislation belongs to none other than Allah’
“For those of us in the West, Allah granted us the opportunity to be amidst a people so misinformed that the truth we offer will resonate. Our voice is our greatest weapon, and our silence is our worst enemy.
“We are a cure and a mercy. We carry a comprehensive system of solutions for Mankind, and we should act accordingly. Muslims in the West are a part of this struggle. We should not underestimate our impact in this global effort. We need to be honest about who we are, what our global program is, and advocate for the system of Islam, wherever we may be, and explain it to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.”
For those unaware of the teachings of Islam, this is a call to Dawa-proselytizing. And Hijra is the spread of Islam around the world through immigration. A 2015 ISIS document revealed the plans for Hijra- urging ISIS fighters to blend in with refugees and flood into Libya from Syria and Iraq to then head for Italy and then throughout Europe.
It is important to know that in Islam immigration is a most important act; a religious obligation, deeply embedded in Muslim culture. According to the Quran:
“And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him, his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 4:100).
Mohammed’s travel from Mecca to Medina is the critical moment in Islamic time. Jewish time began with the creation of the world less than 6000 years ago. Christian time began with the date of the circumcision of Jesus. Muslim time begins with Mohammed’s migration from Mecca to Medina where he used force to take over the city and become its ruler. So important was Hijra to the Islamic tradition that the Islamic calendar, “Hijri”, starts from the year in which it occurred: 622 CE or 1 AH.
Muslims are the fastest-growing religious group in the world. As of 2010 there were 1.6 billion Muslims in the world– roughly 23% of the global population. Demographic projections estimate that Muslims will make up 2.1% of the U.S. population by the year 2050, surpassing people who identify as Jewish on the basis of religion. They will become the second -largest faith group in the country.
