The likes of Hussein Ibish and James Zogby constantly lecture Americans that Islam is not a radical bloodthirsty religion, but rather is a 'religion of peace.' Only a handful of radicals, in every way comparable to the Christian extremists who have bombed abortion clinics in past years, tarnish the name of a great religion. That is certainly a comforting assurance, as America welcomes an increasing flow of Muslim immigrants.

But, is it accurate? How to judge? Well, one way to judge a religion is by the words of the religious leaders who speak in its most important religious sites on the holiest of occasions. The Pope's Christmas and Easter words certainly speak for Catholics, for instance.

For Islam, the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca must surely be the most significant event of the year, in the holiest of places, one completely off—limits to non—Muslims, by the way, in contrast to the holy sites of Judaism, Christianity, and other great religions.

Right now, the Haj in underway. Every Muslim is enjoined to make this pilgrimage at least once, if they are able to afford it. The assembled crowds are therefore enormous.

Today's sermon at the Grand Mosque in Mecca drew no less than half a million worshippers. It was spoken by Sheik Saleh al—Taleb, and its content certainly must tell us a lot about 'mainstream' Islam. Here are a few highlights:

"Oh God, give victory to the mujahedeen (holy warriors) everywhere. Give them victory in Palestine.'

'Oh God, make the Muslims triumphant and destroy their enemies, and make this country and other Muslim countries safe. Oh God, inflict your wrath on the criminal Zionists."

Hmm. Calling down God's wrath. Calling on the Deity to destroy the Jews (for it is commonplace in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East to refer to all Jews as 'Zionists') is not exactly peaceful.

We await further word of peaceful rhetoric from the Haj.

Posted by Thomas  01 30 04