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A Muslim’s idea of a reasoned debate:
An ACT! for America chapter leader recently had a running email correspondence with an American Muslim. The catalyst for this correspondence was a private email the chapter leader sent to a third party, which was then forwarded to a number of Muslims.Â
The initial email was intended to educate the recipient as to what the Qur’an, Hadith (sayings and traditions of Mohammed), and works by various Islamic scholars, say with respect to issues such as Jihad, treatment of non-Muslims, and treatment of women. The chapter leader quoted texts from the two holy books of Islam, as well as the writings of the various Islamic scholars.Â
What follows is the email correspondence between this chapter leader and the American Muslim. Each specific email is enclosed in quotations and the text has been copied and pasted from the original emails in the exact typefaces and fonts the emails were written. No names or places are mentioned to protect the identities of both. What you will find is an illuminating, frightening window into the worldview and perspective of one American Muslim.Â
What you will also find in the tone, tenor and construction of the chapter leader’s emails, is a model for our members to follow when communicating with others about this issue. The contrast between the calm and reasoned emails from the chapter leader and the ranting, hateful nature of the emails from the Muslim could not be more stark.Â
At certain places we have inserted commentary in brackets and in bold red type.Â









