Muslims and their enablers, fans and dedicated propagandists around the world never tire of spreading the same lies, over and over again, about Islam. Sometimes the lies are baldly blatant, and other times the lies are conveyed via convenient and strategic omission of inconvenient facts. Hence we must never tire or flag in our own efforts to shine the harsh light of truth on Islam and the lies ceaselessly circulated by Islam's snake oil salesmen.

Today's bundle of media-vectored taqiyya comes courtesy of the Malaysian daily 'The Sun' and its piece entitled 'Humanistic Islam' (!). The unintentionally ironically-named article features the musings of a Singaporean-based Muslim author named Isa Kamari, who would probably pass for a 'moderate Muslim' in the mainstream media. Much of the aforementioned article centers on Kamari's thoughts on Malay-language literature, but it is Kamari's thoughts on Islam that deserve a thorough 'Islamophobic' debunking here. From 'Humanistic Islam' by Bissme S, [1] The Sun, 7 October 2011:

What is the greatest misconception people have about Islam and Muslims around the world?

Islam is more feared than respected by many. The fear comes from not understanding that it is a peaceful, tolerant and inclusive religion. The fear is compounded by terrorism by fundamentalists such as Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah. However some of the comments and criticisms directed at Muslims deserve to be considered squarely and earnestly by Muslims, in particular the resistance of Muslim communities to change. A lot of work has to be done within Islam to facilitate the willingness of Muslims to be adaptable and embrace changes which do not go against the teachings of Islam.

As always, the infidels are responsible for the current lamentable state of affairs, as they fail to understand that Islam is peaceful. The actions of Muslims any and everywhere (barring a few 'fundamentalists') are naturally in no way responsible for the sad state of relations, and the failings within Islam itself are, as always, completely ignored. The fear that Kamari seems so concerned about would have nothing to do with the fact that Islam's founder in essence [2] declared war on the non Muslim world, would it?

As for changes that 'do not go against the teachings of Islam' that Mr. Kamari mentions, judging from the backward and primitive status of virtually the entire Muslim world, it seems that these changes that go against Islamic teachings would include all of those which have brought about the modern, technological world over the past several centuries. It is these same teachings which keep Planet Islam not only at war with modernity, but in a permanent state of paralysis.

What can be done to change this unflattering image of Islam so it would not be feared and seen as intolerant?

The best way is to lead by example. Muslims have to come out and portray Islam as a religion of peace, love and understanding. Efforts must be made by them to bridge the understanding between different faiths. Muslims must lead dignified, just and compassionate lives so that the beauty and glory of Islam are manifested in everyday living for others to appreciate and emulate.

In other words, Mr. Kamari explains that Muslims need to lie, more convincingly, more often, about Islam. And Mr. Kamari doesn't bother explaining how he defines 'dignity', but it's probably a fair bet that he is vastly more concerned with 'Islamophobia' than with rampaging church-destroying Muslim mobs in Indonesia,  Pakistan, or Egypt, or in any other Muslim-controlled state. Sites like 'Jihad Watch' and authors like Robert Spencer are constantly attacked by Muslims like Isa Kamari, while Mr. Kamari's rampaging (yet more undoubtedly 'dignified') co-religionists are consistently ignored.

What is your opinion of the Lina Joy case (where a Muslim converted to Christianity)?

I did not follow the case closely, but from the little that I know, I have this to say. As much as I would wish that she remains a Muslim, I would respect her choice to embrace any faith she desires. It is meaningless to enforce a legal ruling to keep her within the Islamic faith if she is determined to denounce Islam either secretly or openly. My position is based on surah Al Kafirun (The Disbelievers) in the Quran.

Golly, Mr. Kamari, where were you, or people with your point of view, during [3] Lina Joy's nine year legal struggle to be legally recognized as a Christian here in Malaysia? Why no public show of support? No contributions to her legal expenses?

Please explain surah Al Kafirun? [sic]

Let me quote the verses:
“Disbelievers!
I do not worship what you worship,
nor do you worship what I worship.
I shall never worship what you worship,
neither will you worship what I worship.
You have your own religion and I have mine.”

Kamari quotes an abrogated part of the Quran to support his views. Does he not know about the Islamic doctrine of [4] abrogation, or is he mouthing smooth lies for the sake of the infidel audience?

Should Muslims be allowed to convert to any religion they want?
Choice of one’s own religion is a fundamental right of every human being. There is no compulsion in religion. In as much as I would welcome the conversion of others to Islam, what right do I have to prevent a Muslim from converting to another faith? Of course as a matter of concern, I would offer counsel to the person who wants to leave Islam, but the final decision entirely rests with that person. Every human being has to answer to God of his or her own accord. I would have done my part if I’d tried to convince that person to remain within the fold of Islam.

Assuming Kamari is sincere in his stated views, why don't Muslims like him stand up in a meaningful way for people like [5] Youcef Nadarkhani? Why don't they stand up for the countless numbers of other apostates around the Muslim world who are terrorized, persecuted and face execution by Muslims and Muslim authorities on a daily basis?  Why doesn't Kamari and other supposedly like-minded Muslims pressure their fellow Muslims to be more tolerant? Why don't Kamari and company start a campaign to decriminalize apostacy in the Islamic world? Why not a single word from any Muslim organization (CAIR, OIC, etc etc.) in support of brave ex-Muslims like Pastor Youcef? Perhaps it's because, from an Islamic doctrinal point of view, [6] Mr. Kamari doesn't have a leg to stand on?

What is your stand on freedom of expression – about books that mock religion and God?

Everyone has the right to express his thoughts and feelings freely, as long as it does not infringe on the rights and freedom of others. Books that mock religion and God would inevitably infringe on the rights and freedom of the adherents of the religion and should be removed from circulation for the public good.

'Infringing on the rights of others' is a nifty loophole in Kamari's assertion that 'everyone has the freedom of speech'. Muslims can and do claim the 'right' to not have their belief system criticised (a 'right' which was [7] first violently claimed by Islam's founder himself).  Books, websites and of course any other source of criticism would be silenced forever, if Kamari and his fellow Muslims got their way. Islamic totalitarianism is all for the 'public good', naturally; how one defines 'public good' is another issue altogether.

'Humanistic Islam'? The taqiyya masters like Kamari have turned the truth upside down. Honest assessments of Islam all point to the same conclusion: Islam dehumanizes its adherents extraordinarily well.