Christians For True Islam Image

[All praise is due to Allah Lord of the Worlds, the Owner of all of the creation]

Christians For True Islam Image

By Sobhy Mujahid

CAIRO — Jihad, Muslims' view of other religions and Islamic
punishments are only few of a long list of misunderstood subjects
about Islam that the LibForAll Foundation aims to address through a TV
series that will be broadcast worldwide.

"I want to project the true image of tolerant Islam I grew up to see
in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Turkey," Holland Taylor, and
American Christian and chairman of the LibForAll, told IslamOnline.net
in Cairo.

The Indonesia and US-based organization, whose mission is to generate
a better understanding of Islam in the world, is producing a 26-
episode TV series on Islam.

"The aim is to promote the message of our foundation on combating
religious intolerance, rejecting violence, promoting tolerance and
clarifying the truth about Islam."

The project is done in tandem with many governmental and non-
governmental bodies around the world.

"We also have an agreement with the European Union to fund the series
production," said Taylor.

He vehemently refuses any cooperation with the US administration
because "it has yet to understand how to reform this world and prevent
the spread of hatred."

LibForAll was founded in the 1990s by Taylor, an American
telecommunications magnate, and former Indonesian president
Abdurrahman Wahid.

Its goal is to help promote a vision of Islam that is both peaceful
and tolerant and establish a network of enlightened Muslim leaders
from around the world.

Dispelling Myths

Taylor says the main theme of the series will be tackling widely-
misunderstood issues and ill-defined terminologies.

"We explain concepts such as jihad and the relation with people of
other faiths," he elaborates.

"We also offer true and accurate explanation for some verses from the
Qur'an that is usually misinterpreted in the West."

In each of the 26 episodes, seven of them already done, the guest is a
scholar or a high-profile Muslim leader.

The seventh episode, shot in Cairo this week, featured Sheikh Mohammad
Sayyed Tantawi, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the highest seat of religious
learning in the Sunni world.

Tantawi discussed the Western notion that Islam calls for converting
people by the sword.

He cited Qur'an verses that encourage good relations with people of
other faiths and spreading Islam through peaceful means.

Sheikh Tantawi also explained the meaning of the word "Jihad".

Frequently used by al-Qaeda, counter-terrorism specialists and the
media to mean "holy war," the word actually signifies for most Muslims
a spiritual struggle.

"Suggesting that jihad only means holy war is utterly wrong," Tantawi
stressed.

"The word actually means endeavoring to do good deeds and remove
injustice, oppression and evil from society."

Once the episodes are finished and translated into different
languages, the series will be broadcast on Western TV channels, many
of them have already applied for broadcast permits.

Taylor notes that Germany wants to be one of the first countries to
broadcast the series, which will also be available on LibForAll's
website.

"I have always wanted to show Islam for what it truly is."

http://tinyurl.com/573ptv