The myth of moderation...

Having edited and uploaded 100 pix, while staying in a campsite, I’ve listened to a lot of the coverage of the Manchester bombing and its aftermath. Lots of love for Manchester, lots of candles, lots of ‘coming together as a community’ to blame ‘extremism’. But not one suggestion, in all those hours of radio broadcasting, that such acts of violence are mandated in the Koran. Some typical quotes…

“When you meet the unbelievers, smite their necks.” (47:4)

“Fight against those who do not obey Allah and do not believe in Allah or the Last Day and do not forbid what has been forbidden by Allah and His messenger even if they are of the People of the Book until they pay the Jizya with willing submission and feel themselves subdued.” (9:29)

“When the sacred months have passed, then kill the Mushrikin (ie those who do not worship Allah) wherever you find them. Capture them. Besiege them. Lie in wait for them in each and every ambush but if they repent, and perform the prayers, and give zacat then leave their way free.” (9:5)

“When your Lord revealed to the angels, ‘Truly I am with you. So, keep firm those who have believed. I will strike terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved. So, strike them at the necks and cut off their fingers.’” (8:12)

‘Moderate’ muslims believe that the Koran is the inerrant word of God, just as ‘extremists’ do. Moderate Islam is a myth. And the taboo against criticising Islam remains firmly in place…

Had a pint this afternoon at the Square & Compass Inn, near Swanage...