Global Muslim Protests

A film entitled "Innocence of Muslims" about Islam's founder Mohammed has caused outrage among millions of Muslims worldwide.  The film is said to criticize Islam and its prophet Mohammed and was made by a Coptic Christian.

American flags are being torched, restaurants and other American businesses are being vandalized or destroyed.  Embassies are being attacked and damaged.  On the 11th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, an embassy in Libya was attacked killing the USA's ambassador to Libya and others.

Terrorists and radical Islamists are using the film to booster their claims that America is anti-Islam and needs to be destroyed.  This is causing extreme tensions worldwide.  The violent protests are present in 22 countries worldwide!  It is unfortunate that some of these Muslims are resorting to violence in order to show their anger.  There are other ways to protest without being violent, destroying property and hurting others.

Islam comes from the word 'Salema' which means peace, obedience.  This religion is supposed to be about peaceful surrender to God.  However, like with any religion, some followers disregard its tenets and use it for other purposes.

I can see how the film would upset many.  Nevertheless, it is just a film - someone's opinion.  God, Jesus, Mary, the Pope are often mocked by the media, atheists, protestants and so on.  Catholics do not take to the streets and raise hell.  We just pray for our enemies like Christ instructed.  God is in control.  Attacking others who disagree with us serves no purpose.  It is a contradiction against the peace and love Christianity represents in Jesus Christ.

Islam was born from Christianity and Judaism.  It has borrowed greatly from Sacred Scripture and the traditions of both religions, so we can find many similarities in beliefs.  It should not be allowed to be hijacked by fanatics who wish to pervert its teachings.

Furthermore, the protesters are feeding into the idea that religion is evil and causes violence in the world.  They must stop!  They must understand that not everyone will agree with their views and will criticize their beliefs.  One should not get upset if another criticizes one's beliefs.  This criticism is an opportunity to teach and relearn whatever we may not know about our own beliefs.

I pray for peace in all the nations involved in this angry protest.  May God bring peace to their hearts.

Here is an Islamic prayer for peace:

“In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
Praise be to the Lord of the universe who has created us and made us tribes and nations, that we might know each other.
If the enemy inclines towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in God, for the Lord is the One that hears and knows all things.
And the servants of God, most gracious are those who walk on the Earth in humility,
And when we address them, we say PEACE.”
- Day of Prayer for World Peace during the U.N. International Year of Peace, 1986

Source:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/protests-film-spread-muslim-world-article-1.1159601

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/anti-us-protests-continue-as-governments-try-to-contain-anger/2012/09/14/74afc784-fe5d-11e1-a31e-804fccb658f9_story.html

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-middle-east-violence-20120915,0,4152928.story

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-libya-filmmaker-20120913,0,3754075.story

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/sep/14/prophet-film/