Dear Khalsa Ji,
By itself, no religion is bad. It is how the followers practice it that makes the difference.
Where there is poverty, the same religion becomes dogmatic and cruel. Where there is affluence and education the same religion become liberal.
Islam is one of the very ancient religion. It is a religion which has protected the rights of women. Even today, muslim women in India are healthier tham the non muslim women; the blood count of muslim women, on the average is better than their non muslim counterparts. Killing or aborting a feamale child in muslim family, I have not heard about. The sex ratio in muslim community in India is much better than we Sikhs.
True, literacy level is low in Muslim population of India, there are non-religious historic reasons for it. But things are changing now for the better.
Ther is social awareness in them, during the Id festival that followed terrorist attack in Mumbai, muslims in India participated in the festival is a very subdued manner, wearing black band. Is this not a good sign? They felt one with India, even the Govt of Saudi Arabia supported India, their very senior minister came to convey the feeling to our Govt.
We should not keep the historical blinds on or work with mental block from the past. We cannot go back in time and create a desirable present, but we can make a new and good beginning now to create a lovely future.
We must give future some chance.
With love and respect for all.
Amarpal Singh
