America's leading Islamic organization, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), advises Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum to study Islam and read Al-Quran in order to understand more about Muslims. CAIR's suggestion was made in relation to Santorum's statement which stated that the concept of equality "does not originate from Islam" or "Eastern religions".
"We recommend Mr. Santorum educated himself about Islam and the Muslim American community, by reading the Koran. We will send Al-Quran head to his campaign headquarters next week, ”said CAIR's National Communications Director, Ibrahim Hooper.
In a statement on Saturday (21/1), Santorum said the concept of equality "did not come from Islam" or "Eastern religions". Equality, he argues, comes from "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
“People are calling for equality now. Equality, we want equality. Where do you think the concept of equality comes from? " asked Santorum to his supporters at a restaurant in South Carolina. "The concept does not come from Islam. It doesn't come from Eastern religions. Where does it come from? It comes from the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. "
Hooper said the Republican presidential candidate had inaccurate information about religions. "The Qur'an is the best rebuttal to Mr. Santorum was inaccurate and offensive, "he said. "Christians, Jews and Muslims worship the same God and share religious traditions that promote justice and equality."
Muslim leaders emphasized, Alquran and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught his followers to achieve racial and gender equality, citing a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad: "All people are like comb teeth."
CAIR officials quoted verses Al-Quran and sayings of the Prophet PBUH which emphasize the idea of equality.
"As the Prophet Muhammad said in his last sermon:" All humans are from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no advantage over non-Arabs, nor does a non-Arab have an advantage over Arabs either, a white person has no advantage over a black person, nor does a black person have an advantage over a white person - except by piety and his good deeds'.
Republican presidential candidates have repeated attacks on Islam and Muslims in an attempt to challenge President Barack Obama in this year's presidential election.
Last week, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich, who is also trying to win the Republican nomination for the November presidential election, said he would only support Muslim candidates who renounced Islamic sharia or their religion. "If a Muslim wants to become president of America, he must leave his religion."
Santorum has also described Islamic sharia as an "existential threat" to America. Former candidate Herman Cain also said he would not appoint a Muslim to his government.
A Republican member of parliament from Missouri also described Islam as a "disease", like polio. In fact, a lawmaker from Alaska branded Muslims as "colonizers" of the American environment. (Mel / Onislam.net / ddhongkong.org). *
