SPECIAL REPORT:Sharia Comes to Dearborn, Michigan

Posted by David Wood - July 1, 2009 on 12:49 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments
Watch this video!



A Detailed Explanation of the Video

On June 21st, I moderated a peaceful public debate between Mary Jo Sharp and Ehteshaam Gulam. After the debate, Nabeel, Mary Jo, and I went to the Dearborn Arab Festival, which had already become an open celebration of persecution against Christians. The festival organizers had declared that Christians could not distribute materials on the public sidewalks or street, and, when the matter was brought before the courts, the judge agreed that Christians could not freely distribute information during the festival. (Note: This decision has been defended in the media by claiming that the “no-distributing-materials” rule applied to everyone, and therefore wasn’t unfair to Christians. However, anyone who was at the festival knows that this is not true. People were walking up and down the sidewalks distributing pamphlets and brochures, right in front of security. The rule was only enforced against Christians, and therefore only the rights of Christians were violated.)

Muslim security guards (one of whom had “Hezbollah” tattooed down his forearm) took things a step further and wouldn’t even allow Christians to talk about their beliefs openly. Security guards also repeatedly entrapped Christians in an attempt to get us to violate the court order.

This even happened to me, despite the fact that I wasn’t talking to anyone about Christianity or Islam. I had a pamphlet in my front pocket, and one of the Muslim security guards walked up to me and said, “That looks like a really interesting pamphlet. Could I have it?” She even had her walkie-talkie in hand! Fortunately, I had already heard about this woman and other Muslim security guards doing this repeatedly at the festival, so I didn’t fall for it. That’s when Nabeel and Mary Jo entered the tent in an attempt to question a group of Muslims about a horribly inaccurate pamphlet they were distributing. What happened next may be outlined as follows:

  • We see a booth that is specifically for answering questions people have about Islam.
  • Nabeel walks up to the booth and attempts to ask a question.
  • When the Muslims don’t want to talk on camera, Nabeel begins walking away.
  • One of the Muslims (a former member of Tupac’s crew!) then invites Nabeel back for a dialogue.
  • Security grabs our camera and forces MJ to turn it off. Security then breaks up the discussion, despite the fact that the Muslims at the booth agreed that we could record the conversation.
  • We leave the tent and ask a police officer if we are free to record; he responds that we are in a public area and can record all we want. He also says that it is illegal for anyone to touch our cameras or force us to turn them off.
  • We walk up to some non-Muslim security guards and ask if we can record a dialogue; they reply in the affirmative.
  • Nabeel attempts to reestablish the discussion, but this time the Muslims at the booth don’t want to talk on camera.
  • We leave the booth, and I see the woman who had grabbed the camera and forced MJ to turn it off. I begin recording the woman (in case we need to identify her later), at which point she gets on her walkie-talkie and informs her fellow Muslim security guards that we are harassing her.
  • Following their pattern of entrapping Christians at the festival, the Muslim security guards convince two teenagers to strike up a conversation with Nabeel and snatch a pamphlet from his hand.
  • While one of the teens distracts Nabeel with a conversation, the other snatches the pamphlet from Nabeel's hands.
  • Within seconds we’re surrounded by a mob of Muslim security guards.
  • The Muslim security force slaps our cameras, threatens us, shouts profanity at us, openly proclaims that our rights as Americans are meaningless, pushes us, kicks and tries to trip Nabeel, and lies to the police.
  • The head of security then informs the police that we must be removed from the festival.
Fortunately, we got most of this on tape! See the video at the top.

Now think about this. We insisted on our Constitutional rights to (i) ask a question at a booth, and (ii) record in a public place. This was enough to get us banned from a public sidewalk in Dearborn, Michigan (the city with the highest percentage of Muslims in the U.S.). By comparison, the Muslim security guards openly harassed, intimidated, bullied, threatened, entrapped, and assaulted Christians; they openly proclaimed that they don’t care about our rights as American citizens; they used profanity as they insulted us; they lied to police. This behavior was perfectly welcome in Dearborn, even at a family festival! (There were other examples of open hatred as well.)

I have contacted the Arab Chamber of Commerce (the organization responsible for planning the festival, selecting the security team, and deciding that Christians are no longer free to distribute information in public places). I have asked for an apology and for their thoughts on how such horrendous treatment of Christians will be avoided in the future. They have not responded.

Going back to the time of Muhammad, whenever the population of Muslims becomes significant, followers of other religions are suppressed, and the proclamation of non-Muslim beliefs is forbidden. This second-class status for non-Muslims is prescribed by Sharia, and the victims are called "dhimmis." Welcome to Sharia in the United States, my friends.

 


Christian killed for buying tea from an only-muslim tea stall

Posted by Hogan Elijah Hagbard - July 1, 2009 on 7:11 am | In Answering Muslims | No Comments Believe it or not a Christian was killed in Pakistan for buying tea from a only-muslim tea stall

Talk about persecution and being a second class citizen:

http://www.theasiannews.co.uk/community/heritage/s/1120922_christian_killed_for_drinking_tea_from_muslim_stall_

http://www.worthynews.com/5886-pakistan-christian-killed-for-drinking-tea-from-muslim-cup

Lets continue praying for the Christians in muslim countries and stand up for their rights

 


Sam Shamoun vs. Farhan Qureshi: “The Trinity in the Old Testament”

Posted by David Wood - June 30, 2009 on 1:45 am | In Answering Muslims | No Comments

 


VideoBlog #6: Hate Messages in Dearborn

Posted by Nabeel Qureshi - June 29, 2009 on 1:00 am | In Answering Muslims | No Comments Was the Dearborn Arab Festival a loving, family event? We have already seen that security was rather aggressive, and that civil rights were being curtailed. We will now see, quite apart from any Christian involvement, the atmosphere at the Arab festival was one which entailed hatred.

 


Mary Jo Sharp vs. Ehteshaam Gulam: “Did Jesus Die on the Cross?”

Posted by David Wood - June 26, 2009 on 3:55 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments Yes, we've got a girl debater.

 


Reminder: James White vs. Shamsi Ali!

Posted by David Wood - June 24, 2009 on 11:41 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments This is a reminder for those in the New York area.

DR. JAMES WHITE VS. IMAM SHAMSI ALI
"THE QUR'AN AND THE BIBLE"
JULY 25th, 2009, 7:00 P.M.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RIDGEWOOD
62-54 60th Place (off of Metropolitan Avenue)
Ridgewood, Queens, NY 11385

 


VideoBlog #5: The Unedited Footage

Posted by Nabeel Qureshi - June 24, 2009 on 11:36 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments The full footage of the interview I had with the gentlemen manning the dawah booth in Dearborn, Michigan. There was another encounter, as you'll see in the near future. For now, here's what we've got to share :-)

 


The FOT Foundation

Posted by Nabeel Qureshi - June 23, 2009 on 3:52 am | In Answering Muslims | No Comments Hello everyone, it's Nabeel.

I've posted a few things on YouTube now, and I've received pretty regular responses from a gentleman who styles himself "The FOT Foundation". What I like about him is that he is thorough in his responses and tends not to egregiously transgress basic logic. I intend to do a full response to his embryology defense in the near future.

Anyhow, he had posted comments on the most recent YouTube videos which began to upset me. Long story short, he seems to think that asking people to answer questions on camera is hostile. To me, it seems to be a good way to keep people honest. He alleges that Christians would react the same way as the Muslims did, if not worse - if they were to do so, I would be equally suspicious of them.

But I digress. The real reason I'm posting this blog is because I read his blog here. Essentially it's a criticism of our online ministry. When I got to the paraphrase of this weekend's YouTube videos, I could not contain my enthusiasm! This guy is hilarious! He is a master of prose, subtle sarcasm, and persuasion. I haven't enjoyed anyone's writing style nearly as much in many months!

Perhaps I'm finding this hilarious because it's 4:53 AM and the past two days have been the most hectic days of my life (not an exaggeration; more to come in the future.) Regardless, this deserves a referral post. Thanks for that, FOT, it was great. Keep up the good writing. You'll get my response soon.

Everyone, keep your eyes open for the exciting conclusion of the Dearborn series. In Christ,
-Nabeel

 


VideoBlog #4: Dhimmis in Dearborn

Posted by Nabeel Qureshi - June 22, 2009 on 2:35 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments A review of what's happening in Dearborn Michigan, from the perspective of Acts 17 Apologetics.

 


VideoBlog #3: Deception and Violence in Islam

Posted by Nabeel Qureshi - June 22, 2009 on 10:44 am | In Answering Muslims | No Comments On our first day at the Arab Fest, we saw a booth that said "Islam: Got Questions? Get Answers". At that booth was a pamphlet preaching that Islam is a religion of peace. In this video, I briefly analyze the inconsistency of the pamphlet, and attempt to give the booth a chance to explain their errors.

NOTE: This topic would have been covered much more in depth had the people at the booth actually engaged in conversation. Please do not comment that we didn't cover enough information and fully develop our arguments; we know that! We did not have the opportunity, because the Muslims refused to engage in civil discourse.

That's the point of this video: A booth offering answers to simple questions refuse to do so on camera. What are they afraid of? The truth?

 


The Islamic Dilemma

Posted by Nabeel Qureshi - June 21, 2009 on 2:52 am | In Answering Muslims | No Comments Hello everyone! Sorry for the dearth of posts recently, David and I have been extremely busy here in Michigan with the outreach to Muslims.

Below is a training lecture from Sam Shamoun on the topic of "The Islamic Dilemma". It concerns Islam's view of the Bible. Watch it for some excellent points!

The Islamic Dilemma


 


Hamza Abdul Malik and David Wood on Iron Sharpens Iron

Posted by David Wood - June 15, 2009 on 2:22 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments I'll post the MP3 later, but anyone who wants to listen live (or call in) can catch us here at 3:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.

 


The Great Debate Series London: Help Needed!

Posted by David Wood - June 11, 2009 on 4:54 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments Friends,

We have an exciting array of topics lined up for a series of debates in London (July 10th through 19th). However, some of the church leaders who had shown interest in hosting are now having second thoughts. I'm writing this to see if any of our UK readers can help us with locations. Here's a list of confirmed speakers and topics:

Abdullah al-Andalusi vs. David Wood: "The Concept of God in Islam and Christianity"

Nabeel Qureshi vs. Adnan Rashid: "Does the Bible Consistently Support the Deity of Christ?"

Adnan Rashid vs. David Wood: "Muhammad in the Bible"

Yahya Hayder Seymour vs. Nabeel Qureshi: "Trading Faiths--Islam and Christianity: Why We Chose to Leave and Believe" (This will take place in a mosque)

Yahya Hayder Seymour vs. David Wood: "Was Muhammad a True Prophet?" (This will take place in a mosque)

Abdullah al-Andalusi & Sami Zaatari vs. David Wood & Nabeel Qureshi: "Is Islam a Religion of Peace?"

David Wood & Nabeel Qureshi vs. Abdullah al-Andalusi & Sami Zaatari: "Is Christianity a Religion of Peace?”

Bassam Zawadi vs. Nabeel Qureshi: “Has the Qur’an Been Perfectly Preserved?”

Sami Zaatari vs. Nabeel Qureshi: "Salvation in Islam and Christianity"

Additionally, Jay Smith is apparently going to do one debate with Farhan Qureshi as part of the series. We're also trying to set up a debate between Mary Jo Sharp and a Muslim woman on the topic "Women in Christianity and Islam."

We've got everything lined up for a great series, but we're short a few venues. Please let me know if anyone has any ideas.

 


Shadid Lewis, Ibn Kathir, and the Battle of Tabuk

Posted by David Wood - June 10, 2009 on 4:20 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments Modern, Westernized, liberal Muslims are quite fond of rewriting history in order to make Islam more palatable to their consciences. This was clearly the case in my recent debate with Shadid Lewis, who claimed (without historical evidence of any kind) that Surah 9:29 was given as an order to confront a group of invading Romans! I correctly pointed out that it was the Muslims who were the aggressors, and that 9:29 is therefore a command to fight an offensive Jihad against unbelievers.

As anyone can see from our debate, historical evidence and Muslim sources mean virtually nothing to Shadid. Nevertheless, for those Muslims who respect their greatest scholars more than their own Westernized reinterpretations, I offer Ibn Kathir's account of what started the Battle of Tabuk. The following is taken from Ibn Kathir's Al-Bidayyah wan-Nihayyah (translated by Wa'il Abdul Mut'aal Shihab as The Battles of the Prophet).

Allah, Most High, ordered the believers to prohibit the disbelievers from entering or coming near the sacred Mosque. On that, Quraish thought that this would reduce their profits from trade. Therefore, Allah, Most High, compensated them and ordered them to fight the people of the Book until they embrace Islam or pay the Jizyah. Allah says,

"O ye who believe! Truly the pagans are unclean; so let them not, after this year of theirs, approach the sacred Mosque. And if ye fear poverty, soon will Allah enrich you, if He wills, out of His bounty, for Allah is All-knowing, All-Wise. Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, from among the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." (Surah 9:28-29)

Therefore, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) decided to fight the Romans in order to call them to Islam. (Ibn Kathir, The Battles of the Prophet, pp. 183-4)

Notice that there's absolutely nothing here about any Romans attacking the Muslims. The chain of events leading up to the Battle of Tabuk was:

(1) Muhammad prohibited non-Muslims from taking religious pilgrimages to Mecca. (Strange, isn't it, that Muslims condemned the polytheists when the polytheists prohibited Muslims from taking the pilgrimage to Mecca. Hypocrisy is rampant in early Islam.)

(2) The Quraish (now Muslims) were worried that this would interfere with their profits.

(3) Muhammad received a revelation, saying, in effect, "If you're worried about money, don't worry, because God's going to enrich you by sending you to fight the People of the Book, until they convert to Islam or pay the Jizya!"

Note: If the Roman Empire had converted to Islam, Mecca would have tons of pilgrims visiting the Ka'ba. If the Romans elected to pay the Jizya instead, Muslims would still be raking in tons of money.

Ibn Sa'd adds that word reached Muhammad "that Haraclius had disbursed one year's salary to his soldiers" stationed in Syria (Ibn Sa'd, Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir, p. 204). An army with a year's salary is an attractive target for a religion that funds itself by raids. Indeed, Ibn Ishaq titles his discussion on this topic "the Raid on Tabuk," rather than, say, "The Muslims defend themselves from the Romans."

It seems, then, that the motive for Allah's command in Surah 9:29 was simply to fight people until they started sending money to the Muslims. The early Muslims understood this. Islam's greatest commentators understood this. The only people who don't understand this are Muslims like Shadid Lewis, who view Islam through the lenses of Western Christian tolerance.

For more on the fighting verses of Surah 9, see Sam Shamoun's article here.

 


Debate Announcement: Michigan

Posted by David Wood - June 8, 2009 on 7:13 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments THE CENTER FOR RELIGIOUS DEBATE PRESENTS:

"The Great Debate Series: Michigan"

11338 Ozga St, Romulus, MI 48174

***Saturday June 20th, 2009***

3:00pm--"The 10 Commandments in the Qur’an and Bible"
Ali El-Shariff vs. Sheikh Jowad Al-Ansari

6:00pm--"Is Muhammad in the Bible?"
Sheikh Jowad Al-Ansari vs. Sam Shamoun

***Sunday June 21st, 2009***

2:00pm--"Did Jesus Die on the Cross?"
Mary Jo Sharp (Yes, a Girl!) vs. Ehteshaam Gulam

5:00pm--"Trinity in the Old Testament"
Farhan Qureshi vs. Sam Shamoun

***Monday June 22nd, 2009***

6:00pm--"Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?"
Osama Abdullah vs. Nabeel Qureshi

***Tuesday June 23rd, 2009***

6:00pm--"Is the Qur’an a Scientific Miracle"
David Wood vs. Osama Abdullah

Admission $10 - Students $5

Note: NO cell phones will be allowed in the building

The Center for Religious Debate (714-326-1591)

 


“The Truth about Muhammad” Available Online!

Posted by David Wood - June 5, 2009 on 4:59 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments Robert Spencer's book "The Truth about Muhammad" is now available online, free of charge. Be sure to pass on this link!

 


Dr. James White and Imam Shamsi Ali: “The Bible and the Qur’an”

Posted by David Wood - June 3, 2009 on 8:08 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments For those in the New York area, this will be an awesome event!

 


Shadid Lewis vs. David Wood: “Peace and Violence in Christianity and Islam”

Posted by Nabeel Qureshi - June 2, 2009 on 9:48 am | In Answering Muslims | No Comments Here it is!

NOTE: In between Shadid's first rebuttal and David's first rebuttal, a Muslim professor stood up and asked to speak because he had to leave. He then provided some extensive commentary. This will explain David's response in his first rebuttal.


Opening Statements



Rebuttals and Conclusions

 


Hamza Abdul Malik and David Wood on Iron Sharpens Iron!

Posted by David Wood - June 1, 2009 on 9:12 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments Many Christian readers will remember Hamza Abdul Malik as James White's first Muslim debate opponent back in the late 90s. Hamza used to run the Islamic Research and Propagation Center in New York, but has changed his views over the years. Hamza is now a "Qur'an-Only Muslim," i.e. a Muslim who believes that the Qur'an is the only source of authority for Muslims. This Tuesday and Wednesday (June 2nd and 3rd) I will be interviewing Hamza on Chris Arnzen's "Iron Sharpens Iron" radio program at 3:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. Anyone with an internet connection can listen to the program via livestreaming on Chris's website, and anyone with a phone can call in with a question. I will also post the MP3s when we're done.

*****UPDATE*****The MP3 for the first part of the program can be downloaded here. Thanks to Sam Shamoun and the Fat Man for calling in and giving Hamza an opportunity to clarify his position.

 


Hamza Abdul Malik and David Wood on Iron Sharpens Iron!

Posted by David Wood - June 1, 2009 on 9:12 pm | In Answering Muslims | No Comments Many Christian readers will remember Hamza Abdul Malik as James White's first Muslim debate opponent back in the late 90s. Hamza used to run the Islamic Research and Propagation Center in New York, but has changed his views over the years. Hamza is now a "Qur'an-Only Muslim," i.e. a Muslim who believes that the Qur'an is the only source of authority for Muslims. This Tuesday and Wednesday (June 2nd and 3rd) I will be interviewing Hamza on Chris Arnzen's "Iron Sharpens Iron" radio program at 3:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. Anyone with an internet connection can listen to the program via livestreaming on Chris's website, and anyone with a phone can call in with a question. I will also post the MP3s when we're done.

 


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