Chapter 9 Online Commentary

"The Worlds of Islam" is the topic for Chapter 9.  I was a little hesitant to read this chapter at first because there is just so much talk in the media these days about the Islamic influence in the world that it can be a bit overwhelming at times.  So to have an entire chapter on Islam was just too much on top of all of the other commentary I hear on a daily basis.  But nonetheless, I did want to understand exactly what is the core message of Islam, how it came to be, and how it continues to impact the world today.

My knowledge was very basic.  I knew that Muhammad was the originator of this religion and that the main message was one of peace and unity with Allah.  As my reading progressed, the expansion of Islam was like the rushing waters across land masses.  It seemed to infiltrate at an increasingly rapid rate.  This seems to be the case even today.

I understood from the text how Islam was changed here and there in different regions to fit the customs and ways of life of the peoples who inhabited those areas.  I will not say much more about my personal opinions on this topic.   I will only conclude in saying that I'm not certain how Islam is known to some as a violent faith since it definitely did not start out that way.  Where along the way did some believers of the Islamic faith interpret the Quran in this fashion as to incite violence among the innocent people who are targets because they hold different beliefs?  I feel that all people are children of God regardless of their personal or religious views and deserve to be treated with respect. I just wish that one day we can all live harmoniously in this world and that our differences of opinion, even though one may not agree, will be respected as well.

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