There is something that god is saying loud and clear through the tragedy of September 11 , 2011 . We have more than a billion people on this planet who are followers of the religion of Islam , and the church of Jesus Christ must respond in taking our faith to those people. The problem is that we have such limited understanding of what Muslim believe and who they are. And it’s not helpful when you turn on the television and hear people saying that Islam is the answer to America because it has such great family values, which is what some Muslims said on Oprah shortly after the attack.
It is confusing for us when we hear different signals. Our president and other government leaders make statements like, “Islam is peaceful religion “ . But then we hear other leaders say that Islam is not a peaceful religion. A debate is going on : What is true Islam ? Is it what the Muslim clerics in the United States are saying ? Or is it what the Muslim clerics in Afghanistan or Pakistan say?
In the chapters that follow, you will read a remarkable discussion of the roots of terrorism that have been at the core of Islam since the prophet Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran in about A.D.610. These roots are traced from Muhammad all the way to the present day.
What makes this book so special is that it is written by a former professor of Islamic history at the most prestigious Islamic university in the world. The books you buy at your local bookstore about Islam and terrorism are written by Americans- American Journalists , American politicians, ex- CIA officials and so on. DR.Gabriel offers a point of view you will never hear from them- the point of view of one who lived Islam, studied Islam , taught Islam and preached Islam at mosques in the middle east. This is a scholar who earned both master’s and doctorate degrees in Islamic study.
This is a man who nearly lost his life more than once at the hands of Islamic radicals. His body shows the scars , and he tells that story in the beginning of this book.
Dr.Gabriel reveals historical facts about Muhammad’s teaching and practices that few Westerners have ever heard. He shows, in fact , that Islamic fundamentalists today are practicing Islam just as Muhammad did.
He explains the development of terrorism during the past few decades from the point of view of one living in the Middle East. He identifies the key philosophers and tells you about the contents of books that are so dangerous they have been banned by Middle Eastern governments and their authors put to death. These books can only be obtained on the black market , but their ideas are fueling the fires of terrorism. He explains the religious basis behind radical actions. Why would someone be willing to vaporize himself in a jet crash in the name of Allah? The answer lies in a system of belief that is full of works but lacking in hope.
Some facts are unsettling – this is a powerful evil at loose in the world – but the overall message brings a strong sense of peace. All the disjointed events we see on the news make sense when viewed through the framework of Islamic fundamentalism. Behind the physical battle , the spiritual battle is now visible.
Dr.Gabriel reminds us, “ Islam is behind terrorism , not Muslims . Muslims are victims. Even the nineteen young people who hijacked the planes and were killed in the crashes – they are victims. The criminal is Islam.
Dr.Gabriel has a vision of hope for the future. Just as Islam has as agenda for world domination, God has an agenda to bring salvation to as many as possible , including those trapped in Islam .