Islam answers back

I WOULD like to reply to Mr Phill Woolf’s letter (State of Islam, News, 2 October).
Mr Woolf’s question is “What is Islam?” and this question is followed by a series of allegations about what is happening in Muslim countries around the world or some practices by Muslims around the world.
His allegations are not founded on sound facts:
1. There are no Muslims in Africa trying to take over different countries and trying to implement Sharia law by force. If there are any, I would invite Mr Woolf to cite any examples.
2. There are no Muslims being ‘exported’ to countries around the world in an attempt to change those countries. If there is any proof to support this claim, I would like Mr Woolf to provide it.
3. Mr Woolf states that Muslims ‘denigrate’ their own females. If Mr Woolf has any evidence whether all Muslims from around the world ‘denigrate’ women, I invite him to bring that evidence to light.
4. Mr Woolf claims that Muslims are taking over large parts of major cities in Europe and not allowing couples to walk hand in hand. Again, this is a baseless claim and if there is any evidence to prove this tall claim, I would like to see it.
5. Mr Woolf also states that Muslims do not integrate into society as they are not seen at sporting functions or charity relays. Again, this is a claim based on his personal observations which seem to be limited, whereas the reality is quite contrary.
I would now like to answer his original question: What is Islam? Islam is a religion of peace, empathy, love and compassion.
However, if Mr Woolf wishes to base his opinion about this beautiful religion Islam that is practiced by approximately 1.6 billion people around the world on what he sees or reads in the media, which reports about a handful of people who call themselves Muslims, then I must say that this is the least logical way to forming an opinion about a religion which has 99.99 per cent of its adherents who are peace loving and law-abiding, who get along with community members, where women play a fulfilling and leadership role in their household and wider community, where they attend sporting and other community events and are widely respected citizens.
I invite Mr Woolf to seek out interfaith groups to meet those Muslims who are active contributors to the wider community.
I also invite him to learn about the religion of Islam by reading books rather than media reports.
He is just looking through a very narrow aperture; the big picture is beautiful.
Naureen Choudhry,
Narre Warren.