THE EDITOR, SIR:

The Prophet Muhammad was, as Muslims believe, sent as a mercy to humanity and cared deeply for not just human-kind but for all creation. He would go out of his way to maintain peace and avoid war unless he was forced to fight by the enemy. Hence this is why there is no word or concept for "holy war" in Islam, because Islam teaches that war can never be a holy act and is always to be a last resort after all other peaceful options have failed.

The "holy war" concept for which non-Muslims like to enlighten to the word "Jihad" is foreign to Islam. Rather it comes from a concept first used by the Crusaders and the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages in order to justify the crusade war on Islam. In fact it is interesting to note that the idea of a "holy war" can be attributed to the time of Emperor Constantine,who allegedly had a vision where he saw an inscription on a cross "in hoc signo vince" (In this sign you will be the victor).

The early conquest of Persia and Byzantium after Prophet Muhammad's death, were inspired by political rather than religious aspirations. Islam never fought nations but rather despotic authorities. War for Islam was one of liberation not compulsion. The freedom of the liberated people to decide their religion was fully recognised under the Sharia (Islamic law). Two examples of this principle may be seen when the Muslims conquered Egypt which fell under Roman Christian rule. Here the Coptic Christians sided and fought with the Muslim army because they were being persecuted and forced to adopt the Roman Christian beliefs. After the war, the first action taken by the Muslim authority was to reinstate the Bishop of Alexandria (Benjamin) who had been forced into exile by the Roman Christian authority.

Meddling

In the case of the Byzantine empire, which fell to the Ottoman Turks,the Byzantines were constantly meddling in Ottoman affairs and after enduring years of provocation, the Ottoman Turks under the leadership of Mehmet II entered the gates of Constantinople in 1453 A.D.

Under Ottoman rule all faiths were assured that they would be given religious freedom if they chose to stay under Muslim rule. Today a testament to that tolerance is the fact that the headquarters of the Eastern Orthodox Church is located in Istanbul, and has been so for centuries.

Charging that Islam is an intolerant religion or that it was spread by violence is factually incorrect while ignoring the glorious years of peaceful coexistence between Christians and Jews as seen in Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Damascus, Baghdad and Jerusalem just to name a few.

Not only did the faiths coexist peacefully but Muslim governments also allowed them to participate in government offices, some even holding appointments such as ambassadors, advisers and ministers. During this period Muslims enjoyed outstanding achievements in areas such as technology and medicine, while back in Europe the church was busy aiding and giving its blessing to the horrible crimes being committed during the Dark Ages. Pope Benedict XVI, in quoting that which he did was out of place and context with the spirit of love and reconciliation that is expected to be the basis of true Christianity, moreover, a betrayal of his own writings (Dominus Jesus 2000). Muslims would view his response to their reaction as exhibiting very little humility, a quality that one would expect the 'Vicar of Christ' to possess.

I am, etc.,

HAMID WOODHAM

hamidwoodham@hotmail.com

94b Old Hope Road

Kingston 6