American Born, British Born, Canadian Born but still Desi To Krashid:

I`m not sure I understand what you mean. Not because I am a Muslim, but I`d like you to elaborate a little bit more:).

To say that Islam is only a ``way of expression`` is to grossly simplify the noblest way of life(when practiced in its highest form). I realize that Muslims in the world today are plagued by civil war, disagreements, and cultural and social problems but this is NOT a result of the true practice of Islam. Rather it is due to cultural and political constraints that have been forced upon the true Islamic way of life. However, by this I don`t mean that there is only ONE Islam, and that`s the end of the story. Islam is meant to be practiced in such a way so that cultural and social boundaries do not affect one`s faith. There rules of Islam are actually very flexible when one studies them and it can be practiced in a few different ways(as demonstrated by the various schools of Islamic thought). The sad reality today is that a Muslim`s faith is affected tremendously by the culture and society that a person is raised in. And when constraints of these types are placed on Islam, it gradually becomes misunderstood and incorrectly represented by those who practice it.

American Born, British Born, Canadian Born but still Desi This is a comment addressing Krashid who replied to Hassan`s article. Firstly, the articly written here by Hassan is well-written thought a little general.

Krashid, one aspect of your article struck me in particular. You said something about ``the negative aspects of Islam.`` As a Muslim I had trouble understanding the idea of negativity in Islam, of any sort. Allow me to elaborate:)

My first question to you is, what aspects of Islam do you believe to be negative? Second, why do you think these aspects ARE negative? And third, are you absolutely sure that these ``aspects`` are purely Islamic, or are they aspects you have seen displayed in an ``islamic society`` today that have been distorted through cultural influence and the human mind?