kikai comments

Looks like none of you (virusrex aside) actually read the article, and commented purely on the title.

Sad.

And your point is what? You think that because a woman who lives with you, a man who continually downplays the issue of sexual assault, is going to tell you the honest truth about how she feels? Come on. You're calling me a man-hater for pointing this out. I wonder what you would say to her if she disagreed with you.

So let me guess... all my female friends lied to me? I don't recall ever downplaying the issue of sexual assault.

Women know this. Ask any woman if she feels safe walking home at night.

I personally know a lot of women who feel perfectly safe walking home at night - even past midnight. Maybe it depends on where you live, among other possible factors.

I'm not saying Japan is safe - or not safe - for women, relative to other countries or otherwise. But I do know a lot of women who say it is (safe).

Thinking it cannot or will not happen to you is sheer arrogance, which a lot of commentators here seem to have in abundance.

Fatal Distraction: Forgetting a Child in the Backseat of a Car Is a Horrifying Mistake. Is It a Crime? - The Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/fatal-distraction-forgetting-a-child-in-thebackseat-of-a-car-is-a-horrifying-mistake-is-it-a-crime/2014/06/16/8ae0fe3a-f580-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.html

Hot car deaths: The children left behind - BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28214266

If you need tech to remind you your child is in the car you should have children. Yes I have a child and could not and would not be able to forgets she's in the car under any circumstances. We really are circling the bowl.

Install a brain-function booster chip into those adults.

As with child car seats, it's sad that technology and/or laws are needed to counter adult stupidity.

The arrogance...

Hot car deaths: The children left behind - BBC News

Elrata, northern life - Nowhere is it stated in the article that the man actually complained about the food (after being told what it was). Nowhere is it stated that he demanded an apology from the authorities. If you have read elsewhere that this man made a fuss, do tell.

I too have been served food that did not comply with my religious requirements. What's different is that I knew that was the case. Not wanting to cause a fuss, and not wanting to appear ungrateful to my host, I said nothing and ate what was served to me. But it somehow came to the host's knowledge that I had such requirements, and they apologized to me (although I insisted an apology was not necessary).

Personally, I do not support the niqab. It is, to me, unIslamic. I personally think Islam should ban the niqab (as in, the ulama' should issue a fatwa or ruling or whatever). Yet at the same time I disagree with Switzerland's, or any other country's, proposed ban. As per some of the earlier comments - health aspects aside, people should be free to dress as they like.

Actually I'd even ban hoodies and sunglasses if I could.

By the way, has anyone ever been given a defensible reason why it’s only women who should dress modestly in Islam? I haven’t come across one yet.

There is no need to give such a reason. This is because men are also required to dress modestly in Islam. There is actually a definition for it. Really quite simple.

Now, as for whether Islam's definition of modest dressing for women, and the rules surrounding it, as compared to that for men, is fair or justified - that's a different story. You could call it silly, backward, whatever - and maybe it is. That's also a different story.

But I say again - there is also a requirement for men to dress modestly in Islam. So please do a bit of checking next time.

Then they will tell you with a straight face that women in this part of the world want to wear them.

No.

Wrong. It is a fact (indeed, said with a straight face) that there are women who actually want to wear them (the hijab, that is, not the niqab), despite pleas from their husbands, families, whatnot, not to. Now, whether these women have brainwashed themselves into this 'dehumanizing' practice, I don't know. But I do know that under no pressure whatsoever (except, maybe, from their 'imaginary' god) do they decide to wear these.

zaphod

 Do not hold your breath for that. One thing you can be certain is that we will not read any reports about thousands of mosques holding prayers for the murdered infidel who showed Mohammed cartoons in clas

Just because they don't report it or show it on tv doesn't mean it's not being done. Or are you a muslim (no you're not, we know) speaking from experience? Even if you were, you wouldn't know what they say in other mosques around the world unless you can speak the local tongue (which probably isn't english), so...

Or maybe they really aren't. But there may be reasons for that. Myself, for example - I generally pray for my own safety, knowing that there are so many rabid islamophobes here in japan. And not among the japanese.

Why isn't anyone saying anything about this when they had lots to say about previous articles on this topic? Isn't this the kind of muslim they were wishing for? Surely some words of praise are due?

For the record, I agree fully with the Imam.

Pardon the exaggeration, but it sounds to me as though most of you are saying no country should give aid to another unless the country has, for example, its entire population driving beemers or living on superyachts...

Here we have the G20 giving aid to developing countries (which includes some of its members) to help educate their women. Comparing deprived women in developed countries to those in developing countries doesn't sound right.

it’s a theme that is emerging in many developed countries.

Why only developed countries? Sorry, I just have to ask.

JImizo

I have read your past comments and I have absolutely no reason whatsoever to believe you're being sincere here. Please just assume you are right and that I cannot answer. I'll even give you a thumbs up. And again, please figure out how to fix this mess. With those 'real' Muslims.

Muslim or not Muslim. Who really knows? God, if you believe in his or her or its existence.

That said, some, or rather many, of us Muslims who consider ourselves educated and liberal do not consider Isis and their ilk to be Muslims or representatives of Islam in any way whatsoever. Not that this matters to most of you here at japantoday - some of you guys don't even consider us educated, liberal Muslims as real Muslims haha! You think a 'real' Muslim must support, say FGM haha!

So anyway. Muslims of my type will not acknowledge those fellas as Muslims. You guys (non-Muslims mainly from the looks of it) insist they are. Let's leave it at that - we cannot convince each other otherwise. What this does mean, though, is that we won't be able to put our heads together to fix this problem. But that's ok - you guys know Muslims and Islam better than us Muslims, anyway (just as you know Japan and the Japanese better than the Japanese). So you guys figure out how to fix this mess - please.

I know a lot of people who mistook the pedals at least once, myself included. In most cases they realized the mistake just as they were about to step on the pedal. And of course most of them refused to admit the mistake. You know, the 'everyone's a bad driver but me', or 'I'm better than the average driver' mentality...

But JT commentators truly are better drivers. They must be, judging from their comments. If only everyone (or at least, the Japanese) could drive like the well above average drivers here on JT...

By the way, "if this idiot does not the difference between left and right he should not have been driving the loader at all." The word 'know' was left out. By accident no doubt. Accidents happen, you know...

Must be an Asian thing—constant whining. Not hardly a peep out of the Russians and Germans about the million-plus women raped on both sides during WWII. Just an ugly fact of war; never forget, but get over it and move on.

Holy smokes. That all Asian countries could be lumped together...How could such a racist statement get so many likes from the morally upright commentators on JT. Shocking to say the least.

But then I suppose I shouldn't expect such racism from westerners... indeed racism, cultural superiority must be a western thing. Oh yes.

The key question is one I've never got a clear answer to. On what or whose authority are you claiming your interpretation is the correct one?

I can't tell if you're actually out to whack me or if you really see things differently from most of the other commentators here. So I'll address this first. I suspect you'll decide whether I'm a 'real' Muslim worth supporting (or hammering down) or a half baked, pick-and-choose cake whose opinions are worthless after I answer.

I don't know what you mean by 'what authority' so I cannot answer that one. As for 'whose authority' - no one in particular. I went through what is considered the standard religious education in my part of the world, learnt the 'standard' practices and philosophies (there wasn't much worth learning, and a lot that should not have been taught - good for nothing narrow minded teachers!) and from there it was all my own. As is the case for a lot of Muslims I know. And I should add - I don't know if my interpretation is the correct one, and I make no such claim (if it sounded like I did earlier - my mistake, poor command of the english language I have). But, like many decent Muslims, I believe I know what an incorrect interpretation looks like.

In case you're still reading... Regarding Iqbal Sacranie and Yusuf al-Qaradawi and all these fellas. Oh, I have no doubt they know the scriptures as well as any and better than most. It could be that they had no choice but to pander to their support base. Or maybe they're simply twats. I wouldn't say the things they said even if I actually believed it, though, unless I had to maintain a support base (for the long term good etc.).

Hello Everyone. Muslim in Japan here.

The incident in Nice is utterly barbaric, inhuman. That must be said, first and foremost. Since the perpetrator is already dead I pray he gets his just rewards (which to me means 7th hell) in the afterlife - assuming there is an afterlife.

To some of you the above probably isn't enough (because it wasn't broadcast worldwide I guess. Or maybe because I didn't use my real name. Well, whatever.

That said, on to some of the comments. I'm a Muslim, as stated previously. The questions posed by Jimizo above. My replies: yes to informing the police, to the freedom of the press, the right to insult any and all religions, to same sex marriage etc. A lot of proper, practising Muslims would agree with me. If you find that hard to believe, sorry.

As for why few/some/many/most Muslims don't accept barbaric, undemocratic and bigoted ideas (on the last item, unlike many commenters here) - the answer really is quite simple (to my mind). Such Muslims are properly educated. And by educated I don't necessarily mean having, say a PhD in western philosophy. Being properly educated makes them decent people. They know how to interpret the texts. Oh, they don't ignore violent texts. It's just that, when you're actually practising Islam you understand and interpret the texts differently from someone who simply reads the text (and is bigoted to boot) - as is the case for many 'experts' on Islam who have commented here.

I could continue (I have the energy, for now). But before that, what would you like to say to me? I should go back to where I 'came from'? I should stop believing in 'fairy tales'? I should wage war against Daesh? Oh, and the perpetrator is not one of my 'brethren'. Definitely not.

Like what...

This one's easy. Like the likes of and , who have the same narrow bigoted mentality as those who have joined or will join IS. Only that they weren't 'born' muslim, so fortunately for the world, two less Very Bad People killing other people.

WilliB - the reasons you gave are exactly why Nasser is correct. And I choose to call them Very Bad People. You can call yourself Muslim if you want, too. Just don't expect the average Muslim (or non Muslim for that matter) to believe you.

Anyway. We've been through this before. You think you know Muslims and Islam better than Muslims themselves. Fine. Now back to the original topic.

Might they strike Japan? Possibly. But for now, I'm still more afraid of people like, as mentioned earlier, ben4short, and to add to that, williB and outrider and all. So much so I keep my beliefs hidden, lest I one day meet such... people.

As a Muslim in Japan, people like ben4short scare me more than anything, even the Japanese police.

You claim to know there are thousands of young Muslim men here setting up cover. Presumably for you to know this you have evidence. So why haven't you brought that evidence to the Japanese authorities? Surely if you know a worker is illegally in Japan planning a terror attack, it would be a trivial matter for the immigration to deport them. So which is it: you are the kind of person who knows of an imminent terrorist threat but is unwilling to do anything about it except for an anonymous claim on a message board no authorities will read, willing to let tens, maybe hundreds of innocent bystanders be killed? Or that you don't know what you claim to know?

Yeah, I'm still waiting for this too.

I thought Muslims were not allowed to shave during Ramadan? It started on June 17th. I'm pretty sure we would be getting some facial hair by now.

Wow. This level of ignorance explains a lot of the other comments regarding Islam on Japan Today...

@williB

Allah is not the only term for god that the malay language has. Your other 'facts' are wrong too.

williB

I said the Koran should banned IF YOU APPLY THE SAME STANDARDS as you apply when you demand that Mohammed cartoons should be banned. I was making a point about consistency; maybe you missed that?

Indeed you did. In fact I agree about the consistency bit. But let's focus on how you said it. You said - "If Mohammed cartoons should banned because they offend some Muslims, then half of the Koran should also be banned, because if offends Jews, Christians, and Hindus. You can´t have it both ways. Not if you want to have equality under the law." Half. HALF. You were exaggerating for effect, I suppose? Nah - just another Islam basher. Nothing wrong with being an Islam basher. After all, if you think the religion is evil, and is the cause of so much strife, why not hate it?

That being the case - you being an Islam basher/hater/whatever - as mentioned previously I see no need to continue this argument.

Actually, the opposite is the case. Cherry-picking is typically done by apologists, who quote some tolerant Mekkan verses, without telling us that these are abrogated by the later, Medinan verses. But I assume you know that. In the event, ISIS is not cherry-picking, they follow radical Wahabi Sunni islam to the letter.

Sigh.

WilliB.

If Mohammed cartoons should banned because they offend some Muslims, then half of the Koran should also be banned, because if offends Jews, Christians, and Hindus. You can´t have it both ways. Not if you want to have equality under the law.

No, actually the Koran content is pretty clear. You should read it yourself. I would not mind posting some quotes, but I am pretty sure the moderators would remove them as "offensive/vulgar".

As I said previously - it isn't possible to have an 'intelligent' discussion with someone already set in his ways. Half the Quran should be banned, because it offends Jews, Christians, and Hindus? HALF?! Even if you had said a quarter, or 10%... You might claim to have read the Quran from cover to cover but no one is going to believe you (except, of course, fellow islam-bashers).

As long as you cherry pick verses in the book to suit your purposes, you will never understand. Muslims - some of us at least - take the book as a whole and not cherry pick. ISIS cherry picks, by the way - one reason why I do not consider them Muslims. I suppose if you were a Muslim (oops, 'Muslim') you may well be among them.

As for charlie hebdo - they can print what they want. Doesn't bother me. Muslims who react to this have nothing better to do.

When islamic terrorists kill non-muslims, the religious aspect is thoroughly blanked out in the media. When an atheist kills 3 muslims (and the motive is not clear at all; parking space or religion), immediately the "religion" aspect is splashed over the headlines, presenting the muslims as victims.

Unbelievable. Anyone who has been following the news would know it is the other way round. “I guess that Muslims are only newsworthy when behind the gun, not in front” better reflects the truth. I posted this before; JT saw fit to delete my message. Hopefully they won't this time round.

Nope, no problems here. In fact I might buy the book too just to amuse myself. If it doesn't cost too much...

@souka

i think maybe those who want to argue about the problem are more muslim than those who don't.

I agree. Just don't argue with people who have already made up their minds.

Wow, so many replies. Where to start?

@Jimizo: I'm not even going to try. Too many Islam haters here. @Joe Bigs: Sorry, you don't know my answers. And I have never claimed that there is, or was, some 'grand conspiracy' against Islam. I never even suggested that. And no, I don't blame the west at all. In fact, I do think that there are things in the Islamic world, with the interpretation of the Quran, that have to be sorted out. That said, you needn't believe a word I am saying - I mean, you already think you know better, so that's that. Be happy. @Honestdictator: You wrote:

As you're a practicing Muslim you always seem to come from a point of view of blindly protecting Islam first from any criticism.

Huh? I was? All I was doing was stating that I do not acknowledge the followers of ISIS as muslims. You might be interested in another comment I made in another thread (Fighting Islamic State by military means is one thing, but how do you fight their ideology?, FEB. 03, 2015 - 08:18PM JST). Yup, blindly protecting Islam first from any criticism.

I don't think the extremists (and their supporters and financial backers) acknowledge you as a true muslim either from their perspective...

You are absolutely right here. I don't have a problem with that. The only being that would know if I am a Muslim or not is God, and that's all that matters. Someone said only the prophet would know, but no, even he wouldn't know.

Again, @Jimizo. Just thought I should address this, since you were the only one who seems genuinely non hostile.

It sounds like you are saying these people do terrible things, therefore, they can't be Muslims. Surely you can't be saying that?

That certainly is one of the reasons (although, I would say your sentence simplifies things a bit too much). I'm not going to write anymore on this. I see now why the Muslims I know just couldn't be bothered to argue anymore, here on JT.