I know from other previous discussions that you clearly see the contradictions of those who allege that Islam is a "peaceful" religion, Amy (particularly a violent demonstration against the Shah in November 1977 that you attended in Washington DC, that you've described on several occasions here). And you're more familiar than most of us with the language and culture of Iran.

While the word "Jihad" may not be clearly stated in the Quran, the concept of Jihad certainly is in the Quran. Repeating myself, from the middle of page 1 of this topic:

Quote:

Dave the Wonder Boy said:
Here is the verse I was thinking of, about dealing with non-Muslim believers:

Quote:

The Quran:

[4.89] They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.
[4.90] Except those who reach a people between whom and you there is an alliance, or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people; and if Allah had pleased, He would have given them power over you, so that they should have certainly fought you; therefore if they withdraw from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not given you a way against them.
[4.91] You will find others who desire that they should be safe from you and secure from their own people; as often as they are sent back to the mischief they get thrown into it headlong; therefore if they do not withdraw from you, and (do not) offer you peace and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; and against these We have given.you a clear authority.



And here is Osama Bin Ladin's declaration of Jihad on Crusaders. You will note that the language is virtually identical:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A4993-2001Sep21

I say this because a considerable percentage of the Islamic world agrees with and approves of what Bin Ladin is doing, whether or not they would engage in violence on Crusaders themselves.

As I've said on other topics, many young Muslims have Osama Bin Ladin screen savers.
Between 30-50% of the population in most Islamic countries boycotts American products and businesses.
That is a clear endorsement of 9-11-2001.

The multiple Arab/Muslim nations (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and others)involved in terrorism toward Israel, in rallies rich with Islamic holy rhetoric and noble martyrdom for Allah, likewise demonstrate a considerable Quran-based body of aggression and destruction.

To say nothing of Quran-based Muslim aggression in Sudan, Liberia, The Phillipines, Indonesia, East Timor, Chechnya, and elsewhere.



And as I've said in other topics, Amy, I'm in complete agreement with you that Not Without My Daughter is a terrific dramatization of the true story of a woman who lost all rights and dignity when moving to Iran with her Iranian/Muslim husband, and who managed to escape from Iran with her daughter in the late 1980's.
It's a powerful dramatization of her true story. And a story that is all too true for tens of thousands of other American and European women who are married to Muslim men and trapped in the Middle East, with no rights, beyond being the property of their husbands.
As the movie itself makes clear.