The great debate

My dear Friends
On Thursday I went to my first debate at the Cambridge Union. The motion was 'This house believes that Islam is a threat to the West.' I knew it would be controversial and emotional, but it has a bearing on my work of Peace and Reconciliation.

First to propose the motion was Stephen Gash, founder of the movement 'Stop the Islamification of Europe.' He spoke of the huge numbers of Muslims and implied that many were converted by the sword. He also talked about people being forced to eat halal meat.

First to oppose the motion was Idris Tawfiq, writer and broadcaster, a Muslim who is a former Catholic priest. He opened his remarks in Arabic and wished peace upon the gathering. He said the message of the Qur'an is peace.

Robert van't Hoff spoke next for the motion and he based his whole argument on the notion that the West is secular and Islam being a threat by nature of its being a religion.(Where do Judaism and Christianity fit in there, I wonder?)

Farah Jassat, the Islamic society treasurer, countered the secular claim and also made the point that the Arabs were responsible for developing mathematics, medecine and many other things.

Arrash Yassaee, proposing the motion, said it might be surprising for someone brought up as a devout Muslim, to be taking this stand but argued that political Islam was a threat to the West.

Abdullah Al-Andulosi was the last to defend the motion.

The whole thing was highly charged and made me realise how important it is to love each other and live together in peace.And to find the holiness in each other's religions.

Shalom/salaam
Sister Gila