Learn, Don’t Burn

Learn, Don’t Burn

 As a Florida pastor made, and then cancelled, plans to burn copies of the Qur’an today, a leading U.S. Islamic organization has called for support of their "Learn, Don’t Burn" campaign.  Part of the ongoing "Explore the Quran" initiative by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the campaign involves the distribution of hundreds of thousands of Qurans throughout the country.  Organizers point to recent research indicating that anti-Islam prejudice goes down when people interact with ordinary Muslims and have greater knowledge of Islam.

CAIR has also published a short booklet to help Muslims as they face growing criticism and prejudice.  Their "Challenging Islamophobia" pocket guide advises Muslims on how to respond to anti-Islamic rhetoric in the workplace, at school or university, and on the Internet.

For advice on how to react to threatened Qur’an burnings, one need look no further than Islam’s holy text itself:

(But whatever they may say or do,) repel the evil (that they commit) with something that is better: We are fully aware of what they attribute (to Us). -Quran 23:96

Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knows best who have strayed from His Path and who receive guidance. -Quran 16:125

 

Show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant. -Quran 7:199