Your editorial ”Islam: Old force, new strength” was very well-balanced and informative. It also corrected some of the misconceptions about Islam. This editorial, along with your comprehensive recent articles ”Islam . . . the winds of change,” represents a major effort on the part of The Chicago Tribune toward understanding Islam and the changes that affect the world around us.
Your distinction between ”fundamentalists” and ”militants” is commendable. A great number of Moslems including professors, doctors and other highly educated professionals consider themselves to be
”fundamentalist”; that is to say, they go back to the roots of Islam, adhere to the original teachings revealed by God in the Koran and disregard man-made doctrines or claims. A vast majority of these ”fundamentalist Moslems” not only reject the excesses and violence advocated by Iran`s rulers or others, but also consider these acts to be contradictory to the teachings of the Koran, which emphasize mercy, accommodation, moderation and peace.
The ills that plague today`s Islamic societies are not due to the
”classic readings of the Koran . . . in this complicated age,” but rather are caused by the deviation from the Koranic teachings.
It is no secret that in our society there are a great deal of misconceptions about Islam. Some of these misconceptions date back to the days of the Crusaders. Others may be due to the use of non-Islamic self-proclaimed ”experts” on Islam. It is only logical to seek advice and information about Islam from reliable and knowledgeable Islamic sources who are found in abundance in our society.
