It is not the Quran that calls for violence, it is fueled by the power-hungry mullahs How Putin wants to control the Arctic

Religions like to present themselves as guardians of morals and ethics, most claiming to be peacemakers. This is more or less true of many denominations in civilized countries. At the same time, however, we experience time and time again that faith can lead to blind fanaticism.

Politicians and sections of the population in Islamic countries in particular are susceptible to such radicalisation, as current events show. In Iran, for example, the mullahs have gone on a rampage and are oppressing women. If they do not wear a headscarf in public, they risk a prison sentence.

And in Afghanistan, the Taliban have now launched a new offensive against insurgent civilians who are rising up against the terror regime or standing up for human rights. Here too, it is mainly women who suffer from oppression in particular.

The dispute escalates between Sweden and Iraq

Finally, this week, the religious dispute between Iraq and Sweden escalated. Iraqi dissidents were allowed a demonstration in Stockholm in which they wanted to burn the Koran. Iraqi religious leaders were furious that the Swedish government allowed the protest to take place in the name of freedom of expression.

The Islamic dictatorships are barbaric and clearly religiously motivated. Their leaders use religious dogmas and ideas to silence and terrorize the people. Their success proves that a radical faith is ideally suited to radicalize people. When clergymen become political leaders, the danger increases.

For many contemporaries in Western countries, these developments in some Islamic countries are proof that the Quran legitimizes violence and is therefore a destructive book. They hold the Islamic faith responsible for political radicalisation.

But this argument falls short. It is true that there are violent verses in the Quran that allow believers to take up arms. But this is only allowed for the defense and protection of mosques.

Only fight to resist aggression

American Quran expert Mustansir Mir of Youngstown State University in Ohio State said in an interview with Deutschlandfunk: “It was only after the establishment of an independent Muslim city-state in Medina 622 that they received God’s permission to defend themselves by armed force.”

This means, first of all, that the right to fight in Islam was granted in principle to defend against aggression. Second, Muslims can only retaliate if they live together as an organized political community or as a Muslim state.

In the early days of Islam, Muhammad and his followers were hostile to and persecuted. When defending, the Prophet mutated into a successful general. There were several armed conflicts that Allah would have legitimized according to the Qur’an.

The Quran also calls for justice and equality. Therefore, one cannot accuse Islam of being a violent religion. The Bible also contains many scenes of violence.

Mullahs pervert faith

Back to the present. The reason for the oppression of the population – mainly women – therefore does not lie primarily in the Quran, but must be sought primarily in the power-hungry Islamist clergy. They use faith to seize power in the name of Allah and Muhammad.

In doing so, they pretend to protect their own population against the destructive influence of decadent Western civilization. Their influence extends from the mosques to the faithful men who are indoctrinated during Friday prayers.

This is how the mullahs pervert the faith. They mainly use it to oppress the people and to strengthen their political – that is, secular – power. It’s not about covering up Islam. It forms the base on which the foothills rest.

Demonizing Islam with blind anger, as many of us do, does not help us. That is why burning the Quran adds unnecessary fuel to the fire and further fuels the conflict.