Letters to the Editor, October 2, 2004

9:11 in the Holy Quran

I received an email today and it's about the following verse 9:11 in the Quran. I was hoping you could clarify what it really says. I have looked it up on many Islamic websites and I'm confused. Some say that 9:11 in the Quran doesn't exist. Also found this on a couple of websites.

"But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, they are your brethren in faith; and We make the communications clear for people who know."

I would appreciate your help on this matter. I have researched and not sure whether it is right.

Thank You,

Jenn, Georgia, US

Editor: I confirm that the above is truly verse 11 in the 9th Chapter of the Holy Qur'an, you can see it yourself in any copy of the Qur'an, in many libraries. But there are several translations of the Holy Qur'an. The most commonly used is Yusuf Ali's, who translated it a little bit differently, as follows:

"But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practice regular charity, -- They are your brethren in faith: (Thus) do We explains the Signs in detail, for those who understand."

Regarding Anti Semitic, statement in "Conflict Terminology"

Regarding Anti Semitic, statement in "Conflict Terminology" I believe using the statement referring to a Language (Semitic) Is not on point as what we are trying to bring to the new reader, who is trying to understand the proper usage of correct Terminology.

When called Anti Semitic. My favorite reply to this ignorant statement is. "I have Jewish & Palestinian friends, they are both the children of SHEM." Please don't fall for the Zionist Big Lie and deny the true heritage of the Palestinians as Semitic, they are also the children of Shem."

Ronald D Kennedy, California USA.

Mr. Jim Lehrer of the Newshour on PBS

Dear Mr. Lehrer,

This evening's "debate" (September 30, 2004) is the only one dedicated to foreign policy ---- apparently the war marketeers who are offering us this choice between Bush and BushBackup want to get it "out of the way" as soon as possible.

The 98% of the people in the human race, including the clear majority of the American people, who are opposed to this illegal, immoral and unnecessary war being waged by the Zionist Lobby anointed Bush/Neocon/Likud administration against the Arab and Islamic worlds on Israel's behalf can only hope that you will force these two Israel surrogates and "selectee/finalists" as Presidential Puppet into making some definitive and concrete statements and COMMITMENTS concerning their plans to deal FIRST AND FOREMOST with the cancer which has been at the heart of the problems in the Middle East since WWI and the disastrous Versailles Treaty: Zionism and the Theft and Rape of Palestine, and the enslavement or dispossession of the Palestinian People.

Otherwise, it is perfectly obvious that whichever of these two "wins" the November Charade, will lead our nation into a full World War with all of Israel's richly deserved enemies --- eventually the entire Arab League, and potentially dozens of Muslim countries --- and possibly with other nations such as Korea, China......? God knows where it might end.

The whole world is watching........AND HAS BEEN !!!!!

Joe Boysen, another of the disenfranchised 98% of mankind counting on you ---- and pleading with you to step up to the plate on this subject since at least the fall of 1986.