THE ONLY TRUE RELIGION DEBATE

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« A Must Watch Misquoting Jesus, Stanford Lecture, How Bible was TaintedFrom Catholic to Atheist to Islam »Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion - A MUST SEE FACTS - IF YOU CANT BEAT IT THEN JOIN IT !!!

Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion - A MUST SEE FACTS - IF YOU CANT BEAT IT THEN JOIN IT !!!

RELIGION :

Islam

Growth rate*: 1.84 percent

Adherents: 1.3 billion

“Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America, a guide and pillar of stability for many of our people…”

“…there is much that the world can learn from Islam. It is now practiced by one of every four people on Earth.”HILLARY RODMAN CLINTON, Los Angeles Times, May 31, 1996, p.3Already more than a billion-people strong, Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion. ABCNEWS,

Abcnews.com

ABC News Broadcasted on BIC News 13 December 1997

Fastest-Growing Religion Often Misunderstood By Barr Seitz

“Experts agree Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in America. As many as five million Muslims live in the United States and in the last five years, the number of mosques in this country has increased from 843 to about 1,300. Most of the growth has come from immigration, but much of it is homegrown. For many black Americans, Islam has become the religion of choice and some one million have converted. “It is an American phenomenon, which started in the ghettoes of the north,” says Yvonne Haedad, a professor of history of Islam and of Christian-Muslim Relations at Georgetown University. “It is a response to racism…it is seen as the religion of liberation.”

“Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the country.” NEWSDAY, March 7, 1989, p.4

“Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United States…” NEW YORK TIMES, Feb 21, 1989, p.1

Moslems are the world’s fastest-growing group…” USA TODAY, The populationreferance bureau, Feb. 17,

1989, p.4A

“Muhummed is the most successful of all Prophets and religious personalities. ” Encyclopedia Britannica

“There are more Muslims in North America then Jews Now.” Dan Rathers, CBS NEWS

“Islam is the fastest growing religion in North America.” TIMES MAGAZINE

“Islam continues to grow in America, and no one can doubt that!” CNN, December 15, 1995

“The religion of Islam is growing faster than any other religion in the world.” MIKE WALLACE, 60

MINUTES

“Five to 6 million strong, Muslims in America already outnumber Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Mormons,

and they are more numerous than Quakers, Unitarians, Seventh-day Adventists, Mennonites, Jehovah’s

Witnesses, and Christian Scientists, combined. Many demographers say Islam has overtaken Judaism as the

country’s second-most commonly practiced religion; others say it is in the passing lane.” JOHAN BLANK,

USNEWS (7/20/98)

“In fact, religion experts say Islam is the second-largest religion in the United States… Islam has 5 million to 6

million members, followed by Judaism, with approximately 4.5 million….. And Islam is believed to be

fastest-growing religion in the country, with half its expansion coming from new immigrants and the other half

from conversions.” By ELSA C. ARNETT

Knight-Ridder News Service

Times of India

Thursday 12 July 2001

WASHINGTON: ‘Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in the United States, and by 2010 it is expected to become the second largest faith practiced in the country after Christianity, the State Department’s international information programs has said.’

Ohio News, Ohio.com Monday, November 27, 2000

Influx of Muslim immigrants, refugees attracting Americans to Islam

BY JASON KEYSER .Associated Press Writer

”There are about 25,000 Muslims in Columbus. Nationwide there are from 6 to 8 million Muslims. Based on anecdotal accounts and interviews, the refugee service estimates that nationwide there could be as many as 18,000 converts a year or one convert per mosque per month.”

Seattle Times

’Muslim in America’: by Marc Ramirez staff reporter

‘With some 6 million U.S. followers, Islam is one of the nation’s fastest-growing faiths.’

CONVERSIONS IN BRITAIN

Sunday Times (London, U.K.)

Rajeev Syal and Christopher Morgan

”The nation’s claim to be a Christian country is about to meet its first challenge: the number of practicing Muslims is set to overtake Anglican Christians…. There have also been a number of high-profile conversions to Islam from Christianity. These include the British middleweight boxing champion, who has changed his name to Hamdan; and Cat Stevens, the pop musician, who calls himself Yusuf Islam…. Prince Charles courted controversy when he reaffirmed his claim that when he succeeds the throne, he does not wish to be the defender of only the Christian faith.”

THE TIMES Tuesday, 9th November 1993

’Why Are British Women Turning To Islam’ by Lucy Berrington

’Unprecedented numbers of British people, nearly all of them women, are converting to Islam at a time of deep divisions within the Anglican and Catholic churches.

The rate of conversions has prompted predictions that Islam will rapidly become an important religious force in this country. “Within the next 20 years the number of British converts will equal or overtake the immigrant Muslim community that brought the faith here”, says Rose Kendrick, a religious education teacher at a Hull comprehensive and the author of a textbook guide to the Koran. She says: “Islam is as much a world faith as is Roman Catholicism. No one nationality claims it as its own”. Islam is also spreading fast on the continent and in America.

In the United States, women converts outnumber men by four to one, and in Britain make up the bulk of the estimated 10, 000 to 20, 000 converts, forming part of a Muslim community of 1.5 million.

Many of Britain’s “New Muslims” are from middle-class backgrounds. Some say the conversions are prompted by the rise of comparative religious education. The British media, offering what Muslims describe as a relentless bad press on all things Islamic, is also said to have helped. Westerners despairing of their own society – rising in crime, family breakdown, drugs and alcoholism- have come to admire the discipline and security of Islam. Many converts are former Christians disillusioned by the uncertainty of the church and unhappy with the concept of the Trinity and deification of Jesus.’

Conclusion

You wanted evidence, you got it. It should now be clear as light that Islam is the fastest growing religion on the planet. Islam is growing at an incredible speed because it is the religion of truth which offers you the answers to the questions of life and gives you a complete code of life. Don’t just be amazes at the growth of Islam; study it, accept it and practice it.

WASHINGTON POST

http://www.washington-report.org/backissues/0596/9605013.htm

May/June 1996, pgs. 13, 107

Issues in Islam

Muslims in America: The Nation’s

Fastest Growing Religion

by M.M. Ali

The often-heard statement that “Islam is the fastest growing religion in America” elicits reactions varying from hope to fear. In fact, Muslims in America are not totally new kids on the block. They have been here for quite a while now. What is attracting attention are their growing numbers and their increasing visibility in this heterogeneous society, particularly in the urban centers.

According to Dr. Sayyid Syeed, secretary-general of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), there are between 6 and 8 million Muslims in the United States today. The New York Times, which has its own agenda, placed the number between 2 and 4 million two years ago. Dr. Diana Eck, who is working on the subject at Harvard University, believes the correct figure is somewhere in between.

How much of the growth is due to immigration also is hard to ascertain. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) provides information only on the places of origin of immigrants, and not on their religion. The INS data therefore provides a general picture which can become distorted in detail.

For example, the Arabs who come from various parts of the Middle East are not all Muslims. Similarly, immigrants from the Asian subcontinent can be Muslims, Hindus or Christians. While several organizations and researchers are collecting data on Muslims in America, to date there is no authoritative count. What is acknowledged by all, however, is that their numbers are growing rapidly.

Dr. Ahmed Totonji of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in the Washington, DC area, projects that by the turn of the century, the number of Muslims in America will reach the 10 million mark. Dr. Hisham Al Talib, also of the IIIT, says: “At their present rate of growth, their number will double in 28 years’ time.”

U.S. Bureau of Census records shed no light on the matter. Its statistics, based on race, are of little help in determining religious affinities. America’s Muslims, it needs to be remembered, have come from all of the five major continents.

Historical records indicate the presence of a few Muslims on American soil early in the 16th century. Slaves brought in from Africa in the 17th century also included some Muslims, but their religiosity appears to have been lost while they were in bondage. There also is evidence that descendants of some of the Moors driven out of Spain found their way via the Caribbean islands to South Carolina and Florida in the late 18th century.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, large numbers of Muslims immigrated to North America from Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan and most settled in the upper Midwest. One of their earliest mosques was established in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Nation of Islam

In the early 1930s, a man named Fard Mohammed founded the Nation of Islam (NOI), an organization that expanded under the leadership of Elijah Mohammed and is today led by Minister Louis Farrakhan. It was the NOI that Malcolm X first joined but later left to enter mainstream Sunni Islam, just as did Warith Mohammed, son of Elijah Mohammed, upon the death of his father.

The Nation of Islam therefore became a major gateway into orthodox Sunni Islam for African Americans, whose descendants generally are referred to as “indigenous Muslims.” At the same time, many African Americans have remained in the Nation of Islam. NOI supporters claim membership of between 50,000 and 100,000. Their detractors say they number around 20,000.

The majority of Muslims in the United States, however, are immigrants and their descendants. The 1965 relaxation in U.S. immigration laws increased the inflow, which continues to this day. In Yvonne Haddad’s book The Muslims of America, Carol Stone used 1980 census data to demonstrate that the numbers of Muslims were highest in California, New York and Illinois. At that time, 400,000 Muslims lived in New York, 180,000 in Illinois and some 30 percent of America’s Muslims lived in California. Today those numbers have more than doubled, and large numbers of Muslims are found in New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Texas, Arizona and Michigan. A sizeable concentration also is found around the U.S. national capital in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.

Organizational Growth

The end of World War II saw the arrival of large numbers of Muslim students from all parts of the Islamic world, on American university campuses. Initially small Muslim student associations were established on some campuses. A real effort to set up a national organization began in 1963 with the establishment of the Muslim Student Association (MSA).

It was at this time that Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was expelled from Iran, Maulana Maudoodi was sentenced to death in Pakistan, Sayed Qutb of the Muslim Brotherhood was jailed and later executed in Egypt, the Masjumi Party was banned in Indonesia and the Algerian revolution was coming to a head. All of these developments had a very strong reaction among the Muslim students in Europe and America.

The MSA launched an “action plan,” setting up offices across the country with initial headquarters in Gary, Indiana. In 1975, the MSA acquired property in Plainsfield, Indiana and moved there. This also was the period when the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT) was created to hold title to MSA properties such as Islamic centers, the American Trust Publications, the International Graphics Press and the Islamic Book Service.

In 1981 the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) was formed to deal with all aspects of Islamic activity in the country, allowing MSA to concentrate on the campuses. Professional activities are now coordinated through such organizations as the American Muslim Social Scientists (AMSS), the American Muslim Engineers and Scientists (AMES), and the Islamic Medical Association (IMA).

ISNA’s annual convention today attracts more than 10,000 members. Similarly, AMSE, AMSS and IMA hold their separate conventions each year. According to Yvonne Haddad, “ISNA is considered to be the national Muslim organization and generally represents the Islamic mainstream.” In the 1970s, the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) was formed, which mostly consists of Muslims from the Asian subcontinent.

According to the American Muslim Council, a lobbying group formed in the mid-1980s and located in Washington, DC, there are today close to 2,000 mosques and Islamic community centers in the United States. The Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a new organization also based in Washington, DC, has become active protecting the human rights of the Muslims in America. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) was established in 1980. ADC fights against stereotyping of Arabs in America.

Issues and Challenges

Since American Muslims are predominantly immigrants who have come from non-Western cultures, being transported to an alien environment has contributed to a feeling of insecurity. This is especially true regarding raising their children in the permissive American environment. However, most of these Muslim immigrants also are highly educated and have close and intact family structures. From this they derive an increasing sense of confidence.

Both first- and second-generation immigrants find themselves caught between two cultures wherein old verities linger on while new attitudes and outlooks become increasingly powerful.

The question before American Muslims is how to retain their core conservative values while swimming, with increasing ease, in the mainstream. In fact, most of the highly educated and intelligent immigrants and their children are enjoying conspicuous material success. The price they will pay in terms of family values and stability is still undetermined.

Christianity is the predominant religion in North America. Islam being another Abrahamic religion, the two have several commonalities. Both faiths are missionary in nature, but they can co-exist ideologically. The experience being new, it will take time to find out how. For now, the two religious groups must work at accommodation and develop a better understanding of and trust in each other. For sure, the Muslims are here to stay.

With time it will become obvious to the mainstream that the Muslims are a very positive addition to the American sectarian mosaic. Meanwhile it is also imperative for American Muslims to learn to assimilate with the mainstream without losing their identity and special characteristics.

One sure way of gaining entry is via the political route. Their growing numbers make American Muslims a political force that the existing political parties increasingly will seek to attract and accommodate.

What is needed is organization and structure. The AMC and the other new institutions have made a beginning. The process needs to be carried further.

American democracy provides full opportunity for all segments of the population to gain and grow to their fullest potential. America’s history and its social dynamics also have created an understanding and large-hearted people. If they see goodwill and friendship, they will meet it half-way.

Therefore, in spite of glitches stemming from the diversity of its own origins, Islam in America appears destined to become a particularly visible and active component of American society. If the present trends continue, American Muslims may well become a source of strength and support for Muslims all over the world—and sooner than even the most optimistic members of this expanding community dare to imagine.

———————————————————————————–

CNN

http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9704/14/egypt.islam/

Fast-growing Islam winning converts

in Western world

April 14, 1997

Web posted at: 11:41 p.m. EDT (0341 GMT)

From Correspondent Gayle Young

CAIRO (CNN) — In the port city of Suez — and across the Islamic world — they are celebrating the Hajj, the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.

“This is a joyous day and the best day in the life of a man,” said pilgrim Hussein Suleiman Hussein. “It is as if I am being born anew.”

(1.1M/31 sec. QuickTime movie)

Millions of Muslims across the world will trek to Mecca this week for the annual religious event. They circle the Kaaba, a shrine that contains a black stone sacred to the Prophet Mohammed.

Mohammed decreed that every Muslim who can afford it make the Hajj at least once. It is one of five holy duties required in Islam.

A Muslim’s first duty is to proclaim that there is only one God and that Mohammed is his prophet. Muslims also must pray five times a day, give charity to the poor and fast during the daylight hours of the holy month of Ramadan.

When a cannon signals that the sun has set during Ramadan, Muslims in Cairo break their fast with friends and family, often inviting the poor to share their meals.

Fastest-growing religion

The second-largest religion in the world after Christianity, Islam is also the fastest-growing religion. In the United States, for example, nearly 80 percent of the more than 1,200 mosques have been built in the past 12 years.

Some scholars see an emerging Muslim renaissance as Islam takes root in many traditionally Christian communities.

Islam has drawn converts from all walks of life, most notably African-Americans. Former NAACP President Benjamin Chavis, who joined the Nation of Islam recently, personifies the trend.

“In societies where you have minorities that are discriminated against, I think they may find an appeal in Islam,” said Waleed Kazziha of American University in Cairo.

Many moderate Islamic countries such as Turkey and Egypt are becoming more conservative.

Two decades ago, few middle-class Egyptian women wore scarves or veils on their heads. Now they crowd into special emporiums that advertise Islamic clothing.

The shift toward Islamic fundamentalism worries many in the secular world, a fear underscored when splinter groups target Westerners with violent attacks.

Islam vs. the West

But most scholars argue that the extremists are a very small minority and that most Muslims adhere to principles in the Koran that teach peace and tolerance.

“The Islamic world is like any other society we have known in history,” said Kazziha. “You might say it has the good, the bad and the ugly.”

Founded in 622 A.D., Islam is among the newer major religions. But to the non-Muslim world, it sometimes appears inflexible. Clashes between Islamic tradition and Western influence are sweeping the globe.

In Islam, contrary to Western beliefs, the rights of the community are considered more important than the rights of the individual. Women are seen primarily as caretakers of the home, and religion strongly influences schools, government and courts.

Many Muslims today are trying to find a balance between being members of a global society and maintaining ties to a religion that calls for strict adherence to the Koran.

A case in point is 35-year-old Hisham Hussein, a wealthy playboy who turned to religion and swore off alcohol after an automobile accident.

He is going to Mecca this spring. “The most important thing is to maintain the purity of the Hajj, to lead a pure life,” he said.

————————————————————————————

ISLAM FASTEST GROWING RELIGION

IN IRELAND

http://atangledweb.squarespace.com/httpatangledwebsquarespace/islam-fastest-growing-religion-in-ireland.html

Fascinating to read that Muslims now make up the third largest religious grouping in Ireland, latest statistics have revealed. The figures show a 70% increase in the Muslim population between 2002-2006. Last year’s Census revealed that in the previous decade 420,000 of the population were born outside the country. Immigration and returning Irish emigrants meant the population rose to 4,172,013 - the highest since 1861. Ireland’s Central Statistics Office (CSO) said Islam was the third largest faith group after Catholicism and Protestantism, with 32,500 people saying they were Muslims. More than 55% of those said they were either Asian or African nationals, while 30.7% had Irish nationality, said the Census.

This entry was written by sufi786 and posted on March 17, 2008 at 11:24 am and filed under ABC, AMERICA Fastest Growing Religion IS ISLAM WASHINGTON PO, CBS NEWS, CNN, CURRENT NEWS AMERICA, CURRENT NEWS ASIA AND MIDDEL EAST, CURRENT NEWS U.S.A, FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN IRELAND IS ISLAM, FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN WEST IS ISLAM, ISLAM FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN EUROPE, Islam is the second-largest religion in the United Stat, Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion, Los Angeles Times, MIKE WALLACE 60 MINUTES, NEW YORK TIMES, NEWS, NEWSDAY, TIME, TIMES MAGAZINE, US NEWS, USA TODAY, WASHINGTON POST, WHICH is the world’s fastest growing religion, WORLD RELIGION TRENDS, WORLD SOCIETY AND CULTURE, culture with tags ABC, AMERICA Fastest Growing Religion IS ISLAM WASHINGTON PO, CBS NEWS, CNN, culture, CURRENT NEWS AMERICA, CURRENT NEWS ASIA AND MIDDEL EAST, CURRENT NEWS U.S.A, FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN IRELAND IS ISLAM, FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN WEST IS ISLAM, ISLAM FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN EUROPE, Islam is the second-largest religion in the United Stat, Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion, Los Angeles Times, MIKE WALLACE 60 MINUTES, NEW YORK TIMES, NEWS, NEWSDAY, TIME, TIMES MAGAZINE, US NEWS, USA TODAY, WASHINGTON POST, WORLD RELIGION TRENDS, WORLD SOCIETY AND CULTURE. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.

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