The Star, one of the leading English newspapers of Malaysia with a circulation of 300,000, devoted a place to an article of Raja Zarith Idris titled “Season of Goodwill” on its edition dated January 9th, 2011. In the article in question, it was stated that Mr. Adnan Oktar is one of the most influential Muslims and that he introduces Islam as a religion of peace, love and compassion. In the article where Mr. Adnan Oktar’s views were cited at length, his views on Muslims living in peace with the People of the Book were also noted. (You can read the author’s articles about the People of the Book from here.) As Harun Yahya, the Turkish writer (he was selected last year as one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan) noted: “Islam is a religion of peace, love and tolerance.”
Today, however, some circles have been presenting a false image of Islam. Yet Islam’s view of Jews and Christians, who are named ‘the People of the Book’ in the Quran, is very friendly and tolerant.
This attitude towards the People of the Book developed during the years of the birth of Islam. At that time, Muslims were a minority, struggling to protect their faith and suffering oppression and torture from the pagans of the city of Mecca. Due to this persecution, some Muslims decided to flee Mecca and shelter in a safe country with a just ruler. The Prophet Muhammad (saas) told them to take refuge with King Negus, the Christian king of Ethiopia. The Muslims who followed this advice found a very fair administration that embraced them with love and respect when they went to Ethiopia. King Negus refused the demands of the pagan messengers who asked him to surrender the Muslims to them, and announced that Muslims could live freely in his country.
