Islam And The 21st Century – Historic Debate
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Channel: Zakir Naik
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Episode Notes
A public Debate by Dr Zakir Naik on the topic Islam and the 21st century at the Oxford Union, United Kingdom.
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AI Generated Transcript ©
Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh May the peace blessings and mercy of Allah subhanaw taala beyond all of you, I, Dr. Mohammed Nick,
am your coordinator for this program to be telecast, live on peace TV and inshallah on other channels later on. Before we start the program, I'd prefer to give you all a background of how this event has come about. The president of the Oxford Union. Mr. James Langman invited Dr. Zakir Naik as one of the leading personalities who could put forward proper views on the topic Islam and the 21st century before the prestigious debating society, the Oxford Union, which is famous since 1823, for promoting debates and discussions on vital topics of concern, not only in the Oxford University and its campus, but across the globe.
Dr. Zakir Naik will inshallah. Join a host of internationally famous speakers, including current Prime Minister David Cameron,
former British Prime Minister's Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher, and Winston Churchill, US presidents Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter, scientist Albert Einstein, and famous personalities like Malcolm X, the Dalai Lama, Prince George, and Mother Teresa, and film stars, including Clint Eastwood vs. Brosnan, Stephen Fry, and popstar Michael Jackson, who have address the Oxford Union in areas of their concern.
This dialogue and debate is going to be a very free and open affair
and will inshallah be telecast live moment to moment across the globe? over pstv and pstv ooredoo. May I request
the technical people to go ahead to Mr. James Langman, president of the Oxford Union
to take over and coordinate and conduct the proceedings of this historic debate of the Oxford Union. The address by Dr. Zakir Naik on the topic, Islam and the 21st century. Tonight's we continue to society's proud tradition of inviting and hosting some of the world's leading figures to address us. We exist as a society to promote debate and the discussion of ideas. And tonight is no exception. I urge all of you here this evening to make full use of the question and answer session. That will happen later on tonight.
With that said, I now ask you to join with me in welcoming Dr. Zakir Naik to address the society
Alhamdulillah wa salatu salam ala rasulillah Allah Allah vasavi admin
ministry Tanya regime, Miss Miller of minor him yeah you
en la Schumacher ba Isla de feu de la jolla Coco in the La La Mancha be rubbish Elisa de mycelium Li y la la Sani. Yes, Coco Lee,
honorable mr. president of the Oxford Union.
Mr. James Lachman, the Honorable member of Oxford Union, the respected elders and measurables and sisters. I welcome all of you with the Islamic greetings. Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullah wa barakato. May peace, mercy and blessings of Allah subhanho wa Taala. of Almighty God be on all of you. It's an honor, and a great pleasure for me to address this historic Oxford Union.
And I would like to thank the Oxford Union, especially its president,
Mr. James Langman, for making this event possible.
The topic of my talk today is Islam and the 21st
century.
Islam comes from the root word salam, which means peace. It's also derived from the Arabic word film, which means to submit your will to Almighty God. Islam in short means peace acquired by submitting to Almighty God. And any person who submits the will to Almighty God is called as a Muslim.
Many people are misconception that Islam is a new religion, which came into existence 14 years ago. And Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him is the founder of this religion.
In fact, Islam is there since time immemorial, since man set foot on this earth. And Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him is not the founder of this religion, but he is the last and final messenger of Almighty God.
The religion of Islam is based on the teachings of the Glorious Qur'an which came into existence 14 years back.
Is it possible that today, the humanity at large in this 21st century can gain guidance? how life should be led from a book which is 14 years old?
But natural? The answer obviously is no. If this book is written by human being, but the Glorious Quran is the last and final revelation of Almighty God, which was revealed to the last and final messenger, Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.
The Glorious Quran is the proclamation to humanity. It is the fountain of mercy and wisdom. It's a guide to the error. It's a warning to the heedless. It's an assurance to those in doubt. It's astonish to the suffering and it is an ode to those in despair. The Glorious Quran is the last and final revelation of Almighty God, which was revealed to the last and final messenger, Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him for any book to claim that it is a word of God. For any book to prove that it is the revelation from Almighty God, it should stand the test of time.
Previously, in the olden days, it was the age of miracles. The Glorious Quran, is the miracle of miracles. Later on, came the age of literature and poetry, Muslim and non Muslim Arabic scholars alike, they claim the Glorious Quran to be the best Arabic literature available on the face of the earth. But today, if a religious book, in a very politic fashion says, The world is flat,
a lot more than men believe in it. But naturally, the answer is no, because today is not the age of literature and poetry. Today is the age of science and technology. So let us analyze with this gorgeous Koran is compatible or incompatible with modern science.
According to Albert Einstein, the famous physicist and the Nobel Prize winner, who I am told also addressed this historic Oxford Union. He said, science without religion is lame.
And religion without science is blind.
Let me remind you, the Glorious Quran is not a book of science, Sc IENZ. But it's a book of signs. s i g. Ns is a book of IRS. It's a book of verses. And the Glorious Quran has more than 6000 signs 6000 6000 verses out of which more than 1000 speak about science.
As far as my talk today is concerned, I will only be speaking about scientific facts. I will not be speaking about scientific hypotheses and theories, which all of us know many a time. These theories that hypothesis the U turns
in the field of astronomy,
a few decades earlier, in the 1970s, there were a group of scientists who described how the universe came into existence, for which they got the Nobel Prize. This they called as the Big Bang. And the scientists said that initially, our universe was one primary nebula. Then there was a secondary separation, there was a big bang, which gave rise to galaxies, the stars, the planets, the sun, as well as the earth on which we live. This they called as the Big Bang. This what the scientists discovered about 40 years back is mentioned in the Quran 1400 years ago in Saudi Arabia, chapter number 21 was the mortality rate says
do not unbeliever see an evil or the cancer from the heavens and the earth would
join together and recover them asunder.
This big bang with the scientists discovered recently is mentioned in the Quran 1400 years ago.
Previously, the human being we thought that the world was flat.
It was in 1577 when Francis Drake sailed around the Earth, that he first time proved that the earth on which we live, it is spherical in shape.
The Quran mentions 1400 years ago in Salinas yet, chapter number 79 was the machete what are the brothers alikat ha ha. and thereafter, we have made the earth actually one of the meaning of the heart is an expanse and the earth is an expanse. The other meaning is derived from the Arabic word which means an A. And today we know the earth is not completely round like a ball, it is starting from the pole, it is geo spherical in shape. And if we analyze the Arabic word the Ha ha, doesn't refer to a normal leg. It specifically refers to the egg of an ostrich, and if we analyze the egg of an ostrich is to geosphere clean ship. Imagine the Glorious Quran 1400 years ago says that the earth
is spherical in shape. Previously, we thought that the light of the moon was its own light.
Recently, we have come to know that the light of the moon is not its own light, but it is a reflected and borrowed light. The Quran says in Surah Furqan chapter number 25 was the 61 bliss It is he who has placed the constellation in the sky and place the Heron sun, a lamp having its own light and Moon having borrowed or reflected light. So the Quran describes the moon light as borrowed or reflected, which we came to know recently in science. Recently, science 50 years back 100 years back 200 years back.
Whenever I was in school, I passed my school in 1982. But 29 years back, there I had learned in science that the sun don't revolve it does not rotate about its own axis. But the Quran mentions in Saudi Arabia, chapter number 21 was the metatheory who will nezzie colletta level one. It is he who has created the night and the day, where shumsa will come around the sun in the moon. He has balloon, each one traveling in orbit with its own motion. The Quran says the sun and the moon. Besides evolving, it also rotates about Cisco Nexus. And today, recently, a few decades earlier, science has come to know that the sun rotates and takes about 25 days to complete one rotation which
has been incorporated in most of the school textbooks throughout the world.
There may be certain skeptics will say it's nothing great that the Quran speaks about astronomy. Since the atoms were advanced in the field of astronomy.
I do agree that the Arabs were advanced in the field of astronomy would like to remind them that the atoms became advanced in the field of astronomy a few 100 years after the Quran was revealed. So it is from the Quran that the Arabs learned about astronomy and not the vice versa.
In the field of hydrology,
we learn in the school about what the cycle
how the water evaporates from the ocean formed into clouds more than the interior falls down as rain and the water bill is polished. This was first described by Sir Bernard palissy in the year 1500 at the Quran to describes the water cycle in great detail put in 100 years ago. The Quran says thought evaporates from the ocean forms into clouds, the clouds Join the movement to the interior, they fall down as rain and the water table is replenished and the cycle is completed. The Quran speaks about the water cycle in great detail in several places. In Azuma chapter number 39. was number 21. Is the room chapter number 30. was number 24. In chapter number 23 was the 18. So, chapter number 15. was
number 22. In three new chapter number 24, was number 43. Instead of chapter number seven was 257. Is rod chapter 13. was number 17. Instead of full concept number 25, worse than 48 and 49 and so forth in chapter 35 was the main in three is in chapter number 36 was number 34. In sorry, Joshua Chapter 45 was number five in Soraka. Number 50 was the maiden name in Slovakia chapter number 56 was number 68 to 70. In surah. Chapter 16 was completed in chapter six verse number 11. I can go on and on giving references only in the Quran of the several verses, which speak about what cycle in great detail.
In the field of Oceanography.
There's a verse in the Quran in surah Furqan chapter number 25 worse than 52 he says that he has led to war
flowing water, one sweet and palatable and the other salty and bitter dough they meet, they're not mix, there is a barrier which is forbidden to be trespassed. Previously via human means knew that the two types of water sweet and salty, but the commentary of the Quran could not understand what does God Almighty mean by saying that these two waters when they meet, they do not mix and there is a barrier which is for me to be trespassed. Today, after science advanced they have come to know that whenever one type of water flows into the other type of water, it loses its constituents and gets marginalized into the water it flows. This today science calls as the transitional homogenizing
area which the Quran refers to as bad as a as a barrier. And this can be seen in K point, the southernmost tip of South Africa. And when we see even the color of the water between these two types of water differs. And Professor here, a very famous osteologist. He said that this information came to the human knowledge recently. This book the Quran is difficult to explain how does it mentioned 14 years ago
in the field of biology,
the Quran says in Saudi Arabia, chapter number 21 was the mentality that we have created every living thing from water, we do not even believe imagine in the deserts of Arabia. The Quran says every living thing is made from water who could have believed in it? today after samsa advanced we have come to know that every living being it contains cells, and the basic substance of cell in the cytoplasm, which contains the brain keep us in water. Today, science tells us that every living creature contains 50 to 90% water.
In the field of botany, previously, we did not know that even the plants have got sexes male and female.
The Quran says in chapter 20, verse 53, that it is he who settled on water from the sky and with it brings diverse pairs of plants each separate from the other, that'd be quite as much meaning pair, saying that the plants have got sexes, male and female
in the field of zoology,
the Quran says in Surah anom chapter number six was committed yet
it is he who has made every animal that walks on the earth, and every bird that flies in the air to live in communities like the human beings. Today, science agrees that even the animals and the birds live in communities like the human beings, which was not known earlier.
The Quran speaks about the lifestyle of the B in certain health. Chapter number 16 was the 1669 the Quran speaks about the lifestyle of the spider.
Instead of uncouth chap number 29 Muslim 41 the Quran speaks about the lifestyle and the communication of ants in a normal chap number 27 was number 17 and 18.
In the field of medicine, the Quran says in Surah chapter 16, verse 68, and 69 that from the belly of the bee, we give you a drink of varying colors in which there is healing for mankind. It is recently we have come to know that the honey that we have is obtained from the belly of the bee and today science agrees that there are mild antiseptic properties in honey and it is even a healing for mankind.
In the field of physiology, the Quran describes the blood circulation and the production of milk in a nutshell, insert in hell. Chapter 16 verse number 66 600 years after the Quran was revealed in interface, he made it known to the world about the production of milk and blood circulation 400 years later, that is 1000 years after the Quran was revealed. William Harvey, he made it famous to the Western world.
We hear about William Harvey, but we hardly hear about the name of nafees who 400 years before William Harvey spoke about the blood circulation and the production of milk.
In the field of immunology, the Quran describes the various embryology stages of the human development in great detail in sorry, mommy noon, chapter number 23 verse number 12 to 14, it says that you mean we will not far then we made it into an Electra America is a man that human beings are created from a minute quantity of fluid, then it made it into alaka. That's a leech like substance, then made it into a chewed like lump. Then made into bones. They included the bone with flesh, when this was was short, in the early part of the 1980s to Dr. Keith Mo, who at that time happened to be the highest authority in the field of an autoimmune embryology. He was the head of the
apartment in the University of Toronto. He said that the description of the Quran is far superior to what modern embryology described today instead of page 123. And he said that it's not possible that any human being can mention these things in the Quran. This Quran has to be the word from Almighty God, and He has no objection in accepting Prophet Muhammad as the messenger of Almighty God.
Time does not permit me to speak a lot about science, either given my example which is mentioned in the Quran. The Quran mentions in Surah, chapter number 75, verse number three and for that when the unbelievers say that how will Almighty God be able to reconstruct our bones? After we are dead? We are buried, our bones have been disintegrated on the Day of Judgment, how will Almighty God be able to reconstruct our bones? Almighty God replies in the Quran says, tell them Almighty God can not only reconstruct the bones, he can even reconstruct in perfect order. the very tip of the fingers. What does Quran mean by saying, God cannot only reconstruct the bones, he can even reconstruct in
perfect order the very tip of the fingers, it was in 1880. That's the Francis gold, he discovered the fingerprinting method. And he said that no two fingerprints even in millions of people identical. And today, this fingerprinting method is used by the police, Brian defy the criminal. It's used by CIA, by FBI by the police worldwide. This Quran mentions 1400 years ago.
Francis Bacon, a very famous philosopher, he said, literally knowledge of science makes a person an atheist, but in depth knowledge of science makes a person a believer in God. That is the reason today, scientists are not eliminating God. They're eliminating models of God, La ilaha illAllah there is no God but Allah.
I started my talk by quoting a verse from sois Quran from surat chapter number 49. Was the Medina received? Yeah, you heard NASA in Atlanta, comienza Penman savage Allah.
Allah direful. In necromunda Riot Kaku in the La La Mancha be with me means all humankind, we have created you from a single pair of male and female, and have divided you into nations and tribes so that you shall recognize each other not that you shall despise each other. And the most honor in the sight of Almighty God is the person who has power, the criteria for judgment in the sight of Almighty God. It's not sex. It's not color. It's not wealth. It's not age, but it is taqwa It is God consciousness, its piety, it is righteousness. The only way one human being can be superior to the other human being is by righteousness, and by piety, and no other criteria.
Quran says in the room, chapter number 30, was number 22. Amongst the signs He has created the heavens and the earth, and the variation in your languages and color. These are assigned for the people who understand the Quran says he has created the different variation in the color and the languages so that those are knowledgeable people they will know it's assigned from Almighty God. This speaks about the universal brotherhood, that Almighty God has created all the human beings from a common pair of human beings, Adam and Eve May peace be upon them.
And Almighty God says in Surah Surah chapter number 17 was number 7170. Adam, and we have honored the children of Adam Almighty God says in the Quran, that all the children of Adam, irrespective whether the black or white, male or female, whether the born in UK or India or USA, whichever part of the world they belong to Almighty God has honored all the children of Adam, all the human beings.
And Islam does not only speak about universal without it practically demonstrates that every Muslim who follow the religion of Islam should practically practice it minimum five times in the day. I'm talking about one of the pillars of Islam, that is Salah, which is the prayer and a beloved Prophet, Muhammad peace be upon him said that when you stand for prayer, you should stand shoulder to shoulder irrespective of whether the person standing next to you is black or white, rich or poor, King apapa. When you stand for prayer, you have to stand shoulder to shoulder This demonstrates the universal bed out every day, minimum five times a day.
And another example is Hutch, which is one of the pillars of Islam, that every rich person who has the means and who has the health to travel to Makkah for the
image should at least do it once in his lifetime. And Hutch is the biggest annual gathering in the world where about three to 4 million people from different parts of the world, from USA, from Canada from UK from India, from Malaysia, from different parts of the world. They gathered together in one place in mcminn arafat and they are dressed in two pieces of unsold cloth, which is right in color. You cannot identify the person standing next to you is king or Papa and all of them come on a common statement, love bake allama bake your via oh my lord, here we are at your service. Islam particularly demonstrates universal bid on
many religions believe that humankind has been created from a single pair of Adam and Eve. May peace be upon them both. But there are some religions who put the blame only on Eve for the downfall of humanity for the origin sin.
But if you read the Quran, the blame for distributing Almighty God is equally put on both Adam and Eve May peace be upon him. The Quran says in Surah chapter seven, verse number 1927. Adam and Eve peace be upon them. They are both addressed more than a dozen times.
Both of them, they disobeyed God. Both of them repented and both were forgiven. The blame is equally put on both of them. There is not a single verse in the Quran, which puts the blame only on If, however, there's one was in the Quran in Surah Taha chapter 20 verse 121, which says, and fingers out Adam peace be upon him and says, he disobeyed God.
But on the holy free in the Quran, the blame is equally put on both of them.
There are some religions who because they say that woman is the cause of the downfall of humanity, which some doesn't agree. Some religions say because of that, God punished her. And pregnancy is a curse and punishment of God on the woman.
But in Islam, Pregnancy uplift the woman. The Quran says in Surah Nisa, chapter four verse number one, respect the womb that
the Quran says in Surah Look, man, chapter number 31 verse number 14, we have enjoined on the human beings to be kind to the parents in travail upon table did the motherboard them and in years when was the meaning. The Quran repeated the message in chapter number 46 was number 15. We have enjoined on the human being to be good to the parents in pain, the mother obey them and in pain, he gave them birth. So pregnancy uplifts the woman does not degrade her.
And our beloved Prophet said it's mentioned in say body, say body one of the collection of authentic sayings of the last and final messenger Prophet Muhammad peace be upon its mission, say Bukhari volume number eight. In the book of manners, chapter number two, added number two, a man approached the prophet and asked him that who deserves the maximum companionship and love in this world, Prophet said, Your mother, the man asked after the two, the prophet defeated your mother. The man asked after the two. Again the Prophet said your mother, the man asked for the fourth time after the two, then the Prophet said your father. That means 75% three foot of the companionship goes to the
mother 25% one foot goes to the Father. In short, the mother gets the gold medal, she gets the silver medal, as well as the bronze medal, the father has to be satisfied with a meal consolation prize.
These are the teachings of Islam which we have to agree.
And if we analyze Islam,
gave economic rights to women 1300 years before the Western world
1400 years ago, Islam gave right to any adult Muslim woman to own or disown the property without the permission of anyone else. The first time the Western world gave right for a woman to own. His own property was in 1870s, under the married woman property Act, which said that a married woman adult can own or disown the property without the permission of the husband. And this act was later revised.
Islam gave economic rights to men 1300 years before the Western world.
And in Islam, we did not agree with the word housewife, which is used in English language, because we don't consider the woman to be married to the house to be called a housewife. We prefer calling her as homemaker, the person who makes the home the person who builds the home.
Do we see that there are many misconceptions
and many people think that men and women in Islam are not equal. In fact, in Islam, men and women are equal. But equality does not mean inequality.
The equal, but they are not identical, depending upon the physiological makeup, their psychological makeup, their biological makeup, they have different roles. Overall, men and women are equal. In some aspects, the woman, she may have a degree of advantage. In some aspects, the men may have a degree of advantage.
Let me give an example. If the two students in a class student A and B, both of them, they come out first, in examination, what get 80 out of 100? When we analyze the answer sheet, that 10 questions, which have 10 answers, each getting 10 marks
in answer to question number one, so then a gets nine out of 10. So, then B gets nine out of 10. In answers to question number two, two, then B gets nine out of 10. And then a he gets out of 10. In all the remaining eight answers, both get eight out of 10 if we add up both at auto funded equal, but in answer number one, the student has a degree of advantage. And answer number two shouldn't be at the degree of advantage. In the other aspects, both equal and older also the equal in the same way men and women in Islam are equal. In some aspects. The men have a degree of advantage in some aspects I know many of you have advantage. For example, if a robber if a thief enters my house, I
will not say I believe in woman liberalization. I have not asked my wife or my daughter to go and fight. Since God has given me more strength, it is my duty to fight. As the Quran says in Surah Nisa, chapter four verse 34, that God has given most tend to men, it is his duty to protect the woman. So in strength, the men have a degree of advantage. And the other example I gave earlier, that where companionship of the children is concerned for the parents, the woman have three times more companionship as compared to men, the mother has three times more companionship as compared to father. So you're, the woman have a degree advantage. So as I said earlier, men and women in Islam
are equal. In some aspects, the woman have a degree advantage in some aspect, the men advantage.
The foundation
of the religion of Islam is the belief in one and only sole creator and sustainer and this creator and sustainer, Almighty God is the same for all the human beings. Only if you agree that our Creator sustainer and cherisher. One God is the same, then only can bear the hood be maintained in all religions. And this is the basis of all the religions.
Religion, according to Oxford Dictionary means a belief in a superhuman controlling power, a personal god or gods that deserve worship and obedience. So according to Oxford Dictionary, religion means belief in God. If you understand God, you understand that religion in the right perspective. Quran says in Soleil embrun, chapter three verse number 64 tala Villa Kalimantan Sawa in benavente, come to common terms as pitting us and you, which is the first term
Allah Illallah, that you worship, none but one Almighty God. So the Quran says, Let the people of different religions come to common terms what is different, we can discuss tomorrow, let us agree to follow what is coming. And one thing common in all the religion is to believe and worship only one God.
To understand any religion, or to understand the concept of God in a religion, it is not appropriate to try and observe the followers of that religion. Because many a time the followers themselves may not be aware about the religion, or the concept of the God and religion.
The best and the most authentic way of understanding and religion or understanding the concept of God and religion is to try and understand what the authentic scriptures of that religion have to speak about God.
Let's try to understand the concept of God in the major religions in a nutshell.
Firstly, I understand the concept of God in Hinduism.
The two major and most authentic scriptures in the region of Hinduism are the Vedas and the Punisher is mentioned that handle your Punisher chapter number six, section number two was number one, it come to God is only one without a second. This is the Sanskrit condition. It's mentioned in this without a thorough Punisher. Chapter number six was the main not just a passage gentileza de bas of that God. He has got no parents. He has got no Lord. He has got no father. He has got no mother. He has got no superior.
It's mentioned
In the city centre of punishment, tip number four was the main team, as well as the jury with chapter number two was number three, not difficulty masti of that God, there is no prathima. But Thema is a Sanskrit word which means an image of photograph, a painting, a picture, a sculpture, a statue and idle. It says of that God, there is no image, there is no picture, there is no painting, there is no portrait, there is no statue, there is no idol, there is no sculpture
and the Brahma sutra of Hinduism, the fundamental creator of Hinduism is a Braham dynasty, Nana nasty engine, but one aka Deuteronomy Hey mahina here rabine there's only one God not a second one. Not at all, not at all, not in the least bit. So if you read the Hindu scriptures, you will understand the concept of God in Hinduism and understand Hinduism in the right perspective.
Let's discuss the concept of God in Judaism. As mentioned the Old Testament in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter number six was number four, Moses peace be upon him says Shama is
your Israel, the Lord of God is One Lord. expansion, the book of Isaiah, chapter number 43, was number 11. I,
I am Lord, and there is no savior besides me. It's mentioned the book of Isaiah, chapter number 45, verse number five, I am Lord and there is none as there's no God besides me. It's mentioned in the book of Isaiah, chapter 46 was the mind, I am God, and there's none as I am God, and there's men like me. It further mentioned the Book of Exodus chapter number 20, was the three to five, as well as in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter number five, verse number 79.
Almighty God says, Thou shall have no other God besides me, Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image of anything of any likeness, in the heaven above, in the earth beneath in the water beneath the earth, Thou shall not burden to them, not serve them. For God, dialogue is a jealous God. So if you read the Old Testament, you should understand the concept of God in Judaism and understand Judaism in the right perspective.
Before we discuss the concept of God in Christianity, I would like to clarify a few points. Islam is the only non Christian faith which makes it an article of faith to believe in Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, no Muslim is a Muslim. If he does not believe in Jesus Christ, peace be upon him. We believe that he was one of the mightiest messengers, Almighty God. We believe he was the Messiah transcended Christ. We believe that he was born miraculously without any male intervention, which many modern day Christianity did not believe. We believe that he gave life to the dead with God's permission. We believe he is those born blind lepers with God's permission, the Christians and the
Muslims. We are going to get them on ask, then where is the parting of ways? The Parting of ways is that many Christians believe are most of the Christians believe that Jesus Christ peace be upon him, he claimed divinity, they believe that he was Almighty God. In fact, if you read the Bible, there is not a single unequivocal statement. There is not a single unambiguous statement.
In the complete Bible, where Jesus Christ peace be upon him himself says that I am God always worship me. In fact, if read the Bible, it's mentioned the gospel of john, chapter number 14, was the 20th, Jesus Christ peace be upon who said, My father is greater than I, gospel of john chapter number 10, was the midbrain and my father is greater than all Gospel of Matthew chapter number 12, verse 28, I cast out devils with the Spirit of God, Gospel of Luke chapter 11, verse number 25, with the finger of God cast out devils gospel of john, chapter number five was the mortality I can also do nothing. Either you're a judge, and my judgment is just for I think, not my will, but will of my
Father, anyone who says I seek not my will but the will of Almighty God either Muslim? As I mentioned, Muslim means a person who submits the will to God and Jesus guys, peace be upon him said not my will, but the will of Almighty God. So in Arabic we see Muslim therefore we say Jesus Christ, peace be upon him was one of the mightiest messengers Almighty God. And He further clarified in the Gospel of john, chapter number 14 was number 24. He said that the words that you heard are not mine, but my father's were sent me. It's mentioned the gospel of john chapter 17 verse number three, Jesus guys peace be upon him said, This is life eternal, so that you may know one true God and Jesus
Christ whom thou assent.
It's clearly mentioned the book of Acts, chapter number two was number 22. It says, even if Israel listen to this, Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God amongst you, by wonders and miracles and signs which God did by
him and your witness to it, a man approved of God amongst you, by wonders and miracles and signs which God did by manual administered, and man Jesus Christ peace be upon him as asked that which is the first of the commandments he repeated verbatim what was said by Moses peace be upon him earlier, especially in the Gospel of Mark, chapter number 12. Muslims, Jesus Christ peace be upon him said Shama is a low and a high, not naked, which means your Israel, the Lord, our God is One Lord. So if you read the Bible, you should understand the concept of God and Christianity and understand Christianity in the right perspective.
Let's discuss the concept of God in Islam. The best reply that any Muslim can give you regarding the concept of God in Islam is good to you for a class that is step number 112 was number one to four received good whoa Allah, say his Allah one only. Allah Subhan Allah, the absolute eternal, love the little umbrella he gets not noise because well, I'm your local finance that nothing like him. This is a full length definition of Almighty God, any person faith so and so candidate is God if he passes these four tests, we Muslims have got no objection in accepting as called. The first is say he's one in only the second is, he should be absolutely turn the third he bigots not noisy forgotten
And fourth, that nothing like anything in this world.
This is a four line definition of Almighty God, which we call as the litmus test for theology. It is the touchstone of theology.
And further the Quran says in Surah Nam chapter number 608, that reviled not abused not those gods who they worship besides Allah left in the ignorant, they will revise they will abuse Allah subhanaw taala Quran prohibits any Muslim from speaking bad from reviling from abusing those who other people worship God besides Allah, left in the ignorant, they will abuse Allah.
To understand the concept of God in Islam, you have to read the Quran.
Today, unfortunately, Islam is the most misunderstood religion in the world.
The religion which has the maximum misconception in the world today, it is Islam.
And one of the reasons for these misconceptions about this religion,
I would say it is the media.
Today we find in the international media, there is virulent propaganda regarding Islam, we find in the international newspapers in the international magazine on the radio broadcast stations on the internet satellite channels on the internet, there is virulent propaganda regarding Islam.
And the most misunderstood word regarding Islam. It is the word jihad. It is not only misunderstood by the Muslims, because of the media, it's also misunderstood by the non Muslims. Today, most of the people whether they're Muslim or non Muslim, they think that any war fought by any Muslim for any reason, whether it be for personal gain, whether it be for name, whether it be for fame, whether it be for honor, whether it be for land, any war fought by any Muslim is called as jihad. Jihad does not mean any war fought by any Muslim for any reason. Jihad comes from the Arabic word Shahada, which means to strive, which means to struggle. In the Islamic context. Jihad means to strive and
struggle against one's own evil inclination.
Jihad also means to strive and struggle to make the society better. Jihad also means to strive and struggle against oppression. Jihad also means to strive and struggle in self defense. So Jihad basically means to strive and struggle.
For example, if a student is typing, struggling to pass in the examination, anatomy will say you're doing jihad.
Jihad basically means to strive and struggle. Today, most of the orientalist they translate the word Jihad as holy war.
If you translate holy war into Arabic, it is harmonica and this word herbal maka Dasa appears nowhere in the Quran, nowhere in anything of the Prophet masala Salah.
This word Holy Word, if you go back into history was first used for the Crusades. In the Crusaders, they force people to accept the religion of Christianity by force. And unfortunately today, it is used for the Muslim men Islam.
Quran mentioned explicitly in
chapter number five was gonna tattoo if anyone
kills any of the human being, unless it be for murder, or for spreading corruption in the land. It is as though he has killed the whole of humanity.
The Quran says, if any human being kills any other innocent human being, whether Muslim or non Muslim, it is as though he has killed the whole of humanity. And there was continued, if anyone faith and human being whether Muslim or non Muslim, it is as though he has saved the whole of humanity.
I think student of comparative religion, I have not come across any verse in any scripture besides the Quran, which is so explicit against terrorism, against killing innocent human beings, it failed that if any human being kills any other human being who's innocent, whether Muslim or non Muslim, it is as though you have killed the whole of humanity. And I have not come across any words in any other scripture, any other scripture besides the Quran, which promotes the prevention of terrorism and it says, if any human being fails any human life, whether Muslim or non Muslim, it is as though you have saved the whole of humankind.
Islam condemns all forms of terrorism, Islam condemns the killing of any innocent human being, irrespective of caste, color, creed, irrespective of which nationality belongs to irrespective of which religion belongs to
Islam, and I do condemn all forms of terrorism.
I also condemn the 911,
which took place on 11th of September 2001, the Twin Tower bombing in New York, where few 1000 people were killed. I condemn the seven seven seventh of July 2005.
London bombing by more than 15,000 people were killed. I also condemned the serial train bomb blast that took place in Bombay on the 11th of July 2016, where more than 180,000 people who are killed also condemn the Gujarat massacre, the riots which were poorly planned, which took place in Gujarat, in India, where innocent few 1000 Muslims are killed. I condemn all sorts of terrorism, where innocent human beings are killed, irrespective whether they're Muslim or non Muslim. And whatever acts of terrorism,
which takes the life of innocent human being is to be condemned, including suicide bombing. Now we have recently in the past few decades,
that a person goes, he puts up a bomb, grows in a marketplace, goes in a tube station on the road. And he brought himself up and with him, takes several other human lives. This act is not tolerable in any religion, especially Islam. suicide bombing, innocent human beings are killed, is totally private in Islam.
Unfortunately, to Islam is a religion, which condemns all sorts of terrorism or acts of terror that took place in the past, which is even taking place in this 21st century. Even though it condemns unfortunately, today, the media portrays Islam as a religion, which promotes terrorism.
Every community has its black sheep. And I'm also aware that there are black sheep in the Muslim community.
What does the media do? The media picks up the black sheep of the Muslim community and they portray as though the exemplary Muslims.
Because of this today, we find that
most of the people think that Islam promotes terrorism, if you read the Quran, if you read the things of the Prophet, Islam, amongst all the religions is that the foremost in condemning the killing of innocent human beings and one such prey of the media
of the media tactics
was myself.
Eight months back
in the fourth week of June 2010, I was supposed to give a series of talk in UK
supposed to give a talk in the Wembley Arena in Wembley, London in LG arena NDC Birmingham, as well as Sheffield Arena in Sheffield. All these venues had a capacity of 10 to 15,000 people and the the prestigious venues.
Just three weeks before my lecture tour. There was an article which came in one of the leading newspaper that Sunday Times, Sunday Times it gave an article, Muslim preacher of hate, let into Britain. And this article, it gives portions of my speeches which were either quoted out of context, or they're misquoted and it portrayed me as a preacher of fate, a person who promotes terrorism
and the next couple of days, the same article
was picked up rehashed and reprinted in many of the newspapers of UK, not only newspapers of UK, but newspapers internationally, including the newspapers of India.
Unfortunately, these articles inspired
the Home Security of UK Theresa May, to pass an exclusion order on the 16th of June 2010.
After reading these articles, and hearing some clips from the YouTube, which again, is out of context,
and they were portions, which were manipulated, based on these YouTube clips, and a media report, the Home Secretary of UK on 16th of June 2010, she passed an exclusion order against me. And the next day 17th of June, the deputy High Commission of Britain in Bombay. On the 17th of June, they revoked and canceled my visa, I had a valid five years multiple entry visa to UK, which was issued on the 15th of July 2008, valid till 15th of July 2013. I've been coming to gifts in the past 20 years, I've come several times. And for lecture to other several times, I had a valid multiple entry five years visa which had come twice before in 2008 2009, which was cancelled without giving me a
fair hearing. I think this is an attack on freedom of expression, as well as human rights.
Charles Farr,
who is the Director General of the Office of security and counterterrorism, he was not in favor of this exclusion order. And he wanted me to reach out to those Muslims, who he felt the government could not reach.
But the Home Secretary, ignoring the advice of her senior more security adviser, she went ahead with the exclusion order. And later on a few weeks later, she even suspended one of the advisors and the Charles Farr, who supported me.
I personally have more faith in the judicial system. And other than the political system of my country, India, as well as the country of UK.
We did a judicial review
and took it to the High Court, though the Home Secretary said I have no right to file in the human rights because I'm a non UK citizen. Justice Kasdan said, and he reviewed it. And he said that he can file a case. And he passed the judgment, and said that the first three decisions of the Home Secretary on 16th of June 17 of June, and the 27th of June, all three of unlawful. But however, later on in the month of August 2010. When they give additional information, he said that this is lawful, which is not logical.
I have faith in the judicial system, we have filed for an appeal against the last didn't have the High Court and a full faith that inshallah very shortly, this exclusion order would be reversed by the court of appeal.
I hope in future, and we have the chance to meet the Home Secretary Theresa May, personally and explain to her the peaceful message of Islam and remove any misconceptions about Islam or any of my lecture that she may have. I would have personally preferred to come personally in the Oxford Union and give this talk and have a lively question session rather than the satellite.
Last month,
I had gone to France, I was in Paris.
We had a board meeting of our trust, Islamic foundation International, which is based in UK as well as universal broadcast limited because they could not come to UK I call the board members to Paris. And I was shocked. Normally, the world feels that France is more strict against Islam than UK. But when I applied for visa, I got it within one hour.
And we had the board meeting there or prefer having a new kid. But because of the exclusion order which I feel the Court of Appeal very shortly we'll reverse it and do the world may think
that because of the exclusion order. It is an attack on freedom of expression. But I would like to thank Oxford Union, that even though an exclusion order has been passed on me yet they permitted this debate of this lecture for the question answer session. I would like to thank the Oxford Union, especially the President, Mr. James Langman for being bold and agreeing to have this lecture
The Oxford Union may or may not agree with my speech.
They may like my talk, I may not like my talk, what I appreciate is that they are really people who promote freedom of expression. I would like to conclude my speech by giving a message.
Beef is the only solution for the problems of humanity.
Many nations, many countries have armies
that were military, network Navy, they've got Air Force. Some countries have weapons of mass destruction, some have nuclear weapons, believe me, all these are not the solution for the problems of humanity. The only solution according to me, for the problems of humanity is peace.
There may be differences, there are differences in culture, there are differences in languages, there are differences in color, the difference of society, irrespective of the differences, one common factor amongst all human beings of the world is that all want peace of mind. To me, peace is the only solution for the problems of humanity.
I started the studying of my talk. Islam is derived from the Arabic word salam, which means peace.
And this word Salaam, is mentioned in the Quran, no less than 43 times and along with its derivatives. It's mentioned no less than 143 times salam, peace is mentioned in the Quran. No less than 143 times.
And I start my talk by greeting all of you as salaam alaikum, which means beef be on all of you. The Quran says in Surah Yaseen, chapter number 36 was done. 58 that piece is a salutation from the Lord Who is the most merciful.
One of the attributes of Almighty God is a Salaam, the source of peace. Quran says in Surah chapter 59, verse number 23. It refers to Allah Almighty God as a salam, the source of peace.
Quran says ceramizer chapter five, verse number 16, that Almighty God guides those people who come towards him towards peace and safety and take them out of darkness into light. That is the reason every chapter of the Glorious Qur'an there are 114 chapters in the Quran. every chapter except nine starts the beautiful formula Bismillah R Rahman Rahim In the name of Allah, Almighty God, the Most Merciful, the Most Gracious.
According to me, beef is the only solution for humanity. And I am a person who spreads peace. My mission is to spread peace. And as many may be aware
that I started a global peace TV network about five years before in January 2006.
In January 2006,
I launched the peace TV in English, two and a half years later in 2008. Peace to do and inshallah in the next couple of months, in April 2011. We will launch the pitch TV Bangla. Today, pitch TV English is the largest washed Islamic satellite channel in the world. It has a viewership of more than 100 million, out of which more than 25% are non Muslim. Even if I'm able to convince one human being, irrespective whether they're Muslim or non Muslim, and prevent him from killing one innocent human being, I feel out of save the whole of humankind.
Peace is the only solution. My message is only of peace. My mission is to spread peace. I would like to end my talk with the condition of Dr. Adam Pearson, that Adam Pearson said. people worry that one day nuclear weaponry will fall in the hands of the atoms. They fail to realize that the Islamic bomb, the bomb of peace has already been dropped. It felt the day Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him respond.
Okay, ladies and gentlemen, I will now like to ask some of you signal your intention to ask questions to Dr. Knight. The way in which we're going to do this is if you will signal your intention to me. We will then try and go up to the microphone on the podium in groups of five.
Please stand at the podium deliver your question and wait at the podium until you have received your answer. Then return to your seat. So the first five Can I get scottburgh spela. Please don't start off with those three queueing signals.
You're in touch in
an add to the queue, have they come down?
Dog tonight? Thank you very much for your talk. The question I have is you profess to be a man of peace. You've spoken very eloquently about the idea of peace in Islam. Peace is listed in front of your microphone, as you stand there. And I agree with you in many senses. The My question is why then is your message still seen as so controversial? Why are there figures within the Islamic world why their fellow Islamic clerics who see your message and still believe that you're wrong? Why you've claimed that the Home Secretary has banned you from this country because of sort of media conspiracy? But why is that a broader sense of discontent with your message? But that's a very good
question. That why if I'm a man of peace, and I speak about peace, some people are against me, some Muslims or non Muslims are home security, but they have to understand that any person who's popular, there are bound to be people are against him, irrespective whether the popular person is doing good work or bad work. And the best example I can give you that today. According to Michael H. Hart, he wrote a book saying the 100 Most Influential People in the World History, though is a Christian, he put number one most influential human being as Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.
Today Do you know though Muslims consider him to be the most important and the most influential person in history, there are many non Muslims within the same, but today we analyze the maximum books written against any human being on the face of the earth. It is Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.
The second person he named it is this for Isaac Newton, but because he not a common man for common human being, he's a scientist. The third person on his list was Jesus Christ, peace be upon him. If we analyze today, the second person in human history who has maximum books against him, it is Jesus Christ, peace be upon him. Based on this argument, do you have to agree that Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and Prophet Jesus peace be upon him, they were not good. What we have to realize when a person gets popular, there are bound to be people against him. And according to the home department of UK, when I come in the year 2009, I was informed by lab resources that according to the home
department of UK, the most popular Islamic satellite channel in the world is peace TV, and the most watched Islamic satellite channel indicators of Miss TV. Not only is it watched by Muslims, but even watched by non Muslims. The same report said that the most popular Islamic speaker in the world is Dr. Zakir Naik. And the most popular Islamic speaker in UK is also Dr. Nine that there is in the home department was requesting me that can I reach out to those Muslims, which the UK government cannot, but not because of the change of government, what I feel it was more of a political move, rather than a legal move. And as maybe they wanted someone popular so that they could pass the
message that we are tough against Muslims. And that the reason what we feel that we have more faith in the judicial system, rather than the political system, I think it was mainly because of popularity, it was mainly a political move, rather than a legal move and inshallah God willing, we feel that this exclusion order would be reversed by the court of appeal, hopefully,
millions per lay was my name. I'm a lawyer, a historian and also a theologian.
You gave a very excellent exposition of the Quran and Islam.
But Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all Abrahamic faiths.
A Jew could have said the same thing, or this almost the same things, if you said by quoting the Quran, sorry, it's called accordingly, the Torah and the Talmud, accretion could have said almost everything you said, by quoting both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
And
I do not know whether we should be trying to say one religion is superior or more truthful than another. And you do go down that line. What does that lead to? That's what led to the crusades, etc. thing you mentioned about Justice and Peace Corps. The Christian Bible mentions more than more verses about justice and peace than they are about the Holy Spirit. And of course, Christians were pacifists until 313 when So,
What is the difference between what you are saying, and Judaism and Christianity? And what would that lead to? But after a good question, and I do agree with him, that if you read the books of Judaism, the books of Christianity, you will find verses of peace. Never in my lecture ever did I say that any religion is against peace, or any religion is in favor of terrorism. I always said, All religions are against terrorism. What I made one statement in my speech, that the verse of the Quran Chapter five, verse number 32, this was, which is for emphatic, I do not find a similar verse in any other scripture because I'm a student of comparative religion, saying that if you kill one innocent
human being, it is as though you have killed the whole of humanity. And if you save one innocent human being, it is as though you have saved the whole of humanity. It was only one verse so that generally, I do agree that most of the religions almost all they speak about peace. That's the reason Jesus Christ peace be upon him. If you read the Gospel of Luke, chapter number 24, was 36. When he goes to the upper room, he says, when he witches, apostles mmamoloko which means theme, peace be upon you in Hebrew. So the greetings of Jesus Christ peace be upon him to when he met the people was Salam Alaikum, which meant same in Arabic Assalamualaikum May peace be on you, regarding
you think that one diligence superior to the other religion, I believe Almighty God sent only one religion, he has not sent different religions. what the Quran says he has made human beings into different tribes, different colors, different languages, so that they may recognize each other not they may despise each other, the only religion that God has sent to all these messengers, whether it be Moses, whether it be Jesus peace be upon him, Moses, peace be upon him, Muhammad peace bill, but it was to submit the will to Almighty God, I believe all these messengers, right from Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, peace be upon them all, all of them bought the same message that believe in
one God and worship Him alone, and only him and submit your will, to that Almighty God. Hope that answers the question.
Grace in dark, like, my name is USB. I'm the secretary here at the Oxford Union. I have a short question to ask.
You talk about the hijab being something that serves to protect women. Surely, it's extremely patronizing and degrading to prevent a woman from making that decision for herself. How can you answer that?
What's your question, sister? I said in your speech, she talked about the hijab being something that serves to protect a woman. But how is it not extremely patronizing and degrading and not allowing the woman to make that decision herself? Does that pose a very good question, that when I say that hijab is required for human, isn't it not degrading for the woman to patronize it? Isn't it degrading? If you read the Quran, the Quran and Islam has prescribed hijab that means the woman should be covered, the only part that can be seen or the face and handle up to the wrist. This is for the modesty and it is not only mentioned in the Quran, it is also mentioned in the Bible. If you
read the Bible, in the First Timothy, chapter number two was the mind it says that women should be dressed up the same fixedness the shoe desktop is so variety and should not wear braided hair, or cold OPERS. It further mentioned the first Corinthians chapter number 11, verses five to six. The woman that does not cover a head, then she does honors the head. A head should be shaved off. Anyway, I don't agree with this. I'm just quoting you from the Bible. Same if you go to the Vedas it says that the woman should cover the head. So all the religious scriptures they talk about the woman covering their head, it is for modesty, it is not to degrade the woman. And if we analyze those
allegation made against me, saying that Dr. Zakir Naik says that if they don't wear hijab, you know, that if you wear Western clothes, there are chances that women will rape it is a misquote ation again. What I said that if women were revealing clothes, they have more chances of being raped what I was doing the same newspaper Sunday time we spoke against me one year before on the march of ninth 2009 Sunday Times guide and article in Britain, one out of seven feel that the woman poor, a sexy revealing clothes should be hit. I'm sorry, I don't agree with it. This is the statistics that was given in the Sunday Times on the ninth of March 2009. That in Britain, one out of seven Britishers
believed that the woman who were revealing in sexy clothes should be it. I disagree with this. Furthermore, one more article
came in 2005. In the same newspaper Sunday Times, it said that 26% of the Britishers they feel that wearing revealing clothes is partially or totally responsible for the rape. So what I say that the more modest in your desktop, you are expected more. So Islam has prescribed the modest hijab for the woman not to degrade, but to uplift her. I do agree there may be cultural differences. Islam cannot force anyone to be adopted. There are cultural differences. For example, are you an example that some societies what they feel that even looking at a woman is a modest? some societies feel looking no problem. But touching a woman is a modest sum of the societies feels shaking and is no problem.
Some societies feel kissing, no problem. Some society feel doing anything as long as both agree is no problem. different societies. And different cultures have got different rules and regulations. When I went to America, while I was giving a talk, one of the American told me, You Eastern woman, you're modest, have a shot. I said, Why do you call the eastern woman immodest, he told me, You Eastern woman, you expose your belly.
So in America and western country, exposing belly is a modesty. In India, exposing belly is not a modesty wearing shorts is a modesty. So whatever your sister, there's different culture, the different system, Islam cannot force anyone to adopt. It's clearly mentioned the Quran in surah baqarah. Chapter number two was no 256 lycra 15 there is no compulsion in religion. But if some woman want to add up the hijab, because they feel modest, and they feel respected. I feel no other woman should disagree. And when I've been to UK, I've seen hundreds and 1000s of women who to cover their hair, and who feel that they are uplifted because of this modesty.
Good evening.
My name is Dr. Ramsey from Oxford
ambassador for universal peace Federation,
and one of the member of the Muslim Council of Britain.
I'd like to say you're doing an excellent job. God bless you.
Now, my question,
in your opinion, is Islamophobia a real phenomenon?
And if so, how do you suggest it can be tackled?
Does the responsibility lie with the Muslim community? Or should Western society be doing more to breach a decent barrier of fear? I'm talking about the fear. All phobias are fear, fear of unknown. Thank you.
Very good question that is Islamophobia a real phenomena? How should it be tackled? Is it the responsibility of the Muslim community to do it? Yes, there is Islamophobia, especially in this 21st century. And as I mentioned in my speech, I believe one of the major reasons for this Islamophobia is the media. And I said in my speech, that the media spreads several misconceptions about this religion of Islam. I do agree, it is the duty of as Muslims that we should spread the two teachings of Islam. I am aware that there are black sheep in the Muslim community. I'm not saying all Muslims are 100% pious all are good. There are black sheep in every community, including Muslims. What does
the media do? They pick up the black sheep of the Muslim community and the portrayal in the media as though they are exemplary Muslims. What we have to do is we have to portray the right teachings of Quran and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. And if any Muslim is involved in doing acts, which are against Islam, which acts of terrorism, killing of innocent human beings, it is the duty of as Muslims that we should tell such people it is haram. There are some people who are being misguided. And they have been brainwashed into saying that killing innocent human beings is part of Islam, you will get reward. It's our duty as the mainstream Muslims to try and convey the
right message of Islam and prevent such Muslims from being misguided. that's point number one. Point number two. It's our duty to tell the government of the country
We are living, that Islam is a peaceful religion. And what I believe that Muslims should be part of the solution, they should not be part of the problem. The government should not think that Muslims are part of the problem, they should think Muslims are part of the solution. And then the advice I've been given to the police of India, and the police of Bombay, and I interact with the police force very often, and it tells them that you should take the Muslims in confidence.
And the best is to have an interaction. I have addressed many police officers from very different countries. And we should try and have a question answer session and remove the misconceptions in their minds and prove to them that Islam is one of the most tolerant religions, it's a peaceful religion. And if you know the teaching of Islam, surely, the least person that you'd have to fear is a true Muslim. I'm not talking about the black sheep of the Muslim community.
Tonight, I'm Yasmin, I'm a student at the University. And my question is sort of related to the last question. And you talked about you wanted to come to the UK, because you wanted to reach out to Muslims, who you felt that the government were not able to reach out to? And I wondered why, in your opinion, you felt that the government were failing in this way to reach out to Muslims in Britain?
Because the question that I wanted to come to UK to reach out to those Muslims, who the government could not reach out to the site confusion, I said, Charles far, the director general of the Office of security and counterterrorism, felt that I could reach out to those Muslims who the government could not reach out to, he felt that not me. And I think, again, because the information was the home department has, that piece TV is the most popular Islamic satellite channel in UK, watched by the Muslims as well as the non Muslims. And the most popular speaker, according to them department, according to me, according home department is not as nice. So I repeated what he thought that I
could reach better. Maybe he thinks that my speeches have influence. And he may have read my speeches in context, that the reason he was not in favor of the Home Secretary, that he passed the exclusion order.
Do you think that he has a point? Do you think that
in some sense the government are failing to reach out to Muslims? And if you ask my opinion, that do I agree with the thoughts of Charles far that the government is failing? Yes, I do agree with him. I do agree, because as I said in my earlier answer, that the government should not think that Muslims are part of the problem, the government should think that Muslims are part of the solution. Because a Muslim, there are many Muslims who are British citizens. And it is a duty of every Muslim to follow all the laws of the country staying in as long as the law does not force him to do something which is primary in the religion or prevents him from doing something we just compare religion.
As far as India is concerned, I do not know of any rule or any law in the Constitution, which forces a Muslim in India to do something which is prohibited, neither does it prevent me from doing something which is compulsory. So I am a practicing Muslim, and I'm proud to be an Indian, I'm proud to be an Indian Muslim. Similarly, there are many Britishers, who I feel may be feeling the same, they may be Muslims, and they may be following the laws of the country. So the British Muslims, so I feel that the government should take in confidence. And what they should do that they should see to it, that this maligning by the media should stop. And the best example, best example in myself. I
mean, there are many, there are 100 million views of pitch TV. And there are millions of people who tell that I am the ambassador for peace. They say I'm a peaceful person. There are many heads of states of several foreign countries, many, they have called me at the state guests. So do you mean to say all these heads of states of several countries, the President, the Prime Minister, the king, the shake, they meet me there? Do you mean to say that meeting a person who is promoting terrorism, a person who spreads hate? So what I'm saying that this is all again, manipulated by the media, so the government should not fall prey to the media and take any decision, essentially, what they
should do, they should give a chance for the person to clarify. And then I'm sure that most of the misconceptions will be removed. And I'm sure that the UK would be a more people continue to live in hope that's the question
before this evening, due to the limitation of the satellite
Link. However, I would ask you now to join with me in thanking Dr. Knight for his speech, and pass it back to peace TV to finish the evening. And with that, ladies and gentlemen, I remain James Simon, and your President. Thank you.
I would like to thank the Oxford Union, especially the president of the Oxford Union, with the D lineman for making this event possible, and nearly appreciate
with the way they invited me for this talk. And at least now, the people of UK can really see a live telecast, that I am a person who gives the message of peace. In a live telecast, there is no editing, there is no manipulation, you can have more faith in these live telecast, rather than clipping some YouTube, which can be manipulated. I would like to thank the members of the Oxford Union once again, and I hope very shortly once the exclusion orders reversed. I would like to personally come to the Oxford Union and meet the members of the Oxford Union. Thank you very much.