Is Jihad Justifiable today?

In the current political climate, with the war going on in Afghanistan, political instability in the middle East, and multiple insurgencies against occupation and oppression on-going throughout the Muslim world, what is the correct response to this for Muslims who affirm belief in the Quran?

Does Islam command a blindly violent approach, or does it command passivity? Are there only two options? Is the Quranic concept of Jihad the reason for the suffering and predicament of the Muslim world, as some western critics have claimed, or is it Western materialist foreign policy? Is there another explanation altogether?

Representing the Muslim perspective was Sami Zaatari: Sami has written hundreds of articles defending Islam

He is a member of the Muslim Dawah Initiative its formed of members from the Muslim community with experience in public speaking, apologetics, polemics, research and community work.

He runs the website www.muslim-responses.com

He is currently studying literature in London and is working on a book on Jesus’ crucifixion.

Representing the Christian side was Mr. Alan Craig, Mr Craig is the leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance party and a councillor in the London Borough of Newham for Canning Town South.

Craig is on the Council of the Movement for Christian Democracy, the Canning Town Partnership Board and the Council for Racial Equality in Newham.

He is known for his campaign against the East London Markaaz ‘Olympics Mega-Mosque’.

The Topic of Debate: Islam or Christianity: Which One Provides Comprehensive Solutions for the British Society?

Sami Zaatari

vs.

Alan Craig

(Abrar House Hall, London, UK 26th October 2009

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