Saudi Journalist and Childhood Friend of Osama bin Laden Criticizes Muslims for Misreading Koranic Verses to Justify Hatred of Christians and Jews

From MEMRI. At issue, as usual, is differing interpretations of the Koran.

Khaled Batarfi, who was once friends with Osama bin Laden when they were boys, insists that Bin Laden and all his followers and fellow-travelers are willfully ignoring parts of the Koran that speak of dealing "kindly and justly" even with outsiders (but not with those who are trying to drive Muslims out of a place). For example:

Allah says in Sura Albaqrah, Verses 191-193:

191. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.

192. But if they cease, Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful.

193. And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.

Fanatics would take the first half of the first sentence of the first verse, and ignore the rest. They would concentrate on the slay part and omit all the peace-seeking, mercy and forgiving commands. Allah strongly prohibits this practice as he says in the same sura: 84. Then is it only a part of the Book that ye believe in, and do ye reject the rest? But what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? And on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty.

Sorry, Mr. Batarfi, but you know perfectly well that everything hinges on what does, and what does not, constitute "fighting someone for one's faith" and "driving one out" and "oppression." Furthermore, you yourself ignore those parts of the Koran that dictate that the fighting must not stop until the whole world answers to Islam.

Is Mr. Barturfi lying deliberately? I don't know--though I do know that the Koran says that it's OK to lie to advance the faith. I also know that, when you add the Koran all together and resolve the contradictions by giving precedent to the most recently written parts--which the Koran itself says to do--you end up with a manifesto for world conquest. Neither Mr. Barturfi nor anyone else can allege anything in mitigation.