Crosstalk: May 8, 2018

Usama Dakdok is the president of the Straightway of Grace Ministry and speaker on the daily radio program, 'Revealing the Truth About Islam'.  He has translated the Quran into English and has also authored, 'Exposing the Truth about the Quran'.

Jim began this broadcast by presenting details concerning two news stories from late last week:

A woman was charged with slashing 2 passengers and the driver of a transit authority bus. While handcuffed and being read her rights, she apologized and said she hoped that Allah would forgive her. She began praying to Allah in the police cruiser but refused to break her concentration to speak with officers.

Next was the account of a man accused of shooting, stabbing and beating his girlfriend, 9 year old daughter and 8 year old son, killing all but the boy. As deputies arrived the house was set on fire. As the man was placed in a patrol car he shouted, 'Allahu Akbar!'

In spite of incidents like these, today and tomorrow the 4th annual National Muslim Advocacy Days is taking place on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, hosted by the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations. This group is comprised of national and local Muslim organizations. It connects such organizations and community members with their elected representatives in Congress to promote Islam. One of their targeted issues is to fight what they call a Muslim ban by President Donald Trump.

Then there's the tie-in with the various 'Council of Churches' organizations around the nation along with interfaith groups that are placing yard signs on personal property and church lawns. The signs proclaim, 'Blessed Ramadan'.

What should you know about Ramadan, the third of seven pillars of Islam? What should we make of churches that claim to love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul, yet also wish Muslims a blessed Ramadan? Who are some of the denominations supporting Muslims in this way? Does the Quran allow Muslims to ask for social justice? Get the answers to these and other related questions when you review this edition of Crosstalk.