The Holy Qur'an and The Golden Dawn

I couldn't write articles about different religions within The Golden Dawn and not also mention Islamic teachings as according to Wikipedia, Bradford has the largest number of Muslims outside London.

Islam arguably has had a 'bad press' from a number of western countries, most notably the USA when recently, Florida Pastor Terry Jones wanted to have a 'Quran burning day', before it was put a stop to.

Unfortunately, to many westerners Islam is seen as a religion recently associated with terrorists and the subjugation of women, because that is what is often put forward on the television news and in the papers about Afghanistan, the burka controversy and the 9/11 and 7/7 incidents.

It can be difficult therefore, for a non Muslim to understand why some (but not all)
Muslim women cover themselves up and wear long coats and head scarves and it can be equally difficult for some Muslims to understand why western women do not cover themselves up in such a way.

I bought a copy of the Quran, translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, which is supposed to be the most authentic English translation and spent several days reading it. This was because I had acquired a necklace with the letters 'AALA' on it. Out of curiosity I googled the letters 'AALA' and it went on from there, so then I wanted to actually own a copy of the Quran myself, to make my own mind up.

What I discovered, was not the kind of thing you read in the papers or see on the news. I think, from a personal point of view, that the differences that people actually see between Eastern and Western origins are mainly cultural and traditional more than actually religious. For there are many ways to interpret the Quran and many ways for the Quran to fit in to the indigenous Western lifestyle as well as in to the more traditional indigenous Eastern one. For example, a woman of western origins may interpret the command to dress modestly completely differently from the idea of modesty in the east but this would still be modest to them and their culture. The Quran gives an example of a woman falling from donkey and the need to be covered to preserve her modesty.

Ramadan, the month of fasting has just ended, but again how a person would interpret Ramadan and how they should behave is up to them and their interpretation of the Quran For example it is a time when help should be given to the poor or the old or those 'needing alms' according to the Quran How many people carry this command out | wonder? I checked out all the sunrise and sunset times and saw that they differed depending on what part of the country you were in.

Anyway, the Quran is well worth a read, even for members of The Golden Dawn. It is a loving and gentle book and absolutely nothing at all like I have ever seen it portrayed anywhere ever or by anybody. The Quran is written in Surahs and is about
some very common sense but often very misinterpreted teachings. To Allah, Peace be Upon Him.