Islamic State’s actions dishonor the tenets and teachings of Islam

Opinion: August 28, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

The so-called “Islamic State” of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) angers me. My mind aches thinking of all those people who turn on the news and see all the evils ISIS has done, defaming the name and religion of Islam. From threatening countless religious and ethnic minorities to convert, die, or pay a fine to destroying churches and bombing holy sites such as the tomb of Prophet Jonah, I cannot believe it is all being done in the name of Islam.

As a Muslim who deeply loves the Quran, I wonder if the members of ISIS have ever picked one up. Why? Their sins to humanity are explicitly opposite Quranic teachings.

Do they not read, “There is no compulsion in religion” (2:257)? Do they not understand that “For you your religion, and for me my religion” (109:7), which allows others to practice freely? These are only two of many examples which clearly oppose ISIS’s ways.

Labeeb Ahmad, North Canton

Ahmad is a member of the Muslim Writers Guild.

Fox News’ coverage fails to meet the ‘Fair and Balanced’ standard

Don’t you just love Fox News’ famous slogan “Fair and Balanced”? I call it reporting Republican propaganda. The bunch of what I consider liars that Fox has on its payroll like Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly and Chris Wallace wouldn’t stand a chance on any other news network.

If you listen to this bunch, they would have you believe that President Obama is a communist Muslim who was born in Kenya and that he is trying to make a monarchy out of the U.S., plus he is anti business and doesn’t have a birth certificate.

Fox News reports all this good stuff but have you ever heard them praise the president for anything?

Fox News has its group of so-called heroes, people like George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, etc. Everyone that they bow down to are the same ones who put this great country where it is today. George W. and 9/11, G.W. and Katrina, G.W. and Dick and their two unconstitutional wars, G. W. creating the largest deficit ever after he inherited a huge surplus. You would think that Fox News would have reported these inadequacies and condemn Bush’s administration on its “Fair and Balanced” network.

The tea party Republicans and Fox News are in cahoots and if you’re a black man who just happens to be president and wants to help the elderly, veterans, the middle class, women and minorities, then they are going to be relentless in their task to bring you down. The problem with that is President Obama is smarter than all of them put together. What happened in 2008 and 2012, “Fair and Balanced” Fox News? Even with all of the lies and garbage you spread, the American people still knew what you people are like and did the right thing.

See you in 2016 with Hillary.

Bud McKelvey, Hermitage