Free Qurans Offered Outside Library
Muslim group hands out literature and discusses Islam at Rancho Santa Margarita Public Library.
Photos
You couldn't miss it. In red and yellow letters draped over a table outside the entrance to the Rancho Santa Margarita Public Library was an eye-popping offer: "Free Quran."
It is the Muslim bible, and the people behind the effort seemed a bit out of place. Had they been selling Girl Scout cookies, or promoting Little League signups, no one would have raised an eyebrow. But the offer of literature from the Islamic Circle of North America—pamphlets as well as the Quran—made the Thursday scene unique.
Mohammad Mazhar is part of ICNA's Why Islam program. Other arms of the organization offer American relief and international help. His goal on Thursday—and again today from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.—is to share an explanation of Islam. If he can dispel even one stereotype along the way, he said, it was a successful day at the office.
He and Orange County colleague Raihana—she wouldn't provide her last name—said setting up a table outside a library makes perfect sense. They weren't there to approach people, but to instead respond to anyone who sought answers or information.
Mazhar said it's the first time the organization has been to Rancho Santa Margarita. They have set up in shopping centers in Mission Viejo, and have had booths at the Irvine Spectrum and Fashion Island.
"We are looking for the readers," Raihana said. "We've been in the malls, but when you're in the mall, people are interested in shopping. At the library people are interested in reading, are more intellectual."
Mazhar said the reaction Thursday at the library was good, and over six hours they gave away "eight or nine" copies of the Quran.
"There's a lot of misinformation about the Quran," he said. "People mix up the culture of a country and Islam, which is a religion. ... They hear it from the media, which doesn't always tell the truth.
"Most people are well-educated and they want to know what Islam is, especially the youth. They're open-minded and want to know. They can pick up a pamphlet and ask questions."
The pamphlets on display covered a number of subjects, including the relationship of Muslims to Christians and Jews, human rights, status of women, the afterlife, worship and one titled "What does Islam say about terrorism?"
Included in the latter: "Often, the religion of Islam is held responsible for the acts of a fringe minority among Muslims."
Mazhar said he and Raihana talked to about 15 people who approached them, and that a primary interest was understanding Islam and clarifying what it is.
"We just give the message of Islam," Mazhar said, "we don't talk politics."
ICNA sought permission to go to the libraries, but learned that it wasn't necessary. They have a legal right to be on the premises, which was explained to them by Paula Bruce, assistant librarian for the Orange County Public Library system.
"I've asked them to let me know where they're going to be and when so that I can make the staff aware that they have a legal right to be there," Bruce said. "So far, they have complied."
In addition to Rancho Santa Margarita, ICNA has been to four other libraries in the OC Public Library system, according to Bruce, as well as others outside the system. She has yet to hear of an incident.
Inside the RSM branch, librarian Sheila Stone said she hadn't heard of any complaints about ICNA's presence outside the front entry.
"Their goal in doing the tabling is to provide educational material to the public about Islam, and we do periodically get organizations that are interested in tabling in front of the library," Bruce said. "Any public place, they have the right to be as long as they're not interfering with the flow of traffic or accosting people. No one is obligated to take the literature.
"Some people are curious and find it interesting, but there have been no real complaints."
Anita Drink
12:37 pm on Friday, January 6, 2012
I'd love a free copy - to spit upon then set afire!
Mariam Allam
11:46 am on Saturday, January 7, 2012
Your a pathetic and sad addition to society. A waste of sperm and egg. Someone oughta spit on you . Your a disgrace to society and your as ignorant as it gets. PATHETIC HUMAN WASTE .
Chris McLaughlin
4:32 pm on Sunday, January 8, 2012
Oh, I get it, 'I need a drink'...
Martin, what's the Patch policy on posting hateful comments towards a competing religion again?? It's okay, as long as it's from a pseudonym??
http://news.de.msn.com/politik/bilder.aspx?cp-documentid=155123984&page=3
Martin Henderson
5:14 pm on Sunday, January 8, 2012
Chris, I'd probably have to defer to someone higher up the food chain as to whether or not it violates the terms of service. Technically, I'm not sure that it does. A pseudonym doesn't make it any more palatable. I am extremely impressed that you found "Anita's" photo elsewhere on the web; probably safe to deduce that this photo is not really her.
I'd like Anita Drink to answer a question, though: What do you find so offensive about submitting to God (whoever or whatever it may be) and living in peace with others? No one here is condoning terrorist activities (including the people I interviewed for this story), but all Muslims are not terrorists, and all Christians aren't members of the KKK.
So, please, answer the question.
Janet Whitcomb
2:48 pm on Friday, January 6, 2012
As someone who appreciates the message of the brilliantly designed "co-exist" bumper sticker, I think this is a very positive (and brave) thing for these folks to be doing.
Karen
4:04 pm on Friday, January 6, 2012
There are different religions of the world there is nothing wrong with opening your mind and learning about them, even if you disagree.
Aurore
12:19 am on Saturday, January 7, 2012
The Bible says we are not to judge others or we too shall be judge.
aida
7:37 am on Saturday, January 7, 2012
Quran Islam Jesus Mohmmad Moses Ibrahim Noah Adam Jonah Issac Ismail Mary peace upon them all. The most important I believe in the one god who created me and I obey his commands and follow the teaching of his choices messengers. I dont associate with god any other his has no sons or daughters and he is the master of the universe we dont have idols to kneel to or pray too we dont. It is just worshiping One God. I dont understand what the confusion is you are created and he you worship the one that created you. so the next time you see a moslem person you should thank them they are reminding you that you are meant to only worship one god as the first commandment states you shall not worship with god any other. thank you I would like to hear your feedback or questions I would love to try to help as many people as I can really just love the creator of the universe. askadi@msn.com
barstow2needles
12:26 pm on Saturday, January 7, 2012
I had a chance to see a similar booth at the Heritage Park library recently and was very impressed with the kindness and informative person behind the booth. The literature about Islam was very informative. We need more people like these to help promote diversity and dispel the false accusations.
RSM Dad
1:11 pm on Saturday, January 7, 2012
I'm surprised RSM councilman Jesse Petrilla wasn't picketing them. We all know how much he hates muslims.I hear he is even speaking on the subject soon down in Mission Viejo.
Chris McLaughlin
2:45 pm on Saturday, January 7, 2012
He's probably out fundraising. It is a Summer Olympics year, after all...
Plus, I'm not sure he's a real resident of RSM. I think he might be more of a 'maintains a residence' kind of a resident.
jwebber
2:03 pm on Saturday, January 7, 2012
For someone who would leave his or her precious family/weekend time to go out and set up a table simply to be available to you in-person so that you may make a more informed opinion for the sake of harmony in our society needs to be commended. I commend the organizers and the volunteers for this effort.
Chris McLaughlin
4:09 pm on Saturday, January 7, 2012
I want one. A Quran, that is. I heard it has 5 separate books, and is still in the original Arabic, so it doesn't have the translations/versions problem the Bible does.
I'm wondering how much of the Old Testament is contained in it, and whether any violence is prescribed, and I'd rather read the actual scripture than rely on any filters.
I could use one of those Coexist bumper stickers, too...
Chris McLaughlin
12:46 am on Monday, January 9, 2012
Seriously, if most of 'Anita's' comments don't reach an unacceptable level of:
is threatening, harassing or that promotes racism, bigotry, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual;
Then what does??
Anita Drink
12:05 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012
The quran tells muslims to kill Infidels. I am considered an Infidel, therefore my comment makes sense.
laud
7:46 am on Friday, January 13, 2012
That is not right. Infidal term has a chrichean sourse, not a muslim sourse
Janet Whitcomb
2:31 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012
Since you're already familiar with the Quran, Ms. Drink, the rest of us look forward to your post providing us with the chapter(s) and verse(s)—or page or pages—in which Muslim readers are told to kill infidels. And if you're citing pages, please be sure to name the edition(s).
Also, it might be interesting for those knowledgeable with texts from other religious faiths to cite any references also calling for violence.
In all cases, of course, please mention the context in which every call to violence is given.
laud
10:49 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
Same is true with all the OUT OF CONTEXT verses. Few websites which create hatred against Islam have these kind of misleading information and people copy from those sites without any knowledge and create more hatred against Islam.
Peaceful
8:48 pm on Saturday, January 14, 2012
Holy Qur'an mentions Jews and Christians as the People of the Book who recognize the God of Abraham as the one and only God, as do Muslims.
There are many statements in the Qur'an that promotes respect and tolerance towards People of The Book. For example:
Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in God and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve .( 2:62 )
a party of the people of the Scripture stand for the right, they recite the Verses of God during the hours of the night, prostrating themselves in prayer. They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin good and forbid evil ; and they hasten in (all) good works; and they are among the righteous. And whatever good they do, nothing will be rejected of them; for God knows well those who are God fearing. (3:113-115)
Throughout Islamic history, Muslims have, Muslims showed a great deal of tolerance towards non-Muslims. The term infidel was used by Christians to describe non-Christians. Actually historically crusaders used against Muslims.
Peaceful
12:04 pm on Sunday, January 15, 2012
The Quran speaks well of the relationship it has with former books the Torah and the Gospel and attributes their similarities to their unique origin and saying all of them have been revealed by the one God.
“It is He Who sent down to thee, in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong)”. Qur’an 3:3
The Quran recounts stories of many of the people and events recounted in Jewish and Christian sacred books Jesus (peace be upon him) is mentioned in the Quran as prophets of God. In fact, Moses (peace be upon him) is mentioned more in the Quran than any other individual. Jesus (peace be upon him) is mentioned more often in the Quran than Muhammad (peace be upon him); while Mary (peace be upon her) is mentioned in the Quran more than the New Testament. Common elements or resemblances between the Bible and other Jewish and Christian writings and Quran is due to their common divine source..
Above all 113 chapters start with: In the Name of God, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. And though out in Holy Quran attributes of God Al Mighty are mentioned. Then who will in right mind will be disrespectful to Holy Scripture but only the ignorant, unjust and evil one.