Don't Burn Bibles, Build Bridges
Sohail Husain
New Haven, CT

As a Muslim, I was perplexed to read that US officials in Afghanistan were prompted to burn several copies of a local translation of the Bible after rumors spread that US soldiers might proselytize Christianity by distributing them. Firstly, the Muslim holy book the Quran reveres the Bible as guidance from God. Secondly, the fact that there is a real fear of violence resulting from preaching Christianity in troubled Afghanistan bears sad testimony to the intolerant land of Kabul, but not to the Quran, which states, "There is no compulsion in matters of faith". Thirdly, the Prophet of Islam Muhammad during his lifetime 1500 years ago went so far as to advise his followers that to rebuild the churches of a certain Christian delegation would constitute an act of benevolence. Based on the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet, this Muslim keeps a Bible respectfully perched in his library, not for the burning, but for building common bridges of understanding.