A question for Muslim and Islamic Scholars

It is claimed that Muhammad is the last and the greatest prophet, and the Quran is said by Muslims that it is the true inerrant word of God. My question is: why are so many Islamic countries, who live and have the benefits of Muhammad's teaching and the Quran barbaric, backward in several aspects, brutal (particularly to women), badly bureaucratic (with so much corruption, economic mismanagement, nepotism, fraud) and bad governed. So many Muslims seem to be proud of their religion but not proud of the way it is practised in Islamic states and majority Muslim lands. They are often eager to leave these lands for Western countries. One might argue it is mainly for economic reasons, but there are others because their own countries, under Islam, are a mess, mucked up. There is high unemployment and unstable working conditions (dreadful health and safety practices). Some would even admit the the criminal justice systems of Western civilization is far superior to what they have experienced in the Islamic world. Some are here as a result of Shia/Sunni tensions and troubles. Life is far preferable in England, USA and Canada because they have a much greater freedom from forms of persecution, and they can live a better life, a prosperous life, one with a much higher standard of living. The treatment of women is some Islamic countries is beyond the comprehension of Western women. FGM, oppressive dress codes, restrictions in movement and travel, driving and employment, status (being taught that women are inferior and of less value than men) and a whole host of difficulties results in women coming to the West and not wanting to return home to a miserable Islamic way of life. Now I know that not all Muslims agree with the restrictions and these regimes, but the track record of violence, jihadism etc. should be addressed. No mainstream Islamic school of the religion has to my knowledge ever condemned jihad, though Muslims may have condemned certain acts of terrorism. But the prevalance of Islamic terrorism or terrorism in the name of Islam needs to be addressed.

Making a difference

i was deeply moved by Matthew Syed's artcle in his Sunday Times column. in talking about his sister Rebecca, MS writes: whose talents were given wings by a guy from our church called Derek, who could see she was struggling in a complacent system, and who came around to give her free private lessons. He then saw her nail her GCSEs, A-levels, gain a medical degree from Oxford doing research and clinical work. Wow Derek you made a difference.

It’s a grim life under the Taliban

Life is brutish, bleak and miserable in Afghanistan today, especially if you are a woman with the terrible Taliban calling the shots. Seeing on hidden movie cameras the conditions of women and girls trying to be educated secretly in this backward, repressive country is pathetic but even worse are the neo natal hospital care experiences and midwifery provision in Afghanistan. Employment prospects, particularly for females, must be among the worst in the world. This is a prison state. In fact many prisons have better regimes. The future looks grim for many. The present reality is horrendously grim.

Law enforcement has let us down

We see today that the police and the criminal justice system have failed to protect the public from lawless Levy, serial rapist and murderer. His victims are already serving a life sentence of pain and grief. Levy's criminal record, his crimes and rate of offending will go down in history as an enormous failure, which cost lives. There must be a thorough forensic inquiry.

Jason Arday is now on his way

 Jason Arday has resigned from his Cambridge University post. He is now regarded as a woke joke, a figure of ridicule and contempt. Some see this academic farce as a nail in the coffin for diversity, equity and inclusion culture that has plagued HR, recruitment services and education. 

In a sense Jason Arday was a professor for he professed to have qualifications and experience that were evidently false. What a pseudo intellectual!

Infantino following the ways of Blatter?

 Questions are now being asked about Infantino’s management of FIFA.  Is he feathering his own nest? Is he now following in the footsteps of Sepp Blatter? Is Infantino  a money mad Swiss businessman and bureaucrat, a merchant banker? 

Sepp Blatter was accused of corruption and squirrelling away fast funds, doing dodgy deals.

Now the crucial question being posed is whether or not the current FIFA proposals will harm football ? Will FIFA under Infantino cause scorn and contempt bringing the beautiful game into disrepute? 

The game will live on. Many hope it will be without Infantino.

Freddie Sayer RIP

 It was good to see so many people at the graveside and then inside the Hornchurch Methodist church where Freddie worshipped, preached and shared his Christian faith. The church was so full that there was an overflow area in the hall. 

Freddie was respected for his vision for the Hornchurch Passion Play, his work in constructing the cross for the performances on the green by the Queen's Theatre. 

I remember him driving the van down the alleyway at the back of his house, near where I once lived, working into his seventies having lost his pension as the result of someone's wicked act of fraud and greed.

I remember Freddie's sincere commitment to biblical truth and his firm faith which he shared so willingly and winsomely.

I remember his fascinating accounts of working as a welder, even for Stanley Kubrick filming Full Metal Jacket on location in docklands before the Banks and financial services moved in.

Freddie was a lovely man , who with Jenty, moved hearts and minds in Hornchurch.