"What Are My Religion? I Feel Shame on My Self because am a Muslim"

One has to assume that, Hakim Haider, the author of this article, is expressing genuine sentiment and that Gatestone has verified his credentials. That being taken as so, it has to be said that the author has to be a very brave man indeed, and certainly is risking being a marked man for the plethora of muddle headed, brainwashed, extremist factions of Islam who one can but hope represent a mere minority, albeit a highly dangerous one, within the general remit of that factional regime which all to often purports to be responding to its God's will. That being said, it is my personal view that the expressions and influences of Islamic extremism are far more widespread than many realise and, indeed, to which our august governments are prepared to admit.

And Secularists in the US, for example, know the thing in this article very well.
They give the impression that they are for universal peace -- it's more accurate
to say they are using Islam to facilitate their political purposes, which includes
establishing a one world government.
Islam is also a convenient tool to directly undermine the well established
Judeo-Christian identity. Why? Because Christianity and Judaism are diametrically
opposite Islam and political liberalism. Even now, the present administration in America
has removed Christianity from the face of the land; yet, they insist they are Christians.
Islam has a loser mentality, and in the absence of a theological discussion to refute the
viability of Judeo-Christianity; by default -- kill everyone.

Why I left islam and now help others who are doing the same:
https://news.vice.com/article/why-i-left-islam-and-now-help-others-who-are-doing-the-same

This is wonderful to read that someone has realised that an ideology is not the correct view. I feel happy to read this person is liberated from the prison of Islam and can follow their own path. I also am reminded that it is Islam, which is an ideology, that is the problem and not Muslims. As soon as a person lets go of their ideology then they become a human being. Ideologies, of whatever belief, are the root problem for humanity. Communism was one, no borders is another ...

Trump notwithstanding, I would be honored to sponsor Hakim Haider to be a US citizen. It is only through brave men like Hakim that there is any chance of peace in this world.

The author's personal morality is offended by Islamic doctrine & practice so that he feels shame on account of his affiliation with it.

His questions are the sort which most children learn not to propound. His persistence is indicative of an inner strength that may yet prevail.

To discover why Islam is what it is, study the prophet. Begin with "The Sealed Nectar" and follow up with Ibn Sa'd. If the answer is not clear yet, turn to the sira of Ishaq & Ibn kathir. Failing that, turn to "Islam's Mercenary Mission".

Hakim needs to perform Hijra & Apostasy. We need to discover how to help the entire Ummah share his sense of shame and wise up.

usually, when i read about islam in the news, i am filled with rage at western "leaders" who are allowing islam to spread widely. it is doubtful that they are so stupid that they have never cracked the holy literature of islam to discover the evil hidden in plain sight within, so their motives are likely evil, and this is what enrages me.

but i am also a born-again christian, called to reach the world for God and share His love with all. reading hakim's article brought tears to my eyes. hakim is a human being who sees the evil, and does not want to participate in it, but if he ever speaks his mind where a pious muslim can hear him, he will die. most of the world's muslims are *not* jihadis; they are like hakim, and are trying through islam to get closer to God. from what i have read, most prayers (and sermons?) in mosques are in arabic, which is not the native language of most muslims; the quran, the ahadith, and the sirat are also usually available only in arabic (although i imagine the internet is changing that). consequently, these muslims don't really have a chance to learn of the evil in their religion.

the bottom line is that there are 1.6 billion people who live under the thumb of islam. they don't have a choice about speaking out or trying to reform their religion, because it will likely cost them their very lives. muslims are suffering, and the huge number who intend no evil are in danger. we in the west need to remember that near-term goal should be to make *all* humans safe, including non-pious muslims.

i pray that God protect and reach the hearts of muslims across the world.

A very insightful construct with a real thought inducing perspective. Thanks for the presentation of this article and the honest focus it imparts. Islam has always been a "mixed bag" of structure and ideology for me in grasping its full potential in spiritual formation of both culture and person. This item has expanded my understanding and I'm the better for it....far from embracing it, I'm more calmly equipt in letting it live along side me. Gatestone did well in fostering this excellent educational stance of the Islamic reality/peoples.

Hakim, I will pray for you every day of the week.

He's absolutely right & has the courage to say so. That is why Muhammad was not a prophet, he was a warlord. To teach killing is wrong. That is what Muhammad did.

Of course this is the religion of peace, which is what most western leaders are brainwashing us with.

Salafism/Wahhabism teaches to kill all who object to its tenets. Salafism/Wahhabism is centered in Sa'udiya, promoted and abetted and funded by the Sa'udi family that rules the peninsula's largest country.
It is high time a viable competitor emerge to the Sa'udi Wahhabism. I am suggesting strongly that the Hashemite family now ruling Jordan but formerly of 'Hejjaz, the northwestern sector of today's Sa'udiya, proclaim a new, more humane, more modern version of Islam, much less violent and far more open minded. The Hashemite family has authority since it is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
By adopting this policy Jordan would take leadership in the anti-Daesh alliance, and generate much good will among moderate Muslims both in the West and in the Muslim world. Not all Muslims are bloodthirsty, far from it, but they need leadership.

Thank you for your honesty and willingness to publicly state your views. A large percentage of people see this same thing but are condemned and criticized for saying it. We are quickly attacked and given some non sense label, islamophobe, xenophobe or because I'm a Christian, I am called a Bible thumper or Jesus freak. Which by the way is actually a compliment in my mind as this would seem to indicate I am doing something correctly. In the Christian bible, Jesus warns us that we will be hated by the world and suffer persecutions for speaking truthfully G_ds word. For the the world and the god of this world, Satan, hates G_d and those that follow Him. Recent world events and mindsets repeatedly prove this out time and again.

For Mr Haider to express his views and concerns is vital to overcoming this blind hatred, as it is coming from a Muslim and can't be perceived as some racist, Christian islamophobe. Which by the way I am not, there is no fear in telling the truth. You have my prayers Mr Haider, that your heart will know the answers for the questions you raise and for your personal safety and security. By speaking out publicly you have undoubtedly exposed yourself to death threats and hatred from those within the Muslim community who will have already decided that you are an apostate and deserving of death. Please be safe and know that as a Christian, I respect your courage and pray for you to be at peace and safe. And contrary to what you've been taught Jesus's love is for all men. Be blessed and and don't stop questioning the validity of any false doctrine in any belief system.

I wonder how many other Muslims question their teachings. Murder for different thought and beliefs is insanity. The only person who will agree with your beliefs 100% of the time is you.

Ideologies are the result of indoctrination and accepted programming of a person's mindset. Children are the most vulnerable for being taught the ways of how they are to view and react to others in the world around them. Additionally, indoctrination uses the system of rewards and punishments that are to be expected from those under the control of the administered ideology. The context of this article is exactly why Western societies can expect Muslim children who have been programmed to hate and kill others to continue. As they grow, they will always believe that it is their duty and obligation to hate and kill and will strive to strike terror in the hearts of those who do not believe as they do. The only way out is for the "programmed" individual to have insightful change of heart that evaluates and questions the ideology of hate that he/she has been commanded to follow. It must be replaced with a new mindset of compassion, love and acceptance of all people, even enemies, regardless of the difference in opinion. The peace that many in the world seek requires 100% cooperation. Thus, as long as people are programmed to hate others, peace will never be possible.

What a wonderful, simple, display of the major reason we all need to be concerned about Muslims, wherever they live. The simple truth is the clearest.
Slapping the "humanity" out of an individual is not teaching anything. It is not teaching at all! It is a lesson in the severity of the sectarianism that is destroying the Muslim faith and culture, itself, as well as attempting to destroy other cultures and their various faiths.
Bravo young student wherever you are. It is good to ask questions!!!

Dear Hakim Haider,

I am a Traditional Jew in Jerusalem, Israel.
My best friend is a Moslem, a direct descendant of Khaled Ibn alWalid. He is a good person, and does NOT agree with the Mullas you talk about. He has nothing to be ashamed of. Another friend, of the Shihabi family, is a direct descendant of the family of Mohamed, and he is a fine person too.
And a late friend, Sheikh Jamal from Jericho, was on the Waqf of Jerusalem, and a Sufi.

The Sufis in Islam are non-violent. I have attended Sufi Zikrs (Dhikrs), as a Jew with a kipa on my head. And the Ahmedi Moslems have nothing to be ashamed of, either.

If you understand that murdering others because they don't agree with your opinions or way of serving G-D, and you act on your beliefs, you will also have nothing to be ashamed of.

Islam can take its place with the other Abrahamic Religions, Judaism and Christianity, when more Moslems like you and the Sufis, Ahmedis, and other good people of the Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki and Shafi'i, become the majority and teach the others that their behavior will only bring shame and destruction on Moslems and Islam.

G-D Bless,
JB

Dear Hakim,
You are a very brave individual to make this statement and sure to get a lot of bad comments. Even though it is hard to do, stand tall, stand with self-respect and follow the truth. May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God Jacob, the God of Israel... may He give you the strength to turn from this evil religion you are entrapped in and find peace with Elohim. You too are a child of God. Shalom Shalom