Can hundreds of millions of Muslims worldwide relax? Evangelist minister Terry Jones changed his mind again at the last moment, and eventually did not burn copies of the Koran as part of the September 11 anniversary – an initiative that drew significant support here in Israel, if we judge by the talkbacks at least.

Those who don’t understand Islam, just like Minister Jones – who admitted that he did not even read the holy Muslim book – would claim that this religion is motivated by hate and radicalism, preaching for terror attacks. Yet such people are merely a puppet whose brain was washed by Islamophobic preaching, with the media playing a major role in this.

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The Koran, just like the Bible, can be interpreted in different ways. If one wishes to embark on an in-depth study, he should seek credible interpretations. Yet when it comes to Islam, people don’t bother to look deep: Islam’s critics find verses, filter various words and leave the “harsh” words – thereby presenting the Koran as a book that incites violence.

By doing so, they are doing exactly what the Muslim radicals who seemingly fight on behalf of the religion are doing: They pick certain verses, interpret them strictly, and embark on terror attacks.

Mainstream wholly objects to murder

For example, a Koran verse may include the words “fight” and “infidels.” A radical, brainwashed Muslim would interpret it as permission to murder any infidel, yet the words may refer to a battle that had taken place during Prophet Mohammad’s era between Muslims and Christians, rather than being interpreted as sanctioning future murder.

One way or another, the credible interpretations by Islamic scholars are the ones that determine what really hides behind each verse, and in this respect, the mainstream wholly objects to murder, and this is the perception most Muslims believe in. As opposed to what is being expressed in the media, if you come up to an average Muslim (and not even an expert) and ask him whether Islam is about radicalism and terror attacks, he would reply that “there are no such things in the Koran.”

It is true that some radicals use the Koran in order to justify violence, yet they are the people who should be countered – rather than the Koran itself. Anyone holding negative views about this book and is fed by lies spread about it on both sides should go ahead and scrutinize the facts – this would prompt him to change his mind. However, it’s apparently easier for people to close their eyes and be dragged by the hate campaign against Islam. From here, it’s a short road to endorsing the burning of books.

If a person holds a bill, and he is being told that the bill is forged and must be burned, wouldn’t this person scrutinize that bill 10 times to be 100% certain it is indeed forged? So a moment before you burn the pages of the Koran, look into what you’re burning! What you’re holding in your hands is not a pathetic bill, but rather, an entire religion that opposes suicide attacks and the harming of civilians.

Haron Tkhawkho, a Muslim, edits the Adiga Bisman website about Islam and the Circassian sect