Islam

• What does Islam teach about fighting?

  Allowed only in self-defense
• What sparked the violent protest in Birmingham in 2011?

  A peaceful march in response to a shooting
• Peace in Islam 


  The main message of Islam is one of peace and harmony. Muslims believe that God created everything, and humankind has the responsibility to ensure everybody lives correctly.
• Free will in Islam 


  Muslims believe that one of the gifts that God has given humankind is the ability to make choices. If some decide to fight without just cause, it cannot be the fault of God or Islam, because the choice to fight is contrary to the will of God and the teachings of the faith.
• There is an emphasis on peace in the Qur'an. The word 'Islam' in Arabic comes from the root word 'salam', meaning

  'peace' or 'safety'. The common greeting among Muslims, 'as-salamu alaikum', Means peace be with you
• In Islam, 'the Just' is one of the 99 names for God. Muslims believe that God has provided the laws because they help people to bring about justice on earth, and that if there is injustice, it is the fault of humankind and should not be ignored.
• Muslims believe that forgiveness is an important element in living peacefully. Muslims believe that God sets the example regarding forgiveness by offering forgiveness to all those who are truly sorry and who ask for it in faith.
• Reasons for war

  Greed

  The Qur'an warns against greed. “God does not like arrogant, boastful people, who are miserly and order other people to be the same, hiding the bounty God has given them.” Quran 4:36-37

  Self defence

  The Qur'an permits fighting in self-defence, but Muslims are unlikely to agree to it unless other ways of solving the problem have been attempted and failed.