DEATH OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
Dear
Friends,
We
want to take this time to extend our heartfelt condolences to our Christian
brothers and sisters, especially to our Catholic friends, for the death of Pope
John Paul II on Saturday, April 2, 2005 in Rome. He was one of the most
progressive Popes. He got credit for extending his hand in friendship toward
Muslims and Jews. He was instrumental in bringing down communism, the Godless
ideology in the former Soviet Union. He tirelessly promoted peace and human
rights all over the world. God bless his soul. We are sure he is with the
Beloved Allah (SWT). Let us use this opportunity to educate ourselves in the
similarities and differences between Catholicism and Islam.
Ideology |
Catholicism |
Islam |
|
Believe
in One God, Creator of the World |
Believe
in One God in 3 Layers: The Father (God), Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit |
Believe
in One God, Creator of the Whole World, Owner of the Day of Judgment |
|
Prophets
of God |
Do
not believe in Jesus as Prophet of God. Consider Jesus as actual Son of
God. Accept Moses as Prophet. Recently, Vatican accepted Islam as an
Abrahamic Religion. |
Believe
Abraham, Ishmael, Jacob, Noah, Moses, Jesus and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
were all Prophets of God. |
|
Heaven
or Hell. Angels
and Holy Book. |
Believe
in Heaven and Hell. One must accept Jesus to be able to go to Heaven.
Accept Angels and the Torah. |
Believe
Heaven is for people who believe in God and obey God's order. Hell is for
followers of Shaytan. Believe in all Angels and all God's Holy Books. |
|
Various
Practices |
Priest
and Nuns do not get married, practicing celibacy. |
Mula
do get married, practicing abstinence outside of marriage. |
|
Dress
Code |
Modesty,
Beard, Head Cover, Long Loose Clothing |
Modesty,
Beard, Head Cover, Long Loose Clothing |
|
Food
and Drink |
Allowed
to eat Pork and drink Alcohol. Beer and Wine in Moderation. |
Not
allowed to eat Pork or drink any form of Alcohol (Wine or Beer). They are
Haram (Forbidden). |
|
Gambling,
Lottery |
Allowed
in Moderation. |
Not
allowed. |
|
Nudity,
Pre-Marital Sex, Divorce |
Moderation
in Clothing. Pre-Marital Sex is not allowed. Divorce is not allowed. |
Nudity
not allowed. Sex outside marriage not allowed. Divorce is allowed as last
choice. |
|
Adultery,
Fornication |
Not
allowed. |
Not
allowed. |
|
Birth
Control |
Not
allowed. |
Birth
Control is allowed. |
|
Abortion,
Early or Late |
Not
allowed. |
Not
allowed. |
|
In
Vitro Fertilization |
Allowed
between husband and wife. |
Allowed
between husband and wife, but borrowing sperm or ovum is not allowed. |
|
Stem
Cell Research on Fertilized Egg |
Not
allowed. |
Allowed. |
|
Gay
Marriage and Gay Lifestyle |
Not
allowed. |
Not
allowed. |
Islamic Center of Beverly Hills