What Is Islam And Who Are Muslims?

Islam is one of the world's major religions and is based on the teachings of the prophet Mohammed. Followers of Islam are known collectively as Muslims. Islam includes the belief in one God (Allah), a belief in Paradise and Hell and a body of law contained in the Quran and the Sunna.

The following text excerpt is from the site: http://www.discoverislam.com

"Based on its linguistic origin, the Arabic word 'Islam' means to achieve peace--peace with God, peace within oneself, and peace with the creations of God through submission to God and commitment to His guidance. Islam is not a new religion but the final culmination and fulfillment of the same basic truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is not just a personal religion but a complete way of living.

Over a billion people from all races, nationalities and cultures across the globe are Muslim. Only 18% of Muslims live in the Arab world; a fifth are found in Sub-Saharan Africa; and the world's largest Muslim community is in Indonesia. Substantial parts of Asia are Muslim, while significant minorities are to be found in the Central Asian republics, India, China, North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe."

More information about Islam and Muslims:

http://www.islamworld.net

http://www.islam101.com

http://www.al-muslim.org

Who are the Taliban?

The Taliban (also spelled Taleban) is a group comprised of former soldiers from the "mujahedin" and other Afghans who attended Islamic religious schools across Afghanistan's border in Pakistan. The Taliban is currently in control of most of the country of Afghanistan, including its capital Kabul and is backed by a powerful militia. The Taliban has imposed strict Islamic Sharia law with severe restrictions on personal behavior -- especially for women. The Taliban was recently the subject of worldwide criticism for ordering its military forces to destroy ancient images of Buddha carved into rocks near the town of Bamiyan.

The following text excerpt is from the British Broadcasting Service: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_144000/144382.stm

"The world first became aware of the Taleban in 1994 when they were appointed by Islamabad to protect a convoy trying to open up a trade route between Pakistan and Central Asia. The group - comprised of Afghans trained in religious schools in Pakistan along with former Islamic fighters or mujahedin - proved effective bodyguards, driving off other mujahedin groups who attacked and looted the convoy. They went on to take the nearby city of Kandahar, beginning a remarkable advance which led to their capture of the capital, Kabul, in September 1996.

Anti-corruption
The Taleban's popularity with many Afghans initially surprised the country's warring mujahedin factions. As ethnic Pashtuns, a large part of their support came from Afghanistan's Pashtun community, disillusioned with existing ethnic Tajik and Uzbek leaders. But it was not purely a question of ethnicity. Ordinary Afghans, weary of the prevailing lawlessness in many parts of the country, were often delighted by Taleban successes in stamping out corruption, restoring peace and allowing commerce to flourish again. Their refusal to deal with the existing warlords whose rivalries had caused so much killing and destruction also earned them respect.

Islamic state
The Taleban said their aim was to set up the world's most pure Islamic state, banning frivolities like television, music and cinema. Their attempts to eradicate crime have been reinforced by the introduction of Islamic law including public executions and amputations. A flurry of regulations forbidding girls from going to school and women from working quickly brought them into conflict with the international community. Such issues, along with restrictions on women's access to health care, have also caused some resentment among ordinary Afghans.

Extending control
The Taleban now control all but the far north of the country, which is the last stronghold of the ethnic Tajik commander Ahmed Shah Masood. With 90% of the country under their control, the Taleban have continued to press claims for international recognition. But the Afghan seat at the United Nations continues to be held by former President Burhanuddin Rabbani. The UN sanctions which have now been imposed on the country make it even less likely that the Taleban will gain that recognition. The sanctions are intended to force the Taleban to hand over the Saudi-born militant Osama Bin Laden, who is accused by the United States of plotting the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which killed more than 250 people. The Taleban say that Osama Bin Laden is a guest in their country, and they will not take action against him. Afghanistan has suffered 20 years of war, and this year has brought the worst drought in decades. There is little sign that sanctions will change the Taleban's policies, or weaken their position within the country. "

More information about the Taliban from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/taliban and from the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, India: http://www.idsa-india.org/an-aug-2.html.

More information by Penn State Professor Julie A. Belz: http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/a/jab63/islam.facts.html