‘It’s not my religion’

At least 15 people were killed today in Pakistan when protests against the anti-Islam film from the U.S. turned violent.

Here’s a typical picture you’ll see to describe the mood in Pakistan:

pakistan_protest_sep_21.jpg

Here’s one you probably won’t see to describe the mood in Pakistan:

today_I_cry.jpg

On his Facebook page today, Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi of Lolz Studios posted this:

I cry because misguided inviduals and extremists have hijacked my religion.

I cry because hate speech is being labeled as freedom of speech and nobody understands why it hurts me.

I cry not because there is no hope, but that

everyone around me fails to see it.

I cry because what you and I saw on the television today is not my religion, its not even remotely close to my religion. And yet, everyone does and WILL choose to use it to define my religion.

I am a practicing Muslim, I belong to a pure blood family of direct descendents of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H)

*All my life I’ve been taught that my religion is that of peace, love and forgiveness.

*I have been taught to love every single one of God’s creations irrespective of their cast, color, creed AND religion and never wish ill for anyone, for it is not up to me to decide who is right and wrong.

*I have been taught to forgive and forget when someone chooses to hurt me for that is what my Phophet (P.B.U.H) always did.

*I have been taught that the best answer to haters is to pray for them, and be kind to them; and that is the most effective one too.

*I have been taught that in the face of adversities, never loose patience or your senses and that taking someone’s life/hurting them in any way OR destroying public/private property is FORBIDDEN in my religion.

And finally, I have been taught that we will not be judged by what we appear to have done/achieved, but by what is in our hearts; for only God knows what’s best for us.

For my Muslim friends, please remain calm.

For my non-Muslim friends, please don’t judge us all on what you see on the news, most of us are extremely very different in reality.

And lastly, this is what my Holy Book says regarding hate :

And the people of the Rehman (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they respond “Peace!”. (Quran, 25/63)

Who is Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi? He’s this guy…