Amid Christianity and Voodo, Islam gains ground in Haiti

Since we often hear negative news about Islam I thought this was interesting enough to share with A.T.S.

Derosier said she was drawn to the religion’s preaching of self-discipline, emphasis on education and attention to cleanliness. The constant washing, she said, helps her and other Muslims avoid cholera, the waterborne illness that health officials say has sickened nearly 600,000 people and killed more than 7,500 others since surfacing after the quake.

“This is a victory for me,” the 43-year-old woman said about her post-quake conversion. The former Protestant spoke in the tent-filled courtyard of her home, her face framed by a black head scarf. “It’s a victory that I received peace and found guidance.”

"After the earthquake Muslims came from everywhere, like the UK, USA, France, Belgium, to help bring some order. Catholics and Protestants also came. Yes, after the quake we have more Haitians converting to Islam," he said.

Billy said Islam has helped give Haitians some direction in their lives following the earthquake.

Billy and some others believe that Islam’s Haitian past goes back before the country’s independence in 1804, and that a Jamaican slave and Voodoo priest named Boukman who led the slave revolt that ousted French colonizers was actually a Muslim.

“Islam is coming back to Haiti to stay,” said Billy, who says he converted from Christianity 20 years ago. “Future generations, my sons and daughters, will speak about Islam.”

Amid Christianity and Voodo, Islam gains ground in Haiti
Islam Gains Followers in Haiti

reply to post by samsamm9


so now they are recruiting just like every other religion, and there using a natural disaster as a tool in recruiting. I ask this, why does any religion need recruiting, if religion is truth shouldn't people be naturally drawn to it, not recruited in the wake of tragedy?

Originally posted by samsamm9
Since we often hear negative news about Islam I thought this was interesting enough to share with A.T.S.

I'm not sure if that's a good thing or if I have an ignorant view on a stereotype?

I don't like any religion, but that religion in particular I really don't like.
how is it good for it to get closer and more numbers?

if there were heavy heavy reforms maybe I could change my mind a little but nothing has changed in the past decade, in fact they have become more emboldened while we either become apathetic or appease..

Originally posted by DocHolidaze
reply to post by samsamm9

 

so now they are recruiting just like every other religion, and there using a natural disaster as a tool in recruiting. I ask this, why does any religion need recruiting, if religion is truth shouldn't people be naturally drawn to it, not recruited in the wake of tragedy?

Yes exactly !
They just wait for any natural disaster to infiltrate themselves, sneaky Muslims !

On a serious note, for a very long time Haiti has been in a quite chaotic situation and does not seem to be able to deal with the many challenges they face.

If Islam can help, why not ?

reply to post by samsamm9


What? No one ever heard of washing?

Originally posted by Logarock
reply to post by samsamm9

 

What? No one ever heard of washing?

Islam was, indeed, very successful in promoting personal cleanliness not only when compared to the seventh-century Arabia but even when compared to the personal hygiene of the Europeans as late as the nineteenth century.

reply to post by samsamm9


i wasn't singling out Islam, all religions do it. as you said other religions also were there "helping". im just tired of people thinking religion as truth. when its obviously a means to gain power and control.

I think its because religion is important to any civilization. Civilization starts with religion, something to bring people together, ruled by well defined laws and beliefs. However, religion has no real place, other than hope, as the civilization progresses towards the future.

That being said, I think Haiti is in such a poor state, that it really is the beginning of a civilization. If its Islam, so be it, its going to bring some sort of peace to the people and may allow them to better themselves and rebuild their country. But at some point, they're going to ask themselves, religion or the future? That is the important part.

reply to post by DocHolidaze

im just tired of people thinking religion as truth. when its obviously a means to gain power and control.

Organized religion is, I agree.
But on the personal level, I think anybody can benefit from having a connection to their Creator.

reply to post by samsamm9


Bit like it's a nice way to keep your kids quiet around christmas, or Santa wont bring you any presents! But for Adults!

Seems to me that islam cannot wait for natural disasters to get their claws in.

Another reason for these disasters is the appearance of the strength of Allah. When we compare the people before and after the disaster, we witness a change in those affected. People who did not help each other before now work together for a better future, creating a compassion for the betterment of mankind. People also realise that their life on this world will end at some point, causing some of them to return to God and abandon the sinful lifestyle and concentrate more on caring for others.

If god is omnipotent, created the entire earth in 7 days, knows all and has a plan for us all, is infinite spanning all of time and space..

What does he care that some bugs on a planet see all their family die and suddenly go "Oh hai Allah! How's things?" -- even more to the point, if god knows all, and everything is set in his plan, then... NONE OF THIS MATTERS.

I can go and shoot 1000 dolphins in the face with a shotgun and it's still GODS PLAN.

So...

it's a load of baloney, this "closer to their creator" codswallop.

Well Islam is the most modern of the Abrahamic religions, so it's not surprising that it would help improve their sanitation. Better understanding of cleanliness when Islam surfaced would certainly help it's case (compared to other religions) in areas which have illnesses like Cholera which are preventable by following certain measures.

Power to them though, if they can help improve some peoples desolate lives than I encourage it. Not entirely surprising seeing as Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world.

I am curious though, which denomination of Islam would this be? I would suspect it's Hanafi, though I'm not a scholar of Islam so I'm not sure.

reply to post by Sickler


I agree. Even here in Australia Islam is growing amongst the Aboriginal population. I have checked a little bit out about the religion and if you take away the terrorist element, it is no different to any other religion. Has the same ending as the Bible just a different interpretation through the book.

reply to post by Sickler

I am curious though, which denomination of Islam would this be? I would suspect it's Hanafi, though I'm not a scholar of Islam so I'm not sure.

From what I understand it's probably "American Islam"(Black Muslim, N.O.I), then again I'm not
entirely sure.

The constant washing, she said, helps her and other Muslims avoid cholera, the waterborne illness that health officials say has sickened nearly 600,000 people and killed more than 7,500 others since surfacing after the quake.

I'm having trouble with the concept of washing in water to be free of a water borne contagion
Sorry if I seem dense.

Originally posted by Cygnus_Hunter

The constant washing, she said, helps her and other Muslims avoid cholera, the waterborne illness that health officials say has sickened nearly 600,000 people and killed more than 7,500 others since surfacing after the quake.

I'm having trouble with the concept of washing in water to be free of a water borne contagion

Sorry if I seem dense.

edit on 12-10-2012 by Cygnus_Hunter because: (no reason given)

Don't Drink the Water
Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is almost always transmitted by water or food that has been contaminated by human waste. Surface water and water from shallow wells are common sources of infection, where bathing or washing cooking utensils in contaminated water can also transmit cholera. Foods such as cooked grains that are allowed to sit at or above room temperature for several hours can also be an excellent breeding environment. Raw or undercooked shellfish and raw fruits and vegetables can also transmit the bacterium.

Surface water and water from shallow wells are common sources of infection, where BATHING or washing cooking utensils in contaminated water can also transmit cholera.

(italics mine)

Was kind of the point i was confused over.

reply to post by Cygnus_Hunter
The fact is, we are getting our chain yanked here. If you remeber, they had a boil water alert right after the quake down there and have known about bad water and washing for a long time before this. Americans set skid after skid of of bottled water down there after the quake.....with doctors ect ect giving shots ect.

Originally posted by DocHolidaze
reply to post by samsamm9

 

i wasn't singling out Islam, all religions do it. as you said other religions also were there "helping". im just tired of people thinking religion as truth. when its obviously a means to gain power and control.

Aaaaaand why are you tired of that? because they come to your house telling you that (religion is truth)? or because you read about it too much?

maybe you should take a break and just live your life instead of spending too much time reading and discussing world events/problems on ATS

maybe then you will come to realise that religious people are not bad at all, go see the world

reply to post by RizeorDie


because i spent the first 16 years of my life in one church. after that i always kept an ear out on what other religions believed and all this while being a student of history, i then started connecting the dots and now i get it. and now everyonce in a while i decide to give people another point of view, i don't force it on them or anything, and im not the first to do it, its just something i do every once in awhile to keep knowledge flowing in and out of my head in somewhat equal amounts.

“Islam is coming back to Haiti to stay,” said Billy, who says he converted from Christianity 20 years ago. “Future generations, my sons and daughters, will speak about Islam.”

Let's hope he doesn't try to leave Islam in the same way he left Christianity. In Islamic countries it can be fatal.

Iran: Pastor to Hang for Apostasy in Iran

Pakistan: Death penalty for apostates passes unopposed in Pakistan

Saudi Arabia : Saudi Hamza Kashgari faces death calls after Apostasy tweets


How widespread is support for the murder of people who leave Islam?

Turkey 5%
Egypt 84%
Jordan 86%
Lebanon 6%
Indonesia 30%
Pakistan 76%
Nigeria 51%

PewGlobal

Clearly, not all Muslims want to kill you for leaving Islam. However, many do.