JWs target Islamic population

by Country Girl 12 Replies latest jw friends

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  Country Girl

  Jehovah's Witnesses learn Arabic in outreach to Muslims

  December 12, 2004, 11:06 AM

  DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) -- Some Jehovah's Witnesses, known for their door-to-door efforts to bring people to their spiritual beliefs, have been learning Arabic as part of an effort to convert Muslims.

  Jehovah's Witnesses say 30 to 40 people affiliated with Kingdom Hall have learned Arabic, and they make trips into Arab-American neighborhoods on at least a monthly basis, The Detroit News reported Sunday.

  "In six months, we have learned to read Arabic and to actually go out and give presentations," said Recina Ward, who travels from her home in Westland to Kingdom Hall, which is shared by congregations in Dearborn and Detroit

  Similar activity, the newspaper said, is occurring in New York, California and in other areas where there is a substantial Arab and Muslim population.

  "This sort of thing is happening more and more, especially since September 11," said Eide Alawan, a Muslim activist affiliated with the Islamic Center of America. "When they come around, most of the people in my neighborhood are courteous enough to say thank you very much.

  "Our people like to enter conversation with them; to challenge them, so to speak. They try to convert us. And maybe we try to convert them. With people praying five times a day, maybe Islam is something that should interest them."

  Detroit and the suburb of Dearborn are home to one of the nation's oldest, largest and most visible Arab-American communities, which has a sizable Muslim population.

  Jehovah's Witnesses say the reception from Muslims and Arab Americans is, by and large, cordial.

  "Even if we just say a simple greeting, the people are so happy that we are taking the initiative," Ward said.

  Jehovah's Witnesses say that they are called to the door-to-door work by biblical imperative.

  "Jesus taught his apostles to 'Go and teach,"' said Richard Wertz, 75, of Melvindale, a Jehovah's Witness who has gone door-to-door for 48 years.

  The Jehovah's Witnesses use Arabic-language literature and Arabic on their Web site as part of their approach.

  ------

  Information from: The Detroit News, http://www.detnews.com
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  Valis

  Knock Knock!!

  House holder: Yes?

  Dubbie: A salami and a bagel! I've come to tell you about the loving god that imposes stupid rules and lots of vengeance against people who don't believe in him...

  House Holder: No thanks...already have one of those...

  Sincerely,

  District Overbeer
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  candidlynuts

  well... lets merge these two religions together and see what we get lol
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  iiz2cool

  We have a large Muslim population in Toronto, and I met many when I was out in service?. Most were cordial, and many even invited me in and offered a drink or food. I think it was just their culture to be that way, because none ever showed any interest in the JW crap. But a few tried to convert me to Islam.
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  Elsewhere

  "In six months, we have learned to read Arabic and to actually go out and give presentations,"

  I find that VERY hard to believe. Arabic is a very difficult language and takes years to learn.

  I was watching a program a few months ago about this and everyone was saying that in order to really get the language one must spend a few years in an Arabic speaking population.

  At the most the JWs are using a few very basic phrases and speak in a very broken maner.

  This would be the same as if someone knocked on your door speaking very broken english and tried to convert you. Sure, it would be "cute" but I doubt much would come of it.

  You notice they are not talking about doing this in an Arab country. As I recall the last time they tried this a few years ago in the Philippines they got their people back minus their heads.
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  William Penwell

  Good luck with this one. I recall the JW saying how difficult it is in Muslim countries to convert the people to Christianity. They just don't let up.

  Will
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  Country Girl

  This *could* be offensive, and I strongly apologize to any who find it so, but my first thought was: They'd make *great* apostates... they could fly those planes into the headquarters. But then I slapped myself because that was a very very bad Country Girl thought.

  Country Girl
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  bebu

  Well, I dunno how how easily they can convert Muslims... I mean, their traditional writings give 3 days for an apostate Muslim to reconsider leaving his religion, and then s/he should be executed. I wonder if the JWs who are focusing on this group are well aware of this? And if they condemn the practice , would they recognize that they would also condemn themselves for shunning?

  (BTW, I realize that not every Muslim believes this traditional teaching. Probably most Muslims in the States would bristle at these words. Not every Muslim government has legalized this command. Nonetheless, within Muslim societies, there are ultra-conservative groups ready to mete out this punishment at their own hands, no matter what the government's laws state. It's safer and easier to be a nominal, non-practicing Muslim than an apostate.)

  bebu
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  Bonnie_Clyde

  Believe it or not--the article was on the front page of the Sunday paper. Don't know how it could have been that important.
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  NewLight2

  This is just GREAT!
  
  JW's trying to convert people from one cult (Islam) to another cult (JW's)
  
  http://www.geocities.com/greber99/IslamLinks.html
  
  
  NewLight2