Preparing youth for the art of jihad is the noble educational goal of the Pakistani madrassa. So claims Rep. John F. Tierney, Massachusetts Democrat and chairman of House Oversight and Government Reform, as quoted in a Washington Times article, "Jihadist Training Ground?."
A star pupil at the Arabia Taeem-ul-Quran school is featured in the article. Muhammad Asher, age 15, can recite from memory the entire Koran. The curriculum at Muhammad's madrassa is uncomplicated: Between three meals and five times of prayer a day, memorizing the Koran is the single goal. Nothing else is taught, including basic reading skills. Students like Muhammad are the kind of recruits who are actively sought by extremist factions. They have the right stuff to take lives with religious fervor.
Muhammad is quoted explaining, "When I pray and study, I feel a direct connection with God. It takes away all my fears. I'm only afraid of God." Is he right - is his experience an encounter with God? Or is it something else? There is little doubt in my mind that God is NOT talking to Muhammad. The marvel, to me, is that Muhammad thinks He IS! If Muhammad is fast-tracking to become one who dishonors God by taking life, not protecting it, his claim to a direct connection with God betrays a serious hearing problem.
Perhaps this is a clue to what will happen as we near the end. Men's penchant to re-label terrorism as "service to God" will wax large. Jesus told us this would happen: "An hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me" (John 16:2-3). There will come a day (for many that day is already here) when following Jesus is a matter of life and death. Don't be surprised when persecution is administered by those who know neither Jesus nor the Father, but who think they have a "direct connection to God."
I continue, in the face of news like this, to identify more and more with the Apostle Paul, who felt very accutely a daily concern for the churches. I pray that God would allow His remnant to remain true to His Truth and be faithful to the end, no matter what the cost. How about this... we Christians devote ourselves to learning/memorizing the Bible with the same dedication this young man demonstrates in mastering the Koran.
Posted by: RLF | November 26, 2007 at 11:55 PM
I think memorizing the Bible sounds like an awesome idea (though perhaps a bit daunting). Would certainly help you understand things in context!
Posted by: Alex Marshall | November 27, 2007 at 12:39 AM