Channel 4 Documentary
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Peace to mankind sun
I've seen the documentary and I think in some parts in supports the Quranist logic as hearsay not being a good source for information. Anyway I don't see what the fuss is about with all the fool sunni scholars the story he presents seems to be true and reliable without the arab myths encompassed into the religion. I say "good job " to the historian for unravelling what is hidden under lies.
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I don't know how these nutties got my e-mail address, but I am sure it is down to some Data Protection rules being violated! Anyway, I have no idea what they say, but here are two e-mails I had the pleasure of receiving in my inbox last week
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PRESS RELEASE iERA responds to Channel 4's "Islam The Untold Story" by Tom Holland
29th August 2012
On the 28th August 2012, the UK broadcaster Channel 4 showed a documentary ?Islam The Untold Story? by Tom Holland, which sought to cast doubt on the historical record of Islam from both Islamic and non-Islamic sources.
The Islamic Education and Research Academy (iERA) has found the programme fundamentally flawed, relying on dubious and rogue scholarship rejected by established academics, both Muslim and non-Muslim alike.
Media organisations have a duty to present before the public a balanced and fair account of the facts, as established by mainstream authorities within their respective fields. If fringe or as in this case, completely absurd views are to be put forward, they should be presented us such, so that the public can make real informed judgements.
After all, would a discussion on holocaust denial be presented in such a way that invites doubt on mainstream scholarship, simply because some rogue (and dangerous) elements exist? Or, indeed, a scientific discussion that climate change is not affected by human activity? No. This would not happen on any of these important issues, yet it seems the integrity of the Islamic historical record is fair game to malign.
This seems a desperate attempt from Channel 4 to get ratings by allowing blatant untruths to be aired to millions of people, which is grossly irresponsible from such a respected broadcaster.
Hamza Tzortzis and Adnan Rashid, researchers at iERA, have written a comprehensive paper scrutinising the outrageous claims made by Holland.
Holland claims there is no historical evidence from the seventh century on the origins of Islam. This is categorically refuted by the existence of a number of chronicles such as the Doctrina Jacobi (635 CE), a record of the Arab conquest of Syria written in 637 CE and writings from Sebeos, Bishop of the Bagratunis (c.660CE).
Holland also makes another blunder when he states that the city of Mecca is not mentioned in the Quran when it is clearly stated
"And it is He who withheld their hands from you and your hands from them within Makkah (Mecca) after He caused you to overcome them. And ever is Allah of what you do, Seeing." (Qur'an 47 133 - 13
Holland relied heavily on the work of Patricia Crone and other sceptics who themselves have been discredited by fellow historians. This selective use of ?experts? on Islam shows Holland in a bad light as someone who appears to have had an agenda to portray Islam in a way that belies its undeniable rational and historical basis.
http//www.iera.org.uk/press_29aug2012.html
We invite Mr. Holland to a dialogue with iERA in order to clear up any misconceptions he has about the foundations, origins and sciences of Islam.
END
Notes to the Editors 1.
iERA stands for the Islamic Education and Research AcademyiERA is committed to presenting Islam to the wider society, see www.iera.org
To contact our media team please email [email protected].
iERA is a registered charity in the United Kingdom - #1134566
iERA is a registered Non Profit Organisation in Canada.
Follow this upcoming conference on Facebook -
Search ?iERA? and on Twitter - @iERAUK2
ACTION ALERT Respond to Channel 4's "Islam The Untold Story" by Tom Holland
British broadcaster Channel 4 aired a programme "Islam The Untold Story" on Tuesday 28th August 2012 with the show presented by Tom Holland. A number of absurd and outrageous claims were made by Holland against Islam such as Makkah not being mentioned in the Quran and that all historical information from about Islam from the earliest sources is fabricated and unreliable.
Please see http//www.iera.org.uk/press_29aug2012.html for a detailed response to Holland?s baseless claims.
Holland relied on rogue scholarship and discredited academics to make his claims that Islam has no historical or intellectual basis and it is scandalous that a major broadcaster such as Channel 4 allowed this programme its airtime.
We urge all Muslims and non-Muslims alike to complain to Channel 4 and Ofcom as it is fundamentally irresponsible for flagrant untruths about one of the world?s most significant religions to be spread amongst millions of people
Please write to Channel 4 at www.channel4.com/4viewers/contact-us and to Ofcom at www.ofcom.org.uk.
By complaining, we want to ensure that Channel 4 will not allow such programmes to be shown on their services again. Muslims need to make sure Islam is accurately portrayed in the media which already has a bias against our beautiful religion.
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Every so often, there is some issue which shows the sectarians in the true light of day for what they are - backward reactionaries. How could anyone interested in Islam hate this program done by real academics, in a serious tone on prime time TV.
Even if it is garbage (which it isn't), surely it is better than the routine offerings of pornography and vanity that occupy so much TV?
They need to answer, the lack of the mention of Mecca is the earliest sources, for one thing. The guy came so close to the truth (that real Islam was changed in the post Muhammad era to what it is today, and the beliefs of today are merely myths built upon these shaky foundations), he almost touched it, but didn't know what he was looking for.
Roshan
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Shalom Aleikhem,
Which documentary are we talking about ? Can anyone give me the link or the title of the documentary itself please ?
Peace
--------------- Student of Allah -
The documenatry is Islam the untold story, broadcasted on channel 4 (Britain) a week ago . Here's a link http//www.channel4.com/programmes/islam-the-untold-story/4od
Shalom Aleikhem,
Thank you very much. )
Are you lurking in the midst, jasoos?
I was just trying to return to the forum.
Peace
----------- Student of Allah -
Acha, teek hai.
Shalom Aleikhem,
I am trying to return.... and you are repelling me with bollywood tongue . ???
Peace
----------- Student of Allah -
The guy came so close to the truth (that real Islam was changed in the post Muhammad era to what it is today, and the beliefs of today are merely myths built upon these shaky foundations), he almost touched it, but didn't know what he was looking for.
Roshan
This actually reminded me of what I read in a book a while ago, an Islamic book, it was either The Sealed Nectar or The Four Imams. Pretty much immediately after the death of the prophet no less than 12 sects sprang up all with differing beliefs.........the corruption started there and has continued.
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Every so often, there is some issue which shows the sectarians in the true light of day for what they are - backward reactionaries. How could anyone interested in Islam hate this program done by real academics, in a serious tone on prime time TV.
Even if it is garbage (which it isn't), surely it is better than the routine offerings of pornography and vanity that occupy so much TV?
They need to answer, the lack of the mention of Mecca is the earliest sources, for one thing. The guy came so close to the truth (that real Islam was changed in the post Muhammad era to what it is today, and the beliefs of today are merely myths built upon these shaky foundations), he almost touched it, but didn't know what he was looking for.
Roshan
Very well said Roshan , very well said indeed. peace
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It seems you can download the documentary here
https//rapidshare.com/files/2591373425/Islam_TUS_THoll.mp4I thought it was good overall, but he seemed to mislead in some claims, e.g. he seemed to imply there is no mention of Muhammad anywhere except on coins ~60 years after his alleged death. But see part 1 in this rebuttal http//www.iera.org.uk/press_29aug2012.html
Also there is a good explanation for that since Quran is a strictly monotheistic book and it is likely the earliest adherents to the faith understood this and gave no elevation of prophet Muhammad. Interestingly, Holland states that all we pretty much know about the earliest conquering Arabs arriving in Jerusalem is that they believed in one God, called themselves "believers", and had an instructor (or instruction?). This is pretty much the theory as discussed in Fred Donner's book "Muhammad and the believers at the origins of islam", which I recommend reading. -
Peace all.
Quote they believed in one God, called themselves "believers.
I agree, " traditional islam" the religion, must be a fabrication created after Muhammed, like Judaism and Christianity.
GOD preserves the truth for the believers" We will throw the truth at falsehood..." and it will be history inshallah!
Peace.
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Just in case this is still relevant, I have made the documentary available here https//vimeo.com/49317210
The iERA press release is completely flawed and does not have much in the line of facts or truth, but makes unfounded claims and distorts the statements in the documentary. They demonstrate the inherent problems of the oral tradition as they don't listen properly, misunderstand what is said and then repeat nonsense. Sad.
