Muslims For Peace

The following are among the core ideas proposed by the group Muslims for Peace, an organization of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community:

- "Islam teaches us how to create peace within ourself and how to make peace with our fellow man - regardless of color, politics or beliefs."

- "True Jihad was only ever used in self-defense. We believe that, nowadays, the best self-defense is to win the hearts of your enemies through ideas, peace and love."

- "Universal human rights is fundamental in Islam. Everyone, regardless of their belief or race, is entitled to a comprehensive set of human rights that no one can deny."

Adolph Hitler was Christian, and the Nazi regime was legitimized by Roman Catholic priests, yet Christians aren't burdened with the accusation of terrorism on account of the Nazis. Why is it, then, that Islam has been categorically accused because of the actions of Osama Bin Laden and a small number of Islamic terrorists?

Irregular Times provides a reminder that all religions have violent scripture and episodes of brutality behind their claims to pacifism. "Although there are Islamic sacred texts that promote violence, most followers of Islam live nonviolently and many work to promote peace. It's the same as with Christianity and Judaism. Although there are Christian and Jewish sacred texts that promote violence, most Christians and Jews live nonviolently and many work to promote peace."

All religions, Islam and Christianity included, must struggle to meet the high standard of proving to outsiders that they have generally peaceful intentions, in spite of the failings of their individual members and more radical sects.

These designs feature a symbol for Muslims who support peace. Central to the design is the crescent and star, the symbol of Islam. Beneath that symbol, however, is another one, the symbol of peace known worldwide since the 1960s. Together, they stand for followers of Islam who seek peace.

This new symbol is found on t-shirts, a bumper sticker for Muslims for Peace, and buttons that feature the graphic message with no words.