FROM MAULANA'S DESK

Christians, nor is it a permanent teaching. It is a temporary instruction and was applicable only to those who were contemporaries of the Prophet and were at war with him. It is a well-known fact that non-Muslims in every country have formed an opinion of Islam being a religion of violence. This kind of negative image regarding Islam is absolutely wrong. The real blame, however, goes to Muslim leaders and not to non-Muslims. Attacks such as what Peshawar and Nairobi have recently witnessed are bound to show Islam in an even more negative light. The image of Islam is already under fire, and such acts will only degrade its image in the eyes of the world. o Maulana Wahiduddin Khan editor@thespiritofislam.org Strong Character Strong is the one who has few needs; whose desires are limited; who does not seek fame and luxury; who finds pleasure in being humble, rather than in pretending to be big. Such a person is free of mental complexes, so nothing prevents him from taking the right decision. He is never obstructed by self-interest. He is ready to undergo any sacrifice in order to achieve his goal.