SPEECH ON ISLAM - Benazir Bhutto

SPEECH ON ISLAM

Kiev, Ukraine, April, 26, 2007

I want to use this opportunity speaking to many of you here today who are not Muslim, to tell you about the Islam I was taught.

Islam taught me that men and women are equal in the eye of GOD. It is the massage of Islam that has empowered me, has strengthened me, and has emboldened me.

The Prophet’s wife, Bibi Khadija, was rich and successful businesswoman. Throughout the holy koran, there is example after example of women as leaders, women being respected, women as equals.

It is tradition of Islam that has allowed me to battle for political and human rights, and strengthens me today. 

Islam denounces inequality as the greatest form of injustice.

It enjoins its followers to combat oppression and tyranny.

It enshrines piety as the sole criteria for judging humankind.

It shuns race, color and gender as the basics of distinction in society

Islam is not only committed to tolerance and equality, but it is committed to the

principles of democracy.

There are many similarities between Islam and Judeo-Christian traditions. These three great religions were born in the cradle of Middle East. The word “Muslim” actually means those who follow the Prophet’s Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

The Koran has a chapter on Mary, The Mother of Jesus, who Arabic name is Maryam. As in Christianity, the Koran speaks of miraculous birth of Jesus and his healing powers. It quotes the infant Jesus saying in his cradle, “God commend me to pray and to give alms so long as I live, and to cherish my Mother”  

Muslim believe that paradise lies at the feet of Mother,

Like other great religions, Islam is a moral compass for its followers that gives faith and hope and offer a path for the redemption of soul on the day of Judgement.