LETTER TO THE EDITOR csf.lettertoeditor@sunmedia.ca Need clarification Please refer to the article by Mr. Vakily, titled FAITH, in Standard-Freeholder on page B5 of August 27, 2016. Some of his statements need clarification: 1. In the second line he states that Islam means “surrendering to the will of God.” I would like to know how and where to find this will of God? I am certain he is referring to the will of God that has been expressed in The Quran. The will of God in the four gospels about Christ is not the same as it is in The Quran. His statement needs clarification. 2. In the ninth stanza, Mr. Vakily states that there is no compulsion for conversion in Islam. Mr. Vakily is expected to explain punishment for an apostate in Shia and Sunni. If punishment is not beheading, than what else? Is beheading for changing religion a peaceful act? 3. He quotes some names in support of his assertions that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism. The names he quotes include political and Hollywood personalities and Pope Francis who is the head of a state and also the head of a church. None of them is an accepted Islamic scholar who has studied Islamic theology objectively for a higher degree, such as a doctorate, from any established university, and written even one book released by respectable publishers on Islamic ideology. On the other hand, the head of the Islamic State of Isil has a doctorate from a prominent university. His interpretation of The Quran sounds authentic, because of his committed studies and his close understanding of the Arabic language, literature and culture. Also I would like to mention Dr. Zakir Naik, an Islamic scholar from India. He is having trouble with some governments for his alleged interpretations, conversion of individuals to Islam and managing to prepare them for terrorist-related activities. It seems his lectures are banned in Canada and perhaps he is not allowed to come here. I would like Mr. Vakily to support his statements with the views of the scholars who have studied theology at universities for others to understand Islam. In other words, his assertions in his article need to be clarified. 4. What is Taqiyya in Islam? Stephen Gill www.stephengill.ca www.stephengillcriticism.info