WikiIslam - User contributions [en]

Talk:Main Page

2014-06-24T10:48:08Z

Scottperry: /* Is the purpose of this website, to be entirely neutral and scientific, to be biased against Islam, or some combination of the two? */ syntax fix

'''''This page is intended for use only to discuss issues directly related to the WikiIslam main page. Please use the [[WikiIslam:Forum|forum]] for discussions.'''''



== News ==

Islam in the news hasn't been updated for a couple of months. Would you like me to make some suggestions? —The preceding [[WikiIslam:Signatures|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:LawrenceGilmore|LawrenceGilmore]] ([[User talk:LawrenceGilmore|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/LawrenceGilmore|contribs]]) {{#if:13:23, 21 February 2014| on 13:23, 21 February 2014|}} 

: Hi Lawrence. Yeah, it hasn't been updated in a while. Another admin (Al-Qaum) is usually in charge of that section but has taken a break. He's told me that he'll be back very soon and will update it fully. But what ideas do you have? [[User:Sahab|--Sahab]] ([[User talk:Sahab|talk]]) 15:45, 21 February 2014 (PST)
:: I think we should remove the news section until its updated again because its all from December and its not making the main page look good. We can remove the section, switch to auto somehow or update it manually. Another easy option: Just use links and dont put the text of the news website in. Any of these are better than having old news. --[[User:Axius|Axius]] ([[User talk:Axius|talk]]) 16:18, 21 February 2014 (PST)
:::Okay, I'll update it weekly with a few news stories until Al returns. [[User:Sahab|--Sahab]] ([[User talk:Sahab|talk]]) 16:43, 21 February 2014 (PST)
::::Alright sounds good. I hope you just add external links because its easy. I really dont think there's a lot to gain if the extract/text archiving is done too but I think you said that it keeps the visitor on the site (they can always press 'back'). Its up to you. I wanted to find a feature that allows us to open links in a new window if we ask it to but I couldn't find it. --[[User:Axius|Axius]] ([[User talk:Axius|talk]]) 16:47, 21 February 2014 (PST)
There are several benefits gained from the format we are currently using (in addition to keeping visitors on the site):

#It's like our very own news site/blog (like how Wikipedia's news section links to WikiNews).
#We want WikiIslam to be an all-in-one resource. This helps us achieve that. When it was updated regularly, many readers commented positively on it, mentioning how WikiIslam is the only site they need.
#When Al adds news about LGBT issues, converts, apostates, statistics etc., he usually adds it to our relevant articles ("Persecution of...", "Converts to Islam" etc.). If he was no longer quoting these news pages, then those other pages would never be updated. [[User:Sahab|--Sahab]] ([[User talk:Sahab|talk]]) 17:48, 21 February 2014 (PST)
::Well yea it does have its benefits - good points. Its just a lot to keep up with on a regular basis. --[[User:Axius|Axius]] ([[User talk:Axius|talk]]) 18:08, 21 February 2014 (PST)

== "Did you know" portal ==
How about a "did you know" portal? Then along with new articles, lets put recently improved articles. [[User:Saggy|Saggy]] ([[User talk:Saggy|talk]]) 12:30, 3 April 2014 (PDT)
:"Did you know" is a good idea but there's a similar pictorial Islam section at the bottom. I know Main page could be improved but we just dont have enough people at this time to do all the [[tasks|stuff]] that needs to be done. --[[User:Axius|Axius]] ([[User_talk:Axius|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/Axius|contribs]]) 15:30, 3 April 2014 (PDT)
::As Axius noted, we already have a section on the front page that generates random interesting articles. If we did have such a section, what would be in it? Things like "Did you know... Muhammad Married and had intercourse with a nine-year-old" would look a lot less professional than simply having it the way we have it know (i.e. a heading, "Muhammad and Aisha", followed by a description). Then there is the issue of maintenance. There is no point in adding to our already long to-do list with things that require a lot of work and/or need constant updating. [[User:Sahab|--Sahab]] ([[User talk:Sahab|talk]]) 00:36, 4 April 2014 (PDT)

== Is the purpose of this website, to be entirely neutral and scientific, to be biased against Islam, or some combination of the two? ==

I am personally a Christian, but I have some sympathy for Islam, as I have many Muslim friends who have been quite helpful to me over the years. I have shown them respect, and they have reciprocated. I do not pretend to know what is best for others, any more than I enjoy others pretending to know what is best for myself. I was wondering, is this site meant to ultimately be purely scientific, letting the facts fall where they may, or is it meant to be biased against Islam, preferring to portray views that denigrate Islam whenever possible or convenient? Thanks, [[User:Scottperry|Scottperry]] ([[User talk:Scottperry|talk]]) 12:55, 23 June 2014 (PDT)
:There's a verse in the Quran, 5:38 that says a thief's hands should be cut off. Islam cannot be reformed. If one verse is to be rejected then the whole Quran can be rejected.
:This site focuses on criticism of Islam. You can have a good look around first. Start from the [[site map]].
:Being biased against Islam is not a bad thing or something to be ashamed of because Islam itself is biased against non-Muslims like me and you since it says we will all burn in Hell for not accepting it (Quran 48:13). Your Muslim friends may be nice people but if they think a thief's hands should not be cut off (Quran 5:38), if they think a wife should not be beaten for disobedience (Quran 4:34), if they dont believe that virgins in Heaven are large breasted (Quran 78:33) then they are not really Muslims and are not believing in actual Quranic verses. They are choosing to reject those verses or defend them in some way.
:But do tell us what can be done differently or if you have any suggestions. --[[User:Axius|Axius]] ([[User_talk:Axius|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/Axius|contribs]]) 15:20, 23 June 2014 (PDT)
::Thanks for your frankness. I think I'll try to insert the full edit, along with cites, that I first started to work on, and see what happens. Regarding hand-chopping, there are verses in the Bible that say homosexuals, disobedient sons, and adulterers should all be killed, and Jesus supposedly said that not a "jot" of the Bible should be disregarded, but just the same, modern-day Christianity ''has'' opted to reject those verses, yet to keep others, and still continues to be a major influence in the world. Christianity has adapted significantly over the centuries, and much of it for the better. It's had a 700 year head-start over Islam. There are also verses in the Quran that say that there is hope for non-Muslims to enter heaven. As with the Bible, both books are filled with contradictions. Personally, as a Christian, I pick and choose which parts resonate with me, and which don't. I think that whether or not most other Christians would admit it, they all do that too. How many Christians do you know these days that stone all of those "evil-doers" as mentioned above?
::At any rate, I don't know if I'll be a very good "fit" here, but I'll try a few edits and see what happens. My "debt" to Islam, as a Christian, is that no less than twice, my life was literally saved by Muslims! Don't ask me why, I couldn't say. So long as you guys are fundamentally honest about your criticisms against Islam here, which we shall see, I shall be happy to contribute here. Thanks, [[User:Scottperry|Scottperry]] ([[User talk:Scottperry|talk]]) 19:32, 23 June 2014 (PDT)
:::Ok. Well that is all good stuff for debate.
:::So for your edit [http://wikiislam.net/w/index.php?title=Muslim_Statistics&diff=107924&oldid=101364] you would first add it on the Education page (possibly Worldwide section here [http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Muslim_Statistics_-_Education_and_Employment#Worldwide]) and after that the main Statistics edit that you made can be restored. Stuff on that page is mentioned and sourced in the sub-pages. You'll notice though that all the stuff in these Stats pages is quotes -- and I think thats a problem (for this reason I think the addition will be a challenge). But as long as what you put in cannot be disputed or challenged it could be fine so the more sources you can add the better. Yea try it and we'll see how it looks. In this case case you would need to provide proof that these named countries were really under the influence of soviet communism as Muslims would challenge that and say "those countries did it on their own". This is the kind of sourcing we use and its important as you can see. Another to thing to check is how "far" other Muslim countries are from the high literacy rates (the ones that were not influenced by soviet communism). --[[User:Axius|Axius]] ([[User_talk:Axius|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/Axius|contribs]]) 20:04, 23 June 2014 (PDT)

Talk:Main Page

2014-06-24T02:32:37Z

Scottperry: /* Is the purpose of this website, to be entirely neutral and scientific, to be biased against Islam, or some combination of the two? */ we shall see

User:Scottperry

2014-06-23T21:55:03Z

Scottperry: elaboration

I consider myself to be both a scientist and a Christian. (By Christian, I mean one who attempts to follow the rather simple teachings about how to "love thy neighbor", as taught by Jesus. Pauline theology... , I can do without.) I see no conflict between science and simple Christianity. While considering myself to be a Christian, I do not enjoy working alongside those who hold contempt or disrespect for my beliefs. Neither do I wish to hold any disrespect or contempt for the beliefs of others. As for those people who seem to hold contempt or disrespect against the beliefs of others, including against my own beliefs, I "respectfully" disagree with them.

While I do not consider myself to be "passionately critical of Islam", I do believe that Islam is currently in a very desperate need of reform in order to bring it fully into the 21st century. (I also happen to believe that Christianity is severely out of touch with reality as well, but that is a whole other story for an other day.) I don't know, but I hope that my rather "minority" view towards trying to work to "fix" something, instead of trying to "break" it, might be found to be acceptable here (though probably not agreed with).

[[User:Scottperry|Scottperry]] ([[User talk:Scottperry|talk]]) 13:01, 23 June 2014 (PDT)

User:Scottperry

2014-06-23T21:52:31Z

Scottperry: further elaboration

I consider myself to be both a scientist and a Christian. (By Christian, I mean one who attempts to follow the rather simple teachings about how to "love thy neighbor", as taught by Jesus. Pauline theology... , I can do without.) I see no conflict between science and simple Christianity. While considering myself to be a Christian, I do not enjoy working alongside those who hold contempt or disrespect for my beliefs. Neither do I wish to hold any disrespect or contempt for the beliefs of others. As for those people who seem to hold contempt or disrespect against the beliefs of others, including against my own beliefs, I "respectfully" disagree with them.

While I do not consider myself to be "passionately critical of Islam", I do believe that Islam is currently in a very desperate need of reform in order to bring it fully into the 21st century. (I also happen to believe that Christianity is severely out of touch with reality as well, but that is a whole other story for an other day.) I don't know, but I hope that my view towards trying to work to "fix" something, instead of trying to "break" it, might be found to be acceptable here (though probably not agreed with).

[[User:Scottperry|Scottperry]] ([[User talk:Scottperry|talk]]) 13:01, 23 June 2014 (PDT)

User:Scottperry

2014-06-23T21:17:28Z

Scottperry: tweak

User:Scottperry

2014-06-23T21:16:45Z

Scottperry: elaboration

WikiIslam

2014-06-23T20:21:37Z

Scottperry: /* Wikipedia */ correcting broken link

[[Image:Infosymbol.png|91px|thumb|right|link=Category:WikiIslam]]
'''WikiIslam''' is a community edited [[websites|website]] which focuses on the critique of [[Islam]], whilst also allowing [[:Category:Pro-Islamic Content|pro-Islamic responses]] in separate articles. It is run on the same software that [[Wikipedia]] and other similar sites use.

==About==

WikiIslam's goal is to become the most comprehensive and accurate source of information on Islam. This information is based primarily on its own sources, the [[Qur'an]], [[hadith]] and Islamic scholars. It takes a rational approach in its handling of Islam and is notable for dealing extensively with [[Islam and Propaganda|false propaganda]] and [[Islam and Science|Islamic pseudoscience]].

The site aims to remain neutral towards other religions, world views, and issues of a political nature, such as immigration, multiculturalism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and also to stay away from extremist, sensationalist or emotional commentary by simply letting the facts speak for themselves.

Contrary to what is sometimes claimed,<ref name="Criticism"></ref> the site [[WikiIslam:Reliable Sources#Sources to Avoid|exhorts editors]] to use non-polemic and scholarly secondary sources, and to attribute statements wherever possible. It makes copious use of authoritative primary and secondary pro-Islamic sources, such as the [[Compendium of Muslim Texts]], [[Sirat Rasul Allah|sirah]] literature and [[fatwa]]s from some of the most popular mainstream Islamic sites on the net.

It is an international site with editors and contributors from all over the world, and the policies and content reflect this. For example, editors are advised that no region should be given priority over another, and developments concerning Islam in [[Asia]] or [[Africa]] are as important as developments in [[Europe]] or the [[Americas]].

==History==

WikiIslam was created on October 27, 2005, in collaboration with various individuals from [[Faith Freedom International]] who provided the site with server space, technical help and exposure. The site remained in a testing phase for about a year and on September 4, 2006, it was opened to the public.

In September 2007, the server that hosted the site was hacked, and due to other server problems, editing was disabled at WikiIslam for almost a year.

In August 2008, the site was moved to a new server and since then it has been operating independently, remaining unaffiliated with or owned by any organization. Contrary to persistent claims propagated by apologists,<ref>For example, Sheila Musaji of [http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheamericanmuslim.org%2Ftam.php%2Ffeatures%2Farticles%2Fali_sina%2F&date=2014-01-26 TheAmericanMuslim], who has been contacted but refuses to correct the error, claims WikiIslam is "run" by "Ali Sina and Faith Freedom" and "only prints material which is negative towards Islam." Both claims are wrong. WikiIslam hosts many [[:Category:Pro-Islamic Content|pro-Islamic articles]] written by Muslim editors.</ref> WikiIslam is not owned by [[Ali Sina]], FFI, Robert Spencer, [[Jihad Watch]] or any other organization.<ref>Note that neither of these individuals or their websites are considered reliable sources at WikiIslam. According to [[WikiIslam:Reliable_Sources#Other_Sources_2|WikiIslam:Reliable Sources]], ''"Statements of fact concerning Islam from polemic sources such as books, articles or commentaries by individuals such as Robert Spencer, Pamela Gellar, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Mark A. Gabriel, Wafa Sultan, Ali Sina, Walid Shoebat, Brigitte Gabriel etc. are not to be used under any circumstances as references on WikiIslam. If you come across any such statements, remove them immediately."''</ref>

==Reception==

===Non-Muslims===

In December 2006, Göran Larsson presented a paper on WikiIslam at a conference in [[Sweden]]. At that point in time, the site was barely out of its infancy, only having been open to the public for three months, and Larsson was very critical. Today, with its new policies, new guidelines, thousands of more pages and the inclusion of pro-Islamic content aimed at presenting a positive image of Islam, WikiIslam remains the same only in name. But even back then in its primitive form, Larsson admitted that he could not label all the site "Islamophobic" in nature.<ref>Göran Larsson, [http://www.springerlink.com/content/p02g0g86387j4t62/ "Cyber-Islamophobia? The case of WikiIslam"], Contemporary Islam: Volume 1, Number 1, 53-67, DOI: 10.1007/s11562-007-0002-2</ref>

Contrary to what is sometimes claimed,<ref name="Criticism"></ref> WikiIslam has not received any attention from news agencies such as the Associated Press (AP); however, its non-partisan approach to criticism has led to the site being linked to or referenced by various notable sites such as ''RichardDawkins.net''<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://richarddawkins.net/links?page=5|2=2012-02-07}} "About/ Links"], RichardDawkins.net, accessed February 7, 2012.</ref> and ''GreenProphet.com''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/12/rain-prayers-sunny-friday/|title= Muslim President Calls for Rain Prayers on Sunny Friday|publisher= Green Prophet|author= Tafline Laylin|date= December 28, 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/12/rain-prayers-sunny-friday/&date=2012-02-07|deadurl=no}}</ref> It has also been cited by Dr. Heather Deegan in her book, ''Africa Today: Culture, Economics, Religion, Security'',<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.amazon.com/Africa-Today-Economics-Religion-Security/dp/0415418844/|title= Africa Today: Culture, Economics, Religion, Security|publisher= Routledge|author= Heather Deegan|date=December 26, 2008 |page= 100|isbn= 978-0415418843|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAfrica-Today-Economics-Religion-Security%2Fdp%2F0415418844%2F&date=2013-07-20|deadurl=no}}</ref> Prof. Carlos Brebbia in his book, ''Disaster Management and Human Health Risk III: Reducing Risk, Improving Outcomes'',<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.amazon.com/Disaster-Management-Human-Health-Risk/dp/1845647386|title= Disaster Management and Human Health Risk III: Reducing Risk, Improving Outcomes|publisher= Wit Pr/Computational Mechanics|author= C. A. Brebbia|date= July 9, 2013|page= 366|isbn= 978-1845647384|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDisaster-Management-Human-Health-Risk%2Fdp%2F1845647386&date=2013-07-25|deadurl=no}}</ref> and Dr. Stefan Kirchner in his paper published in the ''Baltic Journal of Law & Politics''.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bjlp.2011.4.issue-1/v10076-011-0003-6/v10076-011-0003-6.xml|2=2013-07-20}} "Faith, Ethics and Religious Norms in a Globalized Environment: Freedom of Religion as a Challenge to the Regulation of Islamic Finance in Europe"]. Baltic Journal of Law & Politics. Volume 4, Issue 1, Pages 52–82, ISSN (Online) 2029-0454, ISSN (Print) , DOI: 10.2478/v10076-011-0003-6, August 2011.</ref>

===Muslims===

Due to the focus of the site, the most noticeable reactions from Muslims has been negative.<ref name="Criticism">For responses to various criticisms of WikiIslam, visit the ''[http://islamo-criticism.blogspot.com/p/criticism-of-wikiislam.html Criticism of WikiIslam]'' section of the ''[http://islamo-criticism.blogspot.com/ IslamoCriticism]'' blog.</ref> Some have called for the site to be taken offline through illegal means such as hacking,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?398571|title= Muslims should DDOS anti muslim websites|publisher= Ummah Forum|author= |date= April 19, 2014|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ummah.com%2Fforum%2Fshowthread.php%3F398571&date=2014-04-24|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>''"Someone needs to shut it down. any hackers out here?"'' - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?365182-Solving-the-Wiki-islam-problem|2=2013-05-24}} Solving the Wiki-islam problem], DamirK, Ummah Forum, May 24, 2013.</ref><ref>''"Its sad, Saudi have hackers who can hack and take down a lot of crap stuff on the internet but they never seem to notice what should be taken care of."'' - [http://lostinriyadh.blogspot.com/2012/03/for-my-readers-in-saudi-infact-for.html For my readers in Saudi, infact for anyone], LostInRiyadh.blogspot.com (comment by Dentographer, March 4, 2012)</ref> and it had previously been [[Websites Censored by Islamic Governments|banned]] in [[Saudi Arabia]] on the country's [[pornography]] blacklist, even though the site contains nothing of a pornographic nature.<ref>A screenshot can be viewed [[:File:Wikiislam com-aug-2011-ksa.png|here]]</ref>

Constant vandalism, death-threats, and non-compliance with guidelines by Muslim editors has lead to WikiIslam, like the German Wikipedia, implementing “[[WikiIslam:Pending Changes Protection|pending-changes protection]]”, meaning that editing still remains open to all, including IP users, but changes have to be approved before becoming visible to readers.

However, due to WikiIslam's extensive use of authoritative primary and secondary pro-Islamic sources, the site has also received praise from Muslims, e.g. for its [[Sex Segregation in Islam]]<ref>"''I usually wouldn't endorse a site like this, but in this case all of the sources were referenced in great detail.''" - [http://www.facebook.com/notes/abdul-malik-merchant/women-traveling-and-free-mixing-in-islam-/216934245018326 Women: Traveling and free-mixing in Islam …], Abdul-Malik Merchant, Student at Umm al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 13, 2011.</ref> and [[List of Killings Ordered or Supported by Muhammad]]<ref>"''In fact mockery is the main cause of executions ordered by our prophet (Sm)...i already told it to @RiasatKhan .. here is the link though its an anti islam site... but the historical facts / causes of execution mentioned there are reliable..look 4 Yellow colors, they were executed for mockery. Is this Musa Ibrahim scholar of Islam?? List of Killings Ordered or Supported by Muhammad - WikiIslam. Sorry for the anti islam site... i couldnt find any other site written in such short and organized way.''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.defence.pk/forums/bangladesh-defence/233660-shahbagh-square-new-rise-65.html|2=2013-02-17}} SHAHBAGH SQUARE-A NEW RISE], Kobiraaz (an established Muslim member who joined in Oct 2010, and has been thanked 7867 times for 7,237 post), Pakistan Defence forum, February 17, 2013</ref> articles, and pages such as [[List of Fabricated Hadith]]<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://shehbaazmind.blogspot.com/2011/08/some-links-where-you-can-find-some-weak.html|2=2012-09-10}} "Some Links Where You Can Find Some Weak And Fabricated Hadeeths Exposed"], ShehbaazMind, August 17, 2011.</ref><ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://beliefinunseen.blogspot.com/2012/09/weak-and-fabricated-hadith.html|2=2012-09-10}} "Weak and fabricated hadith"], Belief In The Unseen, September 7, 2012.</ref> and [[Chronological Order of the Qur'an]]<ref>Dawud Israel, [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?107518-NOTES-from-Tafsir-Maariful-Qur-an-of-Mufti-Taqi-Shafi-Usmani|2=2013-06-01}} "NOTES from Tafsir Maariful Qur'an of Mufti Taqi/Shafi Usmani"], Sunni Forum, June 1, 2013.</ref> have been used by Muslims as a resource.

==Audience==

WikiIslam hosts {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles. On average, it currently receives over 250,000 visitors a month generating about 500,000 page views. As of October 2013, Alexa.com places it within the top 70,000 most visited websites.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alexa.com%2Fsiteinfo%2Fwww.wikiislam.net&date=2013-10-19|title= Wikiislam.net|publisher= Alexa.com|author= |date= accessed October 19, 2013|archiveurl= |deadurl=no}}</ref>

Unlike many other sites critical of Islam, WikiIslam's audience is not "Eurocentric". The majority of its readers are from Eastern or Muslim-majority nations such as [[Pakistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[India]], [[Malaysia]], [[Egypt]], [[United Arab Emirates]], and [[Singapore]].<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/www.wikiislam.net|2=2011-11-28}} "Wikiislam.net/ Audience"], Alexa.com, accessed November 28, 2011.</ref> Likewise, many of the site's administrators and editors are from a Muslim background or are skeptics from Muslim majority nations.

The site is currently [[WikiIslam:Join the Team#Ways_To_Help_Us|looking for editors]] to translate some of their English articles into Indonesian, Urdu, Bengali and [[Arabic]]. There are translations from English already available at the site in [[:Category:Other_Languages|several languages]], including [[Azərbaycanca Yazılar - Articles in Azerbaijani|Azerbaijani]], [[Les articles en francais - Articles in French|French]], [[:Category:Türkçe (Turkish)|Turkish]] and [[Ozbekcha maqolalar - Articles in Uzbek|Uzbek]]. A [[:ru:Заглавная страница|Russian]] sub-domain was started in early 2013 and they also host many [[Translations of Arabic/Islamic Media|press articles and fatwas]] from the Islamic world translated into English from the original Arabic.

==Wikipedia==

WikiIslam's primary focus is on the religion of Islam while Wikipedia is a compendium of general knowledge. These differing goals have led to different policies and guidelines.

Wikipedia discourages the use of primary and what they term as "non-notable/reliable" sources. WikiIslam, on the other hand, encourages the use of authentic primary religious text and the rulings of authoritative Muslim scholars who may not be notable to people outside of the Muslim world but who are giants from within.

Wikipedia focuses on "verifiability, not truth".<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability,_not_truth|2=2014-06-23}} "Verifiability, not truth"], Wikipedia, accessed June 23, 2014.</ref> In regards to Islam, it has meant they accept what "notable/reliable" western commentators say about its religious text and Muslims over what the religious text and Muslims actually say themselves. Conversely, WikiIslam accepts what the religious text and Muslims say over the opinions and interpretations of third-party western commentators.

==See Also==

*[[WikiIslam:Frequently Asked Questions|Frequently Asked Questions]]
*[[What People Say About WikiIslam]]

==Contact Information==
{{Fb link}}
To contact WikiIslam with general ideas and suggestions, a [http://wikiislam.net/w/index.php?title=WikiIslam:Forum/Visitor_Inquiries&action=edit&section=new message can be left] on the relevant forum page. For copyright issues, click [[WikiIslam:Copyright Issues|here]]. And for other important issues, click [[WikiIslam:Contact Us|here]].

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

[[Category:WikiIslam]]
[[ru:ВикиИслам:Описание]]

WikiIslam

2014-06-23T20:19:44Z

Scottperry: /* Wikipedia */ update link

[[Image:Infosymbol.png|91px|thumb|right|link=Category:WikiIslam]]
'''WikiIslam''' is a community edited [[websites|website]] which focuses on the critique of [[Islam]], whilst also allowing [[:Category:Pro-Islamic Content|pro-Islamic responses]] in separate articles. It is run on the same software that [[Wikipedia]] and other similar sites use.

==About==

WikiIslam's goal is to become the most comprehensive and accurate source of information on Islam. This information is based primarily on its own sources, the [[Qur'an]], [[hadith]] and Islamic scholars. It takes a rational approach in its handling of Islam and is notable for dealing extensively with [[Islam and Propaganda|false propaganda]] and [[Islam and Science|Islamic pseudoscience]].

The site aims to remain neutral towards other religions, world views, and issues of a political nature, such as immigration, multiculturalism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and also to stay away from extremist, sensationalist or emotional commentary by simply letting the facts speak for themselves.

Contrary to what is sometimes claimed,<ref name="Criticism"></ref> the site [[WikiIslam:Reliable Sources#Sources to Avoid|exhorts editors]] to use non-polemic and scholarly secondary sources, and to attribute statements wherever possible. It makes copious use of authoritative primary and secondary pro-Islamic sources, such as the [[Compendium of Muslim Texts]], [[Sirat Rasul Allah|sirah]] literature and [[fatwa]]s from some of the most popular mainstream Islamic sites on the net.

It is an international site with editors and contributors from all over the world, and the policies and content reflect this. For example, editors are advised that no region should be given priority over another, and developments concerning Islam in [[Asia]] or [[Africa]] are as important as developments in [[Europe]] or the [[Americas]].

==History==

WikiIslam was created on October 27, 2005, in collaboration with various individuals from [[Faith Freedom International]] who provided the site with server space, technical help and exposure. The site remained in a testing phase for about a year and on September 4, 2006, it was opened to the public.

In September 2007, the server that hosted the site was hacked, and due to other server problems, editing was disabled at WikiIslam for almost a year.

In August 2008, the site was moved to a new server and since then it has been operating independently, remaining unaffiliated with or owned by any organization. Contrary to persistent claims propagated by apologists,<ref>For example, Sheila Musaji of [http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheamericanmuslim.org%2Ftam.php%2Ffeatures%2Farticles%2Fali_sina%2F&date=2014-01-26 TheAmericanMuslim], who has been contacted but refuses to correct the error, claims WikiIslam is "run" by "Ali Sina and Faith Freedom" and "only prints material which is negative towards Islam." Both claims are wrong. WikiIslam hosts many [[:Category:Pro-Islamic Content|pro-Islamic articles]] written by Muslim editors.</ref> WikiIslam is not owned by [[Ali Sina]], FFI, Robert Spencer, [[Jihad Watch]] or any other organization.<ref>Note that neither of these individuals or their websites are considered reliable sources at WikiIslam. According to [[WikiIslam:Reliable_Sources#Other_Sources_2|WikiIslam:Reliable Sources]], ''"Statements of fact concerning Islam from polemic sources such as books, articles or commentaries by individuals such as Robert Spencer, Pamela Gellar, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Mark A. Gabriel, Wafa Sultan, Ali Sina, Walid Shoebat, Brigitte Gabriel etc. are not to be used under any circumstances as references on WikiIslam. If you come across any such statements, remove them immediately."''</ref>

==Reception==

===Non-Muslims===

In December 2006, Göran Larsson presented a paper on WikiIslam at a conference in [[Sweden]]. At that point in time, the site was barely out of its infancy, only having been open to the public for three months, and Larsson was very critical. Today, with its new policies, new guidelines, thousands of more pages and the inclusion of pro-Islamic content aimed at presenting a positive image of Islam, WikiIslam remains the same only in name. But even back then in its primitive form, Larsson admitted that he could not label all the site "Islamophobic" in nature.<ref>Göran Larsson, [http://www.springerlink.com/content/p02g0g86387j4t62/ "Cyber-Islamophobia? The case of WikiIslam"], Contemporary Islam: Volume 1, Number 1, 53-67, DOI: 10.1007/s11562-007-0002-2</ref>

Contrary to what is sometimes claimed,<ref name="Criticism"></ref> WikiIslam has not received any attention from news agencies such as the Associated Press (AP); however, its non-partisan approach to criticism has led to the site being linked to or referenced by various notable sites such as ''RichardDawkins.net''<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://richarddawkins.net/links?page=5|2=2012-02-07}} "About/ Links"], RichardDawkins.net, accessed February 7, 2012.</ref> and ''GreenProphet.com''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/12/rain-prayers-sunny-friday/|title= Muslim President Calls for Rain Prayers on Sunny Friday|publisher= Green Prophet|author= Tafline Laylin|date= December 28, 2011|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/12/rain-prayers-sunny-friday/&date=2012-02-07|deadurl=no}}</ref> It has also been cited by Dr. Heather Deegan in her book, ''Africa Today: Culture, Economics, Religion, Security'',<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.amazon.com/Africa-Today-Economics-Religion-Security/dp/0415418844/|title= Africa Today: Culture, Economics, Religion, Security|publisher= Routledge|author= Heather Deegan|date=December 26, 2008 |page= 100|isbn= 978-0415418843|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FAfrica-Today-Economics-Religion-Security%2Fdp%2F0415418844%2F&date=2013-07-20|deadurl=no}}</ref> Prof. Carlos Brebbia in his book, ''Disaster Management and Human Health Risk III: Reducing Risk, Improving Outcomes'',<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.amazon.com/Disaster-Management-Human-Health-Risk/dp/1845647386|title= Disaster Management and Human Health Risk III: Reducing Risk, Improving Outcomes|publisher= Wit Pr/Computational Mechanics|author= C. A. Brebbia|date= July 9, 2013|page= 366|isbn= 978-1845647384|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDisaster-Management-Human-Health-Risk%2Fdp%2F1845647386&date=2013-07-25|deadurl=no}}</ref> and Dr. Stefan Kirchner in his paper published in the ''Baltic Journal of Law & Politics''.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bjlp.2011.4.issue-1/v10076-011-0003-6/v10076-011-0003-6.xml|2=2013-07-20}} "Faith, Ethics and Religious Norms in a Globalized Environment: Freedom of Religion as a Challenge to the Regulation of Islamic Finance in Europe"]. Baltic Journal of Law & Politics. Volume 4, Issue 1, Pages 52–82, ISSN (Online) 2029-0454, ISSN (Print) , DOI: 10.2478/v10076-011-0003-6, August 2011.</ref>

===Muslims===

Due to the focus of the site, the most noticeable reactions from Muslims has been negative.<ref name="Criticism">For responses to various criticisms of WikiIslam, visit the ''[http://islamo-criticism.blogspot.com/p/criticism-of-wikiislam.html Criticism of WikiIslam]'' section of the ''[http://islamo-criticism.blogspot.com/ IslamoCriticism]'' blog.</ref> Some have called for the site to be taken offline through illegal means such as hacking,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?398571|title= Muslims should DDOS anti muslim websites|publisher= Ummah Forum|author= |date= April 19, 2014|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ummah.com%2Fforum%2Fshowthread.php%3F398571&date=2014-04-24|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>''"Someone needs to shut it down. any hackers out here?"'' - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?365182-Solving-the-Wiki-islam-problem|2=2013-05-24}} Solving the Wiki-islam problem], DamirK, Ummah Forum, May 24, 2013.</ref><ref>''"Its sad, Saudi have hackers who can hack and take down a lot of crap stuff on the internet but they never seem to notice what should be taken care of."'' - [http://lostinriyadh.blogspot.com/2012/03/for-my-readers-in-saudi-infact-for.html For my readers in Saudi, infact for anyone], LostInRiyadh.blogspot.com (comment by Dentographer, March 4, 2012)</ref> and it had previously been [[Websites Censored by Islamic Governments|banned]] in [[Saudi Arabia]] on the country's [[pornography]] blacklist, even though the site contains nothing of a pornographic nature.<ref>A screenshot can be viewed [[:File:Wikiislam com-aug-2011-ksa.png|here]]</ref>

Constant vandalism, death-threats, and non-compliance with guidelines by Muslim editors has lead to WikiIslam, like the German Wikipedia, implementing “[[WikiIslam:Pending Changes Protection|pending-changes protection]]”, meaning that editing still remains open to all, including IP users, but changes have to be approved before becoming visible to readers.

However, due to WikiIslam's extensive use of authoritative primary and secondary pro-Islamic sources, the site has also received praise from Muslims, e.g. for its [[Sex Segregation in Islam]]<ref>"''I usually wouldn't endorse a site like this, but in this case all of the sources were referenced in great detail.''" - [http://www.facebook.com/notes/abdul-malik-merchant/women-traveling-and-free-mixing-in-islam-/216934245018326 Women: Traveling and free-mixing in Islam …], Abdul-Malik Merchant, Student at Umm al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 13, 2011.</ref> and [[List of Killings Ordered or Supported by Muhammad]]<ref>"''In fact mockery is the main cause of executions ordered by our prophet (Sm)...i already told it to @RiasatKhan .. here is the link though its an anti islam site... but the historical facts / causes of execution mentioned there are reliable..look 4 Yellow colors, they were executed for mockery. Is this Musa Ibrahim scholar of Islam?? List of Killings Ordered or Supported by Muhammad - WikiIslam. Sorry for the anti islam site... i couldnt find any other site written in such short and organized way.''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.defence.pk/forums/bangladesh-defence/233660-shahbagh-square-new-rise-65.html|2=2013-02-17}} SHAHBAGH SQUARE-A NEW RISE], Kobiraaz (an established Muslim member who joined in Oct 2010, and has been thanked 7867 times for 7,237 post), Pakistan Defence forum, February 17, 2013</ref> articles, and pages such as [[List of Fabricated Hadith]]<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://shehbaazmind.blogspot.com/2011/08/some-links-where-you-can-find-some-weak.html|2=2012-09-10}} "Some Links Where You Can Find Some Weak And Fabricated Hadeeths Exposed"], ShehbaazMind, August 17, 2011.</ref><ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://beliefinunseen.blogspot.com/2012/09/weak-and-fabricated-hadith.html|2=2012-09-10}} "Weak and fabricated hadith"], Belief In The Unseen, September 7, 2012.</ref> and [[Chronological Order of the Qur'an]]<ref>Dawud Israel, [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?107518-NOTES-from-Tafsir-Maariful-Qur-an-of-Mufti-Taqi-Shafi-Usmani|2=2013-06-01}} "NOTES from Tafsir Maariful Qur'an of Mufti Taqi/Shafi Usmani"], Sunni Forum, June 1, 2013.</ref> have been used by Muslims as a resource.

==Audience==

WikiIslam hosts {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles. On average, it currently receives over 250,000 visitors a month generating about 500,000 page views. As of October 2013, Alexa.com places it within the top 70,000 most visited websites.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alexa.com%2Fsiteinfo%2Fwww.wikiislam.net&date=2013-10-19|title= Wikiislam.net|publisher= Alexa.com|author= |date= accessed October 19, 2013|archiveurl= |deadurl=no}}</ref>

Unlike many other sites critical of Islam, WikiIslam's audience is not "Eurocentric". The majority of its readers are from Eastern or Muslim-majority nations such as [[Pakistan]], [[Bangladesh]], [[India]], [[Malaysia]], [[Egypt]], [[United Arab Emirates]], and [[Singapore]].<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/www.wikiislam.net|2=2011-11-28}} "Wikiislam.net/ Audience"], Alexa.com, accessed November 28, 2011.</ref> Likewise, many of the site's administrators and editors are from a Muslim background or are skeptics from Muslim majority nations.

The site is currently [[WikiIslam:Join the Team#Ways_To_Help_Us|looking for editors]] to translate some of their English articles into Indonesian, Urdu, Bengali and [[Arabic]]. There are translations from English already available at the site in [[:Category:Other_Languages|several languages]], including [[Azərbaycanca Yazılar - Articles in Azerbaijani|Azerbaijani]], [[Les articles en francais - Articles in French|French]], [[:Category:Türkçe (Turkish)|Turkish]] and [[Ozbekcha maqolalar - Articles in Uzbek|Uzbek]]. A [[:ru:Заглавная страница|Russian]] sub-domain was started in early 2013 and they also host many [[Translations of Arabic/Islamic Media|press articles and fatwas]] from the Islamic world translated into English from the original Arabic.

==Wikipedia==

WikiIslam's primary focus is on the religion of Islam while Wikipedia is a compendium of general knowledge. These differing goals have led to different policies and guidelines.

Wikipedia discourages the use of primary and what they term as "non-notable/reliable" sources. WikiIslam, on the other hand, encourages the use of authentic primary religious text and the rulings of authoritative Muslim scholars who may not be notable to people outside of the Muslim world but who are giants from within.

Wikipedia focuses on "verifiability, not truth".<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability,_not_truth|2=2012-02-10}} "Verifiability, not truth"], Wikipedia, accessed February 10, 2012.</ref> In regards to Islam, it has meant they accept what "notable/reliable" western commentators say about its religious text and Muslims over what the religious text and Muslims actually say themselves. Conversely, WikiIslam accepts what the religious text and Muslims say over the opinions and interpretations of third-party western commentators.

==See Also==

*[[WikiIslam:Frequently Asked Questions|Frequently Asked Questions]]
*[[What People Say About WikiIslam]]

==Contact Information==
{{Fb link}}
To contact WikiIslam with general ideas and suggestions, a [http://wikiislam.net/w/index.php?title=WikiIslam:Forum/Visitor_Inquiries&action=edit&section=new message can be left] on the relevant forum page. For copyright issues, click [[WikiIslam:Copyright Issues|here]]. And for other important issues, click [[WikiIslam:Contact Us|here]].

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

[[Category:WikiIslam]]
[[ru:ВикиИслам:Описание]]

User:Scottperry

2014-06-23T20:01:12Z

Scottperry: respect

I consider myself to be both a scientist and a Christian. I see no conflict between the two. While considering myself to be a Christian, I do not enjoy working alongside those who hold contempt or disrespect for my beliefs. Neither do I wish to hold any disrespect or contempt for the beliefs of others. As for those people who seem to hold contempt or disrespect against the beliefs of others, including against my own beliefs, I "respectfully" disagree with them. [[User:Scottperry|Scottperry]] ([[User talk:Scottperry|talk]]) 13:01, 23 June 2014 (PDT)

Talk:Main Page

2014-06-23T19:55:09Z

Scottperry: /* Is the purpose of this website, to be entirely neutral and scientific, to be biased against Islam, or some combination of the two? */ new section

User talk:Scottperry

2014-06-23T03:49:14Z

Scottperry: my reply

==Source needed==
We need a source/reference for [http://wikiislam.net/w/index.php?title=Muslim_Statistics&diff=107924&oldid=101364 this]. Do you know it? --[[User:Axius|Axius]] ([[User_talk:Axius|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/Axius|contribs]]) 19:49, 22 June 2014 (PDT)

: I was wondering about that… Please check out my reply at [http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Talk:Muslim_Statistics#Source_needed_.28regarding_literacy_rates_shown_for_various_Muslim_countries.29 Muslim Statistics Talk] Thanks, [[User:Scottperry|Scottperry]] ([[User talk:Scottperry|talk]]) 20:49, 22 June 2014 (PDT)

Talk:Muslim Statistics

2014-06-23T03:46:57Z

Scottperry: literacy rates documentation

{{article tasks}}
==Unverified Statistics==

'''''Unverified statistics can be placed here until a reliable source is found for them.'''''

{{Quote|| 75% of all babies born in Spain on January 1, 2012 were born to immigrant parents, primarily from Morocco.}}

==Possible Additions==

'''''Interesting statistics can be placed here until a suitable place is found for them.'''''

{{Quote|August 2009|In the past two years, police have dealt with 170 crimes committed by 50 people who wore concealing Islamic clothing to hide their identities, according to police officials.

Police are still looking for two men who were wearing the niqab when they opened fire on policemen in a western Amman neighbourhood in July and escaped. It was not clear if they were militants or robbers.Last year, two niqab-wearing men were arrested after robbing Société Générale Bank in Amman at gunpoint and taking US$37,000 (Dh1360,000)."Using the niqab as a means of disguise is very harmful to this dress, which is revered in our Islamic society. But it is evident that the number of criminal cases where the niqab is used has increased," Jamal Bdour, the director of the Criminal Investigations Department at the Public Security Department, told a press conference in July.

Public cautions by the police regarding the niqab and khimar have triggered a debate in the country over how to tackle the use of the garments in crimes, with some calling for them to be restricted or even banned.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/crime-wave-by-men-wearing-the-khimar |title= Crime wave by men wearing the khimar |publisher= The National | author= Suha Maayeh| date= August 4, 2009 |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.ae%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Fmiddle-east%2Fcrime-wave-by-men-wearing-the-khimar&date=2013-11-05|deadurl=no}}</ref>}}

{{Quote|September, 2012|The report [by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC)] read that minorities make up three to four percent of the country’s population but remain sidelined in state policies. In 2011, extremists killed governor Salmaan Taseer and federal minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti, as both were advocating minority rights by calling for amendments in the country’s controversial blasphemy law. . . . 
Floods: The 2011 floods affected 4.8 million people, half of them children (an estimated 500,000 below the age of five). It is estimated that over 2.5 million men, women and children still lack essentials of life such as clean water, adequate food and durable shelter. The floods left over 2.4 million children and 1.2 million women vulnerable and exposed; lacking access to safe drinking water, sanitation and healthcare.<ref name="DTSep52012">[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012/09/05/story_5-9-2012_pg7_25|2=2012-09-05}} 2,000 minorities girls converted to Islam forcibly: report] - Daily Times, September 5, 2012</ref>}}

{{Quote|1=September, 2012|2=Women in Yemen are worse off now than a year ago, when they played a significant part in the country’s revolution that promised political and economic change, an international aid agency has concluded.

In a report released on Monday, Oxfam International said '''four out of five Yemeni women claim their lives have only become harder over the past 12 months.''' Faced with an intensifying humanitarian crisis, which has left a quarter of women between the ages of 15 and 49 acutely malnourished, they say they’re struggling to feed their families and are unable to participate in the country’s transition. . . . 
The report, which surveyed 136 women across Yemen in July and August, also says the '''majority of women asserted they felt less safe than a year ago.''' They cited concern over the proliferation of small arms '''“gun battles in the streets of Sana’a” and the risk of sexual assault'''. In camps for internally displaced individuals, such as in Haradh in the north, women said pressures from current crises have led to higher levels of domestic violence.

Displaced women also said they felt unsafe returning to their homes in provinces like Abyan to the south, where the government recaptured areas from Al Qaida militants this summer. In addition, women said there was a lack of protection provided to them by police and other security authorities.

On the political front, '''women were emboldened after last year’s uprisings, but now claim they are feeling “sidelined by the transition process and say they have been shut out of decision-making by political parties and the government”''', the report said.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/yemen/yemeni-women-lose-out-after-revolution-1.1080443|2=2012-09-25}} Yemeni women lose out after revolution] - Associated Press, September 24, 2012</ref>}}

{{Quote|1=June, 2012|2=The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) made a request for five user accounts to be closed for allegedly promoting terrorism.

Google agreed and '''deleted the 640 videos'''.

The web giant has previously been criticised by politicians in Britain and the United States for hosting extremist propaganda on YouTube, its video sharing website, including as the sermons of Anwar al-Awlaki, a senior al-Qaeda cleric, who killed by a US drone strike last year.

Awlaki’s online sermons inspired Roshonara Choudhry, 21, to become the first al-Qaeda fanatic to attempt a political assassination in the UK when she stabbed MP Stephen Timms at his constituency surgery in May.

Even after Choudhry was convicted by a jury at the Old Bailey, '''more than 5,000 postings featuring Awlaki’s videos remained live on YouTube'''. In one sermon, titled 44 Ways to Support Jihad, he tells followers: “Jihad today is obligatory on every capable Muslim.

"The hatred of kuffar [non-believers] is a central element of our military creed. Jihad [holy war] must be practiced by the child... Arms training is an essential part of preparation for jihad.”<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/9337993/Google-removes-640-videos-from-YouTube-promoting-terrorism.html|2=2012-06-18}} Google removes 640 videos from YouTube promoting terrorism] - The Telegraph, June 18, 2012</ref>}}

==Source needed (regarding literacy rates shown for various Muslim countries)==
We need a source/reference for [http://wikiislam.net/w/index.php?title=Muslim_Statistics&diff=107924&oldid=101364 this]. Do you know it? --[[User:Axius|Axius]] ([[User_talk:Axius|talk]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Special:Contributions/Axius|contribs]]) 19:49, 22 June 2014 (PDT)

:The source is http://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:World_literacy_map_UNHD_2007_2008.png. How to document this? Thanks, [[User:Scottperry|Scottperry]] ([[User talk:Scottperry|talk]]) 20:46, 22 June 2014 (PDT)

==References==
{{reflist}}