Islam in Europe: perception and reality

[abaris]

What do you mean “start?” the Quran says any Muslim who does not participate in a declared jihad will be counted among the infidels.

One of the most common mistakes, Rhonda. Look up the definition of Jihad. It's not war. War can, under certain circumstances, be a part of it. But it's not the goal or the definition. But at iit's core, it simply means effort. To strenghten faith and to proselitize. There's also a rule in place that says, in case of war: Do not kill any child, any woman, or any elder or sick person. That's a rule supposedly set up by Mohammed himself.

There's also this.

“Whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as though he had killed all of mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind.” (Qur’an 5:32).

Unsurprisingly very similar to jewish tradition.

There's also this by an ancient islamic scholar.

Do not kill the monks in monasteries, and do not kill those sitting in places of worship. (Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal)

Or this.

Do not wish for an encounter with the enemy; pray to God to grant you security; but when you [are forced to] encounter them, exercise patience.” (Sahih Muslim)

Of course, radicals don't observe any of this. But it's still at the core of islamic teachings.