Boaz,

Here is a detailed article that explains prophet Mohammed (pbuh)'s marriages:
http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1179664473565&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout

Then again you knew that, you are testing me, again :)

On another ironic note, I have to thank you for I received an email from a Melbourne based old friend, saying that he met many people who followed our 'duel'and were encouraged to know more about Islam. More than half a dozen are seriousley considering becoming Muslims. So thanks :)

I give you credit for your persistence, too bad that it is not on the side of truthfullness (half-truth is worse than a full lie in case you are wondering).
Peace,

Let's see - people are seriously becoming Muslims after reading this thread? I'm sorry Fellow-Human but there is no Allah and anybody who wishes to 'convert' to believe in the fundamentally NON-EXISTENT is in need of a psychiatric examination.

Let's see - people are seriously considering becoming Muslims after reading this thread? I'm sorry Fellow-Human but there is no Allah and anybody who wishes to 'convert' to believe in the fundamentally NON-EXISTENT is in need of a psychiatric examination.

Robert Fisk’s “The Great War for Civilization”, which admittedly I have only thumbed through, reveal factual errors - undoubtedly readers will pick them up. Fisk should have corrected these in his galley proofs. Such errors slew the truth, also indicating a journalist cavalier about facts. He admitted every journalist should carry a history book in his back pocket; he needed tomes. Unfortunately, less informed readers will believe them; more cynical readers ...?

Working in the Middle East for many years he would know it essential to get Islamic historical facts correct. In an Islamic society, not to, is insulting. Even with my, albeit, limited knowledge, I know that Imam Ali, was both a cousin and son-in-law of the prophet, having married his daughter, Fatima. Iman Ali was not a nephew.

Fisk states that he retains his innocence ... people are being killed and maimed around him. Having witnessed carnage myself, I find this an extraordinary comment to make. Also, he appears to have found no moderate Muslims ...?

He mentions nothing about the extremely significant and pivotal Egyptian-Israeli and Jordanian-Israeli peace treaties. Also ... Britain’s “support” of a Jewish state during the Palestine mandate ... !?

As stated, I lived in Malaya in my formative years. My stepfather was a top ranking colonial officer, with OBE (in colonial parlance “other buggar’s efforts”). With such proven loyalty to queen and country he was privy to much inter-colonial information. The British use criteria extending from “confidential” to “top secret” to “off-the-record”, the latter never witnessed with ink on paper. We knew top brass who had served in the Middle East; the British treated the Jews appallingly.

I stated non-confidential facts, indeed on public record, on another forum. Now someone is virtually trumpetting off with my head, or at least run off the onlineforum.

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=5940

He provided yet another online forum which, indeed, confirmed my opinion.

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=5358

Actually to be fair about my step-father, he earned his OBE. After all, anyone, dressed only in a sarong, standing rigidly at attention and saluting a TV set playing “God save the queen” at midnight ...

Dan Fitzpatrick,

I am not sure I agree with you about Fisk’s stature.

However, such a significant mistake at such a period in Middle Eastern history, I consider, reprehensible.

He should have double verified his information. Surely, he would have contacts in the Middle East to do so.

I believe Fisk has had issues with The Times; I do not know the circumstances. However, UK’s Independent is financed by 75% advertising accounts. This presents problems. The primary one is to beat all other newspapers with a scoop.

Also ... vested interests. In the US, an editor of a newspaper sent out his best investigative team to research environmental damage and hazards. They did so will compelling and damaging results. Unfortunately, the most profitable advertising account the paper had, was also the worst contributor to the problem. The story had to be pulled.

Very rarely is there such a thing as freedom of the press. As all editors know, other issues impinge on this freedom.

Another thing I noticed is Fisk’s unsophisticated language. Many newspapers, especially surviving on advertisng accounts, instruct their journalists that language used must be comprehensible to someone of the age of 12 years.

Yvonne... let me clear something up quickly.. Hersi Ali's personal morality track record is her own business..I do care that she speaks truth.. and if it is about Islam, that it should also be truth rather than mere speculation or recounting of tribal/cultural anedotes.

Primary sources for Christianity are the Gospels, Letter of Paul, and the Old Testament. They exist in a variety of formats, secondary sources would be the writings of the Church fathers 'quoting' the primary sources.

FH. I'm glad that people are following our duel here. That people would consider becoming Muslim after reading our back and forth ? hmmmm if that's true then I feel sorry for them honestly.

I read your 'sugar coated' site about Mohammads wives. Lots of sugar, very little reality. Claiming on the one hand that Mohammad is the 'best of all mankind' (in other places) and the example to be followed says little for his choice of marriage partners.

It was claimed in that site that he married her for 'strategic' reasons.. such as cementing an alliance with a powerful man..Abu Bakr.. well newsflash.. Bakr was ALready a convinced and close ally of Mohammad. He had zero need to marry Aisha. If he was truly from God, he would have firstly NOT married more than one woman, and secondly, he would have chosen an age which would have been acceptable to mankind. But.. apparently (according to Islam) God smiles on a 60 yr old man having sex with a 9 yr old girl........

well..if that is the attraction to Islam.. mate..you can have them, we don't need or want them, I won't say God doesn't.. after all, Christ died for us WHILE we were enemies..and old men who lust after little girls.. are certainly Gods enemies.

Don't even think about telling me MOhammad had sex with her out of 'duty' mate.. she was his FAVORITE wife, which itself is illegal under Islam.. 'Treat them all equally'....

I just provide the 'real' truth..not the 'half' truth you accuse me of.