Living Islam means to make a commitment to live in peace through submission to the will of Allah (God). The net result of living in Islam is to bring equality of mankind without any prejudice based on race, nationality, national or tribal loyalties, gender, religion, or any other basis.

The Qur'an talks about this equality in Surah Hujarat (49), verse 13, where it states: "Oh mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Lo! The noblest of you in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Allah is Knower, Aware."

Another effect of Islam is social justice and equity. This justice is in human rights without double standards and no favor for the rich or powerful.

Surah Ma'idah (5), verse 8:
"Oh you who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that you deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is informed of what you do."

Surah Nisaa (4), verse 135:
"Oh you who believe! Be staunch in justice, witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or (your) parents or (your) kindred, whether (the case be of) a rich man or a poor man, for Allah is nearer unto both (than you are). So follow not passion lest you lapse (from truth) and if you lapse or fall away, then Lo! Allah is ever Informed of what you do."

There cannot be any peace as long as there is no justice. In our country, domestically, there are poor, blacks, American Indians, Hispanics, Muslims, Arabs and others who do not get their fair share. Internationally, justice is denied, usually with a double standard, to Palestinians, Kashmiris, Chechens, Filipino Muslims, Kosovars, Bosnians, Indian Muslims, and others.

The United States and the European powers use a double standard to justify their discrimination against these people. As long as these double standards exist there can be no peace in the world. Even the United Nations is ruled through vetoes in the Security Council and resolutions passed in support of justice are ignored by the world powers or such resolutions are never implemented.

Even the Western media, especially American media, is very biased and uses the double yardstick in reporting world events.

Islam stands for peace and Muslims are protesting against the double standards and double yardsticks. Some of these Muslims lose their patience and their cool and, in their frustration, resort to irrational acts of violence.

This is not a condoning of any violence, but I would like to bring to your attention to the problem. Think about it! If we want true peace in the world, we must bring true justice and equality to the world.

Billions of dollars are being spent to prop up tyrannical dictatorships and to maintain the double standards that beget terrorism as an outlet of frustration which is requiring billions of dollars more on security measures -- the terror cycle goes on -- tyranny breeds terror. Instead, those billions should be spent to bring justice and equity to the world that will remove all causes of terrorism and crime.

Let us start a new cycle of spending money on social justice that will result in peace that will save money which can be spent for the welfare of mankind world wide. Social justice breeds peace.

Tyranny and oppression breeds terrorism - this is the natural product, Political and social justice breed peace -- this is a more desirable product.

God (Allah) tells us in the Qur'an in Surah Nahl (16), verse 90:

"Lo! Allah enjoins justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbidding lewdness and abomination and wickedness. Allah exhorts you in order that you may take heed."