Dear Friends,
Islam means “submission.” Westerners tend to associate Islam with the subjugation of Arabia. We do this even though less than twenty percent of the world’s Muslim population consists of Arabs living in Arabia. The world’s largest Muslim population, for example, lives in the non-Arabian country of Indonesia; whereas the world’s third-largest Islamic population is located to its west, in India.
Though the “religion of peace” began in Arabia, Islam left the Arabian Peninsula soon after its inception in the 7th century. It unleashed its sword and has overrun cultures around the globe ever since.
One of those places was India.
Known principally as the birthplace of Hinduism, the Indian subcontinent also had a long, painful experience with Islam. Because the West has forgotten the history of Islam in India, we derive no lessons from it. Christians in India, however, are less likely to forget. They are aware that, had the British not interceded in a previous era, Islam would have utterly destroyed Christianity there. It has done so in many other places, and continues its rampage in our day. Each month, the Levitt Letter reports on Islam’s campaign to subdue the world.
Americans who are oblivious to India’s history associate it with the exotic Taj Mahal. They don’t know that Islam subjugated and destroyed many Indians. Few realize that India hosts the world’s third-largest Muslim population; fewer know that the much-admired Taj Mahal is in fact an Islamic shrine and a testimony to Islamic domination. The 60,000 to 70,000 daily tourists who visit the Taj Mahal can see that Islam is as much about conquest as about peace.
Every tourist learns the story of the Islamic, Mogul invasion of India. The massive Muslim fort and palace next to the Taj Mahal serve as reminders of the conquest. It is said that 14 chapters of the Koran are carved into the building’s marble in massive letters and inlaid with stone. The letters are enormous, making the Persian calligraphy visible to all. Islamic lettering also covers gates and walls, and simply cannot be missed. Unmistakable to even the illiterate, an Islamic mosque dwells in the shadow of the Taj Mahal. After prayers, faithful worshippers move into a courtyard where they can marvel at the symbol of military and religious triumph over India—the beautiful Taj Mahal, which looms larger than life right next to it.
Unlike the Europeans who seem ready to submit to the “religion of peace,” non-Muslim Indians count themselves fortunate to be out of its grip. During the British colonial era, India’s vast and various people and religions moved from Muslim control to the British Crown’s. When India gained independence from England in 1947, Muslims saw no chance to regain dominion, and petitioned for a state of their own in Pakistan. It was granted over Gandhi’s objections. Even with a separate state established for Muslims, the world’s third-largest Muslim population still dwells in India.
Population distribution of Muslims per www.Islam.com
Indonesia 203 million
Pakistan 174 million
INDIA 161 MILLION
Bangladesh 145 million
The term “two-state solution” usually refers to problems with Jews and Muslims in Israel. The idea was used in India a few decades ago—a “two-state solution” formally separated India and Pakistan. The result is a socially- and politically-unstable Islamic government in Pakistan that is also a nuclear power. With Islamic fundamentalism gaining in that country, God only knows the implications for others in the region.
Unlike Pakistan and other downward-spiraling Islamic domains in the Middle East, India is prospering—like Israel. The economic anxiety rippling through the West is not felt in India—or Israel. To the contrary, Indians are experiencing an economic boom and the surges of confidence that go along with it. Conditions for women are improving, with more entering universities, professions, and the workforce. A premium on freedom of religion—or freedom from religion—makes India an example of an open and non-discriminatory society. Despite its problems, India is light-years ahead of its neighbors.
The British presence in India prevented the Muslims, who brutalized the country, from completely decimating the Christian population, saving India from becoming a backwater culture. Though no one knows for certain the extent of the suffering India endured under Islamic domination, I’ve heard statistics of deaths in the tens of millions.
The rage that overran India captured America’s attention in 2008 when Islamic extremists attacked Mumbai, leaving 174 dead in their wake. Though the media usually frame global social and religious tensions in a Jewish-Arab context, the Mumbai massacre showed that such simplistic reduction of history and contemporary events conceals a treacherous, systematic agenda.
In “Who’s Behind the Mumbai Massacre” (TIME, November 2008), Simon Robinson identified some of the culprits:
Lashkar-e-Toiba (Army of the Pure) formed in 1990, probably in Afghanistan. Based near Lahore in Pakistan, it is hellbent on restoring Islamic rule over India. Indian intelligence sources believe the group has backers within Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence). It also has historic links to both the Taliban and al-Qaeda. India’s National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan said in 2006 that Lashkar-e-Toiba is part of the “al-Qaeda compact” and is “as big and as omnipotent” as Osama bin Laden’s group.
Jaish-e-Mohammed emerged in early 2000 under Maulana Masood Azhar. Azhar was a mujahedin leader in Kashmir who had been serving time in an Indian jail but was released in exchange for passengers on an Indian Airlines jet hijacked to Afghanistan. The group was responsible for an attack on India’s parliament in December 2001 that brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war. Jaish-e-Mohammed is believed to have close links to al-Qaeda and bin Laden through a religious school in Karachi.
Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) formed in 1977 and has close connections to a pocket of Chicago’s Muslim community. It has waxed and waned for three decades, but the group recently has become more active. SIMI blamed 9/11 on Israelis and, at the same time, expressed admiration for bin Laden and his war against the West. Some Indian experts believe that Indian Mujahedin is simply a renamed SIMI. [For particulars go to: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1862733,00.html.]
People of The Book, as Islam calls Jews and Christians, are facing a multifaceted war. And Zola Levitt Ministries is on the front lines!
The notion that the world would “live happily ever after”
were not the Jews so wicked is a fantasy! My host in India, Dr.
George Chavanikamannil (r), doesn’t buy that myth. He prays for
the peace of Jerusalem, and warns pastors, teachers, missionaries,
and laymen about the hazards of Islamic acquiescence. He is an
ally with Zola Levitt Ministries, and vice versa.
Dr. Chavanikamannil heads one of India’s most prestigious theological seminaries, training pastors and missionaries for India. His resolute posture warning seminarians not to be sheepish in the face of Islamic threats impressed me, and I spoke at his conference in January.
While in India, I showed five Zola Levitt Presents television programs to the theological students at New Theological College (www.ntcdoon.org). Most of them had never met a Jew or been exposed to Israel, even through film. However, this living Jew showed them some of our ministry’s moving scenes of Israel, Israeli actors, and biblical dramas filmed on location in Israel. They saw a Messianic Jewish theologian open the Scriptures.
Surprisingly, many were familiar with Messianic Jewish music. One fellow informed me in broken English that he knew the late Zola Levitt through his books. This was an encouraging reminder of the camaraderie of the Messianic Jewish community.
Churches reach out to their communities. Thanks to internationally syndicated television and the Internet’s vast reach, we consider the whole world within range. I see the fruits of our outreach no matter where I travel.
If you watch Zola Levitt Presents during March, you’ll see our newest series,
Eretz Israel (Land of Israel). Review with us God’s covenant with Abraham and his
descendants; understand Israel’s eternal significance and its role in prophecy.
Remember, too, that you can catch a missed episode online at www.levitt.tv.
During March, please tune in Zola Levitt Presents for the programs described below:
Promised to the Next Generation
On location in Beersheba, we discuss how the God who
cares for His people in every generation visited Isaac in
Beersheba, and confirmed His unwavering intention to
give the Land to Isaac and to his seed after him.
To All Generations
Discover how Bethel became a “gate[way] to heaven” (Genesis 28:17), and
learn of God’s affirmation to Jacob that the promises made to Abraham and
Isaac would be fulfilled through him and his descendants.
Entering the Promised Land
Though the Patriarchs were long dead by his time, Moses picked up and ran
with their living Land promises. We visit Jericho and follow the story where
the ancient Israelites began to contend for the destiny promised by God—
their residency in the Land of Israel.
Fighting for the Promised Land
The ageless mandate—to lay siege to the patriarchs’ promises—was passed
on to Joshua. We examine the battle at Hazor that secured the northern
territories for Abraham’s offspring.
Promised Forever
At the Valley of Megiddo—Armageddon—we review God’s Land promises to
David and Solomon and glance at clues that speak of victories yet to come.
Those who sow Gospel seed money into this outreach may never see the fruits their sacrifices reap. However, rewards will be meted out in the world to come, when a gracious God hands out merit badges to those who served His purposes while here on Earth.
Zola Levitt Ministries is recovering its equilibrium after a two-year financial storm, a worldwide phenomenon. If you find yourself in a better position now, would you please consider a gift to help with the ministry? We’re gearing up to film in Israel again, and the financial pressures are grinding me down. Please help.
If your personal ministry calls you to Israel, we’re happy to take you there. Our summer Discovery Tour travels June 12–22—low season—saving $500 off regular season prices. PLUS, it includes a morning at an archaeological dig, sifting your fingers through Israel’s sacred history. A bargain!
Our Fall Tour offers four options to make the most of your Holy Land experience.
If you include Greece, the islands, and Ephesus, you begin your trip on October 18,
joining other pilgrims to tour Israel on October 23. You return home on November
2, unless you travel to the rose-red city of Petra in Jordan. Pilgrims to Petra return
November 6. You need only call 1-800-WONDERS or 214-696-9760 to learn how you
can go with us. Do it today.
If you’d like to support ZLM on an ongoing basis, please consider filling out the form for our Monthly Gift Program. And please remember, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6)
Your messenger,
P.S. Agra, site of the Taj Mahal, gets its name from the prefix ah, meaning to “come,” and gra, to “fall down.” Agra beckons individuals to come and fall down. Never mind bowing down at Agra; come to Jerusalem in Israel and kneel to the King of Kings.
Dear Jeff,
I didn’t realize that India survived a takeover by Islam and that its democratic society is rallying despite a substantial Muslim population.
“Here is my gift for March. PTL that you made the teaching materials available to seminaries in India. Please keep videos and teaching coming!”
These two television productions are dedicated to the viewers and readers who have loved Zola like a family member.
“Remembering Zola” was recorded at Zola’s memorial service and includes video highlights of past telecasts and special music as well as tributes to a never-to-be-forgotten warrior of the faith.
“In Loving Memory,” is a tribute to Zola by those who knew him best. His widow, Sandra Levitt, talks with Zola’s family, friends, and co-workers in this special half-hour reminiscence of a man who planted seeds of faith in millions of lives.
After giving his own testimony, Zola devotes chapters to the Jews, Muslims, Palestinians, the government, media, education, churches, End Times, and questions and answers.
Zola accepted Jesus as his Messiah on March 14, 1971. Within several years, he authored a dozen books and hosted a live talk-radio program. Zola’s ministry expanded to television. Zola produced over 700 hours of television that reached millions. This retrospective series brings you a few highlights of Zola’s work, music, and life.
