M.M. Akbar of Niche of Truth (http://www.nicheoftruth.org/) has been one of the most popular Islamic speakers at least among the Christians in Kerala. On the pretext of Sneha Samvadam (literally translated as love debates), Akbar has been misrepresenting Christian faith in a low tone and equally low standard language against the Yehovah and the God incarnate Jesus Christ. However, Niche of Truth has been evading public debates with Christians on these topics though the public impression that they create is of Christians not coming for the debate. This lie has been nailed in these emails with Sakshi. Niche of Truth is exposed of its empty talks.
Brief background of the emails:
Niche of Truth has around nine centers (Visit in the Niche of Truth website >> About Niche Of Truth >> Centers and Contacts) namely Cochin, Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Tirur, Perinthalmanna, Kollam, Areacode, Nilambur and Mannarkkad. Our initial contact started with Nazeer in Trivandrum who corresponded with us on behalf of Niche of Truth (as you will read in his mail) and later connected us with Shameem of Cochin center.
Initially Nazeer agreed to arrange the debate on any topic with MM Akbar provided we are ready to bear 50% of the expense. We agreed for that. But the moment Sakshi put all those things in mail, Nazeer came back with denial that the topics should be impartial (you will read all those in mails and the background of all these correspondence). Thereafter Sakshi insisted on corresponding over the mail and we got almost no response from Nazeer except a one line mail which again showed his denials. Later we did the follow-up over the phone and where he would again make claims which he will not put on record. When we insisted more, he connected us to Shameem of Cochin center.
Instead of calling by phone, we wrote a mail to Shameem asking him to confirm what Nazeer said to us. Within 25 minutes from sending of the mail, an angry Shameem called Bro. Jerry (he must have got the phone number from Nazeer) and said that Nazeer has nothing to do with Niche of Truth and no one except Shameem and Akbar has the right to speak on behalf of Niche of Truth (so what about the other eight centers???) and the discussion for debate has to start again with Cochin center. Shameem said he will send a mail. Bro. Jerry asked Shameem to state all that he spoke over the phone in the mail which Shameem is going to send and send it from the official id of Niche of Truth which Shameem agreed. After a few days when there was no response from Shameem, Bro. Jerry called Shameem and asked him about the mail. Shameem replied that he will not send the mail as Akbar advised him against sending a mail (to avoid any records???). However, Shameem said that if Bro. Jerry sends a mail to Niche of Truth leaving the past, they will come for a debate. Bro. Jerry insisted on corresponding only with Akbar as Shameem himself went back on his word. Bro. Jerry clarified the past, agreed to leave it behind and started the fresh initiation for the debate to which Akbar did not respond.
Why we publish these emails?
From the past experiences of many Christians with Niche of Truth, it has been found that Niche of Truth has the habit of going back on their word for most of the topics and then later accusing Christians of running away from the debate. We cite three:
- One of the most popular evangelists in Kerala is Bro. R Krishnankutty. Akbar has gone back on his word many times with Bro. R Krishnankutty for public debates. Thereafter this man of God had done a rebuttal message in public without Akbar on stage at a few places. Some Muslims approached again and asked Bro. R Krishnankutty to debate with Akbar. He readily agreed for it and gave the topic which can be translated as – Jesus or Muhammad: Who is the True Pattern. Though it is Muslims who have invited our dear evangelists, a trembling Akbar asked this evangelist for Rs. 30000/ to conduct the debate. Why? We wonder. However, when our evangelist cited that it is Muslim brothers who invited for the debate, therefore they must bear the expense; Akbar cited that as a reason and went back on his word. Now, Muslims like Nazeer is saying that our dear evangelist is not ready for the debate.
- Nilampur Niche of Truth group approached Rev. Dr. Johnson T and asked him to debate with Akbar. Rev. Dr. Johnson T. agreed and gave the topic- Morality of Muhammad, which they agreed. However, the group came back and told that they do not have money. Rev. Dr. Johnson T said that he will organize it in his Church and asked them to come. Then they told Akbar is not prepared on the subject. Rev. Dr. Johnson T asked them to take time, get prepared and come. They came back again and asked to change the topic to Allah or Jesus: Who is the true God. Rev. Dr. Johnson T agreed for that. However, the moment that they saw Rev. Dr. Johnson T is prepared; they came back again and asked to change the topic to Bible or Quran. Rev. Dr. Johnson T insisted on the already agreed topic. Nilampur Niche of Truth friends went around saying that Rev. Dr. Johnson T refuses to debate.
- Another incident of Niche of Truth refusing to engage the moment they saw a person is prepared is the articles in Akbar’s magazine. Bro. K V Sebastian started writing in Akbar’s magazine about the Crucifixion. Akbar published the first in the series. The moment Akbar realized that the truth of crucifixion of Jesus will shatter the Islamic myth, he abruptly stopped the series. We do not know what Akbar explained to his community.
In this context, we thought it is essential to publish the email to Muslim negotiators. Otherwise they may hide their cowardliness and lie that Sakshi ran away from the debate. We must point out to Muslim friends that Christians in Kerala have debated with MM Akbar on the topic – Quran or Bible: Which is the Word of God? One such excellent debate with Bro. James Varghese IAS, is uploaded in the You Tube.
It is time now to discuss on core issues of both faiths especially when Akbar is accusing against Christian faith. Akbar and the Muslim community have rejected all the true prophets and put their faith on the words of one alleged prophet. Akbar accuses against the truth as revealed by those prophets. If he is so confident about Muhammad, why is he trembling to discuss about him in public? Akbar and Muslim community have rejected God of the Holy Scriptures and believed in the Allah of the Quran. Akbar even accuses against the God of the Bible. If Akbar is so confident why is he afraid to debate on the topic Is Allah the True God?
As you would read in our last mail to Akbar, Sakshi has expressed readiness to discuss about the God of the Bible and Allah of the Quran. Will Akbar be ready in his life time?
If MM Akbar is not ready, then we have a request. Please apologize for whatever you said about the God of the Bible and preach only your religion. However, if he defends his method as comparative religious approach, to speak what he thinks as truth in the public even against other religions (which is not allowed against Islam in Islamic countries, see the hypocrisy of Dawah preachers), then he also has a responsibility to defend his position publicly with speakers from other religions. If not his freedom is a freedom without responsibility which is nothing but an abuse of freedom.
Muslim friends– instead of writing to us, write to [email protected] Instead of calling us, check the contact numbers given in Niche of Truth website and call them. Ask them why they are running away from debating on such crucial topics. If they are convinced that truth about Allah and Muhammad will shock ordinary Muslims, then leave Islam and come to the only True and Acceptable faith in the sight of True Living God Jesus Christ.
First Mail to Nazeer after the Telephonic Conversation
On Fri, May 23, 2008 at 9:11 PM, Sakshi Apologetics Network
<[email protected]> wrote:
Let the name of Yehovah, the only true name of God upon which all the true prophets have called upon, who in flesh was known by the name Jesus the Christ, on whose name every spirit of and by name deceiver shall tremble and flee away, on whose name every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess be glorified for now and evermore.
To Nazeer,
It was interesting to talk to you and learn about your interest for inter-religious debate. I am particularly happy about a few things which you told:
(1) Niche of Truth is ready for a debate on any topic
(2) Half expense of the public debate will be borne by Niche of Truth
(3) You are ready for a debate at any place in Kerala
(4) Intention of debate is to propagate the truth as each of us know to the other community. Debate is a forum where people from both communities would come I hope that you will stand by all these statements as the discussion progress. And not make any lame excuses to run away from the debate.
I will be copying a few other Christian brothers as our discussion progress. As of now, this mail is to initiate the discussion on the future debate between Sakshi and Niche of Truth, Jesus willing, this year itself in Kerala.
This being the first official correspondence between Sakshi and Niche of Truth, please acknowledge this mail so that I would that your email id is correct. Once you acknowledge the mail, our next task is to identify the topic, suggest speakers from each side, venue and date. Also we will discuss all the points which needs to be signed in the agreement.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Servant to the only Holy and True God Jesus
Jerry (For Sakshi).
First Response from the Muslim Negotiator Nazeer On 5/24/08, nazeer ism <[email protected]> wrote:
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,MOST GRACIOUS,MOST MERCIFUL
Say: O People of the Scripture! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords besides Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).
To Jerry
I would like to make clear certain points where u have misunderstood me.
1. I have not agreed for a debate on any topic.Instead i have agreed to a topic that is impartial.The topic can be decided only by mutual
discussion
2. The venue for the debate should be comfortable to both the sides(impartial venue).Venue also shall be decided by mutual discussion
We are ready for the discussion on topic,date,venue,speakers and all other details of the agreement.
In all the discussions that Niche of truth has conducted till now,we have not taken any monopolitic decisions. This will be our approach in this debate also.Also,we expect the same from u.
Thankyou
Nazeer.
Second Response from the Sakshi SideOn 5/24/08, Sakshi Apologetics Network <[email protected]> wrote:
Let the name of Yehovah, the only true name of God upon which all the true prophets have called upon, who in flesh was known by the name Jesus the Christ, on whose name every spirit of and by name deceiver shall tremble and flee away, on whose name every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess be glorified for now and evermore.
"Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is anitchrist who denies the Father and the Son" (1 John 2:22).
To Nazeer,
Let me correct you: Yesterday when I spoke to you in the morning, you said you are ready to debate on ANY topic. Now onwards, let all the correspondence be primarily through emails so that there are no more denials.
In the light of this, the first and foremost thing to agree is the topics. As you would agree, the context for our initial discussion was your challenge to Pastor Shameer, and that you are debating on the impartial topics "Is Jesus God?" and "Is Bible the Word of God?" before July 3, 2008, we would like to have debates on the following similar impartial topics:
(1) Is Muhammad a Prophet?
(2) Is Allah the True God?
I am glad to hear that Niche of Truth does not take any monopolitic decisions. Of course, actions would speak louder than words and time will prove it. I am sure you will be delighted to debate on these topics as once you prove it, you win people.
Servant to the only Holy and True God Jesus Christ
Jerry
Second Response from the Muslim Side- Nazeer
we are ready to arrange a discussion to make agreement , topic venue , speckers etc – Hide quoted text –
Mail to Shameem to which he called by 1:45 PM but failed to keep his word in replying by mail though he said over the phone that he will do so.On Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 1:20 PM, Sakshi Apologetics Network <[email protected]> wrote:
Let the name of Triune God Yehovah, the only true name of God upon which all the true prophets have called upon, who in flesh was known by the name Jesus the Christ, on whose name every spirit of and by name deceiver shall
tremble and flee away, on whose name every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess be glorified for now and evermore.
To Shameem of Niche of Truth,
This mail is to reconfirm the decision arrived by Sakshi: An Apologetics Network in India (SAN) with Nazeer, official representative and authorized signatory of the Niche of Truth after telephonic conversations which were supplemented by exchange of emails.
Nazeer, (official representative and authorized signatory of the Niche of Truth who for the Niche of Truth signed the agreement with Pastor Shameer, which we understand is valid and official for Niche of Truth though singed in a paper without its letterhead) has agreed for the below mentioned points. We therefore consider that his agreements with SAN are also similarly official and valid.
This mail is merely to reconfirm the agreed decisions with the Niche of Truth for the record of SAN. Agreed points are as below:
1. There will be a public debate between Sakshi: An Apologetics Network in India and Niche of Truth
2. Topics suggested by SAN are (1) Is Muhammad a Prophet, (2) Is Allah the True God. As the context for the initial conversation between SAN and Niche of Truth official representative and authorized signatory Nazeer was the agreement signed by Niche of Truth and Pastor Shameer, and the 'impartial' topics for the debate with Pastor Shameer are (a) Is Jesus God (B) Is Bible the Word of God, equally impartial topics were proposed for the public debate.
Nazeer has not disagreed with the topics mentioned for the public debate between SAN and Niche of Truth namely (a) Is Muhammad a Prophet? (b) Is Allah the True God? SAN therefore considers that topic for the debate will be either both or any final decision on these said topics will be taken between SAN and Niche of Truth authorized representatives.
3. Authorized representatives of SAN and Niche of Truth will meet and sign the agreement on or before the debate between Niche of Truth and Pastor Shameer or any other mutually agreed date.
4. SAN has explicitly communicated that on the event of any failure from Niche of Truth to sign the agreement thereby evading the debate, SAN reserves the right to publish the correspondence to media to share the information with the larger public.
5. Nazeer, the official representative and authorized signatory of the Niche of Truth will leave (will no longer work with) Niche of Truth in the event of a failure from Niche of Truth to agree for the said public debate with SAN.
6. Venue, date and other details of the said public debate with SAN will be discussed and agreed on or before the debate of Niche of Truth with Pastor Shameer.
7. Expense of the said public debate will be equally shared by SAN and Niche of Truth
If you have any questions, please do let us know before the end of June 6, 2008 (Friday).
Servant to the only HOLY and TRUE God Jesus
Jerry
Mail to MM Akbar On 6/10/08, Sakshi Apologetics Network <[email protected]> wrote:
Let the name of Yehovah, the only true name of God upon which all the true prophets have called upon, who in flesh was known by the name Jesus the Christ, on whose name every spirit of and by name deceiver shall tremble and flee away, on whose name every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess be glorified for now and evermore.
To, Mr. MM Akbar,
Director, Niche of Truth
Subject: Fresh initiation for the Public Debate as advised by Shameem, Administrator, Niche of Truth (NoT)
Dear Mr. MM Akbar,This mail is a fresh initiation for the public debate.My name is Jerry Thomas and I am corresponding on behalf of Sakshi: An Apologetics Network in India (SAN).
I have collected your official email id from NoT Administrator, Shameem (Phone Number: 0484-2301175), after he failed to keep his own word in responding to us.
Clarifying Past- for Removing any Misunderstanding
Before I begin the fresh initiation for the public debate, it is in the order of things for our record and to remove any misunderstanding from you to give a few details about what happened until now. This is also to ensure that I bri
ng to your notice things which happened in the name of your organization so that I will not be faulted for misrepresenting your esteemed organization nor I will faulted for not bringing it to your notice.
After being connected to Nazeer (09447427774) as a response to his personal initiative (though my initial understanding was June 26 dialog in TVM is a Niche of Truth initiative until Shameem denied it), to confirm the matters, I corresponded with him over the email.
On May 23, 2008, I wrote to Nazeer keeping the subject line as 'To Niche of Truth' and explicitly stating in the body of email the following sentences "Niche of Truth is ready for a debate on any topic," "Half expense of the public debate will be borne by Niche of Truth" and after the phone conversation being the first email in the clearest language possible I wrote "This being the first official correspondence between Sakshi and Niche of Truth, please acknowledge this mail."
On May 24, 2008, Nazeer acknowledged the email and wrote the following text which makes it very clear that at least Nazeer was completely aware that he was speaking on behalf of NoT and it was never our misunderstanding. Nazeer wrote "In all the discussions that Niche of truth has conducted till now, we have not taken any monopolitic decisions. This will be our approach in this debate also. Also, we expect the same from you."
On May 24, 2008, I replied suggesting two topics "1) Is Muhammad a Prophet? (2) Is Allah the True God?Thereafter, I also spoke to Nazeer over the phone (which are not recorded nor documented).
Nazeer mentioned to me on June 26th if SAN representatives can come, they can meet face to face with brothers of NoT and sign the agreement on June 26, 2008. Through all these correspondence, any reasonable person will deduce the following conclusions- Nazeer is an official representative of NoT, for the June 26, 2008 dialog Muslim side is represented by NoT authorities (who can make decisions and sign the agreement) and whatever has been agreed between Nazeer and SAN is an official understanding between NoT and SAN.
However, I insisted on agreeing the topic before coming for the discussion. Even then Nazeer only told to me that Cochin branch is more powerful (but still did not deny that Nazeer has no power) and they should take the decision on it. So I asked him to connect me to Cochin branch where he gave me Shameem's email id.
On June 4, 2008, I wrote to Shameem summarizing the understanding reached by Nazeer (who spoke as a representative of NoT) and SAN. I also initiated further discussion on the topic for public debate. However, to my shock on June 4, 2008 itself Shameem called me and said
(a) Nazeer is neither a member (as NoT does not have membership) nor holds any official position in NoT
(b) NoT has nothing to do with June 26, 2008 program and it is a local initiative (c) For the public debate, there has to be fresh initiation from SAN.
Shameem volunteered to send a mail and I asked him to cite all these three points and send it from official NoT id so that we can close this chapter and start the fresh initiation.Since I did not receive any email until June 7, 2008, I called NoT office and reminded Shameem to send the email and to my utter disbelief he broke his own word.
To justify this unethical stand, he said that you had advised him not to send the email. Since Shameem cannot keep his own word, I asked him to give your email id and he gave me.The past experience, though filed with clear misleading and unethical practice from the Muslim side, we leave behind the past to begin a fresh start, hoping not to have those experiences again.
Fresh initiation for the Public Debate
As your organization is involved in propagation of Islamic beliefs through comparative study of religions and inter-religious dialog, SAN would like to have a Public Debate (open to all) at a mutually convenient date and a mutually convenient time and venue in Kerala on the either of the following topics:
- Is Allah of the Quran the True and Universal God?
- Is Muhammad a True Prophet?
If your organization is willing for the public debate, we would like to begin the discussion on other points and format to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement to be signed by NoT and SAN at their respective letterheads.I am waiting for your response. We prefer the correspondence over email as it will be on record of both the parties. It would be a good gesture on your part to acknowledge this email and begin
the correspondence over email.
Servant to the only HOLY and TRUE God Jesus
Jerry
Reminder to MM Akbar
Let the name of Yehovah, the only true name of God upon which all the true prophets have called upon, who in flesh was known by the name Jesus the Christ, on whose name every spirit of and by the name deceiver shall tremble and flee away, on whose name every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess be glorified for now and evermore
.I John 2:22: Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist that denies the Father and the Son.
To:Mr. MM Akbar,
Director, Niche of Truth.
Subject: Reminder to Fresh initiation for the Public Debate as advised by Shameem, Administrator, Niche of Truth (NoT).
Dear Mr. M.M. Akbar,
On June 10, 2008, we (Sakshi: An Apologetics Network in India) had sent a mail as per the advice of Niche of Truth Administrator Shameem for a fresh initiation for a public debate in Kerala. We have copied Shameem who is the NoT Administrator, and Nazeer who initially spoke to us on behalf of NoT. However, you have not responded to us.
Why We Insist on Emails?
Yet we are reminding you over the email so that Muslims will never falsely allege that we are not ready to debate with you when we will be doing public rebuttals in not so distant future in Kerala to your shallow but grave blasphemies against the only True God Jesus Christ.
Without records, we can cite an example of how your co-workers twist every incident to falsely allege against Christians. For example though your group in Nilampur (whom you may conveniently accept and reject) who approached Rev. Dr. Johnson T (to whom you were supposed to call last week), has not kept their word and ran away from the topics agreed by both parties orally has now started accusing our dear brother of not agreeing for the debate. Therefore we are reminding you over the email as this will be a record for us.
Finance:
Similarly, though Muslim friends approached our dear brother and renowned evangelist R Krishnankutty sir to debate with you to which he immediately agreed, you tactically evaded by asking him Rs. 30000/- for expense. Then Muslims like Nazeer say our dear brother Krishnankutty sir is not ready for debate!!! (to an impartial mind it is clear as day that it is you who ran away from the debate). We do not want any Muslim to even falsely say that again. Therefore we are ready for a 50% expense or a 60% expense and if finance is a real problem for you (though you seems to have recently made a trip to Gulf), we will work out on the least financial expense for you.
Topics:
Though Quran makes unfounded claims like Allah and Muhammad as lights, you seem to be afraid and trembling to debate about those "lights" as those will be exposed to the world. But when the Holy Bible says about the only true Triune God, it is true and pure. So we are ready to expand the scope of the topics initially suggested. Now the expanded topics are:
- God of the Holy Bible or God of the Quran: Who is the True and Universal God?
- LORD Jesus or Muhammad: Who is the True Light of the World?
Be ready to debate on these topics and show it to the people in Kerala who is true and Holy God, if ever you can. Venue and Date:A mutually convenient public venue and date can be decided if ever you are ready for these debates.
Next Action Items:
- We are expecting you to reply accepting this invite for debate as you have been speaking in low standard tone against the True God Jesus Christ.
- We will be publishing all the emails with Nazeer, Shameem and Niche of Truth at our website www.sakshitimes.com on June 20, 2008 if there is no response from you until then. It is our duty to be transparent to the public and our community. If you respond before that, we will proceed for further discussions. If you respond after that and before June 24,
2008, we will update that also.
- We will wait until June 24, 2008 (6:00 p.m. IST) as the last day to respond. If not, we will further try to publish this news of your tactical evasion of debate in as many as media outlets in Kerala so that people may know the truth about your ways. Remember, the earlier mail of fresh initiation has been advised by Shameem (NoT Administrator) to which you did not respond.
- If you are not coming for the debate after attacking Christian faith for more than a decade, we will be conducting public rebuttals to your vicious attacks against the Holy Faith of Christianity revealed by the Only True God and handed over by true prophets and Apostles.
Waiting for your reply,
Servant to the Only True and Holy God Jesus
Jerry
Sakshi Team Comment: Please forward this link to as many Muslims and Christians in Kerala.
