Islam is a violent religion

Nowadays in media the Islam is depicted as a violent religion which incites people to fight others and be intolerant. As a Muslim, I strongly disagree and would like to debate with someone who truly believes that the Islam is a violent religion.The rounds will be as follows:1. Introduction and initial arguments2. Response to opponents arguments3. Final response to opponent and conclusion.________________________________To truly analyse the teachings of Islam, a certain model is used to determine what the actual teachings are.First of all, the Quran is accepted as the true and uncorrupted word of God. Different verses cannot contradict each other, so there is no 'abrogation' of any verse in the Quran. However, some verses can be interpreted in different ways. When this is the case, the next thing to look at is how the Holy Prophet Muhammad practised Islam. He has been made as an example of an ideal Muslim:Surat Al-Ahzaab 33:21"Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah."Yusuf AliThe example of the Prophet Muhammad is described in Hadith. These are collections of what Muhammad said and what he did. These are narrated by companions of Muhammad and therefore are not always accurate or true. There are several books which have collected authentic hadith which are accepted by the Muslim scholars. These 5 books are: Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawood, Jami al-Tirmidhi and Sunan al-Sughra.After these sources have been checked, then you refer to the decisions of Islamic scholars, referred to as the Ulema. They usually issue 'fatwas'. A fatwa is not a binding decision, but rather an advice based on the ulema's interpretation of the Quran and Hadith.Now I will present my actual arguments about the peaceful nature of Islam.1. The Islam explicitly promotes freedom of religion.Surat al-Baqarah 2:256"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things."Yusuf AliIn this verse, God states clearly that nobody can be forced to believe. The signs of God and of the religion have been provided and the rest is up to us. Therefore no Muslim can force any other person to become a Muslim. The task of a Muslim is to convey the message of Islam, but the choice to believe or not to believe is each individuals own choice.Surat Aal-e-Imraan 3:20"So if they dispute with thee, say: "I have submitted My whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me." And say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?" If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, Thy duty is to convey the Message; and in Allah's sight are (all) His servants."Yusuf AliHere is another verse where is explicitly stated that the Messengers task is just to convey the message. Even if the receiver rejects this message, the messenger has done his job.2. It is often claimed that the Quran calls to Jihad, where the Muslims should be the aggressor against the disbelievers. This is not true:Surat al-Haj 22:39"To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid"Yusuf AliHere God states that Muslims are allowed to defend themselves if war is waged against them. There is no mention of aggression here.Another verse which is quite commonly used in the media is the following:Surat al-Baqarah 2:191"And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith."Yusuf AliIf you look at this verse alone, this might suggest that Muslims are told to kill the disbelievers, however if you look at the surrounding verses you find the following:Surat al-Baqarah 2:190-194"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most MercifulAnd fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practise oppression."Yusuf AliAgain, there is mention of oppression. When the oppression has stopped, Muslims should stop fighting. In current Western society, there is freedom of religion. There is no case of oppression. Only in situations like the war in Afghanistan or Iraq where an army is invading a country, Muslims have been given the right to defend themselves.From these two arguments you can clearly see that the Islam promotes freedom of religion, preventing inter-religious violence. Islam is also quite clear on the matter of war. A war is only allowed as a defensive measure. Therefore the current extremist view that all disbelievers should be killed is not allowed and is in direct contradiction with the Quran. That makes it non-Islamic, even if extremists claim to fight in the name of Islam. God is the highest authority and he speaks through the Quran in this case, dismissing their claim.