So another Muslim is responsible for butchering a British soldier on a busy London street. His reason for doing this sickening act: “the only reason we have done this is because Muslims are dying by British soldiers every day.”
Another terrorist, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston marathon bomber, justified his action by saying that “when you attack one Muslim, you attack all Muslims.”
When I read these pronouncements of self-appointed Muslim spokesmen, I get really really mad. Who has given these so-called Muslims the right to speak on behalf of the whole community? Are they representatives of any recognized Muslim group or organization?
As a Muslim, I resent the fact that someone claims to have the right to act on my behalf. Who has given Tsarnaev or this Nigerian London terrorist the right to act on behalf of all Muslims? Do these terrorists think that we, Muslims, are so stupid that we’ll accept their explanation because they are our co-religionists? Do they think we’ll endorse their savagery? I despise wholeheartedly Islamic terrorists who kill innocent people in the name of religion.
I have said in these columns and elsewhere that Islam is a religion of peace. It is not a religion of violence. Islam is a religion, such as Christianity, Hinduism or Judaism, aimed at bringing the believers closer to God. It is no better or worse than any other religion. It’s unfortunate that individuals born as Muslims resort to violence and killings to justify their actions in the name of religion.
Those who commit violence in the name of religion are not Muslims; they are murderers. I don’t know of any Muslim who will agree with the sentiments expressed by these terrorists or any Muslim who will agree to be represented by these murderers. They only represent themselves and like-minded people.
I have nothing but more hatred for such people than non-Muslims because they kill innocent people in the name of religion and we Muslim bystanders suffer the consequences. There are Muslims, who have shined in their professions, politics, and business and elsewhere, but because of the actions of a few terrorists, the public looks down at them with suspicion, thinking is there a terrorist amongst us? It is an average Muslim who has to suffer and it he/she that is called upon to answer for the sins of these people.
Even if a terrorist claims that Islam approves his terrorist act, it must be remembered that his actions are politically inspired and have nothing to do with religion. Terrorists are acting on their own behalf and Islam has nothing to do with their actions or sentiments. It is unfortunate and sad that the non-Islamic community does not think that way and is quick to come to the conclusion that it is some kind of Islamic plot to kill innocent people. These terrorists, who act in the name of religion, have been giving their religion a bad name.
If Islam sanctioned these terrorist acts, then why would Muslim leaders denounce them?
The media has a great role to play in minimizing terrorist actions. I do understand that an explosion somewhere has more news value than a Muslim leader denouncing terrorism. It makes good TV when a bomb blast or pictures of wounded people are splashed on TV screen than a Muslim leader denouncing terrorism. It’s a question of news judgment, simple as that.
Police and security officials have excellent working relationship with Muslim leaders and cases have happened when Muslim leaders have informed the authorities regarding a plot. Two suspects recently appeared in court in Canada in the alleged al Qaida-backed plot to blow up a rail line between the United States and Canada. It was revealed that the Muslim community helped foil the potentially deadly plan.
Chiheb Esseghaier, of Montreal, and Raed Jaser, of Toronto, were arrested over a plot to derail a train from the United States after it had crossed the border, the RCMP confirmed.
According to Muhammad Robert Heft, a Muslim community leader in the Scarborough area, ordinary Muslims would experience problems because of the allegations. “There is going to be backlash,” he said.
“But I want to reiterate. Who was the one who tipped the RCMP off? It was our community. We have to be on the front lines. To either nip it in the bud in the very beginning or co-operate with authorities so they can be brought to justice.
“In our community we may look a little different, but in our hearts we love Canada. It’s our country. It’s our tribe,” he added. “We want safety for all Canadians regardless of their religion.”
My sincere hope is that Canadians will not judge Muslims because of the acts of these murderers, but by millions of good Muslims who are your neighours, work colleagues and friends involved in their daily lives as average people.
Trust us, we are Muslims, but not terrorists.
