No more self gratifying lies
Written by: Hussam
Killing innocent people is always an evil act. Islam doesn't approve it. It is very clear in the Quran. But there are always people who try to engage violence with Islam just because a group of hundreds among 1.25 billion Muslims are violent. We have to remember that extremists are in all religions, a recent example is the plot to bomb King Fahd Mosque in Los Angeles where innocent american muslims go to pray. It was not less than 9/11 but luckily thwarted by (FBI). Leading the plot against the mosque were top officials from the militant Jewish Defense League (JDL). The chairman of the JDL, Irv Rubin and the West Coast coordinator, Earl Krugel (who was killed in prison last week!!!), were taped and observed planning the crime by the FBI after an informant contacted them, revealing plans in motion. Of course the media briefly mentioned all of this but it is clear that violent groups are everywhere and we should not perceive them as representatives of their religions.
Hussam,
As much as I would like to let something like that make me feel better it just doesn’t. And believe me, as a Muslim, I would love nothing more than to take comfort in an idea that it is all about the western media’s portrayal of us.
That kind of self denial is the first thing we need to administer. Just think about it honestly with yourself for a moment. Don’t start formulating rebuttals just yet. Just think about this honestly and answer this question out loud.
For every JDL, Kach, or KKK are there not dozens of Islamic purely extremist groups?
(For a stark comparison go to here and read a similar post I wrote here.)
In your defense Hussam I understand why, or how, you feel this way. It is just too hard to imagine. If you are like me, and I am willing to bet on this case you are, you have never actually met someone that could be a terrorist. Sure, I’ve met plenty of people that gave reason or understand for their motivations. Plenty of people have said “yeah, well they deserved it” But never have I seen someone, and I consider myself a decent judge of character, that I felt could possibly be capable. The crap in the media that says we are all brainwashed or predisposed is just that… crap. So when you take a look around you, in my case at Cairo, I cannot fathom that much horror originating from within my homeland. I honestly can’t. The decency and kindness in every man, woman, and child around me, maintained even in chaotic Cairo just wouldn’t allow it. It just doesn’t work. So the first thing that comes to mind is that there must be something wrong here. No way is this accurate. I can’t be; it’s incomprehensible. Hence, the western media/Jewish conspiracy/Israel and thing. And its just wrong man. We get no were like this.
The first thing I think we need to do is understand this and admit it. I realize a lot of Non Muslim/ Non Arabs readers see this, and this kind of admission is twice as hard because of that. But ignore them. They aren’t the reason we’re here. We are here together (I hope), to help fix our collective problems, and we need to start that by facing them with courage.
Look at history. We are not the first culture to go through a dark age. One could never have guessed the Renaissance by looking at fifteenth century Europe.
Karim Elsahy
I totally agree with you. What I am saying is that the attacks already happened and who did it are criminals by all means. We condemn it, but my concern now is those people who will stick it to Islam. Why, as a Muslim should I be blamed for a criminal like Zarqawi who calls himself a Muslim? We have to fight against generalization. It is not fair to hear all the time in the media terms like “Islamic terrorism” or “Muslim terrorists” but when non- Muslims do something it is always an individualistic act. This is what causes some people to show sympathy to violent groups.
Of course we should admit our problems and work on them, but we should also stand for the aggressive and organized media attacks on our religion and culture. Terrorists always rely on these double standards and injustice in dealing with Islam and conflicts in the Middle East to promote their ideas. And everybody is paying the price.
Hussam Salama (Comment this)
It's ok in London, wasn't condemned for a long time after 9-11, it's certainly ok in Israel, it's ok Australia etc...
And it's going on in many places against Muslims. Darfur, Indonesia, Phillipines etc...
If the Pope made a few of the comments in a lifetime that the Imams in Saudi Arabia and Egypt have, they would be lambasted.... that is the problem.
The voices condemning suicide bombing and violence in the name of Islam are not loud enough or numerous enough.
And while you make a point of view that the press unfairly affiliates Islam with terrorism... many see the opposite. Take France for instance, the word Muslim is never used even once to describe the rioters.... attacks in the Phillipines or Indonesia.. or Sudan, you'd be hardpressed to find a no PC accurate description of it.
And I also don't understand that whenever there is a horrendous attack like this, where the NY Times suddenly discovers the word 'terrorism'.... why it seems Muslim moderates try to distinguish it from Islam by mentioning the JDL or Kach? It's like "look at the Joooos".....
Sorry, but that's the way it looks.
Mike (Comment this)
Be a nutcase in Israel and we will honor you.
Be a nutcase in Iraq and we will honor you.
Be a nutcase in and we will honor you.
As much as it makes me sick to say it, what goes around comes around. Cause and effect. The Arab street has given their tactics legitimacy over the years when it seemed convenient. Because of this, your jihadi "angels" will keep trying to be righteous. Islam, whether you believe it or not, has been hijacked. It happened right under your nose.
Will this be a fire that burns the entire world? It will if Muslims remain silent. Of course, living in repressive societies doesn't help the Arab world to find its true voice(s)... Catch 22. (Comment this)
First of all their radicals mainly target property, our Hamas/Jihad targets babies!
Second of all we have a huge problem, our radicals are backed by too many & too much of a portion of our population, each time we come to condemn Do we have to put in the "explanation" for their actions?
CAN'T WE JUST ALL CONDEMNN TARGETING UNARRMED CLEARLY WITHOUT "BUT", BUT" ATTACHED?
Of course I feel for Filastiin, and Filastini victims, but it can never be glued together in our condemnation, for when we do connect it, we give mor moral support to the murderers - the very murderers that assassinate the image of Islam too.
And it all starts by schooling our children without so much demonization of others, for once.
Shukran for the thread. (Comment this)
For good reasons.
In response to what Hussam said, yes there are terrorists from all religions. And yes most Muslims are not terrorists. But many Muslims sympathise with terrorists, and that is the real problem, because they give ligitimacy to acts of terrorism, at least from the point of view of populations in countries where Muslims are the majority. It is not strange then for them to have a bad image in the West and in the western media.
Here are examples of some of the things I am talking about, which needs to stop before any complaints are made about Muslims' image in the eyes of others:
- Thinking that Muslims or Islam should be in a constant conflict with others.
- Trying to find excuses for terrorist actions and/or blaming the West/USA/Israel or the American-Zionist conspiracy for it.
- Defending and sympathizing with terrorism against foreign countries and Israel.
- The hate speaches against infidels and jews by imams in every Muslim country.
- Using Quranic verses to justify "jihad" against the west.
- Calling terrorist attacks in Israel and Iraq "legitimate resistance".
- Failing to accept the "other" in Islamic societies.
- Conditions that cause non-Muslim minorities to immigrate in higher numbers than Muslims from Islamic countries.
- Getting enraged because someone insulted the Quran or because of Abo Ghareb scandal, but not when a foreigner gets butchered by terrorists infront of a camera.
- The "Redda Punishment" (sentencing someone to death because they left Islam to another religion or no religion).
- Failing to understand that religion is a personal choice that affects no one but the individual who chooses it or leaves it.
- Beleiving that gays should be killed for their "evil actions".
Yeah you are right... most Muslims are not terrorists, but when the majority look at terrorists as heros and martyrs, then really no more reasons are needed for the bad image. And nothing will change unless the individuals and Islamic societies change themselves.
(My comments was long so I decided to add it as a post to my blog). (Comment this)
And in light of her posting, after 9-11 didn't Osama become the most common name for new babies in the Arab world? (Comment this)
THE ARABS HAVE LIED AND CONTINUE TO LIE THROUGH HISTORY. THEY EVEN FALSIFYTHEIR LIES AND GET SO INVOLVED IN LIES THAT THEY GET TOTALLY CONFUSED. (Comment this)