In the past decade, we have seen too many instances of violent extremism in the name of Islam. Always, there is a response from Muslims condemning it. However, the condemnation has rarely been heard.
Endorsing their support for an anti-war rally on April 9, 100 imams and Muslim leaders in the United States recently issued a statement "calling for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, condemning terrorism and thanking American individuals and groups who are standing with the Muslim community against Islamophobia." A statement that walks the fine line, it may be tough to hear when our discourse about Islam and Muslims is growing shrill and polarized. Yet, for the very reasons that it is hard to hear, the imams' message merits our attention.
Some politicians and pundits promulgate "the Muslim Problem," a theory that lays the blame for 9/11 and all terrorism on Islam and its adherents. Proponents believe that the vast majority of terrorists and violent extremists are Muslim, and there is something flawed in the religion of Islam. They don't mean to say that all Muslims are terrorists, but they insist that Muslims simply are not vocal enough when it comes to condemning terrorism at home or abroad. Ultimately, all Muslims are cast as complicit in violence.
The 100 imams' statement directly responds to this "Muslim Problem" mindset, condemning violent extremism. Terrorism does not discriminate by religion, and on a global scale many Muslims are themselves victims. The imams' premise is that such actions deserve the strongest rejection first and foremost by Muslim leaders.
The statement received signatures from a broad range of imams at the grassroots level -- new voices beyond those who have already appeared in the media. Each of these leaders has a constituency of several hundred, if not more, ensuring that their message will percolate and act as a bulwark to negative influences that may seek to infiltrate communities. Of course, it is not the first time that Muslim leaders have issued such a statement, but adds to the growing list of Muslim denunciations of terrorism.
The imams have simultaneously taken a bold anti-war position. When combined with an anti-terrorism statement, it is stance that proclaims nonviolence as the best option. American foreign policy has touched a raw nerve for American Muslims. Experts who theorize about radicalization have little to offer by way of concrete solutions. It is easier to blame Islam for extremist violence and harder to weigh the impact of the United States' international actions and, increasingly, its national approach to Muslims' civil rights. Policy choices that are anti-Muslim (even while claiming not to be) only serve to deepen anti-American sentiments; ultimately, they endanger the lives of American women and men serving on the front lines abroad.
Our nation has incurred more than7,000 U.S. military deaths and nearly 43,000 military injuries in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sadly, there is no careful monitoring of Iraqi and Afghani lives lost. Some estimates suggest nearly 1 million dead over the course of operations. Given these disturbing facts, the 100 imams' statement summons Muslims to constructive civic engagement: to stand in solidarity with those who ask for "justice at home and abroad; for peace and jobs; against wars and terrorism, and to bring our troops home."
Conflicts cannot be solved when either side justifies its own violence but expects the other to stop. If we truly care about the loss of human lives, we must reject terrorism as well as our country's wars -- both have killed too many innocent people.
American Muslim leaders bear the heavy responsibility of shepherding a community that is seeking its rights in a climate of fear and blame. They must condemn extremism, encourage community members to channel their legitimate opposition to international wars and build alliances with movements that share similar goals. The 100 Imams Statement takes a courageous step, asking our nation, and American Muslims, to step away from violent retribution. Its message deserves to be amplified.
Rep. Mike Honda: War Internment Lessons: Peter King's Muslim Hearings Will Not Make America Safer
http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/bassr/heath/syllabuild/iguide/xmalcolm.html
The issue of violence loomed large in Malcolm X's rhetoric. In this speech and elsewhere, he refused to repudiate violence, realizing that most of the white Americans who applauded King's nonviolence would not react nonviolently themselves in the face of brutality. By refusing to embrace nonviolence, Malcolm X made King look more moderate and more palatable than he would otherwise have appeared.
are freedom of speech and freedom of religion part of your Islam? Are they a part of Islam? Don't worry aboot being nuanced, I can accept nuance :3
http://mpf21.wordpress.com/islamic-nonviolence/an-introduction-to-islamic-nonviolence/
I was just thinking today, when will Muslims realize that responding to criticism of Islam with violence just proves the critics right? When will the time come when they can respond to criticism with civil, rational discourse?
Moderate, civil Muslims need to speak out strongly denouncing the violent actions of their extremist members.
On the FBI’s official website, there exists a chronological list of all terrorist attacks committed on U.S. soil from the year 1980 all the way to 2005. Only 6% of those attacks were carried out by muslims.
Yes, muslims have been committing acts of terrorism, but any rational and educated human being can make the distinction between extremist elements of a religion vs the moderate, peaceful and mainstream individuals of a religion.
In the Christian world, there is much secular sentiment now, expect for deep pockets of Evangelicals who harm and disrupt other societies in spreading 'the good news', while the problem of teaching intolerance is more widespread in the Islamic world. A globalizing, pluralistic world is heaping pressure on Christianity and Islam to give way towards universal humanistic values... and it is a battle.
The Islamic Civilization destroyed hundreds of Buddhist Monasteries along the Silk Road, right into India where it also caused much damage to the Hindu Civilization and its works.
Like I said, glad that those days are over.
Humanistic values precede, supersede, and are superior to, any set of values claimed by any religion.
Catholic Christians burned bible translators for making the bible available in a language other than Hebrew, Latin or Greek.
It's time to leave the middle ages behind. Unfortunately the US is descending into a third world country in which 98% of the population are about to share much less income than 2% of the population. I hope this doesn't cause less tolerance among people who hyphenate themselves, as: this American-Christians, American-Muslims, American-Jews, American-Catholics, American-Baptists, etc. .
Humanity condemning acts of violence, incitements to murder, wanton killing.
Condemning how Omar Khadr is being treated.
Condemning the fatwa against Salman Rushdie.
Condemning the actions against Molly Norris, that have caused her to go into hiding.
Condemning any people's law that says that apostates are to be killed or hurt.
Condemning the actions against Geert Wilders that have caused him to go around under armed guard.
Be in support of Pakistani Muslim cleric Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri in his fatwa against terrorism.
One cannot fairly live by blaming one's feelings and thoughts on some else's opinion, like Pastor Terry; he isn't some kind of 'magic controller' that infuses people with feelings or thoughts. All feelings and thoughts are generated by those who have their feelings and thoughts and all actions are their own responsibility and no one else's.
Global humanity is going to have to learn this to get along, because offense is always going to happen, so it behooves sane people to understand their responsibility for their own beliefs, feelings, thoughts, and actions. No one can force you to act or commit violence or riot. There is always a choice.
And if people have trouble with this, they need to be educated, taught.
I really appreciate your many thoughtful and positive comments; Faved (this one).
And I'm also happy to officially become Fan #4.
Welcome, stalker # 4 :3
http://www.ascertainthetruth.com/att/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71:islam-versus-christianity-which-is-more-warlike&catid=61:where-religions-differ&Itemid=103
A preview:
It was not Muslims who went to Christian lands to wage 8 successive Crusades to take their land away from them as directed by their Islamic leaders as Christians were, following the direction of their Popes.
It was not Islam whose leadership claimed that the purpose for the first crusade was (1) to rescue their brothers of the faith in the East from Muslim hordes and (2) liberate Jerusalem. But lo and behold then by the second crusade their Christian brothers in the East – who supposedly needed rescuing from the Muslims – joined the Muslims to fight against the crusaders due to the savage, barbarous and cruel behavior of their “rescuersâ€.
I really don't have time to lend my spirit over to all of this negativity and the nice spins you can put to an issue. I think don't we are engaging each other for understanding so we can move life forward for greater productivity and progress for the true humans. All this is about as I see it, is finding ways to let me know that you have nothing to say positive by al-Islam and muslims and how you are using a forum like this to be in a mental exercise about how much you know. You are the type that knows everything, even more than the Creator of everything. There are plenty others who find satisfaction in that kind of discourse, there is plenty of company that you can keep besides me who loves that kind of discourse, that are always dwelling on something negative. That's not me and I am sorry I let myself get pulled into it as much as I've done already. I am of a different spirit and thought process. Allahu Akbar! Peace.
Christians and Sikhs in India, have been treated the same way in past.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=67c_1187401494
Humor can also, I feel, help people from diverse traditions connect with each other -- as the first part of this video highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzDloHnxwUo
That's why it's interesting to note what Khomeini (hardly an islamophobe) says about that topic:
"Allah did not create man so that he could have fun. The aim of creation was for mankind to be put to the test through hardship and prayer. An Islamic regime must be serious in every field. There are no jokes in Islam. There is no humor in Islam. There is no fun in Islam. There can be no fun and joy in whatever is serious. Islam does not allow swimming in the sea and is opposed to radio and television serials. Islam, however, allows marksmanship, horseback riding and competition"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_thought_and_legacy_of_Khomeini
Just once.
I would just once like to see an article of this type from an Islamic source - preferably one of the more prominent middle-eastern Imams or Ayatollahs - that said all of the denunciation of violence and attempts to impose the religion and "sharia" on others, WITHOUT the "but".
You know.... the "But..."
"But the Americans did this, and you must understand that the Americans did that...."
Just once. JUST ONCE - take responsibility for the unconscionable acts of your fellow Moslems - and quit trying to shift the blame. Just as the Xtians have taken responsibility for the actions of that fruitcake "pastor" in Florida, condemned his actions, and not tried to flop it back onto you.
But !!! Whats with the hypocrisy.
The right wing have having all the militia group that is training for Armageddon. WHY!
http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/muslim_voices_against_extremism_and_terrorism_part_i_fatwas/0012209
Always? I can vividly remember dancing in the streets when the WTC fell. That's not exactly what I'd call condemnatiÂon.
You can read about it here as well if you like:
http://www.snopes.com/rumors/cnn.asp
This, you can take to the bank. Wars are not fought for principles or to save lives. They are fought for money, land, resources and to eliminate the competition.