All the World's Terrorists (Part 2)

And so it is in the world today. Violent, as in decades past, with a group to call the enemy: Muslims. Many people in the USA won't shop at "their" stores, or set foot in their communities. To have a Muslim as a friend is to border on traitor status. And if you think that I'm just talking out of my butt, I must let you know that these are American actions and sentiments that I have seen, heard and witnessed for myself.

I think the whole charade is silly and foolish. Rarely, if ever, can one whole group be blamed for the crimes of a few of its members. Indeed, I've read and heard a number of Muslims say that those terrorists that brought down The Towers are not Muslims. I don't know if I can go that far; if the terrorists wish to lay claim to the Islamic faith, without knowing them, I don't believe I can tell them that they are not Muslims. However, I do believe that I'm safe in saying that the terrorists do not espouse the upright and righteous teachings of the religion, which most Muslims do hold dear.

“It is a certain fact that not all Muslims are terrorists, but it is equally
certain, and exceptionally painful, that almost all terrorists are Muslims.”

-Abdulrahman al-Rashed, general manager of Al-Arabiya television

Such a significant statement from a socially prominent Muslim has raised many eyebrows in both the Arab and non-Arab worlds. Certainly, I don’t believe that most of the world’s terrorists are Muslims, nor do I believe that al-Qaeda comprises most of the world’s terrorists. However, as far as global terrorism is concerned, al-Qaeda (and men claiming the Islamic faith) does seem to own the market. They have no home state like most terrorists organizations; therefore the geographical range they affect is broad. That is part of the reason why it is futile to declare a war on such a form of terrorism; they aren’t specifically government sponsored or funded, and can exist anywhere.

I believe that al-Rashed’s comments were at the least very timely. They at least make people on both sides of the religion consider the atrocities that have occurred in the name of jihad, and will hopefully bring about some serious change on both sides. I do hope, however, that his comments aren’t taken out of context. It’s easy to read the headline “All the World’s Terrorists are Muslims” (the headline that the article ran under) and make the next illogical assumption that all Muslims are Terrorist.

As for me, among my vast group of friends, associates, and extended family, there is a significant contingent of Muslims. I can say that I have never known ANY of them to be violent and ALL have been condemnatory of the many sick acts that have been carried out by groups like al-Qaeda. Likewise, I have a brother who spent two years living in a Muslim community in southern France and a few months in Egypt as well. He too speaks of the hospitality with which he was greeted and treated. (I had the great opportunity of spending a week in France with him and can too attest to the kindness of the many Muslims I met there)

From my vantage point, there are rotten eggs in every religion, and any human being has the capacity to commit wrong. Just look at the couple hundred Catholic Priest that have given their religion a bad name, or the Christian mad-man that walks into an abortion clinic and slaughters ten people because he feels it’s the right thing to do even though his Christian Bible clearly states that “Thou shalt not kill.” To label all Catholic Priests as child molesters or all Christians as murderers would be wrong and inaccurate. Likewise, the majority of Muslims aren’t terrorists.

However, I do have one issue with Muslim community. There are many prominent and significant Muslim Potentates throughout the world. And despite the many murders that have taken place in the name of Islam-acts that most Muslims disagree with-none of these figures has stood up and openly denounced them. This is troublesome for me because, as I have described, I know most Muslims to be peaceful, kind individuals with amazing qualities.

It is clear to me that the influence of such high-ranking religious leaders is vast. All one would have to do is look at the conflict in Najaf, Iraq a few weeks back. Months of negotiating with Shiite Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr brought about fighting until it escalated into a bloody three-week battle. No end was in sight until the major Shiite religious figure, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, stepped in. He was able to accomplish in one day, what war planes, gunfire and multiple deaths could not-peace in the city of Najaf.

This occurrence let me know the power of a representative of the religion. It left me wondering, “Why couldn’t such influence be used to stop Islamic Extremists?” Now I’m not saying that the Islamic terrorists would quietly and immediately lay down their arms, but I do believe that it would unite “moderate” Muslims in a way that would discourage the terrorists from carrying on the way they do. Even more importantly, it would cause the world to know that all Muslims are not terrorists.

Many non-Muslims have extrapolated that the reason for the silence of Muslim Clerics is because they agree with this violent definition of jihad. I’m not trying to imply that at all. From my research, it seems to be the pattern of Islamic leaders to be silent on world issues that don’t directly affect the inner-workings of the religion. I’d also argue that maybe the leaders don’t know how to address the issue of global terrorism because Muslims are an oppressed people in most of the world and one of the easiest ways to be heard and to reverse oppression is to fight your oppressors violently. (I should note that these aren’t my complete thoughts, but excerpts from them; my complete thoughts could go on for pages and pages).

For non-Muslims to derive that the Muslim leaders are in favor of the terrorism, as a reason for their silence, isn’t really bad logic. There is a philosophical argument (I can’t remember what it’s called) that says that if people can affect a positive change, but sit back and say/do nothing, then they are in support of the wrong and are also to blame. It is likened unto a person walking down the street, witnessing a rape or robbery, but just continuing to walk down the street without helping because “it’s not my problem.”

In closing, all I am saying is that if Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda’s actions aren’t indicative of most Muslims (indeed, the teachings of Islam), then it is high time that a high ranking Islamic figure, official, Cleric, etc. stands up and openly denounces their actions, and makes it clear that Islam is not the religion of terrorism.

-Maelstrom

Check out the al-Rashed's Full Article at this site (I do not endorse the message board below it):
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1207638/posts