‘In the face of terrorism by Muslim groups, Muslims should not become defensive. Preventing radicalization of Muslim youth is a top necessity’ opines Kaleem Kawaja.
In the last over one year that there has been an upsurge in terrorism committed by a variety of terrorist groups from the Muslim community, on the largely non-Muslim population in North America, Europe and Africa, the image of Muslims all over the globe has been maligned much. Even though the perpetrators represent a miniscule number of Muslims, and the overwhelming majority of Muslims are constructive and law abiding people, the entire community is maligned, as the terrorists liberally use the name of Islam and a distorted interpretation of the noble concept of Jihad in committing these heinous acts.
Indeed these Muslim terrorists have killed a record number of fellow Muslims themselves in the internecine inter-sect and inter-region aggressive wars. In all religious communities e.g. Christians, Hindus, Buddhists there are sharp differences between the sects and regional elements. But very few of them are trying to resolve them with gory violence, to the extent that the Muslims are doing presently.
ISIS, Al- qaeda, Al-shabab, Boko Haram are some of today’s leading Muslim terrorist groups who are busy committing terrorism against innocent civilians in at least three continents. Obviously the non-Muslim and western world is aghast at this rapidly spreading scourge.
Some analysts have pointed out to some aggressive and erroneous policies of western countries in Muslim countries in the last 25 years as the underlying reason for the recent upsurge of terrorism among Muslims. Yet it is not possible to become defensive and cite these policies as justification for the inhuman terror campaign of the Muslim terrorist groups. Indeed the actions of Muslim terrorists is greatly profaning the basics of Islam and the Islamic history of 1400 years, as Islam categorically prohibits it. This is not to say that Muslims should stop lawfully defending their communities from the terrorism of others.
While the media does highlight all instances of terrorism committed by Muslims, this maligned image is not only because of the media. The frequent terrorist incidents and the failure of governments and society in Muslim countries to take effective steps to root out terrorists from their community is a significant factor. Responsibility also lies with the Muslim clerics and educational systems that do not act efficiently and aggressively to make the Muslim youth and educational institutions understand that acts of terror or coercion are the worst of the crimes and sins and are totally inexcusable in Islam.
To prevent the radicalization of Muslim youth so that they are not influenced by the propaganda of the Muslim terrorist groups is the most critical and important necessity of our times for the Muslims as a whole. In western countries this responsibility lies with the Islamic centers, schools, religious & social organizations and conferences. Instead of just delivering lectures on the subject they need to run intensive programs especially focused on the youth, as they are the most vulnerable to the distorted propaganda of the terror groups.
In the last few months as the above mentioned Muslim groups committed horrible acts of terrorism in the non-Muslim lands of US, UK, France, Nigeria, Kenya etc. a majority of Muslims across the globe condemned them. But unfortunately within a few days some Muslim media outlets, activists, scholars and organizations started finding excuses and alibis for them or tried to minimize the extent of violence by citing old stories of western wars in Muslim countries. One Muslim scholar in US was unwise enough to suggest that the number of people killed by Muslim terrorists in US was so small compared to those killed in general violence in US, that it is insignificant. Also there are credible reports from several cities that some irrational Muslim speakers in public events have stated that in view of the human rights violations of Muslim minorities that is happening, it is not necessary for Muslims to apologize for the gory violence of Muslim terrorist groups. The net effect of such irrational acts on the Non-Muslim masses has been one of shock at the insensitivity of these Muslims.
Of course many wise Muslim scholars have tried to correct the situation. Shaikh Hamza Yusuf, a prominent American Islamic scholar made the wisest suggestion to his community. He told Muslims that it was time for them to feel the pain of the non-Muslim communities who have been hurt by Muslim terrorism and redouble steps to stop that terrorism. It was not the time to cite past instances of some failed western policies that caused harm in Muslim countries. Because that will paint the image of Muslims as insensitive brutes. A very large number of reputed Muslim organizations have expressed sympathies with the victims of Muslim terrorists and have tried to provide relief for them.
Article is good.But Looks like moral is only belong to muslims.
When,a common man cannot carry weapon for his self defense ,then how these terrorist are having it.
it is very easy to stop export of weapons and it only needs policy.
Man invented weapons for purpose of security,Does it really serves its purpose?
if all world power can join together to scrutinize muslims all over the world,then it is also very much possible to stop export of weapons from every country.
The problem is whole world is following western philosophy eventhough they donot like it.
Western Philosophy needs to be changed and it doesnot support the growth of mankind ,neither humanity.
Every invention,discoveries shall be utilised only to serve the mankind.
My comment may contradict with many policies.But it needs to be redefined and restructured.
The article is regarding a very serious subject and thank Mr.Kaleem Kawaja and Muslim Mirror for focusing upon it. Mr. Kawaja has argued that the Muslims should ” feel the pain of the non-Muslim communities who have been hurt by Muslim terrorism and redouble steps to stop that terrorism. It was not the time to cite past instances of some failed western policies that caused harm in Muslim countries. Because that will paint the image of Muslims as insensitive brutes. A very large number of reputed Muslim organizations have expressed sympathies with the victims of Muslim terrorists and have tried to provide relief for them.” His suggestion is that ” to prevent the radicalization of Muslim youth so that they are not influenced by the propaganda of the Muslim terrorist groups is the most critical and important necessity of our times for the Muslims as a whole. In western countries this responsibility lies with the Islamic centers, schools, religious & social organizations and conferences. Instead of just delivering lectures on the subject they need to run intensive programs especially focused on the youth, as they are the most vulnerable to the distorted propaganda of the terror groups.”
I wish the esteemed author had also given an idea of what ought to be these intensive programs.Presently Muslims are aware of Israel’s atrocities against besieged Palestinians and the western nations response to it as mere self defense.This response of the western nations is perceived ordinary Muslims as that of Christians which is misconception for follower of Jesus Christ cannot be unjust.The Muslims should be made to realize this misconception.The biased policy of the western nations in Israel-Palestine conflict ought to be opposed intensively of course in non-violent manner. The ordinary Muslims know the western countries led by the U.S. supported “Mujahideens” against Soviet intervention in Afghanistan and when Soviets left,the “Talibans” came to power as reformers but the latter’s slant towards “Wahabism” and refuge to Osama bin Laden brought it into conflict with the western nations. The attack on WTC etc. is said to be against the U.S. biased policy for Israel.The U.S. led “war on terror” killing lots and lots of innocent and even nationalist Afghans but not that biased policy.I reiterate Muslims to intensify non-violent protests against that biased policy.