A humble request

If indeed it is true that there are young men with Muslim names resorting to terrorism, then it becomes imperative that the Muslim community stands even more united with the rest of world in the fight against terrorism for only that can successfully defeat terrorism. As far as I can gauge, Muslims have always condemned terrorist acts committed in its name from the very beginning. Even where there have been genuine grievances, Muslims believe in standing peacefully for justice because such an attitude is encouraged in the Quran.

The following words from the Quran amply illustrate this – “Let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.”

Also if they have any information regarding terrorist activities, a true Muslim will divulge it, standing as a witness even against his family. The following exhortation from the Quran makes that clear – ""O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both."

Strict adherence to the law of the land that houses them is the duty of every Muslim and as such, true Muslims will not resort to terrorism but as in every religion, there are black sheep. These hide within us without our knowledge like wolves in sheepskin beguiling us, striving ever to instill fear in our hearts and divide us. Therefore, it becomes very important that sensible people from all communities unite and refrain from throwing blame against each other for this is exactly what the terrorists want.

Terrorists use the symbols of Islam, while not adhering to its tenets, to further their cause and to recruit more people. Muslims are trying to oppose this insidious campaign and retain the purity of words like Islam, jihad, etc. so that the whole community does not look complicit in the atrocities by a few misguided youth and also because we want to prevent further innocents from being misled. There has to be total alienation of terrorists from our community so that they can be apprehended and for this we require the help of the media. We understand that the media only wants to expose the presence of terrorists and try to comprehend the rationale behind the violence. In truth, Islam does not condone the killings of innocent people even if there is an atom of justification in the intended cause. While it would be very welcome if the injustices perpetrated on the Muslim community (Palestine, Gujarat genocide, Srebrenica, etc.) are addressed, it is not a precondition and it is mischief to imply such a thing as it will cause sympathy to the terrorists and make them look “our own” which is dangerous.

I humbly request that the media abstain from using words like Islamic terrorism (an oxymoron!), jihad, Muslims, etc. while describing terrorists or their activities. Please do not give them any dignity as they are killing innocent people but please, please do not destroy our dignity for we, the Muslim community are fighting a lone battle against murderers. Will not our brothers help us?