2.
Attack
on USA -
The Muslim Response?
One of the core meanings
of Islam is peace. Therefore, the inhumane and
horrific events at the World Trade Center which
caused innocent casualties - including many Muslim
victims - is clearly, without a doubt, completely
un-Islamic.
However, it should be
noted that the actions of an individual or a small
group do not necessarily represent the beliefs of a
particular religion, nor is that religion
responsible for such actions. Therefore, the media’s
labeling of those who are allegedly responsible for
these actions as “Islamic Terrorists”
and the linking of such actions to Islam or the
Qur’an, is incorrect. Rather, such inhumane actions
clearly contradict the teachings of Islam - just as
the bombing at Oklahoma City by Timothy McVeigh and
the killings that occurred at Ibrahim Mosque, Hebron
by Dr. Baruch Goldstein clearly contradict the
teachings of Christianity and Judaism, respectively.
It is inconceivable that
the religion of Islam, which takes its teachings
from the noble Prophets such as Abraham, Moses,
Jesus, and Muhammad - peace be upon all of them -
would ever teach terrorism or suicide missions.
In reality, Islam not only condemns terrorism and
suicide missions, but also prohibits them completely.
Thus, many Muslim nations, organizations, and
communities all around the world have condemned such
actions, hoping never to see its like again. The
yellow journalism of the media showing the views of
a small group of Palestinians (mostly children), who
have been terrorized for years, does not represent
the true feelings of Muslims worldwide.
It is also unfortunate
that harassment of various kinds (including
shootings, beatings, stone throwing, robberies,
vandalism, death threats and hate language) has
occurred against innocent Muslims resident in the
United States – the elderly, women and children
alike. In addition, Islamic places of worship and
Muslim owned businesses have now become the targets
of some peoples’ anger and ignorance, just as the
American people had become the targets of the anger
and ignorance of the perpetrators of the World Trade
Center attacks. Such bigotry and hatred is inhumane
and unjustified.
We denounce the killing
of innocent civilians in the United States, just as
we have patiently for many years denounced the
killing of innocent civilians in Bosnia, Chechnya,
Kashmir, Palestine, India and other countries.
May God, Almighty,
the One without any associates or partners in His
Divinity, guide us all to the Truth and spread peace
throughout the earth. Ameen.
thetruereligion.org Staff
13th September 2001
CE