MISGUIDED: AMERICAN MUSLIM YOUTH ARRESTED IN PAKISTAN

As an American Muslim youth myself, I openly and vociferously condemn the alleged terrorist activities of these five Muslim youth. Harris Zafar

Ahmadiyya Times | Article | Terrorism
From Portland Islam Examiner | December 12, 2009
Harris Zafar | Portland, OR

Five American Muslim youth were arrested this week in Pakistan for allegedly seeking to join a militant group affiliated with al Qaeda. The five young men – who all live near the Islamic Circle of North America mosque in Alexandria, Virginia – were reported missing by their families in November. One family even reported this case to the FBI after discovering a video left behind by their son in which he vowed to fight on behalf of Muslims.

As an American Muslim youth myself, I openly and vociferously condemn the alleged terrorist activities of these five Muslim youth. Any attempt to breed disorder and violence in the land is a direct violation of Islamic teachings, and I denounce any and all such actions.

I urge my fellow Americans, however, to not make the mistake of generalizing all American Muslim youth according to the alleged activities of these youth. The Islamic Circle of North America has openly condemned this act, and to link the activities of these troubled youth to this organization is premature and unfair.

Some are attempting to link these alleged acts to Muslim youth more broadly in America, which is an inaccurate and gross generalization of all Muslim youth living in this country. There are indeed Muslim youth, like myself, who are very proud to be American and hope that their fellow Americans will not label them otherwise.

There is a recent problem of young Muslims from the US who are turning to aggressive and violent means of solving their problems, and I call on all Muslims in America to unite and put and end to this before it gets out of control. We must not be afraid to speak out against the actions of other Muslims who are found guilty of actions contrary to Islamic injunctions.

I also call on all my fellow Americans not to judge all Muslims based on the recent news of a few Muslims. Rest assured that Islam requires every one to be loyal to the country under which one lives. God instructs us in Chapter 4 of the Holy Quran:

“O ye who believe, obey God and obey the Prophet and obey those in authority from among you”

This verse teaches good behavior and discipline in public matters. It makes loyalty to ruling authority an Islamic duty. These five American Muslim youth have not yet been found guilty of the alleged actions, but even if they are found guilty, please do not assume that they represent all American Muslim youth who are loyal to this country. Similarly, please do not assume that people like Major Nidal Hasan represent the scores of other Muslim Americans proudly serving their country in the armed forces.

Let us work together – not against each other – to establish truth, justice and peace.

Read here: American Muslim youth arrested in Pakistan

Harris Zafar is a contributing member of Majlis Sultan-ul Qalam, USA (MSQ USA). He speaks and writes about Islamic issues locally and nationally and believes faith does not require one to abandon logic and reason.