Perspective: Prophet Muhammad never preached violence; we need constructive speech | Momin Bhatti

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The darkness of demonization from people like Pamela Geller drives the darkness of the violence we see from extremists, and vice versa.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: The Patriot News
By Momin Bhatti | May 22, 2015

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." I am reminded about this timeless quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as hatred and violent attacks fill the airwaves. As an American and as an Ahmadi Muslim, I condemn the attack in Garland, Texas, against the American Freedom Defense Initiative group. The officer who protected their lives is a hero.

The extremists' attack on the group was also an attack on the honor of the Prophet Muhammad, who never promoted, condoned or preached any sort of violence against insults and abuse inflicted on him during his lifetime. Freedom of speech is not only an American principle, but an Islamic one as well.

The darkness of demonization from people like Pamela Geller drives the darkness of the violence we see from extremists, and vice versa. ISIS will use the preaching of Geller to further their aims, and Geller will use the attacks for hers. They mutually give each other a platform for their propaganda and recruitment. It's interesting how similar Islamic extremists and Islamophobes are to one another.

Geller and others could actually make a positive difference in the world if they used freedom of speech at a higher moral level, instead of stooping to hate speech. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, for example, has a "Stop the CrISIS" campaign on campuses across the nation, promoting dialogue of what Islam is and what it isn't. Let's work toward constructive, not destructive speech. That is the kind of light we need to drive out the darkness we see in the world today.



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MOMIN BHATTI is president, Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association of Harrisburg


Read original post here: Prophet Muhammad never preached violence; we need constructive speech: PennLive letters


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