Faith and Logic: Muslim – A Case of Mistaken Identity

The Western world still feels that the true practice of Islam is observed by the fundamentalists. 33% of Americans believe mainstream Islam encourages violence according to a Pew research poll.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |  Opinion
Source & Credit: Seattle Muslim Youth Examiner
By Waqas Malik | May 7, 2010

As I stood in line at Stevens Pass Ski Resort to jump on a ski lift, I was joined by a gentleman to share the lift. We started talking to make the short ride more comfortable between two strangers sitting in close proximity. After short introductions I was asked THE question, ‘Are you a fundamentalist Muslim?’  As a Muslim living in the West, I’ve been asked this question many times.  Where does this question come from? The answer lies in the two labels used for Muslims in the West.

Mainstream media in the West today labels a Muslim as either ‘Moderate’ or ‘Fundamentalist’. Moderate – equates to a progressive and enlightened breed of Muslims. Fundamentalist – equates to being non-progressive militant group of Muslims. As a Muslim I must use of one of these labels to identify myself.


These two labels estrange Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Muslims have to choose which label truly identifies them. Meanwhile, non-Muslims have to decide which label truly represents Muslims. Muslims, who feel that the moderates have adopted an apologetic diluted philosophy of Islam to appeal to the West, wrongly side with the fundamentalists. Moreover, Muslims don’t want to call themselves moderate when they see Taqwacores (Muslim Punk Rockers) calling themselves moderate. Non-Muslims, who feel that the moderates are a response to 9/11, believe true Islam is represented by the fundamentalists.


The comparison between these two identities has driven a wedge between Muslims. Muslims now have to pick a side whether they agree with it or not. While many Muslims in the world today would identify themselves as moderate, yet we see a rise in unfavorable opinion of Muslims. The Western world still feels that the true practice of Islam is observed by the fundamentalists. 33% of Americans believe mainstream Islam encourages violence according to a Pew research poll. The recent ban on minarets in Switzerland, the ban on Muslim women from covering themselves in France, the support of similar bans in Netherlands, the printing of offensive cartoons of the Prophet of Islam in Sweden, are tell all signs of this feeling about Muslims in the West.

The true identity of Muslims was simply and beautifully defined by Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. In words of Muhammad, ‘a Muslim is one from whose hands and tongue everyone is safe’.  There is no room for extremism or violence in this definition. This makes Muslims fundamentally moderate. Moreover, Islam is fundamentally a moderate religion. I wish mainstream media would stop labeling Muslims with these terms. Let the murderer be known as a ‘murderer’. Let the criminals be known as ‘criminals’. Let the terrorists be known as ‘terrorists’. Not as fundamentalist Muslims!


Read the original article here: Muslim – A Case of Mistaken Identity

Waqas Malik is the youth president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Seattle. He has presented at the University of Washington, and at schools, mosques, temples, and churches on diverse topics concerning faith and the philosophy of the teachings of Islam.