Muslims are as much victims of terrorism as others. No one should forget the Peshawar massacre in Pakistan when terrorists stormed an army school in Peshawar, Pakistan last December and killed 145 Muslims.
Source/Credit: The Northwestern
By Salma B. Ahmad | February 2, 2015
I am a believer of responsible freedom of expression but I am not Charlie Hebdo. This is despite the fact that the January attacks on the office of Charlie Hebdo were unjustified and highly condemnable. In my opinion, the newspaper acted irresponsibly. Logically speaking, if you are bitten by a snake, why would you go near it again? It seems senseless that in the name of freedom of expression people provoke terrorists like ISIS or Al-Qaeda to start killing in the name of God or for their so-called sense of honor of the Prophet of Islam.
These extremist groups are not representatives of Muslims and are certainly not acting in accordance with Islamic teachings. Islam teaches that killing of one person is like killing all of humanity (Quran 5:32). A proof: Prophet Muhammad forgave all his enemies at the conquest of Mecca who had persecuted him and his followers. He did not take revenge. Why should violent acts by Muslim extremists then be associated with the Prophet?
Muslims worldwide have condemned this atrocity and were as pained by this attack as any other time when innocent lives are lost. For example, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad has categorically condemned the terrorist attacks that have taken place in France and prayed for peace in the world. In his sermons he has repeatedly said that the attacks had nothing to do with the teachings of Islam and that the perpetrators should be punished in accordance with the law.
Muslims are as much victims of terrorism as others. No one should forget the Peshawar massacre in Pakistan when terrorists stormed an army school in Peshawar, Pakistan last December and killed 145 Muslims.
Instead of playing a blame game the world needs to take constructive measures to bring world peace. This goal cannot be achieved by inciting violence or taking a pledge of allegiance from Muslims who are also a victim of terrorism. Freedom of expression is a cherished right that should be exercised responsibly. Now more than ever is the need to maintain dialogue and be understanding and compassionate towards others.
Salma B. Ahmad
Oshkosh
Read original post here: Perspective: Muslims advocate peace, not terror | Letter - Salma B. Ahmad
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