“MUSLIMS ARE FUNDAMENTALISTS AND TERRORISTS”




Question:






Why are most of the Muslims ‘fundamentalists’ and ‘terrorists’?








Answer:


This
question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly,
during any discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes
are perpetuated in every form of the media accompanied by gross
misinformation about Islam and Muslims. Infact, such misinformation and
false propaganda often lead to discrimination and acts of violence
against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-Muslim campaign in the
American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was
quick to declare a ‘Middle-Eastern Conspiracy’ behind the attack. The
culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed
Forces.
Let us analyze this allegation of ‘fundamentalism’ and ‘terrorism’:


1. Definition of the word ‘fundamentalist’


A
fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals
of the doctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good
doctor, he should know, follow, and practice the fundamentals of
medicine. In other words, he should be a fundamentalist in the field of
medicine. For a person to be a good mathematician, he should know,
follow and practice the fundamentals of mathematics. He should be a
fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For a person to be a good
scientist, he should know, follow and practice the fundamentals of
science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science.
2. Not all ‘fundamentalists’ are the same


One
cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot
categorize all fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a
categorization of any fundamentalist will depend upon the field or
activity in which he is a fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or
thief causes harm to society and is therefore undesirable. A
fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefits society and earns
much respect.
3. I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist


I
am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows
and strives to practice the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does
not shy away from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a
fundamentalist Muslim because, I know that the fundamentals of Islam are
beneficial to humanity and the whole world. There is not a single
fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against the interests of the
human race as a whole. Many people harbour misconceptions about Islam
and consider several teachings of Islam to be unfair or improper. This
is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam. If one
critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot
escape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual
and collective levels.



4. Dictionary meaning of the word ‘fundamentalist’


The
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English language
(published by Konemann) says that ‘fundamentalism’ was a movement which
was first used to describe the Protestant Christians in America in the
early part of the 20th century. Earlier the church believed that the
complete message of the Bible was from God. But Protestant Christians
protested and said that not only is the message of the Bible from God,
but every word, every letter of the Bible is from Almighty God. If any
person can prove that every word and every letter of the Bible is from
Almighty God, then this movement of ‘fundamentalism’ of the Protestant
Christians is a good movement.
On
the other hand, if someone can prove that the Bible is not the word of
God, then this movement of ‘fundamentalism’ of the Protestant Christians
is not a good movement.
According to the earlier edition of the Oxford Dictionary, “a ‘fundamentalist’ is a person who strictly adheres to the ancient teachings of any religion.” But
the second edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (published by
Clarendon Press) has changed the definition. This second edition says
that “a ‘fundamentalist’ is a person who strictly adheres to the ancient teachings of any religion, especially Islam!”
Today the moment a person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim who is a terrorist.


5. Every Muslim should be a ‘terrorist’


Every
Muslim should be a terrorist. A ‘terrorist’ is a person who causes
terror. The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A
policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should
be a terrorist for the anti-social elements of society, such as thieves,
dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an anti-social element sees a
Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word ‘terrorist’ is
generally used for a person who causes terror among the common people.
But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i.e.
anti-social elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a
Muslim should be a source of peace for innocent people.
6. Different labels given to the same individual for the same action, i.e. ‘terrorist’ and ‘patriot’


Before
India achieved independence from British rule, some freedom fighters of
India who did not subscribe to non-violence were labelled as
‘terrorists’ by the British government. The same individuals have been
lauded by Indians for the same activities and hailed as ‘patriots’. Thus
two different labels have been given to the same people for the same
set of actions. One is calling them ‘terrorists’ while the other is
calling them ‘patriots’. Those who believed that Britain had a right to
rule over India called these people terrorists, while those who were of
the view that Britain had no right to rule India called them patriots
and freedom fighters.
It
is therefore important that before a person is judged, he is given a
fair hearing. Both sides of the argument should be heard, the situation
should be analyzed, and the reason and the intention of the person
should be taken into account, and then the person can be judged
accordingly.
7. Islam means peace


Islam
is derived from the word ‘salaam’ which means peace. It is a religion
of peace whose fundamentals teach its followers to maintain and promote
peace throughout the world.
Thus
every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e. he should follow the
fundamentals of the Religion of Peace – Islam. He should be a
‘terrorist’ only towards the anti-social elements in order to promote
peace and justice in the society.