Islam should not be blamed for Paris attacks

“They should not say they’re Muslims, because they have nothing in common to what we stand for, or any Muslim stands for”, said Arif Ahmad referring to terrorists.

“It’s not up to the intelligence services… it’s up to us, the Muslims who go to the mosques… it’s up to us to track down these sons of bitches”.

In my longest piece on the topic, I discuss ISIS theology from the perspective of Islamic theology, and show that ISIS fundamentally contradicts Islam, Muslim opinion, the intent of Islamic law, and the mechanisms by which Muslims reach religious conclusions. Actions of disunity and disharmony will only lead us to play into the hands of the terrorists.

I would like to add our voice to the voices of everyone else around the globe in condemning the barbaric and savage attacks committed by ISIS against innocent civilians in Paris, Lebanon, Sinai, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria and everywhere else where they have displayed their inhumane and senseless brutality.

Those who enter a country to commit acts of terror are not refugees and if you really are against those truly responsible then you would allow people to escape from them. We don’t want these merciless, heartless people representing us in any way or form. “War starts in the minds of people”, Yacoubi said. “We also know that most terrorists today are Muslims”. While it is easy to understand people being willing to risk getting killed for a cause, I do not believe any of the Paris gunmen would have consciously chosen to be sentenced to Hell for all eternity. Every religion has some form of violence linked to it from Christianity to Judaism to Islam.

But beyond this there were many personal messages from different parts of the world. If you are curious about the concept, I urge people to go to a Mosque and ask questions. They are not Muslims, and their actions are only that of blood thirsty criminals.

We all need to join together to fight any form of terrorism, oppression, and injustice, so that we can live peacefully and respectfully on this planet. “I am a Muslim, but I am told I am a terrorist”. Growing up as a Muslim, I was taught not to kill a spider because it’s considered a sin.

As Muslim communities think about how to respond, however, it is necessary for them to think long-term, to what kind of world we want to see.

Islamist fundamentalism is a worrying problem, and terrorism, stoning, female genital mutilation and other brutal practices happening in Muslim-majority states like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan should be condemned and criticized by everyone, says Aslan. “Every religion, every faith talk about compassion, kindness, participation, those kind of things, so if somebody contradicts that is not a reflection of the religion that is a reflection of themselves”.