June 25, 2004
WRONG? (via ef brown)
In Allah's Name?: Muslims in America react to the recent beheadings. (NAOMI SCHAEFER RILEY, June 25, 2004, Wall Street Journal)
"At best, it's vigilantism. At worst it's anarchy. Islam is against both." That was the reaction of Daniel McBride to the recent beheadings of South Korean Kim Sun Il and Americans Paul Johnson and Nicholas Berg. Mr. McBride, a spokesman for the Islamic Center of Boca Raton, Fla., wants to make clear that "for these radicals to even imply that what they're doing is Islamically correct is wrong."Many Muslims are disturbed that such acts of terrorism are being committed in the name of their religion. The Council on American-Islamic Relations launched a petition a few weeks ago that notes: "We, the undersigned Muslims wish to state clearly that those who commit acts of terror, murder, and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but also betraying the values of the faith they claim to represent."
Mohammad Tariq Sherwani, the director of the Muslim Center in Flushing, N.Y., signed the petition because he was concerned that "lots of times, Muslims don't speak up against violence." He expressed special sadness about the death of Paul Johnson. "That gentleman in Saudi Arabia. He was so honest. He lived there for years. He trusted the people. He was killed by the people he trusted."
Kareem Irfan, chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations in Greater Chicago, cites the "strong traditions of the prophet Muhammad, which require dealings based on compassion, tolerance and mercy, even with military engagement." He emphasizes: "With civilians, there is no possible justification [for mistreatment] in the Koran or the actions of the Prophet."
That the terrorists were chanting "God is great" while executing Nicholas Berg is particularly disturbing for Yassir Fazaga, the imam at the Orange County Islamic Foundation in Mission Viejo, Calif. "As if that gives you an OK, that what you're doing is the will of God. . . . It's a disgrace."
As Mr. brown pointed out, one would like to see a bit more visceral outrage. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 25, 2004 12:32 PM
Why, when listening to these people talk about murder and terrorism, do I so often feel they are trying to sell me a rug in a bazaar?
Posted by: Peter B at June 25, 2004 1:00 PMThere is no outrage and there will be no outrage. If you want outrage wait until some of these losers find out they've been shot by Jewish ammunition.
Posted by: NC3 at June 25, 2004 1:14 PMNC3 above is correct. Don't hold your breath waiting for the impassioned denunciation of Muslims by Muslims. Muslims are taught from birth that adherence to Islam, and the unqualified defense of other Muslims against non-Muslims no matter what they've done, supersede any other loyalty or affiliation. Or, as a Muslim once quoted as saying by Robert Spencer in Onward Muslim Soldiers, "I hold an American passport, but I am not an American. I am a Muslim."
Posted by: Francis W. Porretto at June 25, 2004 2:00 PMIsn't this similar to the old Communist dogma of Party Solidarity, The Party, The Party, The Party?
Posted by: Ken at June 25, 2004 5:04 PMIf the current wave of extremism threatened Muslims in America, perhaps you would hear stonger words. But because there is no theological danger to the "calmer" Muslim community, they shuffle along past the carnage.
It a bad place to be, because no American will care about the differences if things get really ugly. Complicity is very difficult to delineate.
Posted by: jim hamlen at June 26, 2004 10:32 AMAren't they already really ugly, jim?
Posted by: Harry Eagar at June 26, 2004 2:51 PMYes, but nothing has happened here at home since the LA airport shooting. I also meant ugly in the sense of wanton retribution against Muslims.
In the Middle East, most people probably think the violence has always been that way, and will always be that way, so they shrug it off.
Posted by: jim hamlen at June 26, 2004 10:50 PM