PEACE LOVING MUSLIMS SHOULD ASSERT THEMSELVES

The terrorist attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka when more than 300 people died and more than 500 people were injured have shaken the world community. It is even more tragic to hear that some extremist Muslim group has claimed responsibility for this terrorist act , as if it is a matter of glory and victory.

In the last few years, several terrorist attacks have taken place in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, USA, UK, France, Belgium, Iran , Canada, Russia, Germany and in middle east countries , and others. In the case of most of such terror attacks which caused destruction of property, killing of innocent people and injuries to hundreds of people, the Muslim extremist groups have claimed responsibility or Muslim extremist groups are suspected to have caused such terror attacks.

Almost all people across the world do wonder as to what is the objective of those indulging in such terrorist acts and who really gain by such insane acts, while the enormous damage caused is very much evident. It is particularly sad that most of such terrorist acts were caused by extremist Muslim groups, though the recent attacks on the mosque in Newzealand is an exception. The net result of the situation is the rapidly spreading impression in the world that members belonging to Islamic groups are causing such havoc. Now, it appears that there is a war between the violent and extremist Muslim groups and rest of the world,.

There is absolutely no doubt that Islam is a great religion like other religions. The holy Quron has never advocated hatred and violence. Some extremist groups in Islam seem to believe that Islam religion calls for Jihad ( which means a struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam). However, many scholars who have extensively studied and understood the religious tenets of Islam have denied this and said that it is a mischievous interpretation of Holy Quron, to claim that Islam religion calls for Jihad. Unfortunately, a small group of Muslim extremists have taken to violence in the name of Islam and are brain washing the innocent youth and exhorting them to destroy and cause violence by forming suicide bomb squad.

Certainly, the world opinion is turning strongly against the terrorists, most of whom seem to belong to Muslim community. However, the Muslim terrorists seem to have free run as evident from several terrorist acts that are taking place frequently and repeatedly. The ground reality is that the world and United Nations Organisation are not able to decisively put down and defeat the terrorists.

What particularly causes concern is the suspicion in some quarters that the world is really not united in defeating the terrorists. Atleast a few governments are suspected to be using the terrorists selectively for their partisan ends and at the same time , pretending that they are against terrorism When a few countries moved resolution in the Security Council of United Nations Organisation to impose restrictions on a dreaded terrorist operating from Pakistan soil, China opposed the resolution for whatever reasons. China has not given any satisfactory explanation for it’s stand , creating an impression that China finds some use for terrorism for it’s own ends.

The sad development is that the great Islam religion is gaining a bad name. The peace loving Muslims around the world living in different countries are embarrassed and feel sad and distressed that extremist terrorists from Islam are the cause for the widespread terrorism in the world today. They do realize that due to the acts of a small fraction of Muslim extremists , every Muslim is looked upon with suspicion. Many countries are now subjecting Muslims to extra check and control while giving visa or entry passes.

It is high time that the peace loving Muslims should assert themselves and raise their voice effectively against the Muslim extremist groups. While some isolated voices have been raised, it is still very feeble and has not made an impact. It would be appropriate for the peace loving Muslims across the world to put their heads together and launch a peace campaign that call for defeating the Muslim terrorists everywhere,. The ball is clearly in the court of the peace loving Muslims, who are in very large number and constitute significant size of the world population.

N.S.Venkataraman
Nandini Voice for The Deprived
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