“Islam, especially as embodied in its militant forms something to be feared as a threat to global peace and stability”

On my recent visit to Manchester, I saw Mosques with windows smashed in. The British National Party (BNP) promotes views about spread of Islam in Europe and calls for deportation of Muslims to their homelands, many of us who have been born in Europe. With persecutions, discriminations and racism to deal with, for how long will Muslims remain tolerant? How long before they will start to flee?
As General Geobles said and I quote: “Repeat lies so much that the people should believe them true.” This is exactly what is happening regarding media campaign against Islam. Islam is being held hostage by its own lunatics who want to avenge their losing battlegrounds on the blood of innocents. This is the age of making new schools for girls, not destroying them. Places of education are promoted, not being a target for a set of suicide bombs. Muslims are killed by their own Muslim brothers in the name of Jihad. What kind of Jihad is this?
The most unjustified term id “terrorism” associated with Islam. Blind killings of innocent Iraqis who are sacrificing their lives for free rule is credited as a big success of terrorists. Who is doing all this? Who should be held responsible? No religion in this world teaches bloodshed, killing or war.
Though long back in the seventies, it was Americans who trained young Muslim minds into who turn out to be “Talibans” today. They misused the concept of Jihad and manipulated the teachings of Islam. The 9/11 incident not only drifted it more, but labeled Muslims as “terrorists” on this globe. Al-Qaedas are so powerful todat that due to their threat of bombings, British and American embassies are closed in Yemen.
The challenge for the Muslim world is to leave the dark age behind. The way forward is no to bloodshed and yes to freedom. The world wants to know who speaks for Islam; these are the few questions that a true Muslim has to address. Nobody is our rival, the enemy is within.
Hania Saeed
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