How many of you have actually been a victim of terrorism?

Question

How many of you have lost a loved one directly because of a terrorist act? How many of you lived and worked with Saudis in Saudi Arabia? How many of you have lived in or visited any Muslim country? I am often startled by the answers many people give to questions about terrorism and Muslims. I see answers filled with hate and anger and fear. I read answers that reflect a basic ignorance of history and politics and culture and religion.
My answer to my questions is “Yes, I have.” My husband was shot nine times in the head and chest by four fanantic followers of Osman bin Laden -- right in front of our villa in a Saudi neighborhood. I have stood in the street where he died and been comforted by my Saudi friends and neighbors. I live in another Muslim country although I am a Christian and a believer in the most excellent Constitution of the United States of America.
Hate and anger and fear are what lie at the heart of terrorism. Religious beliefs are merely an excuse.

I am looking for a real answer to a real question -- not foolishness.

Thanks for any thoughful replies.
Being a faithful follower of any religion does not make person into a terrorist. Nor does being a member of a cultural group justify hatred and violence. Blindly following a perversion of a religion and believing that violence in the name of God is justified is what makes a person a terrorist. Hate and anger and fear are what lie at the heart of terrorism.

I cannot hate the people who killed my husband and many others like him; otherwise I would be like them. Anger won’t bring any of the dead back to life. And if I fear, then bin Laden and all terrorists have won.

Answer 1

I am a human, you are another one. You are a victim of terrosim and i am not if and only if we define it theoritically. Once upon a time people believes that if they can servive and have a better life, the world is good. But today they know if your neibour starving and you are having food then one day he will definitely strike your home for food. People of Iraq tolerate an evil like Saddam for long time as a result they are having the worst one that they ever dreamed of. Your husband killed by terrorist. It is not only your loss. This suppose to be a beginning, ending or a part of the flow of killing. How can people be happy by killing others? Blood is a flow. You can start easily but can not stop when you like to. I am affraid to see when Hitler killed millions of innocent life during second world war no body blmes Christian but when Laden kills people all media represent all muslim as terrorist. We all making same mistake that a terrorist is a terrorist. It is an evil spirit that never bounded by any religion except his instinct. Anger produce anger as well as hate ends with hate. If you dont love someone then how do you expect? Jesus Christ took pain and forgave the people. But all of us believe him but not his ideal. No relion permits the death of innocents but believer of all religion kill people. In this days we like to address them by religion not by the spirit of a terrorist.

Answer 2

Although I have never personally been a victim of terrorism, I still remember as a teen being on a bus driving through Belfast in Northern Ireland - seeing the wreckage, the bombed out buildings really seared into my brain the reality of war, and, more importantly, the fallout from it.
The Bible says that in the end the "love of many will wax cold";
God has a nice way of saying we hate each other so much we want to kill everything and anything- the lies of the destroyer (Satan) feed on our fear and hate and fuel the destructive plane he has set in motion, all because he wants to "get even" with God.
Sister, we will not have lasting peace on this earth until Jesus returns in glory to chain the deceiver.

Answer 3

Sorry for the loss of your loved ones. I believe that a lot of Americans do not want to realize how dangerous Al-Qaida is to them and all of the world. Maybe if they hear more from people like you that are there they can learn.
I have friends that live outside of Baghdad, Shiites. I used to talk with them daily but I have not heard from them in two weeks now. The last I heard they sent me an Email saying they were caught in a serious situation (their wording) and would contact as soon as they could. I am afraid they could not get out in time. I will pray. Also I am a Christian and they are Muslims. We were able to discuss our beliefs, differ and still be friends.

Answer 4

First of all, may God help you to cope with your loss.

I think that if you look at the example that Muhammad gave, you will find that the ones that you call fanatics are actually the ones who are following Muhammad's example.

Muhammad was an extremely violent warlord. He promised a truce and then broke it to invade a territory by surprise attack. Muhammad beheaded 600 Jewish prisoners of war, sold their wives and daughters into prostitution, and sold their sons into slavery. This is recorded in Islamic history. The version of Islam which is presented to the west in the English translation of the Quran is not the same as the one that is in Arabic.

Please compare this with the example that Jesus gave to us with His life.

The difference between Islamic terrorism and all other forms of terrorism is that as far as I know, Islamic terrorism is the only one that is made up of a global network and is a constant threat to every nation of the world.

For example, the IRA was never a threat to the United States.
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Answer 5

I am sorry for your loss, I don't think you have to be a have a family member murdered to be a victim of terrorism. I think all American have become victims of terrorism. Frankly being a christian and living in a Muslim country puts you in harms way to begin with. When you see all the treats made by Islamic fundamentals, Burning of the American flag. crowds chanting death to America it's sounds to me like they are perpetuating the hate. We give tons of money and aid to foreign countries and have poverty and many problems of our own. Their religion teaches that the west is the infidels and that they only deserve death. If someone threatens my family I'm going to do something before they get a chance to hurt my family. I've heard many people say we go to war and get it over with I am against it but they make a strong argument.

Answer 6

I'm incredibly sorry to hear that. But sadly, people all over the world (not just in America) can be tricked by authority figures into beleiving whatever they tell it's masses. I did research, because I was ashamed that I did have a mindset of fear of Muslims. Fortunately, I know better than to assume that they're all terrorists or something. More people need to research things before they judge.

Answer 7

Every time a human being dies as a result of terrorism, all humans suffer from terrorism.

We are all connected. What affects one affects all in some way.

Personally speaking...

I cried as I watched planes hit the WTC... and then the Pentagon on September 11th. I was shaking, frightened, numb, and hurt all at once.

My brother's wife worked at the Pentagon, and I thought she might be there, and possibly him as well. I was luckier than many. They were both just fine... but my heart was still broken.

Answer 8

My daughter lost a friend in Afghanistan while he was delivering food and medicine to poor villagers, and my neice was shot at( they missed thank god) because she dared to help Afghani women find housing and food after the taliban was ousted from power. This was done by MUSLIMS. You know, the peaceful, nonviolent loving men you say we should turn the other cheek to.

Lets face it, hon, Islam is a cult of violence, pure and simple.

Answer 9

I have lost 3 family members and my best friend over 20 years to loyalist terrorists.

Answer 10

I have been harassed to the point of being terrified to open my door for fear of finding yet another christian missionary on the other side. Even though I put signs up stating "NO SOLICITORS".