Could This Possibly Be An Explanation As To Why More Muslims Don't Speak-Out About Radical Islam ?

Question

I just got off the phone with a new client . A husband and wife originally from Bosnia . They came here in 1999 to flee the strife over there . They left because they saw no opportunity for them there because she's a Catholic and he's a Muslim . The wife explained that it was impossible for them to live anywhere over there because every area was biased one way or another . Catholic areas and her husband couldn't get a job because he's Muslim . Muslim areas and she couldn't get a job because she's Catholic .
So I asked her. . " What does your husband think about Radical Islam " ? And she told me that he thinks they're totally crazy and refuses to talk about it much . . .Due To Embarrassment and Shame .

Hmmmmm , Embarrassment and Shame . . . . Could That Be One Of The Reasons We Don't See More Muslims Speaking-Out ?
Note : I said 'more Muslims' . I realize some do speak-out , but I'm addressing the concern of many Americans who wonder why MORE don't .

Thank you .

NOTE : I'm Irish Catholic and I too was ashamed that my own brethren were killing each other in Northern Ireland .

VERY INTERESTING NOTE : FOXNEWS , Yes I said FOXNEWS is doing a special this weekend about the Muslims who DO speak-out !!!!!!
Yes folks , FOXNEWS . They're doing it because. . guess what ? . . PBS wouldn't !!!

Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it for awhile .

Answer 1

Without a doubt it stems from embarrassment and shame. The followers of the Muslim faith are very devout in their practice, and care deeply about their religion. However, the many attacks that have transpired in recent years has led to a tarnished image of the religion. There is an especially uncompromising view towards Islam here in America among the young. It really comes down to a misunderstanding of the religion and the differences between religion and extremism. Personally, I am a Catholic and I am ashamed of the Crusades that occurred in our history. So just put yourselves in their situation to feel their pain. I have many Islamic friends, and I have also discussed these issues with them, receiving similar responses of shame and disgust.

Answer 2

A lot of Muslims wear Western clothes. Including women. So even at rallies you never know if that "Mexican" is actually a Lebanese Muslim woman. Also, when there are rallies concerning Islam and being against terrorism, people take that time to shout out about how all Muslims should be killed. While MEN dress in Western clothes all the time, women observing hijab are quite obvious and can be made targets. The last time I even walked to the store within 5 blocks of a rally (not even attending), people from the rally yanked the back of my hijab so hard it lifted me off my feet and left a bruise under my neck where it was pinned. SO- the reason there is "fear". We don't like your extremists either.

Answer 3

I think you do make a valid point in some sense. There are defintatly some who are ashamed and afraid of the radical elements in their religion or nationality. Like you said with your Irish catholic heritage you were outraged but did not want to approach the issue. There are quite a few Islamic groups who have been trying to make noise about their hatred for Radical Islam, but much of the news media really does not give them time on the TV or radio.

Answer 4

Type in "Muslims denounce terrorism" or "Muslims against terrorism", "Muslims condemn terrorism" and you'll find tons of links showing Muslims against terrorism.

Muslims are not responsible for other people's actions. Don't place the blame of them especially when they are speaking out, but the media doesn't cover them!

First read this article:
FLORIDA -- It's true. Many Muslims do condemn terrorism - we just don't hear about it in the American news media.

Yet Americans continue to ask: "Why don't Muslims condemn terrorism? We keep waiting for the so-called moderates to speak out against violence and yet no one comes forward." A man in the audience asked me this question recently when I was invited to speak at a Unitarian Fellowship about what Arabs think about the US and Americans. I had just finished saying that many of the Arab people I interviewed for my book a year ago in Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait had condemned fanatics like Osama Bin Laden.

Perhaps the man wasn't listening. And honestly, what if many Muslims condemn terrorism day in and day out? Will this make terrorism go away? I speak to the public several times a month and at half these events the same question is repeated.

Answer 5

I guess I have a problem with this. I think a lot of it is fear because there are fatwahs issued. But to really defeat this radical form of Islam in the end the moderates need to retake their religion.
As a Catholic I am not afraid to speak out on the whole abuse issue and why the Church needs to rid themselves completely of all priests who have done this travesty instead of just moving them around. But then I also will speak out on fools like Robin Williams who think it is funny to degrade the whole religion based on the few priests who do this.
I also as a Sicilian have spoken out many times to my friends on the whole issue of the glorification of the Mafia currently, while I might like to watch the Godfather series its because it shows the evilness of the Mob and how family members will even kill each other for a move up the ladder.
I think we all need to be willing to speak out if someone in our religion or ethnic group does something and trys to portray it as representative of the real members.

Answer 6

What exactly is a moderate Muslim? Have you ever studied that religion? It is the most rigid set of guidelines I have ever seen. Their rule book advocates killing non-believers. The so called "moderates" excuse that as refering to Atheists not believers of other religions. That still means their holy book instructs them to kill someone. There is no moderation in Islam. Anytime you have a people who are ruled by a arbitrary book of rules established by one man or a group of men whose sole purpose is control and power, you have got a serious problem. The minute Christians became the prevailing religious sect in Europe the killings started. It is the same with Islam, its just a younger religion.

John Lennon said it - "Imagine no Religion" I can imagine a world of free people with much less hatred and anger.

Answer 7

Embarrassment, and Shame ?

That is an interesting question, but I feel it is more likely that they are unwilling to question the teaching's of Islam, or condemn fellow mohammedans. Sort of the Islamic version of,"My Country Right or Wrong".

Answer 8

I wouldn't be surprised. While I've not taken the time to research it for myself, it's my understanding that the Muslim religion is quite moderate and that the fundamentalist Muslims getting all the press today are, in fact, not representative of the religion at all.

Answer 9

It is very probable the pressure put on them by the radical ones who are taking heads and terrorising others must be emense it is horrible to have to worry about a loved one due to spiritual belief preference

Answer 10

Because you try reading the koran because it would give you better understanding as to what there up to with the rest of us. Its in my belief that all muslims should get there heads examined before and after getting kick in.