Is using the term "Islamic Terrorists" helping to spark hatred towards Muslims?

Question

GIULIANI TO DEMS: USE THE WORDS 'ISLAMIC TERRORISTS' - TOP
Lisa Leff, Associated Press, 7/23/07
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/07/23/politics/p180621D16.DTL&type=politics

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani took Democratic White House hopefuls to task Monday for being soft on terrorists and hard on capitalism.

Speaking to an invited audience of about 100 local GOP members, the former New York mayor said he was concerned that if a Democrat wins the White House the nation would take a defensive stance in "the war on terror" and become more vulnerable to a domestic attack.

"At no time during their three debates have they used the words 'Islamic terrorists,'" Giuliani said of the Democratic contenders who as he spoke were debating at The Citadel military college in South Carolina. "If they do tonight, I will take credit for it." (MORE)

---

ACTION: CONTACT THE GIULIANI PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE - TOP

CONTACT the Rudy Giuliani Presid

This is what got cut off-

CONTACT: (As always, be POLITE.)

Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee
295 Greenwich St, #371, New York, NY 10007
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Answer 1

I am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist


I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows and strives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy away from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim because, I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the whole world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people harbour misconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be unfair or improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam. If one critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot escape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual and collective levels.


4. Dictionary meaning of the word ‘fundamentalist’


According to Webster’s dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ was a movement in American Protestanism that arose in the earlier part of the 20th century. It was a reaction to modernism, and stressed the infallibility of the Bible, not only in matters of faith and morals but also as a literal historical record. It stressed on belief in the Bible as the literal word of God. Thus fundamentalism was a word initially used for a group of Christians who believed that the Bible was the verbatim word of God without any errors and mistakes.

According to the Oxford dictionary ‘fundamentalism’ means ‘strict maintenance of ancient or fundamental doctrines of any religion, especially Islam’.

Today the moment a person uses the word fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim who is a terrorist.


5. Every Muslim should be a terrorist


Every Muslim should be a terrorist. A terrorist is a person who causes terror. The moment a robber sees a policeman he is terrified. A policeman is a terrorist for the robber. Similarly every Muslim should be a terrorist for the antisocial elements of society, such as thieves, dacoits and rapists. Whenever such an anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. It is true that the word ‘terrorist’ is generally used for a person who causes terror among the common people. But a true Muslim should only be a terrorist to selective people i.e. anti-social elements, and not to the common innocent people. In fact a Muslim should be a source of peace for innocent people.

Answer 2

No doubt - it is used by some that way. Others defend the use of that phrase as being a practical and reasonably accurate way to refer to those who support Al Qaeda and similar groups. Saying "Islamic Terrorists" obscures the fact that most Muslims are not terrorists. They do not support the wanton killing of women, children, and non-combatant civilians. They are not monsters and it is an insult to Muslims to use those words. Guliani is wrong. Is there someone who can come up with more accurate words to describe these particular terrorists without villifying all adherents of one of the worlds greatest faiths?

Answer 3

Islamic Terrorists are inciting hatred toward Muslims, not people calling them Islamic Terrorists

Answer 4

Of course it does. It not only spark hatred, but ignorance as well. As a Muslim, I would say that an "Islamic Terrorist" is an oxymoron; it goes against all teachings of Islam, (ie. the killing of innocents, commiting suicide) and they are giving Muslims a bad name. Using the term promotes only more hate and violence towards Islam.

Answer 5

Islamic Terrorist is the proper term. I only hate muslims that are trying to kill me.

Answer 6

No, but Islamic Terrorists are