I have had Muslim friends tell me that the terrorists are not representative of muslim people but are radicals

Question

My question is Why don't more muslims stand up and say this publically ? I am afraid that this is the reason that so many people think that the entire Muslim world supports terrorism and violence. The Muslim people need to speak out!

Answer 1

Why didn't more Russians speak out against Stalin, or more Germans speak out against Hitler? Why didn't more speak out against the KKK? Why don't more of us speak out against the injustices and wrongs we see in our own world? The question is complex and hard to answer, I think basically people are afraid to speak out because of fear, either fear of actual retaliation, or fear of being seen as someone different, and as such, ostracized from their society.

Answer 2

When news of the 9/11 attacks reached Palestine many people celebrated very loudly in the streets. This moderated as the enormity of the attacks sank in, and was quickly replaced by condemndation, but the knee jerk response of rejoicing at the misfortune of a percieved enemy is real enough.

While it is understandable that feelings about the US and UK are sometimes negative in the Middle East (US and UK involvement has been prettry sordid, including installing and arming right wing dictators in Iraq, and then training and arming their usurper, one Sadaam Hussein), it does not excuse the sort of sentiment that says violence is an acceptable course of action. Unfortunately, this is just how many in the Middle East demonstrate that they feel, and this leads to a suspicion that many do not condemn bu condone terrorism.

Answer 3

While it is less true in the U.S., every survey and poll shows that worldwide, a very significant segment of Islam is supportive of the "radicals" fight against the West, though they may quibble with their tactics.

More than 25% of U.S. Muslims under the age of 30 believe suicide bombings to be justified under certain circumstances.

Respondents in Pakistan and in Nigeria, whose Muslim community consistently expressed more radical opinions than publics in other Muslim nations, offered bin Laden plurality or majority support.

30% of Jordanian and Egyptian Muslims condoned suicide bombings, as did one-in-seven Turkish, French, Spanish, British and Pakistani Muslims.

28% said they did not believe Arabs were responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. Another 32% said they did not know.

And majorities in Indonesia, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan — and 56% of British Muslims — say they do not believe that groups of Arabs carried out the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Answer 4

As salaamu 'alaikym, my freind.

Insha'Allah, Muslims do speak out each and every day!
Muslims councils in virtually every Western nation, as well as virtually all of them in the Middle East and Europe have come out and publically condemmended the extermist actions of a very small minority of Muslims.

It has been pointed out repeatedly that the acts of these persons in way, shape or manner accurately represents the teaching and practices of Islam.

Insha'Allah it might be a better question to ask why haven't you been allowed to hear about thin in the media coverage that you are receiving?

The Western media is no longer involved in accurately reporting the news from around the world. It is now as involved in acquring "rating points" as any other of the commerical broadcast so as to generate the most revenue from the commercial advertising that is aired during its air time.

As such, the media panders to the what it preceives the public wants which they attempt to discern by polls.

The media, whether one likes this idea or not, has been used by the government (which could be read as all governments in virtually all nations and cultures) to promote its ideas and propaganda.

It takes effort on the part of any individual who wants to remain well infomred to acquire reporting from a varity of sources and then to weigh the same so as to find the "truth" of any situation.

That same individual must also have an understanding of many cultures, societies, religions and poitical systems, etc. so as to accurately understand the "slant" that is put into any "news" coming from any said country.

As you have access to the world wide web, you can begin to get your news from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, the Far East, the Pacific region and Australia. Most make their news items available in a variety of languages although if one has the ability to read in the original language such is always best..

Be forewarned, you might not like what you hear from them and what is reproted by them my well contradict what you are being told at present!

It will be up to you to discern the truth. I pray that you will be rightly guided.

Ma'a salaam,

Answer 5

That's what the western media wants the public to think. Muslims have been speaking out against terrorism and violence. It's the media who silences our voices.

Answer 6

The actual reason that so many people think that the entire muslim world supports terrorism and violence is that those people are ignorant and racist.

Regardless of how many non-extremist Muslims spoke out - those ignorant racists would still have exactly the same attitude.

Answer 7

Look here, sweetie. Since you're asking this question in this section, then you should pay more attention to the Muslims who are regulars here. They have been doing nothing but SWEATING BLOOD trying to prove that real Islam is about peace.

What are they supposed to do? They're doing the best they can, but try putting yourself in their shoes. There's not much they can do really. Visit some of these people's blogs on 360. They preach peace and tolerance, they're doing their best to get the world out there to see what they really believe in.

It's a two-way road, you know. They can't speak without having noone to listen to them.

Answer 8

Let's face it. The silent Muslims are going to benefit from the terrorists, so why should they speak against them? Islam is spreading throughout the world and that's to their benefit. If a few people are killed to further the cause, then so be it.

Atheist.

Answer 9

Really, the Muslim people have to show the world its strength for peace, not war, because some of you all are called terrorists!

Answer 10

The biggest tragedy of Islam at present is that the majority of the followers are silent spectators to the wrong doings of a handful of hardliners in connivance with their clergy.There must be something in either their tradition or the practice of Islam which renders such a vast majority to a helpless status.In a way,may be it's a blessing in disguise and in near future lead to the sanitation of Islam.Who knows?