Islam and Terrorists

Islam and Terrorists

Dear Editor:

We are being fed well-intended but misguided propaganda when we are told that Islam is a religion of peace and that no true Moslem would ever commit terrorist acts against us; that the terrorists represent a lunatic fringe of that religious system.

Some folks insist that such danger is not the case. They believe the propaganda and prefer to throw rocks at Christianity and those who offer useful information.

Americans would do themselves a favor to read the excellent article by Mr. Amir Taheri in the Wall Street Journal, Oct. 24, entitled "Islam Can't Escape Blame For Sept. 11." The author is an Iranian author and journalist. He points out that "Al Qaeda did not materialize out of thin air... Bin Laden belongs to a prominent Yemeni-Saudi family that makes much of its Islamic credentials."

To those who respond that the fundamentalist terrorists only amount to 1% of the Muslims, he notes that would still amount to 13 million people. Others say they number 10-15% of the Muslim World. That would put their numbers at 100-150 million. But even that is misleading for across the Muslim world there has been great rejoicing about the Sept. 11 attacks.

The common line in their media is that the attacks were justified because America is the enemy of Arabs and Muslims. This message has been repeated in Mosques around the world since that day. This along with enthusiastic, verbal support for bin Laden and the Taliban has been heard from their leading clerics.

Taheri correctly points out that only Turkey and Bangladesh of the Muslim nations have real elections. Of the 30 active military conflicts in the world, 28 involve Muslim governments or communities.

Two-thirds of the world's political prisoners are held in Muslim countries, which also carry out 80% of all executions each year. He also notes that most Muslim schools use textbooks laced with hatred for America, Israel, Christianity and Judaism.
He concludes by saying, "It is both dishonest and dangerous for Muslims to remain in a state of denial...The Muslim world today is full of bigotry, fanaticism, hypocrisy and plain ignorance--all of which create a breeding ground for criminals like bin Laden."

In addition to the military activity in Afghanistan, our government is engaged in a psychological war attempting to separate the Islamic fundamentalists from the rest of the Islamic world... and trying to reassure the several millions Muslims here in America that they should support our efforts.

That is all well and good, but I prefer to know the truth about the risk and danger we face.

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