Muslims Against Terrorism

Introduction:
Over the past several decades, some persons of Arabian descent who claimed to be Muslims have committed terrorist acts against the United States. Those events, plus conflicts in the Middle East, media labeling terrorists as Muslims, the Taliban's treatment of women, and a history of conflict between Christians and Muslims, have created a number of myths.The most dangerous myth is that Islam condones terrorism. Another myth is that Muslims are mostly Arabians. A third myth is that in Islamic teachings, men are allowed to terrorize women. A fourth myth is that Islamic teachings allow a government to force everyone to be Muslims.

Islam and Terrorism
Islam prohibits terrorism. Islam prohibits a Muslim from attacking innocent civilians.

Islam does not support terrorism under any circumstances. Terrorism goes against every principle in Islam. If a Muslim engages in terrorism, he is not following Islam. He may be wrongly using the name of Islam for political or financial gain."

"Muslims throughout their history never allowed the killing of civilians, even in the midst of wars such as the Crusades. There is no respected Islamic scholar here in Saudi Arabia or anywhere else in the Muslim world who would support such a fatwa."

Hamza Yusuf, an Islamic scholar, has made several comments about Islam and terrorism. "The Prophet Muhammad said, 'Do not kill women or children or non-combatants and do not kill old people or religious people....'"

"Suicide is haram in Islam. It's prohibited, like a mortal sin. And murder is haram. And to kill civilians is murder."

"The Prophet also said that there are people who kill in the name of Islam and go to hell. And when he was asked why, he said, 'Because they weren't fighting truly for the sake of God.'

Muslims Against Terrorism requests media not use phrases such as "Islamic Fundamentalists" or "Muslim Terrorists" regarding terrorist attacks "Because such things do not exist. Islam is the religion of peace, love and mutual respect. Islam is the religion of moderation. Islam is the religion of human value and dignity." They ask that religious affiliation not be mentioned in terrorist attacks.

Editor's Note - Terrorists associated with the September 11th disaster could be called "al Qaeda Terrorists" since their involvement has been proven according to US, British, and Pakistani officials. When the Ku Klux Klan claimed credit for terrorist attacks in the 1960's, they were not identified by religion as "Christian Fundamentalists" or "Christian Terrorists." Although they identified themselves as a Christian movement, media never labeled them as Christians because their terrorism was regarded as a basic violation of Christian principles. We owe the same respect to the Muslim religion. (Pronounce al Qaeda as "Al Ka-e-dah.")

Jihad "is an Arabic word the root of which is Jahada, which means to strive for a better way of life." "Jihad should not be confused with Holy War. The latter does not exist in Islam nor will Islam allow its followers to be involved in a Holy War." "Not only in peace but also in war Islam prohibits terrorism, kidnapping, and hijacking, when carried against civilians. Whoever commits such violations is considered a murderer in Islam, and is to be punished by the Islamic state."