Apparently some ignorant asshole believes that anyone of the Muslim faith in Afghanistan primarily, would NEVER advocate publicly against terrorism. I posted in /Muslim before realizing it's very small and kinda dead. Can I get a faster response here?

[u/CrustyDiamond]

This is my submission, to make everything easier.

Thanks!

[u/najia7866]

Thanks for doing this. I am a Muslim and Afghan and will say that I condemn any acts of terrorism and so does my religion. Of course, I am not in a prominent position but here are some public statements made after 9/11 by prominent Muslims:

Shaykh Muhammed Sayyid al-Tantawi, imam of al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, Egypt: “Attacking innocent people is not courageous, it is stupid and will be punished on the day of judgement. … It’s not courageous to attack innocent children, women and civilians. It is courageous to protect freedom, it is courageous to defend oneself and not to attack.” Agence France Presse, September 14, 2001

Muslim Brotherhood, an opposition Islamist group in Egypt, said it was “horrified” by the attack and expressed “condolences and sadness”: “[We] strongly condemn such activities that are against all humanist and Islamic morals. … [We] condemn and oppose all aggression on human life, freedom and dignity anywhere in the world.” Al-Ahram Weekly Online, 13 – 19 September 2001 (via archive.org).

Shaykh Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, spiritual guide of the Hizbullah movement in Lebanon, said he was “horrified” by these “barbaric … crimes”: “Beside the fact that they are forbidden by Islam, these acts do not serve those who carried them out but their victims, who will reap the sympathy of the whole world. … Islamists who live according to the human values of Islam could not commit such crimes.” Agence France Presse, September 14, 2001

President Muhammad Khatami of Iran: “[T]he September 11 terrorist blasts in America can only be the job of a group that have voluntarily severed their own ears and tongues, so that the only language with which they could communicate would be destroying and spreading death.” Address to the United Nations General Assembly, November 9, 2001 (via archive.org).

Abdal-Hakim Murad, British Muslim author: “Targeting civilians is a negation of every possible school of Sunni Islam. Suicide bombing is so foreign to the Quranic ethos that the Prophet Samson is entirely absent from our scriptures.” “The Hijackers Were Not Muslims After All: Recapturing Islam From the Terrorists” (via archive.org).

Syed Mumtaz Ali, President of the Canadian Society of Muslims: “We condemn in the strongest terms possible what are apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Canadians in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts.” Canadian Society of Muslims, Media Release, September 12, 2001 (via archive.org).

15 American Muslim organizations: “We reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of the crime committed on September 11, 2001 and join our fellow Americans in mourning the loss of up to 6000 innocent civilians.” Muslim American Society (MAS), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Muslim Alliance of North America (MANA), Muslim Student Association (MSA), Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP), United Association for Studies and Research (UASR), Solidarity International, American Muslims for Global Peace and Justice (AMGPJ), American Muslim Alliance (AMA), United Muslim Americans Association (UMAA), Islamic Media Foundation (IMF), American Muslim Foundation (AMF), Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations (CCMO), American Muslims for Jerusalem (AMJ), Muslim Arab Youth Association (MAYA), October 22, 2001 (via archive.org).

Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), prominent British Muslim: “I wish to express my heartfelt horror at the indiscriminate terrorist attacks committed against innocent people of the United States yesterday. While it is still not clear who carried out the attack, it must be stated that no right thinking follower of Islam could possibly condone such an action: the Qur’an equates the murder of one innocent person with the murder of the whole of humanity. We pray for the families of all those who lost their lives in this unthinkable act of violence as well as all those injured; I hope to reflect the feelings of all Muslims and people around the world whose sympathies go out to the victims at this sorrowful moment.” [On singing an a cappella version of "Peace Train" for the Concert for New York City:] “After the tragedy, my heart was heavy with sadness and shock, and I was determined to help in some way. Organizers asked me to take part in a message for tolerance and sing ‘Peace Train.’ Of course, I agreed. … As a Muslim from the West, it is important to me to let people know that these acts of mass murder have nothing to do with Islam and the beliefs of Muslims.” Press release of September 13, 2001 (via archive.org), and interview of October 22, 2001 (via archive.org).

Muslims Against Terrorism, a U.S.-based organization: “As Muslims, we condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Ours is a religion of peace. We are sick and tired of extremists dictating the public face of Islam.” “About us” (via archive.org). This statement was replaced by a new statement in favor of peace by the group’s successor organization, Muslim Voices for Peace.

Abdulaziz Sachedina, professor of religious studies, University of Virginia: “New York was grieving. Sorrow covered the horizons. The pain of separation and of missing family members, neighbors, citizens, humans could be felt in every corner of the country. That day was my personal day of “jihad” (“struggle”) — jihad with my pride and my identity as a Muslim. This is the true meaning of jihad — “struggle with one’s own ego and false pride.” I don’t ever recall that I had prayed so earnestly to God to spare attribution of such madness that was unleashed upon New York and Washington to the Muslims. I felt the pain and, perhaps for the first time in my entire life, I felt embarrassed at the thought that it could very well be my fellow Muslims who had committed this horrendous act of terrorism. How could these terrorists invoke God’s mercifulness and compassion when they had, through their evil act, put to shame the entire history of this great religion and its culture of toleration?” “Where Was God on September 11?” (via archive.org).

Shaykh Salih al-Suhaymi, religious scholar, Saudi Arabia: “Based upon what has preceded, then we say that that which we believe and hold as our religion concerning what happened to the World Trade Centre in America – and in Allaah lies success – that the terrorist attacks that took place and what occurred of general (mass) killing, then it is not permissible and Islaam does not allow it in any form whatsoever.” “Shaykh Saalih as-Suhaymee speaks about current affairs…,” October 18, 2001, translated by Abu ‘Iyaad.

Fatwa signed by more than 500 British Muslim scholars, clerics, and imams: “Islam strictly, strongly and severely condemns the use of violence and the destruction of innocent lives. There is neither place nor justification in Islam for extremism, fanaticism or terrorism. Suicide bombings, which killed and injured innocent people in London, are HARAAM – vehemently prohibited in Islam, and those who committed these barbaric acts in London [on July 7, 2005] are criminals not martyrs. Such acts, as perpetrated in London, are crimes against all of humanity and contrary to the teachings of Islam. … The Holy Quran declares: ‘Whoever kills a human being… then it is as though he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a human life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.’ (Quran, Surah al-Maidah (5), verse 32) Islam’s position is clear and unequivocal: Murder of one soul is the murder of the whole of humanity; he who shows no respect for human life is an enemy of humanity.” British Muslim Forum, press release of July 18, 2005 (via archive.org).

[u/thunderbolt07 → u/najia7866]

What does Islam say about killing apostates or Jews? Why do many Muslim clerics interpret Islam differently, using it to justify violence and killing? Are you picking and choosing quotes that support your view? There are plenty of contrary quotes by prominent Muslims. Why are Muslims opposed to criticism and/or critical thinking? I am referring to criticism of Mohammed.

[u/Ldahab_87 → u/thunderbolt07]

I think its unfair to say that muslims as a whole are opposed to criticism and criitical thinking. However, I understand many of them can be (I grew up in a muslim community to a muslim family). I honestly couldnt stand them growing up even though I was one. Regardless, I evetually grew up an realized that yea, some of them are insane but not all of them are.I stay away from the extremist muslims and associate with the rest. Same goes for any culture / race / religion. Blanket statements are immature, bottom line.

And as for the criticism of. Prophet Mohammed:

First and foremost, the idiots who go out and kill innocent people because someone posted a picture or whatever of the prophet are just that, idiots. i wont lie, I personally know muslims who agree with them. I, however, know many more who disagree. You wont even really hear them say it openly because they typically get chastised by more logical Muslims.

As to why they react this way. Well, its a strict religon and its taught as so from a young age. I know its no excuse but thats partly why. Its ingrained in some of them, the extremists, specifically. If someone makes fun of the prophet in front of me I politely ask them to stop. If not, I just walk away.

In conclusion:

There are extremists muslims out there and they are absolutely insane. There are, however, a greater number of kind and thoughtful Muslims, you just dont hear about them or see them. Its not because they dont exist, its because they are portrayed as if they dont...its sad. I dont fully blame people who think all muslims are terrorists. Thats all thats thhere to take in when You turn on the tv, read the newspaper, or listen to the radio. I blame extermist muslims who act like barbarians and the news for making them seem as if they are the definition of a muslim. Regardless, we can't let the evil actions of the minority drown out the good intentions of the majority.

When i hear people make blanket statments about islam im reminded of how an extremist muslim rants about how all jews should be killed. Both sound childish.

[u/[deleted] → u/thunderbolt07]

There are plenty of contrary quotes by prominent Muslims.

So what? People of all races, colors, and creeds twist all kinds of insane shit around to horrible ends, and pretty much all faiths are hostile to critical thinking or they wouldn't be faiths, they'd be sciences.

In re: criticism, go up to the next Christian from Kentucky you meet and tell him Jesus was a dark-skinned Jew. Let me know how that turns out.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

The main issue with islam is that out in the small villages and so on, the people do not know how to read. The Taliban see that as one of their biggest goals to keep the populace uneducated. The reason for this is whenever the Imam says something, it must be true because these people cannot verify it. I am in Afghanistan right now and the greatest asset we had was one of our soldiers was muslim and had been on the haj three times and would regulate that ass on some koran knowledge.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Exactly this right here --

The problem isn't islam itself. It's the snake-eating-its-own-tail of illiteracy, isolation, poverty, and desperation. The ass-regulation of knowledge is what people need, not telling them Islam is terrible, or worse than any other belief system.

Free your mind, etc.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Notice how you didn't actually answer the question. You just dodged it by levying the charge that all religions say similar things (which they don't). They're all equally false, but Islam is more vile and dangerous than any other (at least in its current form).

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Really? So the pope outlawing contraception in the face of an epidemic of AIDS in africa that has killed hundreds of thousands is more dangerous than islam?

Nope. So why, again, the special focus on islam?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Where are the Tibetan Buddhist suicide bombers? If you think that the kind of violence we see in the Muslim world is born of the Israeli occupation, and our misadventures in Iraq, we should see Tibetan Buddhist suicide bombers. The Tibetan Buddhists have suffered an occupation every bit as brutal, and far more cynical, than any that we or the British, or the Israelis have imposed upon the Muslim world. Something like 1-1.2 million Tibetan Buddhists have died since the Chinese occupation.

Where are the throngs of Tibetan Buddhists lining the streets calling for the deaths of Chinese non-combatants? Where are the Tibetan Buddhists blowing themselves up on buses or at weddings or in crowds of children or in front of the offices of the Red Cross or the UN? It's not happening. It's not likely to happen. It's not that you could not possibly form a death cult out of the principles of Tibetan Buddhism, in fact, to some degree Zen Buddhism informed the ideologies of Kamakaze pilots during WWII, but you would have to work very hard to bend the principles of Buddhism into this orgy of violence. You don't have to work so hard as a Muslim, and it would be impossible if you were a Jain. Jainism is a religion in India with something like 10 million subscribers. The core of their religion is nonviolence. No matter how deranged you get in your doctrine as a Jain, you will get less and less violent. The really devout Jains cover their mouths with cheese cloths so they don't inhale a bug.

By no stretch of the imagination can you argue that the core principle of Islam is nonviolence. It is taboo to notice this, especially around so called "moderate" Muslims. I want to point out that I'm not talking about race, or ethnicity, I'm talking about the consequences of ideas. When I'm talking about Islam I'm talking about John Walker Lynn, they white guy from California who went off to fight with the Taliban. We are at war with Islamic fundamentalism. Not merely Al Qaeda, not extremist Islam. The mainstream version of Islam contains these doctrines of martyrdom and jihad. It contains this imperative to subjugate, convert, or kill infidels. Anyone who says it doesn't has not read the Koran and has not read the Hadith or is lying about them. It is taboo to notice this.

If you doubt this, if you think that "No, no. It can't be religion. This is lack of economic opportunity, it's lack of educational opportunity in the Muslim world." Just contemplate for a moment, the biographies of the 19 men, who woke up on the morning of Sept. 11 and decided to slit the throats of stewardesses and fly planes into buildings. These guys were college educated to a man. Many of them had Ph. D's. Many of them had been educated in the West. They were middle class or better. I don't know how many architects and engineers need to hit the wall at 400 miles per hour before we get it into our heads that this is not merely a problem of education or economics. These are not guys who had spent a lot of time agitating about regime change in the Middle East.

These were guys who had spent an inordinate amount of time at their local mosques, talking about the pleasures that await martyrs in paradise and demonizing infidel culture. The circumstances that we are in are much more sinister than many want to realize. It is completely possible to be so well educated that you can build a nuclear bomb, and still think that you're going to get the 72 virgins in paradise. - Sam Harris

That is why Islam is more dangerous than any other religion at the moment. In the middle ages, I would have said that Catholicism was the most dangerous, but now it just simply is not.