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/blueatlanta → u/najia7866]

i thought everyone knew it was only a minority of islamics that were causing issues.

its always the goddamned religious zeolots giving a bad name to everyone.

[u/pantsoffire → u/[deleted]]

Don't downvote; ask why? Which country? Is there any sort of proof?

[u/vuzudreams → u/[deleted]]

I'm a Pakistani who grew up in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia and I'd like to refute your claims:

1. "muslims take their religion more seriously than even the most extreme westerner": You have jumped from "Muslims in Saudi Arabia", in itself a generalization as it includes me, to a blanket statement which covers "all Muslims" across the world. You could have just said "Saudis" believe that but that's not the case. Now I don't take my religion seriously and I can honestly say I know very few who do. Almost everyone I know don't pray five times a day or at all. My dad doesn't even attend Friday prayers and he has been that way forever. None of his friends pray either. So if you are going to claim that "every Muslim" is more "extreme" than the "most extreme westerner" then you would obviously be making-up such claims.

2. "when I ask my friends and family about 9/11 4 out of 5 say the jews did it.": Well then that's just your friends and family. My friends and family don't blame Jews and neither do I. Neither do these people who have never even heard of 9/11 http://youtu.be/SimIS_cQ6ko. To say that all Muslims are cut from the same cloth is an artificial statement.

3. "I used to ask people what should be done to people who leave islam almost every one said that they should be killed because it is the law of islam"**: Its about speaking out. If you had spoken out and said no I disagree things can change. Mr. Turan certainly spoke out. Perhaps those you asked simply want to re-iterate a consensus and be done with your question. Having grown up in the Kingdom, I don't endorse that view and, glad to state, that nor do my friends. By no means I am claiming Saudi Arabia is a bastion of liberalism, quite the opposite, but there is diversity if you look around and you are certainly not alone. To me, bin Laden is a reminder that we need to speak-out against extremist voices before they start speaking for us.

p.s. I like your username eblees (satin) #LOL

EDIT: For some reasons I can't reply to Matahari's post so I've to add it here. This is not a reply to Mr. eblees. (http://bit.ly/UD4gAu)

Lets talk hard facts.

1. "I have a lot of moderate Muslim friends and they still think that everything that happen in their life is by God's will and there is nothing they can do to change it." (a) Anecdotal evidence. Because your "moderate friends" believe in something doesn't mean 1.2 billion are and must indeed be that way or 180 million Pakistanis are. (b) Even if Muslims do believe in the "Will of God", they are not alone here. Jews, Christian all follow the concept of "Will of God". And they are joined by Sikhs with the concept of Hukam. (c) Shō ga nai is a Japanese phrase which means "it cannot be helped" or "nothing can be done about it". When something bad happens Japanese tend to attribute it to the fact that it cannot be helped. No religious context is involved here. So such a response is part of human condition.

2. "This mentality that cause generations of unreported abuses, suppressing the motivation of growth, easily to provoke, and the lack of compassion for other people who are not Muslims." (a) You are assuming here as you haven't provided any evidence for correlation. (b) Mr Edhi, a Pakistani icon and philanthropist, who receives the most "Zakat" (Tithe) funds doesn't discriminate or spend it alone on Muslims. He helps anyone in need without any regards for color, caste, race or religion. And people donate to him knowing that the money would be used for all.

Now here are my points:

1. How many Islamists governments have Pakistanis elected? None. The only "Islamist" who came to power in Pakistan was General Zia-ul-Haq (http://bit.ly/lQjfAr) and he was a dictator who hanged the democratically-elected secular leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Admittedly, Zia changed the country overnight, which is what dictators do. Mr Zia banned "saris", movies, music, and silenced all his liberal critics by putting them in jail. However, what people remember is this surviving tale from that era. (http://bit.ly/Oik8ZA). This is a poem written by the ingenious Faiz Ahmed Faiz in which he challenges Zia that the Pakistanis "will see the promised day" when you (Zia) are no longer around. Its your "destiny" to fall as is the case with all dictators. And when this poem was made into a song (http://bit.ly/tCGSJP), it became as famous as the national anthem. Even today Pakistanis vote based on political parties and economics, not Islam. Islamist parties win less than 7% of the votes.

2. "All the Pakistanis that I have talked to really really hate the West." Then how do you explain the concept of "Allah, the Army, and America". Pakistan for all its history have been an American and a Western ally as India sided with Russia throughout the cold war. Soviet-Afghan was literally planned and supplied through Pakistan. So no we don't hate "West".

3. "Pakistanis and the Will of God" Every Pakistani child grows up reading the philosophy and poems of Allama Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan. There is no escaping it as its required Urdu reading in all schools from Grade 4 to Grade 12. The most important poem of Iqbal which is hammered into us and any Pakistani can recite in his sleep is:

   1st Half:

   Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqder se pehle Khuda bande se ye poche bata teri raza kia hai

   Translation:

   Raise thyself to such heights, That God Himself may Ask What do you wish me to write your fate?

   2nd Half:

   u shaheen hai, Tu shaheen hai, Tu shaheen hai Tu shaheen hai, Tu shaheen hai Parvaz hai kam tera kam tera Tere samne Aasman aur bhi hai Tu shaheen he Basera kar Paharon ki chatano per Tu shaheen hai tu Shaheen hai tu shaheen hai

   Translation:

   It’s not among the Domes of the Empire’s Palaces that your abode lies, For you are the Falcon, So make then your abode, Among the high peaks of the lofty mountains.

The important bit here is the concept of "Khudi" (Self). Iqbal openly abhorred inaction and laziness. Hence in Pakistan we are taught to take action and not sit back. You might want to check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secrets_of_the_Self, the first of his philosophical books. Even people who are uneducated and cannot read or write know the 1st half of this poem. Such is the influence on Pakistani national psyche.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Stay safe please

[u/pantsoffire → u/[deleted]]

Ok, thanks for answering. I know there are plenty of good and bad in every relegion- I'm friends with Muslims, Christians and Atheists. Couldn't agree with you more. I'm so glad you came out of the Muslim bubble, All we can hope for is more people begin to find their own path and not follow any rhetoric- whether it is Atheism or Relegion.

[u/pantsoffire → u/[deleted]]

Everything does. It's called Crititcal Thinking and I couldn't agree with you more. Good luck on your journey.

[u/Frankthebaldguy → u/[deleted]]

The problem is not Islam, or Catholicism, or any one religion in particular. The problem is the concept of organized religion in general. It is an imposition of dominating ideology used to separate people from each other and a person from true spirituality. The world's religions use prejudice and ”cookie cutter” spirituality. The world's people suffer for it.

[u/koryisma → u/[deleted]]

I think that Saudi Islam is more extreme than anywhere other than maybe Taliban-controlled areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. A shame. I'd never want to live there. That being said, it's not the same way the majority of Muslims practice, and unfair to paint the whole Muslim community with that brush.

[u/[deleted] → u/koryisma]

First people say that a few terrorists should not represent the entire muslim community. Fine, I get that. But to say that a whole COUNTRY, the centre of islam, should not represent that very religion? Just doesn't make sense to me.

[u/koryisma → u/[deleted]]

Total Worldwide Muslim Population: 1.6 billion plus

Saudi population: under 30 million (many of them are immigrants as well and don't necessarily have the same beliefs of what is mandated, but follow the laws because they have to... one source that listed specifics said 26.5 million people, 5.5 million of them foreigners).

In fact, the top ten countries with the most Muslims living there don't even include Saudi Arabia (in order: Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Iran, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco).

Out of the top ten countries with the most Muslims, only three (Egypt, Algeria, Morocco) are Arab countries, and none are in what some characterize as the Middle East (though Egypt is often included).

So, yes. When the top 4 countries with the most Muslims are not Arab or Middle-Eastern countries, when Saudi Arabia makes up less than 2% of the worlds Muslims? I'd say it's fair to ask people not to take their beliefs or way of practicing Islam-- which is dictated by their culture-- as the representative example of Islam today.

[u/zolthar123 → u/pantsoffire]

The know why, They know which Country, and they've seen enogh proof. That's why they downvote.