Muslim Leaders Denouncing Terrorism

muslim condemns terrorism
One of the glaring complaints against Muslims after the 9/11 attack were about accusations that Muslim leaders are staying silent when it comes to terrorist attacks. Weeks and even months after 9/11, people continued to send written mail and emails to newspapers and other publications complaining about the lack of condemnation from Islamic leadership. There were also those voicing out the same complaint through phone-ins on radio shows. There were actually numerous fatwas and other statements from Muslim leaders that condemned the attack on innocent civilians that claimed the lives of almost 3000 people and brought injury to more than 6000. These fatwas were simply paid little attention by mainstream media.


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Today, Muslims are finding other means to make their denouncement of terrorism more apparent. They share their sentiments in social media and other online forums. Muslim leaders have also started making denouncements via live television. Atif Fareed, the president of the American Muslim Community Center cites below notable instances showing that Muslims are also joining in the global war against terrorism.


  • In 2011, Pew Research conducted a study in which Muslim Americans were asked how much Muslim Americans support extremism and 64% said they believe extremists get close to zero support from Muslims in the US. This means that almost 2/3 of Muslim Americans believe that their community is loyal to the United States.
  • In 2010, Pakistani Politician and Islamic Scholar Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri issued a Fatwa denouncing terrorism. The Fatwa was backed by the Al-Azhar University of Cairo, Egypt.
  • In 2008, Jama Masjid Trust, an influential Muslim, caused 9 Mumbai militants who were responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks to not be given a Islamic burial. He explained that anyone who can commit such atrocious acts should not be called and treated as a Muslim.
  • In 2007, Pew research conducted a survey on Muslim countries that revealed that more than 92% of Muslims believe that suicide bombing in public places cannot be justified.
  • In 2015, majority of Muslim leaders all over the world expressed anger over the November Paris terror attacks that killed 130 people.


Atif Fareed believes that all of these public denouncements of terror acts prove that terrorists do not represent Islam. Therefore, Americans should stop pointing their anger to Muslim Americans each time a non-Muslim country gets attacked by terrorists. Muslim Americans are your neighbors and we should be working together in helping our great nation improve and in combatting the global threat of terrorism. Fareed has also called upon mosques and Muslim centers to accommodate non-Muslims who simply want to know more about Islam.


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Invite to Mosque Given to Donald Trump by Atif Fareed and Other Muslim Representatives

GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump has never been known to favor Muslim Americans. In fact, the controversial businessman is known for wanting immigrants, particularly Mexicans, out of the country. Trump, however, seems to have finally overstepped his boundaries when he called for banning all Muslims from entering the United States. He made this statement in the wake of the San Bernardino terror attacks in which a Muslim couple went on a shooting spree that cause the deaths of 14 people and the injury of 22 others.

 

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Atif Fareed, president of the American Muslim Community Center, has led calls for Trump to come into a mosque so he can be enlightened as to what Islam really is. The invite is supported by various Muslim community representatives such as Taha Tawil, the leader of one of the oldest mosques in the US. Muslim leaders agree that Trump clearly does not know enough about Islam and Muslims and the best way to open his eyes to the truth is to educate him.

donald trump on muslim american

Atif Fareed explains that if Trump agrees to have a long discussion with them, they will make him realize that:

  • Muslims are his neighbors and not his enemies – Muslim Americans, just like any other American, wants what is best for their country. They pay their taxes, work hard for a living, and do what they can for their community. They are not terrorists out to spill blood in American soil.
  • Terrorists do not represent Muslims – the couple responsible for the San Bernardino massacre may be Muslims, but what they did was far from the teachings of Islam. They have been radicalized and brainwashed into believing a skewed version of Islam, the one Islamic State has been spreading.
  • Muslim communities around the world denounce terrorism – it has been evident in most if not all terror attacks since 9/11 that the Islamic community does not condone acts of terror. Muslim leaders denounced the Paris terror attacks and they do so again with the San Bernardino terror attack.
  • Islam is a religion of love and peace – the Islam being taught by Islamic State, Al Qaeda, and other terror groups is not true Islam. The real Islam is the one being taught in mosques and community centers. True Islam commands respect for others especially their faith.

Muslim American leaders are hoping that government leaders take the time to know more about Islam. Answering the invite to come to a sit down inside a mosque is a great first step.