These attacks should be stopped, and ending them requires us to take part.
First of all, as fellow human beings we are saddened and all torn up by the tragedy that occurred in the heart of London on March 22. The motive behind this mindless act听carried out by听 remains vague. His frenzy of aggression that took听 others is a听tragedy for the victims, their families, and all people in the city鈥攅ither citizens or tourists鈥攚ho are entitled to safety, comfort and peace.
Especially since Westminster Bridge is one of the most popular tourist听attractions, this awful violence came like bolt from the blue for many. No one had expected this kind of incident would take place in one of the 听in the world. Our message today is to show our deepest condolences and prayer for those who are affected by this assault in any way.
Our message is also for our Muslim brothers and sisters in Britain and abroad. We encourage you all to remain steadfast and confident in the face of criticism against our beliefs, keeping proudly to the religion we all know never teaches us to do such things. Do not let this attack dismantle our unity, create fear and dispute distrust among us.
In the wake of many that are claimed to be coordinated听by Islamic extremist organizations, many influential figures such as听the听听have voiced their concerns to be of one mind with wider Muslim communities, conforming that violence and terrorism are not parts of Islam鈥攐r any other religion.
At the same time, there is a fundamental difference between showing sympathy for the victims and their families to expressing听apologies to the public because last week’s attack does听not in any way represent our religion. Even if the attack, which听still has听to be properly investigated by the authorities, was committed听in the name of Islam, we would not expect people who were born in the UK to apologize simply because the attacker was born there.
It is unfortunate听that the media has the meaning听of terrorism and misused the phrase in connotation听with Islam. It is becoming more apparent that this loaded term is exclusive to the one听religion only. Most of the time people rush to judge and scrutinize a听criminal or听violent act committed听by Muslims as terrorism. As a consequence, Islamophobia is becoming more widespread. That Islam is a religion that espouses听hatred of听the non-believers is a听false claim being misrepresented听to the public every single day.
If you are someone who听supports such attacks or even thinks that they are legitimate鈥攜ou never know who could have been a victim. It could be innocent bystanders听or those you claim as your brothers and sisters.
You know that these kinds of actions lead to increased scrutiny of听the Muslim community and the establishment of policies that negatively affect听Muslims.
Moreover, any violent act carried out in the name of Islam is by all means not an effective way to tell any听government to stop waging or aiding听wars on听Muslim countries. Instead, these types听of appalling attacks will only further increase hatred and fear toward us that will be carried into other conflicts on听Muslim land. These attacks should be stopped, and ending them requires us to take part.
A serious and cohesive movement is needed for all Muslims to reach out to their families, colleagues and neighbors听to educate them not to engage in the misconceived perspective of Islam propagated by the extremists. Share the true values and teachings of Islam by showing our children, both through words and example, that Islam is a peace-loving, compassionate and tolerant religion.
When handling a situation where our beliefs are听being falsely presented as听indoctrinating hatred, cruelty and violence, do not let our emotion run ahead of our composure, vigorously blaming others and laying waste to our brotherhood and sisterhood we build up听over the years. Only with harmony are we stronger together. Only with humility will听our words be listened to. And only with kindness can we show the world what being a Muslim really means.
厂补濒补尘鈥攑别补肠别.
The views expressed in this article are the author鈥檚 own and do not necessarily reflect 51吃瓜鈥檚 editorial policy.
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