Must read important Fundamentalism and Terrorism Fundamentalism comes from the root word fundare, which means a base or foundation. The definition of fundamentalism in reference to religion is “religious beliefs based on a literal interpretation of a religious text.” If you ask a Westerner, “What is the first image that comes to mind when you hear the word ‘Muslim’?” many answer, “Terrorist.” This may be due to the fact that the word Muslim is often paired with the word terrorist in the media. If a Jew or a Christian were to take part in an act that would be clearly considered terrorism, one would not hear them called “Christian terrorist” or “Jewish terrorist.” Just as Jim Jones, who claimed to represent Christ, and Timothy McVeigh, who professed to be a part of the Christian Patriot Movement, are not considered representative of Christianity, terrorists should not be considered representatives of Islam. Two phrases often used interchangeably are “Muslim terrorist” and “Muslim fundamentalist.” (“Muslim terrorist” is an oxymoron; one who truly practices Islam cannot be a terrorist.) If we were to refer to the definition of fundamentalism, we would know that these phrases are mistakenly being used interchangeably, and that they actually have opposite meanings. A true Islamic fundamentalist is one who strictly adheres to the fundamentals of Islam, which can only be defined by the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). This is the opposite of what people commonly call “Islamic fundamentalism.” Within true Islamic fundamentalism one would never see crimes against humanity, heinous acts of hatred, political killing, terrorism, oppression, religious extremism or zealotry, or the forcing of one’s religion on others. All of these acts are clearly forbidden in Islam. Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was a pinnacle of humanity’s generosity and compassion. The media spotlight is on those dramatic, oppressive, ignorant murderers who are not true Muslim fundamentalists according to its correct definition. It is a tragedy that many people have an enormous unfounded fear of Islam and what is mistakenly thought to be Islam’s fundamental beliefs. Since the time of the Crusades, some Westerners have taken a hostile, aggressive, and demonizing stance toward Islam. I am saddened when I read newspaper articles or hear broadcast reports which take quotations from the Qur’an out of context to create fear or divisiveness. Misrepresenting or twisting any religious text is despicable, whether it is done by “Muslim” terrorists or “evangelists.” Fearmongers who misrepresent religious principles to create alienation and hate are a type of terrorist. Terrorism can be emotional or psychological as well as physical. It is the duty of all people who wish to counter any kind of terrorism to at least become informed about each other’s beliefs. Unfortunately, polarizing propaganda has been relentlessly spun into today’s sensationalism, unjustly fueled by the fear of this “unknown and strange” faith. Alienation is escalating. It often seems that all governments need enemies to fuel the military and to bring about national unity. During the Cold War, our enemy was “Communism.” Today, Muslims are finding themselves in the crosshairs. Unfortunately, across the globe Muslims practicing true Islamic principles are an endangered species. As Muslims struggle to practice their beliefs, many are challenged by either their own government or Western governments. The corporate media spot- light is not shining on the true Islamic fundamentalists. Pressure Cooker: There are people living under great oppression. Their future looks hopeless as their families and homes are being crushed by humiliating injustice and violence. When such conditions are ignored or viewed with callous indifference by the rest of the world, it can and does produce a desperate rage that transcends religion and culture. These are the conditions in which many Muslims find themselves today. Lacking hope and having lost patience with the dysfunctional options placed before them, they seek justice, and we are seeing more and more of them willing to take extreme measures, to react in violent ways, even to kill themselves in order to deliver a militant or political act of defiance. Those living in the Muslim world who are in this “pressure cooker” of oppression may seek any religious or non-religious justification for their extreme and violent actions. If they look long enough, they sometimes find what they are looking for, as there are extreme minded people in every religion who do not represent the commonly practiced tenets of the faith.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 02:32:19 +0000
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