We Need to Hear from Muslim Leaders
Yesterday’s tragic shooting at Fort Hood in Texas has touched off another wave of fear and hatred of Muslims. Blogs are filling up with posts denouncing the Islamic religion. However, just as with recent shootings by so-called “Christians”, there is no reason to immediately associate this crime with a particular faith. More than likely, we will learn the shooter was mentally deranged. Still, it is human nature to fear what is unfamiliar. There needs to be widespread, unequivocal and thorough repudiations of this act by Muslim religious authorities around the world, accompanied by clear statements of Islamic teaching that utterly rejects murderous acts like this one.
Americans may not know much about Islam, but they are learning it has no central authority, therefore, what just one or two Islamic leaders say does not necessarily speak for all Muslim groups. There needs to be a veritable concert of Islamic voices from around the world who unambiguously and thunderously reject this senseless violence and that demonstrates authoritatively how such crimes violate the teaching of Islam itself. Until those voices are heard speaking in unison, there will continue to be understandable suspicion and fear of Muslim people.
Rob +
Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan of Arlington, VA, a Muslim, allegedly killed 13 soldiers and wounded many others.
Tags: "Fort Hood", murder, muslim, religion, shootings, violence
