Seattle Times, November 9

Letter published in the Seattle Times, November 9, 2009

All Muslims, not just a few, should denounce violence

In the wake of the Fort Hood massacre, the media and authorities are debating whether or not this is an act of terrorism by a sane man, or the result of mental defect.

The Muslim community has spoken out, and their dichotomy is whether or not to fully condemn the act, along with concerns that this will further erode Muslim relations with non-Muslims.

As for the Muslim community’s reaction, there are some who are outraged and concerned only about the victims, others are more worried about how this tarnishes Islam.

Thirteen people were killed, yet this latter group, on talk shows and blogs, talk about how persecuted they are, how persecuted Nidal Malik Hasan must have felt, and the backlash against the Muslim community.

Muslims should be outraged at someone taking the name of Islam and desecrating it; they should not voice an almost narcissistic concern about how they had hoped the shooter wasn’t Muslim, for such shows disinterest in the victims.

When Hasan, or any other Muslim, starts talking about killing infidels, they should be exposed and excommunicated. Until all mosques and Muslims, not just a select few, make it a priority to distance themselves from Muslim members who advocate violence, there will continue to be a great divide between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Terrorists are sane people who can rationalize and justify indiscriminate killing. Hasan rationalized and justified indiscriminate killing, and Muslims and non-Muslims must condemn this with an equal voice.

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