ISLAM AND ITS POSITION WITH REGARDS TO

TERRORISM AND EXTREMISM

Emad Salih

ACCUSATIONS LEVELED AGAINST ISLAM AND

MUSLIMS

Islam is an inherently violent religion.Islam and Muslims are responsible for all the terrorist attacks in the world.Not all Muslims are terrorists but all terrorists are Muslims.

IS ISLAM INHERENTLY VIOLENT?

Does Islam call for violence against civilians?Does Islam call for violation of human rights?Does Islam call for extremism?Why does Islam not condemn terrorism and terrorist?

To answer these questions we will have to examine the Islamic teachings that pertain to these topics.

ARE MUSLIMS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALMOST ALL TERRORIST ATTACKS IN

THE WORLD?To answer this question, we will examine the following reports:

1-2014 EU Terrorism situation and trend report, prepared by Europol.

2-RAND (Research ANd Development Corporation): financed by the U.S. government with headquarters in Santa Monica, CA

3-Gallup studies(Gallup: An American research organization based in Washington DC providing research and strategic consulting to leaders and organizations based on data analysis)

4-Other studies prepared by renowned institutions.

IS TERRORISM AND VIOLENCE A TRADEMARK OF MUSLIMS?

To answer this questions, we will have to examine historical and present day facts. Present day facts will be represented in the

results of the previously mentioned studies. Some historical examples pertaining to this

question will also be cited.

Biography of the Prophet

Islam’s teachings with regards to war, dealing with non-Muslims, human rights and universal values.

EXAMINING ISLAMIC TEACHINGS

Who are those extremists?Where do they get their ideas from?What does Islam have to say about those views?What does the word Jihad mean?

ORIGIN OF ISLAM

Born 570 ADRaised as an orphanWorked as a shepherdThen as a merchant Married at 25Received message at 40Died at 63 (23 year mission)

PROPHET’S BIOGRAPHY

Quran (6236 verses, over 600 pages)Prophetic teachings (300K)120,000 disciplesIslam had spread to all of Arabia by time of his death

Belief in the one GodBelief in all ProphetsBelief in AngelsBelief in all previous booksBelief in God’s planBelief in the Afterlife

ESSENCE OF THE MESSAGE

Testimony of faith5 prayers a dayFasting 1 month a yearCharity to those in needPilgrimage

DOES ISLAM PROMOTE VIOLENCE

When is fighting allowed in Islam?What are the rules of combat in Islam?What does Islam teach toward dealing with non-Muslims?What does Islam teach with regards to respecting human rights?

WHEN IS FIGHTING ALLOWED IN ISLAM

IN SELF DEFENSE

“Permission to fight is given to those who have been fought against, because they were wronged and oppressed; and indeed, God is most able to give them victory; (they are) those who have been unjustly expelled from their homes without right, for no reason except that they say, "Our Lord is God.” (Quran 22:39-40)

M U S L I M S C O M M A N D E D T O F I G H T O N LY T H O S E W H O F I G H T T H E M A N D T O B E G I N N O

H O S T I L I T I E S

“And fight in the way of Allah those who fight against you, but begin no hostilities. Surely, Allah does not love the aggressors”

(Quran 2:190)

FIGHTING TO FREE THE WEAK FROM OPPRESSION

“And why should you not fight in the way of God and for the sake of those who are weak, ill-treated, and oppressed? Men, Women, and Children, whose only cry is, "Oh our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are tyrants, and provide for us from you one who will protect us; and raise for us from you one who will help us!” (Quran 4:75)

FIGHTING TO SECURE FREEDOM OF RELIGION

“For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been demolished. Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty)” (Quran 22:40)

WHAT ARE THE RULES OF COMBAT

IN ISLAM?

PROHIBITION OF TARGETING THE NON-COMBATANTS AND THE WEAK

"I advise you ten things: Do not kill women or children or an aged, weak, injured, or sick person. Do not kill people in places of worship, do not behave cowardly…” (Prophet Mohamed)

GIVING CHANCE FOR PEACE

“But if your enemies incline towards peace, you should also incline towards peace. And trust in God! For He is the one who hears and knows all things.” (Quran8:61)

PROHIBITION OF EXTREME MEASURES

“Do not go to extremes, do not behave treacherously, mutilate their dead, or kill children” (Prophet Mohammed)

“Do not cut or burn trees, do not destroy houses, do not kill animals” (Prophet Mohammed)

DEALING WITH PEOPLE FROM OTHER FAITHS WHO ALLOW MUSLIMS TO LIVE IN PEACE

“Allah does not forbid you respecting those who have not waged war against you on account of your religion, and have not driven you out of your homes, that you treat them with kindness and deal with them justly; surely Allah loves those who are Just” Quran (60:8)

CONT. DEALING WITH NON-MUSLIMS

Al-Qarafi explains the meaning of “treat them with Kindness)” Showing gentleness towards the weak, providing clothing to cover them and soft speech. This must be done with affection and mercy, do so out of kindness towards them, not out of fear or financial reasons. Also, praying they receive guidance, advising them in all worldly and spiritual matters, protecting their reputation if they are exposed to slander, and defending their property, families, rights, and concerns.  Assisting them against oppression and getting them their rights”

DEALING WITH NON-MUSLIM MINORITIES

"Beware!  Whoever is cruel or harsh on a non-Muslim minority; curtails their rights, burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I will stand against him on the Day of Judgment” (Prophet Mohammed)

HUMAN RIGHTS IN ISLAM

Freedom of religionEqualityJustice and protectionIslam and universal human values

FREEDOM OF RELIGION

“Let there be no compulsion in religion” (Quran 2:256).

“To you is your religion, and to me is mine”(Quran 109:6).

“And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve” (Quran 18:29)

EQUALITY

"No Arab has any superiority over a non Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man have any superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, & Adam was created from clay” (Prophet Mohammed)

JUSTICE & PROTECTION

“ To non-Muslims is the protection from Allah and the pledge on that from his prophet for their religion, places of worship, and all their properties. No Priest, Rabbi or Monk should be displaced from his position” (Prophet Mohammed)“My Lord has prohibited me from being unfair towards anyone” (Prophet Mohammed)

ISLAM AND UNIVERSAL HUMAN VALUES

Mercy, compassion, and benevolenceFamily valuesCommunal rightsWomen’s rightsIslam’s call for Moderation and avoidance of extremism

MERCY AND COMPASSION

“Who does not show mercy to others will not be shown mercy by Allah” (Prophet Mohammed).

“And I (Allah) have not sent you but as mercy to all mankind” (Quran 48:29).

“Show mercy to those on earth and the One above the heavens will show mercy to you” (Prophet Mohammed)

CARING FOR FAMILY

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents” (Quran 17:23).“Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The man is the shepherd of his family and he is responsible for his flock. The woman is the shepherd of her husband’s household and is responsible for her flock” (Prophet Mohammed)

CARING FOR OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY

“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and be kind to you parents, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, neighbors near and far, your friend who is by your side,……” (Quran 4:36)

“The one who is treacherous towards his neighbor is not a believer”, he repeated it three times. (Prophet Mohammed)

THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN

“Women are the twin halves of men” (Prophet Mohammed)“The best of you are those who are best to their wives” (Prophet Mohammed)“I will accept no excuse if you violate the rights of the two weak ones; women and and orphans” (Prophet Mohammed)On his death bed “I urge you by the name of all to respect the rights of women”

ISLAM’S CALL FOR MODERATION

“Allah is gentle and loves gentleness in all affairs” (Prophet Mohammed).

“I warn you against going to extremes in religion” (Prophet Mohammed)

“I was sent with the gentle and moderate religion” (Prophet Mohammed).

“The extremists will be doomed” (Prophet Mohammed).

SO, IF THIS IS WHAT ISLAM CALLS FOR, WHO ARE THOSE

EXTREMISTS?WHO DO THEY REPRESENT?AND FROM WHERE DO THEY

GET THEIR IDEAS?

EXTREMIST OFFSHOOTS FROM ISLAM

Who are the Khawarij (Literally: Those who went out)?

-The first group to exhibit extremist tendencies and the first sect to split out of Islam in the late 7th century.

-Developed extreme doctrines that set them apart from mainstream Islam and Muslims.

-Have fought against Muslim governments and shed the blood of Muslims generation after generation.

WAS THE EMERGENCE OF

THIS SECT PREDICTED AND PROPHESIZED BY

THE PROPHET MOHAMMED?

PROPHET MOHAMMED DESCRIBING THEM

“There will come towards the end of time a group of people, young men with irrational thinking and lack of wisdom, they utter some of the most dazzling speeches but they will leave Islam like an arrow leaves its prey”

AMAZING PROPHECY

Sahl Ibn Haneef said: "I heard the prophet say while pointing his hand towards Iraq: "There will appear some people who will recite the Quran but it will not go beyond their throats, and they will go out from the fold of Islam as an arrow darts through the game's body"

ANOTHER PROPHECY ABOUT THE KHAWARIJ

“There will be internal strife and fighting in this nation of mine. And there will appear a certain group, their talk is sweet but their actions are awful, they recite the Quran but it does not go past their throat. They are worst of mankind and the whole creation”

CONT. THE PROPHET FORETELLING THE EMERGENCE

OF THIS EXTREMIST SECT

“They think the Quran is on their side but, in fact, it is against them”

“Whenever a group of them rises it will be eradicated until the false messiah rises amongst them”

CONT. THE PROPHET DESCRIBING KHAWARIJ

“They are boastful about themselves and some people are amazed by them, they depart from Islam just like an arrow penetrates a prey”“They call to the book of Allah but they have nothing to do with Allah” “They will fight against the people of Islam”

WHAT GOES IN THE MINDS OF SUCH PEOPLE

“What I dread the most on you is a man who reads the Quran and is enlightened by it and becomes as asset of Islam and Muslims. He then disregards it and throws it behind his back and misinterprets it. He then picks up his sword and attacks his own neighbor and brands his neighbor with polytheism”

Huzaifah asks the Prophet: “Who is the real polytheist in this situation the assailant or the victim” The Prophet replies “The assailant” (Prophet Mohammed)

WHAT IS JIHAD

In Arabic: to strive and struggleVarious types of Jihad:

1- Jihad-Nafs: To strive for the betterment of your own moral conduct and character.

2- Jihad-Shaytan: To struggle against Satan and resist his evil whispering.

3-Jihad-Adu: To struggle against and invading enemy and external threat according to Islamic rules of combat.

WHAT JIHAD IS NOT

Killing innocent civilians is not Jihad.

Wrecking havoc and disturbing communal peace is not Jihad.

Random acts of violence aimed at terrorizing others is not Jihad.

WHAT JIHAD IS NOT

Fighting against a regime or government that permits freedom of religion and freedom of speech is not Jihad.

Violating Islamic rules of combat is not Jihad.

Terrorists should not be called Jihadists. Proper Jihad does not involve terrorism. Jihad should not be used to describe terrorists.

DO STUDIES CONDUCTED BY WESTERN

GOVERNMENTS SUPPORT THE CLAIM THAT

MUSLIMS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST

TERRORIST ATTACKS?

2014 EU TERRORISM SITUATION AND TREND REPORT, PREPARED BY

EUROPOL

In 2013, there were 152 terrorist attacks in the EU. Two of them were “religiously motivated.” In 2012, there were 219 terrorist attacks in EU countries, six of them were “religiously motivated”.In 2011, there were 174 terrorist attacks in EU countries none were “affiliated or inspired” by religious terrorist organizations.

2 0 1 4 E U T E R R O R I S M S I T UAT I O N A N D T R E N D R E P O R T, P R E PA R E D BY E U R O P O L

2010, 249 terrorist attacks, three of them were considered by Europol to be “Islamist”

In 2009, of 294 terrorist attacks, only one was related to Islamist militancy.Europol added the caveat, “Islamist terrorists still aim to cause mass casualties.”

HOW COME WE HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT ALL THESE ATTACKS?

The answer is simple; they were not carried out by the so called “Islamic Terrorist”.Western media simply does not cover non-Muslim terror attacks with the same gusto. Stories about scary “others” play better.Irrational fear of the spread of Islam has prompted some groups to launch a smear campaign of vilification of everything that relates to this religion and its adherent.

MOST OF YOU PROBABLY NEVER HEARD OF THIS ONE

EITHER

Feb.13,2015, Nova Scotia RCMP Commanding Officer, Brian Brennan reports that they have foiled a plot by 2 people to carry out a mass shooting at public venue to kill as many people as they can then kill themselves.

Brenan describes them as “A group of individuals with certain beliefs who are obsessed with killing and had many photos of mass killings”

He adds “There is nothing in the investigation to classify it as a terrorist attack”. He goes on “I can tell you it’s not culturally based”

CONT. THE NOVA SCOTIA PLOT

• The Plotter, James Gamble shot himself when the police surrounded his home.

• How would have this incident been handled by the politicians, the media, and the Canadian public if the perpetrators had been Muslims?

WHAT ABOUT TERRORIST ATTACKS ON US SOIL

According to a study released by Duke University and the University of North Carolina analyzing Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Soil by Group, From 1980 to 2005, According to FBI Database “the terrorist threat posed by radicalized Muslim-Americans has been exaggerated; only 6%”.

WOULD THEY DARE SAY IT?

Using their defunct logic, would these right wingers dare say now that nearly all acts of terrorism are committed by Latinos and left wing groups?…they can’t; it would be political and social suicide to say such a thing. It would be politically incorrect and most Americans would shut down such talk as bigoted; yet, similar statements continue to be said of Islam and Muslims, without any repercussions.

MEDIA DOUBLE STANDARDS

Yet notice the disparity in media coverage for attacks by these various groups and individuals.  It would indeed be very interesting to construct a corresponding pie chart that depicts the level of media coverage of each group.

Yet, the media in the West continues to instill this irrational fear of radical Islam, a fear also propagated and inflamed by right wing Islamophobes.

Oct. 2014 attack by Martin Couture-Rouleau: Vehicular homicide, 1 RCMP officer killed.

Oct. 2014 Parliament Hill Attack by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau: 1 RCMP officer killed.

The June 2014 Moncton, NB Shootings: 3 RCMP killed and 2 injured by Justin Bourque.

The Mayerthorpe, AB Tragedy March 3, 2005: 4 RCMP officers killed by James Roszko.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE DOUBLE STANDARDS BY POLIT ICIANS AND

MEDIAThese are terrorist

attacks These are not

RAND REPORT

RAND (Research ANd Development Corporation): financed by the U.S. government with headquarters in Santa Monica, CAThe report confirms that the threat of jihadist terrorism in the United States  has been heavily exaggerated.  The report documents and analyzes acts of terrorism in the U.S. from 9/11 to the end of 2009.

CONT. RAND REPORT

The RAND report includes a time line of all acts of terrorism on U.S. soil committed by jihadists using FBI data.  Not a single civilian in the U.S. has been killed by jihadists since 9/11. However, thirteen soldiers and one military-contracted ex-soldier were killed outside a military recruiting site (Little Rock recruiting office shooting) and on a military base (Fort Hood Shooting).

CONT. RAND REPORT

Of the 83 terrorist attacks in the United States between 9/11 and the end of 2009, only three were clearly connected with the Jihadist cause i.e. 3.6% of all terrorist attacks on US soil.Fifty of the 83 terrorist attacks were committed by environmental extremists and animal rights fanatics, “which account for most of the violence.”  Five civilians were killed by the anthrax letters.

CONT. RAND REPORT

There are more than 3 million Muslims in the US, and few more than 100 have joined jihad—about one out of every 30,000—suggesting an American Muslim population that remains hostile to jihadist ideology and its exhortations to violence. A mistrust of American Muslims by other Americans seems misplaced.Many of the jihadist recruits in the United States began their journey on the Internet.

CONT. RAND REPORT

Many homegrown Jihadists are not-observant Muslims, but criminally inclined.  They are often attracted to Jihadist ideologies due to the sense of adventure and thrill rather than religion or spirituality.First line of defense to prevent terrorism are the relatives and close friends of the newly radicalized jihadist.  Therefore, it is imperative to maintain the trust of the Muslim American community.

INTERESTING NUMBERS

Charles Kurzman, a sociology professor at the University of North Carolina in his most recent report tracking Islamist militancy in America included this startling figure. “Since 9/11, Muslim-American terrorism has claimed 37 lives in the United States, out of more than 190,000 murders during this period.”

30,000 DEATH PER YEAR YET…

US Senate blocks a Gun-Control bill for stronger background checks for gun buyers. This reform was supported by >90% Americans and 56% of Senators. The Republicans blocked the vote claiming the bill violated the second amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.

Yet, the civil rights of over 5 million Muslims living in North America and 45 Million Muslims in Europe are pervasively violated because of some isolated terrorist attacks they have no connection with.

BASED ON THE PREVIOUSLY QUOTED

STUDIES, ONE CAN EASILY CONCLUDE THAT THERE

ARE OTHER THINGS THAT CONSTITUTE A FAR BIGGER THREAT TO

PEOPLE IN THE WEST THAN THE THREAT OF “ISLAMIC TERRORISM”

PEANUTS

Over 100 times as many Americans

die of peanut allergies per year than from acts of

terrorism. 

BEING STRUCK MY LIGHTNING

An American is 250 times more

likely to be struck by lightning than

be killed by terrorism.

A GUN IN THE HAND OF A TODDLER

In 2013, 3 Americans were killed in the

Boston Bombings. In that same year, 5

Americans were killed by toddlers accidentally

shooting a gun.

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

Texting while driving kills 6,000 annually in the US

alone.

FALLING OUT OF BED

Falling out of bed kills 450 annually in

the US.

DO ALL MUSLIMS HOLD EXTREMISTS VIEWS

Gallup study (2001-2007), 50,000 participants, 35 Muslim countries, the only study of its kind.

7% held radical views, 93% did not hold radical views and gave political, not religious reasons, for their views.

98.16% of Muslims are against violence directed towards civilians based on this study.

STRENGTH OF ALL AL-QAEDA-MINDED GROUPS

COMBINED

According to a report released in the US by Bipartisan Policy Center Homeland Security Project: 85,000-106,000.Muslims around the world are 1.7 Billion.Their percentage out of the Muslim population is 0.005%.That equates to 1 individuals out of every 20,000.

IRRATIONAL FEAR (PINE BUSH SCHOOL INCIDENT)

March 19, 2015 the president of of the Student Assembly at Pine Bush High School was instructed to read the Pledge of Allegiance in different languages to promote diversity. His name was Zinc.

The oath was recited in multiple languages.

A Muslim student by name of Dana recited in Arabic.

This caused an uproar amongst many students and their families and they considered it insulting to those who lost their lives in the Middle East and to Jews?. The student was harassed and called a terrorist.

CONT. THE PINE BUSH INCIDENT

Protests broke out in the classrooms.

The Superintendent said: “The reading divided the school in half”

The school cancelled its foreign language week following the outrage and banned Zinc from reading announcements for the rest of the year.

The Principal had to apologize to those who found this action offensive.

A similar scenario played out almost identically in Jan. 2013 at a high school in Fort Collins, Colorado

VIOLATION OF MUSLIM RIGHTS IN WEST

Media propagating anti-Muslim sentiment and Islamophobia.

Media demonizing Muslims and raising public suspicion about Muslims in the West.

Increased infringement on civil liberties in the name of security.

Governmental discrimination and prejudice against Muslims.

Stereotyping and racial/ethnic profiling against Muslims.

Muslims are viewed as guilty by association with this religion.

THEY MAKE IT SEEM AS IF ONLY MUSLIMS COMMIT ATROCITIES. DO FACTS SUPPORT

THIS?

WE ALL AGREE THAT BURNING A HUMAN BEING IS BARBARIC

W H AT W O U L D Y O U C A L L B U R N I N G OV E R 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 ( 7 5 - 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 ) P E O P L E I N O N E

N I G H T ?

W H AT W O U L D Y O U C A L L D E P R I V I N G C H I L D R E N O F F O O D, C L E A N WAT E R A N D

M E D I C I N E

Sanctions on Iraq 1990-2003. The sanctions banned all trade and financial resources.Multinational Interception Force was organized and led by the United States to intercept, inspect and possibly impound vessels, cargoes and crews suspected of carrying freight to or from Iraq.UNICEF reports 500,000 Iraqi children died as a direct result of these sanctions. Lancet medical journal concluded the children death toll was around 567,000.

WHAT DID MADELINE ALBRIGHT HAVE TO SAY AB OUT TH ESE DEATHS

In May of 1996, 60 Minutes aired an interview with Madeline Albright, who at the time was Clinton"s UN Ambassador. Correspondent Leslie Stahl said to Albright, "We have heard that a half million children have died. I mean, that"s more children than died in Hiroshima. And — and you know, is the price worth it?”Madeline Albright replied "I think this is a very hard choice, but we think the price is worth it.”

IRAQ SANCTIONS PROPHESIZED

“There will come a time when no food or money will be delivered to the people of Iraq” He was asked “ How could that happen?” He replied “non-Arabs will impose sanctions on them” then he said: “There will come a time when no money or food will be delivered to the people of Sham (Syria)” We said to him “ How could that happen?” He replied : “This will be imposed by the Romans (People from European descent)”

COMMUNIST GENOCIDE

RWANDAN GENOCIDE

POSTER USED TO FUND WAR AGAINST JAPAN

HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI

WORLD WARS

“WHEN A PROPHET SPEAKS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, IF THE WORD

DOES NOT COME TO PASS OR COME TRUE, THAT IS A WORD THE

LORD HAS NOT SPOKEN” (DEUTERONOMY 18 :21)

“BUT THE PROPHET WHO PROPHESIES PEACE WILL BE

RECOGNIZED AS ONE TRULY SENT BY THE LORD ONLY IF HIS PREDICTIONS COME TRUE”

( JEREMIAH 28 :9)