In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful
Dear Editor,
Convictions of four Blackwater guards who murdered Iraqi civilians (including children) in 2007 restores some faith in our legal system. The event’s reporting, however, reinforces some fears.
Blackwater’s founder Erik Prince is an avowed Roman Catholic whom former Blackwater guards label a “Christian crusader” – recruiting like-minded individuals. Blackwater culture encourages usage of signs the Knights of the Templar used, and referring to Iraqis as “ragheads” and “sand monkeys.” But reporting omits mentioning the convicted guards’ faith.
In contrast, while learning that the Ottawa shooter was mentally ill, previously guilty of crack addiction and robbery – mostly, we learn that he was a Muslim.
When I think of Christianity, I think of Christ – not Blackwater. But I don’t know what’s scarier – a rogue Muslim, religiously motivated and extensively trained mercenaries, or the fact that we refer to one as a “terrorist” and the other as “guards.”
Sincerely,
Imam Naseem Mahdi
National Vice President
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA
15000 Good Hope Rd
Silver Spring, MD 20905
301-875-2633
Categories: Americas, Counter Terrorism, Terrorism
Well said Imam Sahib!
I will use another American colloquialism in this, my reply to the Imam; He is ‘Comparing apples to oranges’.
While Mr. Prince may be an “avowed Roman Catholic” and may have fostered a “Crusader” culture within Blackwater, that was never part of their public persona and none of their actions, many of which I hold reprehensible, was overtly done in the name of their religious beliefs. There was no proof that the crime perpetrated in Iraq was religiously based making the issue of the guards religious beliefs moot. The issue, alone, was the guards’ criminal actions .
That cannot be said in the vast majority of Muslim extremist activities. Those are always done openly with their beliefs as the primary reason for their actions. Hence, the publicizing of those beliefs.
It is my opinion that the Imam’s statement is no more than a defense mechanism called ‘deflection’.
Dear Robert Adams the biggest issue is that I would not like to be defined by ISIS, just like you will not like to be defined by Adolf Hitler, KKK or any of the worst examples from the Christian world.
Let us follow the Golden rule please. Divide the 1.3 billion Muslims into various groups and entities and every time you want to condemn any Muslim, please absolve me and my community.
Peace!
Dear Dr. Shah;
I, by no means, implicate the Amadi community, or any other innocent Muslim group or individual for that matter, in the involvement and/or approval of extremist acts by members who proclaim the Islamic faith.
I find you missed my point entirely. Again, the heinous acts committed by Blackwater were not done overtly in the name of their faith, hence what faith they may have is moot.
Whereas, the extremist acts committed by ISIS et al are done openly, however mistakingly, in what they consider to be their faith.
Therefore, equating what those two disparate groups do, other than their crimes, by assuming similar religious motives is incorrect, I believe, and only serves to be a defensive reaction to what is occurring within Islam. i.e. Deflection, as said.
Unfortunately, the media is trying to make a distinction without difference these days about Muslims and Islam.
Let us not forget that everyone has some faith or holds a set of ideas near and dear to his or her heart and is driven by them, whether he or she announces it or not or wears it on the sleeve or not.
I have always found every believing Christian obsessing over Jesus of Nazareth, may peace be on him.
If we are not open to blame any faith other than Islam, even ignoring genocide being committed by Buddhists in Myanmar, then it just reflects single minded devotion to Islam by the Islamophobes and no amount of verbosity can hide it.
Salaam (peace) to all,
As a human being I stand with all other decent humans in condemning all senseless acts. There is no room among humanity for anyone who threatens the peace or kills or causes harm to others.
As a Canadian I salute the soldier that gave his life for his and my country. I praise the officer that neutralized the threat inside the centre block of Parliament. I stand with all Canadians in protecting our country and in making every effort to maintain the peace and prevent such senseless acts.
As a Muslim I am puzzled at how anyone can misinterprete the teachings of Islam in such an ugly way. Islam is a beautiful religion. Islam teaches respect for all people of all nations and all religions. There is no way that the teachings can be misunderstood in such a deviant way. What violent “jihadists” do is nothing close to Islam. Whoever teaches such things has other motives. Islam is not on their agenda. Rather, Islam is their excuse for exploiting sentiments of weak individuals to incite them into doing cowardly acts. By being a Muslim – a true Muslim – I have not done anything wrong. Neither I, nor my religion should be blamed for the actions of such cowards. On the contrary, Muslims are proactive in condemning these acts. We reach out to our fellow citizens, we write to and speak to media, we teach peace and tolerance to our children. We find ways to be good and promote goodness. We will continue to do all these things. Just because someone calls humself a Muslim or “converts” to Islam doesn’t mean he has anything to do with Islam or me.
Thank you.
Dear Editor:
To humour Mr Robert Adams, allow me to compare apples to apples, and oranges to oranges. In the hope that, with his objection taken care of, Mr Adams would be more inclined to concede that justice demands that the iniquity of Muslims shouldn’t be blamed on Islam. But, read on…
The Spanish Inquisition murdered in the name of Christianity…
And yet, Jesus taught love and peace!
The Islamic State murders in the name of Islam…
And yet, Mohammad taught absolute justice and peace!
So, forget ISIS!
Connect to TRUE Islam. Find God. Solve your problems.
Watch the real Islamic Caliph,
His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, SPEAK at the Opening of the MOSQUE OF MARY, in the most devoutly-Catholic English-speaking land on earth, the
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (on Friday, September 26, 2014), in the presence of Government Ministers, MPs, the Catholic clergy, the police, as well as a large number of ordinary Irish folks. Here’s the link to the YouTube video:
Peace!
A-R.
I wonder what teachings of Jesus made those Blackwater thugs commit those crimes. Offering the other cheek won’t kill!