Do Muslims really condemn terrorism?

Submitted by Dave Rosenberg (United States), Apr 30, 2004 at 11:03

As I started reading your article "Moderate Muslims March in Phoenix" I couldn't help but be encouraged. Finally the silent majority of moderate Muslims will begin to speak out. Unfortunately I was greatly disappointed and now need to ask myself a simple question, do Muslims really condemn terrorism? As the War on Terror continues without vocal Muslim condemnation of terrorism it becomes more and more difficult to conclude that mainstream Muslims do not support the goals of the terrorist.

I hope I am wrong in this because the implications are staggering. We live in a country where religious freedom is a "pillar of our faith". Our country was founded so that one can practice a religion without fear of official or unofficial ostricism. How then do we react when one of those religions wages war on our way of life? Like chemotherapy for cancer, the cure will damage the healthy tissue as well as the cancerous.

Our only hope of comming out of this unscathed is for moderte Muslims, as a community (as opposed to the few individuals who have spoken out), to say in a strong voice, "We condemn these practices and the goals of the radical members of our religion! We stand behind the United States". I pray this happens and happens sooner rather than later.

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