How to detect muslims?

Submitted by Amir (Canada), Dec 14, 2015 at 11:07

One thing that neither Trump nor this article explains is that how are we going to detect "muslims", let alone "Islamists"? Unless you have a brain scanner, how do you know what exactly one believes in? Not every terrorist leaves a trace of their beliefs prior to committing murder.

Trump's spokesperson implied it would be based on an interview, or by "looking at their names". A talk show host suggested offering a ham sandwich. I guess the terorrists are in danger of dying from laughter! Do they seriously think such tests reveal the followers of a religion whose sacred book calls its God "the greatest deceiver of all"?

Or may be what hey have in mind is a complete ban on anyone coming from a muslim-majority country? How does that protect us from the most dangerous group: the western-born muslim convert or terrorist? How does it affect religious minorities and apostates who try to flee those countries? How would the kinds of Raymond Ibrahim, Ayyan Hirsi Ali, Ibn Warraq or many other ex-muslims manage to leave those despotical societies?

I agree with thsoe who believe that smart profiling is the answer, and dumb profiling is not just a waste of time, but ties up resources. I think this is what Dr. Pipes means by blocking "Islamists". A comprehensive profiling scheme that would track the actions, writings and contacts of those who associate with dangerous groups and thoughts, and flags them to block them from entering the western world. What Trump is suggesting is not only unworkable, but also a waste of precious intelligence and security resources.

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