Questions

Submitted by Gloria Stewart (United States), Jul 14, 2005 at 21:27

The figure of 1%, given as the percent of Muslims who are Islamists, is not as comforting as one might suppose, if indeed, it is comforting at all.

For the sake of argument, let us say that there are 100 Muslims in a room. If the figure of 1% is correct, then one Muslim is a potential terrorist. Of the other 99, how many are one sermon away from being radicalized? Of whatever number remains, how do these Muslims regard the terrorists in their midsts? Do they regard them as heroic? Do their children keep pictures of these terrorists on their walls? Do their children wish to emulate them? Would they attend a celebratory party at the late terrorist's home, celebrating his (or her) entry into Paradise? If they had had prior suspicion or knowledge of this terrorist act, would they contact the proper authorities? If the terrorist is caught and brought to trial, convicted and all appeals exhausted, will the other Muslims acknowledge his guilt at last or will they claim that Islamophobia was at work? How many stumbling blocks will they put in the way of justice; how many appeals for funds will they send out?

Gloria Stewart

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".