You're absolutely right.

Submitted by Pat (United States), Dec 14, 2006 at 18:41

You are right. You have echoed my frustration. The people who are doing this are harming everyone around them, so why aren't those who are closest to them doing more to stop them? It's hard to understand what is going on because we hear that the terrorists represent an extreme interpretation of Islam, but Muslims get offended when we ask them to do something about it.

It's terrible to say, but I will always remember people on the West Bank cheering as the Twin Towers were hit. When people like the leader of Iran call for the death of the West, they are cheered on by huge audiences. How can I not suspect that those who aren't carrying out the violence are silently cheering on those who are?

You call yourself agnostic, but your words indicate you're a Muslim. I didn't place you in the same light as terrorists based on your beliefs. It's actions I look at, not your faith. Bombings require planning, acquisition of arms, assembling of bombs, scouting of locations, etc. This is almost never done by one person. Suicide bombers make videotapes before they carry out their acts. We see families whose highest goal for their children is martyrdom. The mothers and fathers who are scolding their children for being brainwashed, as you say, know what their children are planning. What are they doing about it, if this is not their brand of Islam? Usually there are people who know what's being planned, but they keep silent. THOSE are the people I hold in the same light as terrorists. They may not be conspirators, but they are accessories. By keeping quiet, they allow terrorism to continue. Only Muslims can stop this ideology from destroying the Muslim world.

I'll end with the question I keep asking here: if, as you say, this is not your brand of Islam, where are the Muslims who will step up and speak out in public and demand an end to violence? Where are the Rafik Hariris? If they are keeping quiet out of fear, which is a perfectly human reaction, then how can they complain when the West is forced to take action? This isn't a clash of civilizations. It's a clash of civlization and barbarism. To me, Osama bin Laden represents barbarism. Is this wrong? If not, then where are the Muslims who will condemn al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas and all the other groups that seek to destroy the West? Why is any mosque that preaches this brand of Islam being attended by peaceful Muslims? Why not refuse to make the hajj as long as Saudi Arabia funds such violence? Westerners who attack these groups are called bigots. Where are the Muslims who feel as you do?

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