Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists and terrorists?
Answer:
This question is often hurled at Muslims, either directly or indirectly, during any
discussion on religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are perpetuated in
every form of the media accompanied by gross misinformation about Islam and
Muslims. In fact, such misinformation and false propaganda often leads to
discrimination and acts of violence against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-
Muslim campaign in the American media following the Oklahoma bomb blast,
where the press was quick to declare a 'Middle Eastern conspiracy' behind the
attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier from the American Armed
Forces.
Let us analyze this allegation of 'fundamentalism' and 'terrorism':
1. Definition of the word 'fundamentalist'
A fundamentalist is a person who follows and adheres to the fundamentals of the
doctrine or theory he is following. For a person to be a good doctor, he should
know, follow, and practise the fundamentals of medicine. In other words, he
should be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a person to be a good
mathematician, he should know, follow and practise the fundamentals of
mathematics. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of mathematics. For a
person to be a good scientist, he should know, follow and practise the
fundamentals of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of science.
2. Not all 'fundamentalists' are the same
One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. One cannot
categorize all fundamentalists as either good or bad. Such a categorization of
any fund amentalist will depend upon the field or activity in which he is a
fundamentalist. A fundamentalist robber or thief causes harm to society and is
therefore undesirable. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other hand, benefits
society and earns much respect.
3. 1 am proud to be a Muslim fundamentalist
I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace of Allah, knows, follows and
strives to practise the fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not shy away
from being a fundamentalist. I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim because,
I know that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the whole
world. There is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against
the interests of the human race as a whole. Many people harbour
misconceptions about Islam and consider several teachings of Islam to be unfair
or improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect knowledge of Islam. If one
critically analyzes the teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot escape
the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at the individual and collective levels.
