Syed Imam Muslims alone, cannot be responsible to solve terrorism

Title: Muslims alone, cannot be responsible to solve terrorism

By: Syed Imam, August 18, 2017

Sent to: National Post

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The recent attack in Manchester reminds us of our collective responsibility to condemn terrorism in all
its forms, locations and by all perpetrators. While most of us agree that terrorism isnt a monopoly
owned by any particular group of people, its condemnation should equally be sought by people of all
colours, races, genders, and faiths.

But that is not the current reality. There is an incommensurate expectation for Muslims to condemn acts
of terrorism perpetrated by members who claim to share the Islamic faith. While the strategy of the
groups like the Islamic State, and others who commit these horrific acts, is to divide society, to try and
convince us that it is impossible for all citizens to coexist through mutual understanding and respect, we
must wholly resist and reject divisive rhetoric.

To portray the acts of extremist groups as part of a conceptual combat between Muslims living in the
west and people of other faiths entirely ignores the facts that Muslims themselves also fall victim to
extremism and Muslim-majority societies are most commonly the geographical location of choice for
these attacks. When we speak about a western nation or its people, remember that we are also
speaking about the grand majority of law-abiding, patriotic Muslims who have equally contributed to
societal development and in services to the nation.

There are more than 1.8 billion Muslims on the planet, making up almost a quarter of the human
population. According to the global terrorism database, there have been a total of 140,000 terrorist
attacks in the world since 1970. Even if Muslims were responsible for all of these attacks, (which is an
absurd assumption), thats less than 0.01% of the complete Muslim population that could be held
responsible for terrorist attacks.

The counter-argument of not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims is based on
dogma and factually incorrect. According to the FBI, 94% of terrorist attacks between 1980 and 2005
have been carried out by people who hold faiths other than Islam. The expectation for Muslims to be
above and beyond other citizens in condemning acts of terrorism implicitly suggests that the remaining
99.99% of Muslims are, in some way or another, more responsible for these attacks than other citizens.
In spite of the expectation placed on them, Muslim leaders and citizens still have vehemently
condemned all acts of terrorism including the Paris attack and the Orlando shooting.

The way forward cannot just be an increase security policy based on spreading suspicion and fear of
certain groups of people. We cannot collectively tackle extremism by restricting the rights of ordinary
citizens. Muslim citizens are facing a drastic increase in hate crimes and violence with a
disproportionately less degree of condemnation by politicians and scant coverage by media.

These end-of-pipe policies treat any political views, counter to the government narrative, as radical or
extreme. Citizens, of all colours, races, genders and faith must be able to clearly criticize government
policies without being perceived as anti-patriotic.
 Syed Imam Muslims alone, cannot be responsible to solve terrorism

Ultimately, Muslims must be acknowledged as part of the solution to global terrorism. Diversity and
pluralism must genuinely be undertaken through inclusive discourse and leveling the playing field for all
citizens to contribute to developing a better society. There seems to also be a growing
misunderstanding of the tenants within the Islamic faith and of deep-held Muslim beliefs and intentions.
Muslims and people of other faiths alike must collaborate on mutual understanding and create spaces
where difficult discussions and long-term education is fostered. These misunderstandings are not only
shared by right-wing fanatics, but now by many global leaders across the world.

We must simultaneously be consistent and non-hypocritical in our condemnation of terrorist acts in the
western and non-western worlds. There will be no end to terrorism if we do not try to promote peace by
concurrently preserving our own national interests and putting in measures to empower those in other
countries. Its disappointing to see our governments open the borders for wealth but close it to refugees
and migrants.