“Please don’t be a Muslim” was the sentiment almost every Muslim I know had after the horrific Boston Marathon bombing last week – and after almost every violent attack anywhere in the world. Any time the news announces some sort of shooting or explosion, we wish, we pray, we hope – Please, for the love of all that is halal, don’t be a Muslim.
Has it come to this? The fear of the bad apples that have spoiled what should be a peaceful religion. The reputation that has been shattered and shat on by those that do not represent the real Islam in any way shape or form.
It has. Our religion has been hijacked by terrorists. And while we know it in no way represents us, we find ourselves defending Islam. Hundreds of statuses went up after the attacks, defending and attempting to rescue the reputation of what has now become known as the fanatic religion. “As a Muslim, I condemn this attack”, “we are peaceful people”, “Islam does not promote violence”, and more.
Why? Why are we defending ourselves? These men do not represent us. They don’t represent Islam any more than Hitler represents Christianity. When Adam Lanza strolled into Sandy Hook and took the lives of innocent children, I didn’t see a single status claiming that he does not represent Christianity.
Because duh. We already know that.
So then why do we feel the need to explain that killing is against Islam? Because some crazy kooks claimed it’s in our scripture?
Terrorists do not represent any religion, because killing is against every religion.
Somehow we feel guilty, as if we are somehow responsible for their actions. But I think it’s time to come to the fair conclusion that we’re not.
The only thing we are responsible for is our own actions. The way we treat others and the way we represent ourselves and our beliefs. Little did I know how much it makes a difference until a few months ago, when I got into a Facebook discussion about it with an old friend from high school about Muslim fanatics.
He replied saying that as one of the few Muslims in our school growing up, he used me as a reference and only had good things to say about the religion. To say I was giddy is an understatement.
I guess our actions do make a difference, even if we don’t realize it and even if it’s with just one person. So to my fellow Muslims, let us stop being dramatic and defensive and let our actions speak louder than big fancy statuses.
Can I get an ameen?