No #MuslimsAreNotTerrorist

Dec 18, 2015
Today, there are more than 1.6 billions of Muslims in the world. Their population counts as one major proportion on earth. Muslims have done wonderful progress, be it in academic carrier, or in medical carrier. They are not less competent in any aspect of the competition be it in nuclear weapon, or faculty member at top universities.

Life of Muslim communities away from their home however has been proved to be worth huge trouble. They have to face huge insults, blaming and face abusive words time and again. One part of the world believes that Islam religion itself is the religion of terrorism. They hold the belief that, since all terrorists are Muslim, all Muslims are terrorist.

The attack of France was claimed by ISIS after hours. Before the claim itself, it was regarded ‘Islamic attack’, indicating that entire Islamic religions are involved in the attack. It was directly blamed to Muslim followers. Not unless I read the story of Muslim mother, whose eight year child, after hearing the news asked to her if she should tell that she was not a Muslim in her school, I felt how dominating the society actually is.

I am Hindu, untaught from Nepal where the country itself was Hindu years back, unless it got secular decade back. I had Muslim friend, Mohammad with whom I grew up sharing games, food, studies and everything. Still today, we meet and talk of those days. He was good friend of mine and he was not a terrorist, and he is not a terrorist.

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Al Qaeda are terrorist group that is operated by Muslims. But they being responsible for more than 100,000 deaths of Muslims in past years must be enough instances to prove that Muslims are not terrorist. Apart, the Holy Koran 5:32 quoting whoever kills a person, it is as though he has killed all mankind and whoever saves life, it is as though he has saved all mankind should build up enough proof that Islam religion is guided by peace and harmony.


There was this story that I found in Aljazeera:
"An ISIL member stopped the car of a Christian couple.
ISIL member: Are you Muslim?
Christian man: Yes, I'm Muslim.
ISIL Member: If you are a Muslim, recite a verse of Quran.
Christian Man recites a verse from the Bible.
ISIL member: Okay, you can go.
Later his wife tells him: Why did u tell him you are a Muslim? If he knew you were lying he'd have killed us both!
'Do not worry!' answered the husband. 'If they knew the Quran they wouldn't kill people.'"

So, when Holy Koran itself makes a clear quote about how life is treated, is not this foolishness to blame religion instead of bunch of people?

It was before ISIS took the credit of attack, Islamic communities got united over social medias making #MuslimsAreNotTerrorist and #TerrorismHasNoReligion a huge trend. Being aware that they will be affronted for the entire shootings, Muslims all over the world got united and made a huge campaign.
Stereotyping is one major cause why Muslims are assaulted for any terrorism act. Opposing of resettlement of Syrian refugees by Governors after the attack can be treated as clear example of consequence of stereotyping. On going through few youtube videos, right after Paris attack, they were critically blamed by various bloggers and free opinion makers. No longer are all Germans treated as evil, or Europeans as Columbus, but any Islam follower is a criminal, usually terrorist in their vision. 2014 Global Terrorism Index portrayed the data stating most terrorism activities were carried out by Muslims.

Also, decline in Non Muslim Terrorism could be counted as another reason for Muslim community’s assaults. Since Tamil Tigers no longer exists in Sri Lanka, Maoists are already into mainstream politics in Nepal, FARC no longer terrorize Colombia or IRA is no more a huge burden in United Kingdom, terrorist group from Islam community are been able to show their presence to the world. Another important aspect that should not be ignored for the cause of terrorism includes poverty, illiteracy and individual disciplinary act.

In 2013, 152 terror attacks were noted in Europe, being just couple of them with religious motive. Same year in Greece, Popular Revolution forces shot and killed two members of right wing political party name Golden Dawn. It was in Italy, numerous terror attack were there including sending bomb to journalist. Extremist Buddhist killed many Muslim civilians in Burma and few in Sri Lanka as well. In 2014, University of Carolina came up with the data that after 9/11, 37 Muslim related murders were there out of 190,000 murders in America. All these news stays beyond the light, but news of Al Qaeda attacking Kenya and Tanzania 20 years ago probably is within mind of everyone.

Both World Wars were not initiated by Muslims. 20 millions Aborigines were not killed in Australia by Muslims. Nuclear Bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not dropped by Muslims. 50 million Indians were not killed by Muslims in South America, or nor were 180 million African were made slaves by Muslims.  It is difficult to change mind of every individual of the world, but one thing we all need to accept is, religion are means to existence. They all teach us way to lead a better life, rather than provoking crime. Hence, ‘respect’ is utmost necessary thing that we need to practically implement in our life. Terrorism and Crime should not be differentiated on the ground of religion.

A feeling may emerge that Nepal has not yet been victim to understand. But, 13 Nepalese were killed in Iraq years back. Nepal is small country, that probably may mean nothing to rest of the world, small secular country with majority of Hindu religion. However, we do hold the belief that religion does not bind anyone for criminal activities. We believe terrorism has no religion, and we believe that Muslims are same as us. Criminal or terrorists must be punished, entire effort must be devoted to eradicate terrorism, however, on this mission, and other innocents must not be affected.


Published at Outlook Afghanistan of December 15. 2015.

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