AMCC President Atif Fareed, in the wake of the November 2015 Paris attack and the December 2015 San Bernardino attack calls for solidarity in standing up to terrorism. He reminds everybody that Muslims are with the rest of the world in condemning such senseless acts of death and violence. He further states that Muslims today have become more vocal in denouncing terror attacks.Atif Fareed cites a 2007 survey conducted by Pew Research to prove that majority of Muslims have always been against terrorism. The poll asked Muslims only one question, “Can suicide bombing and other forms of violence against civilian targets to defend Islam be justified?” The results of the poll are as follows:
• France – 64% said NEVER; 19% said RARELY, 10% said SOMETIMES; and 6% said OFTEN.
• Britain – 70% said NEVER; 9% said RARELY, 12% said SOMETIMES; and 3% said OFTEN.
• Germany – 83% said NEVER; 6% said RARELY, 6% said SOMETIMES; and 1% said OFTEN.
• Spain – 69% said NEVER; 9% said RARELY, 10% said SOMETIMES; and 6% said OFTEN.
• Egypt – 45% said NEVER; 25% said RARELY, 20% said SOMETIMES; and 8% said OFTEN.
• Turkey – 61% said NEVER; 9% said RARELY, 14% said SOMETIMES; and 3% said OFTEN.
• Jordan – 43% said NEVER; 28% said RARELY, 24% said SOMETIMES; and 5% said OFTEN.
• Nigeria – 28% said NEVER; 23% said RARELY, 38% said SOMETIMES; and 8% said OFTEN.
• Pakistan – 69% said NEVER; 8% said RARELY, 7% said SOMETIMES; and 7% said OFTEN.
• Indonesia – 71% said NEVER; 18% said RARELY, 8% said SOMETIMES; and 2% said OFTEN.
In 2013, Pew Research conducted a similar survey got the following results:
• Globally, 72% of Muslims believe violence against civilians is never justified.
• 81% of Muslim Americans believe violence against civilians is never justified.
• 60% of Muslims in Britain prefer to live under British law instead of Sharia Law.
• 64% of British Muslims believe that those converting to another religion should not be executed.
Fareed believes that the poll clearly reveal that majority of the Islam world opposes attacks on civilians. Muslims from all over the world are also showing their respect for other faiths. Islam not the religion of death that terrorist groups such as the Islamic State claims it to be. He further states that Islam is a religion of love, peace, and discipline. He also said that the doors of mosques and community centers are open to non-Muslims. He invites everyone to learn more about the Islamic faith.
Related Articles:
Muslims Around the World Speak Out Against Terrorist Attacks in Paris – http://time.com/4112830/muslims-paris-terror-attacks-islam-condemn/
Hundreds of Muslims marching against terrorism in London ‘ignored by British media’ – http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/hundreds-muslims-marching-against-terrorism-6977099