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