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July 25th, 2011
01:53 PM ET
My Take: Norway attacks show why you can't #blamethemuslims
By Khalid Latif, Special to CNN In the immediate aftermath of 1995’s Oklahoma City bombing, much of the news media rushed to suggest that a Muslim, or at least a Middle Eastern connection, was behind the attack. News reports on television and in print featured Middle East terrorism experts claiming the Oklahoma City attack echoed a World Trade Center bombing two years earlier and that it contained parallels to recent Mideast attacks. The FBI picked up Ibrahim Ahmad, a Jordanian American, for questioning in an initial dragnet. Does 'Christian fundamentalist' label fit Norway terror suspect? Of course, it turned out that the attacker was homegrown and named Timothy McVeigh, not a Muslim. Sixteen years later, not much has changed. The tragic events that took place in Norway on Friday provoked initial accusations against Muslims worldwide. Of course, that proved to be the farthest thing from the truth. Anders Behring Breivik, the confessed bomber and shooter in this horrendous act, was not motivated by the teachings of Islam, but by the teachings of those who oppose Islam. A 1,500-page manifesto that appears to be written by Breivik is an anti-Islamic tirade. Who is Anders Behring Breivik? “Since the creation of Islam in the 7th century and to up to this day, the Islamic Jihad has systematically killed more than 300 million non Muslims and tortured and enslaved more than 500 million individuals,” it says. “Since 9/11 2001, more than 12, 000 Jihadi terrorist attacks have occurred,” it continues. “… This trend will continue as long as there are non-Muslim targets available and as long as Islam continues to exist.” An inappropriate response to Norway’s acts of violence would be the condemnation of Christianity, or a claim that religion itself breeds violence and hatred, though the manifesto repeatedly invokes the defense of Christianity as a primary reason for violently defeating multiculturalism and combating the “Islamic colonization” of Europe. The expectation shouldn't be that white Christian males should now be scrutinized at airports or profiled by TSA workers. It's wrong when it happens to Muslims and it would be just as wrong if it happened to anyone else. A more appropriate response would be to expand the conversation around terrorism and violent extremism beyond Islam and the Muslim community. The Norway attacks highlight why congressional hearings should not be held on solely on radicalization in the Muslim community, but should focus on radicalization more broadly. Far right makes comeback in Europe It's also imperative that training for law enforcement and other governmental offices on Islamic doctrine and law not to be conducted by those who present the normative understanding of Islam to be something that is radical. Our focus should be the safety of all citizens in any country from every act of violence or terrorism. By cultivating a narrative that says Islam is the problem, we keep ourselves from maintaining that focus. All terrorist acts stem from an idea that it's OK to resort to violence in order to get what you want; that it's OK to kill to get the kind of world that you would like; that if we disagree, we cannot co-exist peacefully. Over the weekend, #blamethemuslims became a trending topic on Twitter. The purpose of the hashtag was not to blame Muslims for the Norway attack, but show how Muslims are unfairly blamed and singled out regularly these days. The tragic events in Norway remind us that not all terrorists are Muslim and there is no reason that all Muslims should be treated like they are. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Norway. May God make things easy for them and grant us all the strength and courage to stand up against those who preach intolerance and hatred, even if they look like us, align politically with us, or practice the same religion we practice. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Khalid Latif. |
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's Note: Imam Khalid Latif is a chaplain for New York University and Executive Director of the school's 
terrorism was not started by Islam or Muslims. People of all faith including christianity, catholics, hindus, jews, buddhist have acted act of terror in the past. Terrorism in not invented by one religion or practiced by the masses of any religion, rather it is an escape used by people who see defeat. Terrorism will end one day INSHALLAH, and Islam will prevail.
Nonsense. Show some facts to back up your hyperbole. The overwhelming majority of terrorist acts have been committed by Muslims. Might I remind you that if you wrote this piece in a country governed by Sharia law, and blamed Muslims for any terrorist acts, you could be killed. Learn the truth.
You should have seen all the Muslims crying at my school when Osama bin Laden died. I have never seen Christians get upset when a Christian-based terrorist dies.
You are Incompetent.... If you dare think anyone of us... would Cry for the MAN that Demonized our religon.... He made us look BAD... Cry for him? NO
You Right !!!!!
B.S.
anyone whose criticism of Islam has gained traction is either dead, in hiding or under 24/7 protection – enough said
Hmmm, a coward
@Nadoush
hmmm a terrorist
GM, yall are an idiot... yall need to go bak to ya der farm and go keel yourself. Derp Derp Derp
Bull Pucky.
This incident will shut up naive Europeans' hate rhetoric against Americans.
I am also surprised at the stupidity of this article! The author has chosen Oklahoma bombings and Norway incident whereas he could have chosen the ethnic cleansing of Muslims from Bosnia! That one mega terrorist act killed more innocent Muslims than all the terrotist acts put together.
Finatical Muslims = bus and sub way bombings.
Finatical Christians -= Ethnic Cleansing
Which is a greater threat?
If you have nothing to say, please shut up
Q: Are their Muslim Terriosts?
A: Yes... Osama Bin Ladin
Q: Are their Christain Terriosts?
A: Yes... the KKK
Q: Are their Jewish Terriosts?
A: Yes... the IDF ( Isreali Defense Force)
Just Sayin
How stupid are you?? What about Turkish genocide of Armenians and Greeks, what about the Muslim genocide of Assyrians, the constant abuse of Christian minorities like the Copts? What about Muslim genocide and ethnic cleansing in Nigeria? What about the child-killers in Chechnya? What about the many genocides and cases of ethnic cleansing by the Ottoman Empire, the Islamic Empire, the Moors in Spain? Open a book.
There' no such thing as christian terrorist group. and I doubt Anders shouted God's name or Jesus when he killed his victims.
Have you read his 1,500 page rambling paper..... No? then go read it...
gunpowder plot, Orange Volunteers, NFLT, MNCA, and the early kkk
KKK, IRA, etc. etc.
@RAy
Your an ignorant and a bigot too
Propoganda is you kind
what a stupid sad people you are
Yeah I am aware of what you Muslims think about us when you say "you people." You've showed it over and over again with your incessant and monstrous hatred for everything non-Muslim.
Keep on saying that Ray. Nadoush, ignore him, he's probably an old bloke who just figured out how to use the computer and has nothing better to do. No need to worry about guys like him. Remember, we'll all find out in the end, when it truly counts =)
Read the history about man in its quest to conquer point made. This guy made a point less point that the world has sociopath among us in the world. The blame game once again he blamed the muslims and they was'nt there . Norwegian are to soft on crime like this 21 years max in America death by leathal injestion especially in Texas
You People are missing the purpose of this article.... Do you ignorant people really believe that ALL Muslims are terriost's? Have you guys been watching too much FOX NEWS.... I am 17 year Old Muslim... Do i practice Sharia Law... NO.... Do i want to Kill People .... I Couldnt hurt a Fly... Do i hate Christains and Jews... NO
You People dont understand.. that MOST muslims are peacefull, loving people... STEREOTYPING A WHOLE RELIGON ON LESS THAN 0.5% OF THE TOTAL POPULATION IS BS....
Now that we have exposed the radicals of Islam.... Let me REITERATE... There are terriosts in ALL RELIGONS... What is the KKK? Huh? arent they a Christain Terriost Organization?....
Point is:
Most of us Muslims are Normal.... We are just like you.... However when you demonize us... we feel resentment... and it hurts when your own country you were born hates you.... you feel like an alien in your own country...
You right man !!!! the first to do it in america The first Klan was founded in 1865 in Pulaski, Tennessee, as a terrorist organization.
first victim of terrorism were blacks right here in america. Let get some order right . You do the math.
Thats it. Great comment. Kinda how we got a taste of after this bombing.
@ someone who nickname is 17 Year Old Muslim Living in Miami: You only Mulsim in citizenship pnly? Have you ever read Quran? If you really really really really read Quran and HAdist, you will find a order to kill infidels. This is called "JIhad". For now, You cleric will tell you some basic to avoid yourself hate Islam. With time, he will teach it, the way of terror! I strongly tell you to read Quran and Hadist! If you find somewhat hatred, its up to you! Just before you swallow your cleric word, read and think with your eyes and brain about the content of Quran and Hadist. Just prepare to leave Islam!!
Read the history about man in its quest to conquer point made. This guy made a point less point that the world has sociopath among us in the world. The blame game once again he blamed the muslims and they was'nt there . Norwegian are to soft on crime like this 21 years max in America death by leathal injestion especially in T exas
“Since 9/11 2001, more than 12, 000 Jihadi terrorist attacks have occurred,” – – Of course that number most likely includes attacks on US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Conflating combat with terror attacks.
Muslims should stop saying stupid things and change their doctrines on infidels and apostates.
You should stop saying stupid things, get a (proper) education and learn history from textbooks instead of Glenn Beck. Deal?
CNN wants to paint all religiuons bad. America did not suffer from communism enough.
CNN: all religion evil, everything gay is wonderful
Hmm there's one attack by a non-Muslim for every so many by a Muslim (no matter how radical they are, they are still Muslims). Not exactly an equal tally...
following your logic, this guy was still Christian. Also following your logic, every lynching/attack by the KKK or IRA should be held directly attributable to Christianity. Right?
Norway should install death penalty instead of this stupid thing goes on.
Unlike all other religions, Islam's problem is its doctrine itself is the deadly terror to non-members! I hope this imam gets that point!
may I ask if you've ever read the Qur'an? Have you ever actually gone to a bookstore and picked it up and seen what it says? No you haven't, because if you had you wouldn't say that. Why don't I blatantly state that Christianity differs from all other religions in that it is intentionally predicated to incite violence, based on the crusades or the spanish atrocities in South America. See how easy that is
We should blame the Muslims! They are responsible. They want Americans dead. Don't believe them when they say otherwise. Call a spade a spade.
Judy... dont blame any religon for your misreable life.
what a spade your a joke @ Judy
muslim=evil hatred
Judy is right. The Koran advocates violent conquest of the non-Muslim world, and the imam knows that.
Yes maybe it is unfair to immediately think Muslim extremists were behind this. However if we examine the percentage of terrorist attacks as a whole the Muslims win hands down. Until the religion of Islam as a whole denounces the tenet that all infidels must die it will remain a violent ideology. Just as Christianity turned away from the Crusades so must Islam. If not we are destined for hundreds of years of conflict. Don't believe that if Muslims were a sizable percentage of US population we wouldn't be having neighborhood warfare. Just like in Iraq non Muslim religions are being driven out due to intimidation and murder. Look at the Kopic religion in Iraq. It is on its way to extinction now after 2000 years.
However what is your IQ percentage
all that you typed has nothing to reality
for me I read nothing in CNN but bigots and fascists
Stop playing the "Islam is peace" card. Everyday somebody dies because they dare question Islamic law, we don't even have to go to Baghdad or Afghanistan to see the violence inherent in Islam. We don't have to look at the corpses they use as traps, or the IEDs they use that kill more civilians than Coalition soldiers, we only need to look at Islamic countries. Pakistan, one of the most 'moderate' of Islamic nations had vast swarthes of the public and Government/Judicial figures praising the assassin of Taseer as a national hero. Before him Bhatti was also assassinated, both for the crime of wanting to repeal the blasphemy law. These happen every day in Islamic nations on scales large and small. 8 UN workers in Afghanistan were killed because of what one US pastor did behind closed doors. Islam is to blame for the violence its adherents commit, just as Christianity was to blame for the centuries of Jewish persecution under various theocratic Christian regimes. Islam is to blame for all the murders and stonings by Muslims just as Christianity is to blame for the actions of Thomas Moore.
Your a bigot
Nadoush, you are a propagandist. JohnWalker speaks the truth, you cloak your hatred and Islamic supremacism in lies.
islam is peaceful. why else would they have honor killings
I agree !!!!!!!!!!
i agree with saaly
For every right-wing terrorist attack there are THOUSANDS of Muslim terrorist attacks around the world, and they occur EVERY SINGLE DAY. Sure, not all terrorists are Muslims and not all Muslims are terrorists. HOWEVER, the VAST majority of terrorists in the world ARE Muslim and that is a statistically significant FACT. It cannot and must not be ignored.
The issue this Imam should be dealing with is why thousands and thousands of Muslims commit terrorist attacks every year and justify them directly from passages in the Muslim holy scriptures! Why are all these people who dedicate their lives to Islam and studying it getting it "so wrong" and what are you as an Imam doing about it? There have been two major right-wing attacks in the last 16 years, and HOW MANY Islamic attacks? Tens of thousands. There is no comparison.
You deal with your own and we deal with ours how about that for a change