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Name
Begum Shofiq
-
Profession
Freelance Writer
Question
salaam;
i think, it's the failure of UK/US fight against terrorism. also , we ( Muslims ) have failed to understand that killing innocent people is not allowed in Islam. If really it's true that some Muslims wanted to kill innocent people, then we Muslims have really failed to understand our Quran. Do u think so ?
Answer
Wa'alaykum salam
It is true that if the suspected people detained are found to want to kill innocent people than they have not understood that killing innocent people is forbidden. I also agree that we have failed to reach out to many Muslims to educate them of this.
However, even if we managed to do the latter, there will still be a small number of people who will commit atrocities. This is not unique to the Muslim community.
Ahmed Versi
Name
Linn
-
Profession
Student
Question
Currently information is hazy to say the least, but the authorities seem confident that a massive loss of life has been averted. What does the British Muslim or non-Muslim People think? Is this another false alert? Is Al-Qaeda involved? Is the timing of this possible plot with the current Israeli aggression in Muslim territory of any significance? Because the suspects involved are Muslims is this going to make life harder for Muslims here in UK?
Answer
Linn
You are right that it is still early to conclude that a massive loss of life has been averted. As yet no evidence has been produced to back this.
There is a lot of skepticism out there - both by Muslims and non-Muslims. This is because, there have been many cases in the past when high profile arrests of Muslims turned out to be false.
Not long ago two young British Muslims were arrested by 200 police officers in high profile arrests under anti terror law in Forest Gate, East London. One of them was shot by the police, injuring him. Both were released as they found no evidence against them.
Some connections have been made of al Qa'idah connection but again these are speculations. This also happened in the aftermath of July 7 terrorist attack in London. Until now, the debate is still raging whether there was al Qa'idah connection.
There are some who are claiming that the arrests were to diverse the attention from the Israeli attack on Lebanon and other domestic issues of the UK but it is difficult to substantiate that as yet. Most probably, the reason for the timing of the arrests was because the Pakistani Government arrested some suspects, one of them is alleged to be a Briton. So the security forces had to move in fast in the UK to ensure that the suspects' do not disappear from their radar.
What is happening now - especially the way the arrests were hyped up and the massive response from the media - is making life difficult for Muslims. Already two mosques have been attacked.
Name
Ihsan
-
Profession
Question
Apparently 25 people were arrested in dawn raids and their homes are being searched - 4 people have been released. But from what I gather they were arrested at their homes - no-one was arrested at an airport, or arrested whilst trying to purchase explosives, or arrested in possession of explosive materials. Whether explosives material is discovered at the homes of these people that in itself does not mean that it was intended for use in a terrorist attack. So do you think that the British Government is exaggerating for a hidden agenda?
Answer
Ihsan
We do not know whether the police found any explosives etc or any evidence of their potential involvement in the alleged terrorist attacks.
They were not arrested at the airports because the arrests, according to the police, were to prevent the attacks.
Name
Carol
- Canada
Profession
Question
Hi,
If there was a plot and if it had succeeded do you think that would have been good thing for Muslims throughout the world?
Answer
Hi Carol
No of course not. Terrorism is wrong and is condemned by all, whatever their beliefs.
In many of the terrorist attacks, large numbers of Muslims were victims too. In July 7, bombings in London, 10% of those killed were Muslims.
It is important that we prevent terrorist acts being committed.
Name
Madiha
- Italy
Profession
housewife
Question
Alsalm Alycom,
In my opinion I think that what happened takes the focus off Lebanon and Israeli war crimes. CNN is focusing solely on this 'heightened security' story. When the signal comes back I suspect Lebanon will have make do with the ticker at bottom of the screen. This also takes the pressure off Blair. Not only is Lebanon not the main news story, but now when he is asked about why he lets Israel get away with anything. So what do you think about that?
Answer
Wa'alykum salma Madiha
It is true that the atrocities being committed in Lebanon took a back seat in the media. In fact, it began before the arrests of the suspected terrorists. Bahraini newspapers were told by British Ambassador (according to Bahraini newspapers) not to show images of the people killed in Lebanon. Here, we found that the BBC had reduced the images of the atrocities. In discussions, we found, in some instances, more time was given to the Israeli officials than Lebanese officials or the Hizbullah officials.
Name
Omar
- United States
Profession
Question
Salam,
Are we in denial?
cant we accept that there are muslims in uk, british born, who are terrorists, support terrorists?
i think we need to be a bit more realistic... accept what has happened.... and think about why? And what we as muslims can do?
Answer
Wa'alaykum salam Omar
We are not in denial. We have accepted that there are, and may be, British Muslims who have/are/may be involved in terrorist acts.
What British Muslims have been asking for since July/7/2005 terrorist acts is for an independent judiciary inquiry to find out why it happened and other issues related to the event.
But the British Government has refused this. Instead, they published a narrative of the event, which had many contradictions and unanswered questions.
As to the recent arrests, we have very little information.
Name
Irfan
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Bismillah Arrahman araheim,
well, i think the problem is the foreign policy, many British Muslims are sick and saddened by the murder and abuse of Muslims which are subsequently caused or supported by Blair
so, we should ask ourselves this question, why are they doing it and what can we do to prevent it?
Answer
Assalamu 'Alaykum Irfan
It is very difficult to pin point one issue that motivates someone to commit terrorist acts. Foreign policy may be a rationale being used - as we saw from the videos of the two British Muslims who committed the terrorist acts in July 7 last year.
No one knows WHY they are doing it - that final decision that they take to commit atrocities.
However, we in the west need to follow ethical foreign policy.
Name
Zeinab
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Is it logical that Muslims stand behind every violent attack in the world? What is the evidence? And is the occupation un Palestine and Iraq a reason to these actions?
Answer
Zeinab,
Muslims do not support every violent act in the world, especially not terrorist acts.
Occupation of Palestine or Iraq etc, may be the reason that those who perpetrate terrorist acts are using to justify the attacks.
But nothing should justifying these killings of innocent lives.
Name
Ali
-
Profession
Question
Asalam aalaykum
Do you really think that it was really Muslims behind this?
Answer
Wa'alaykum salam Ali
Muslims have been arrested by the police. But as yet they have not been charged. So we don't know.
Name
Muslimah
-
Profession
Question
Asalaam u alaikum
I am so very disturbed by these events. I know there is soe doubt in people's minds that maybe Muslims weren't behind this and maybe there is som other conspiracy going on. But still everyday you hear of Sunnis killing Shias, and Shias killing sunnis, so it is possible that Muslims were behind this. And that disturbs me more. If Muslims are acting this way. Then who are the real good people of Allah. These people are Muslim by name not by their actions. And Islam and good Muslims everywhere are being hurt by all this. Both sides seem to be bad and no one seems to be fighting in the true spirit of Islam. And then what message is being sent ur children.
Prophet Muhammad SAWS example no one seems to be following.
Answer
Wa'alaykum Salam Muslimah
You are right that what is happening in Iraq and Pakistan when Sunnis and Shi'as are killing each other and bombing mosques. This is not Islamic.
It is disturbing and we need to continuously condemn such actions.
Maybe we need to give a comprehensive education to our communities on ethical issues.
Name
xyz
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
Assalamoalaikum,
I have a few questions that are really confusing me,
first of all i wanted to know that in the current situation of lebanon and palestine, is boycott of american goods essential for those who live in countries which trade majorly in american and uk products like pakistan.Is boycotting goods a workable soultion if only a group of people or a single person boycotts them and the rest of the country continues to use them, as such a boycott wont really effect the american economy since pakistan is a really small country.Also it might be that franchises like mcdonalds and kfc and drinks like coca cola and pepsi whereas they do support us military troops but a lot of people in pakistan work for them, so a boycott might effect them as well. Also their are US and UK companies like unilever and P&G in pakistan that produce good quality soaps and shampoos and provide jobs to a lot of people here so are we to boycott them as well? One last question i am currently in US for immigration purposes but will currently be leaving for pakistan inshaAllah in 2 days, but we have purchased a lot of gifts for ourselves and relatives and we had to pay taxes which benefit the US government and military, is it permissible to take them or return them?And is it permissible to eat from a muslims' salary who works for mcdonalds USA, whose campaign says that their customers and all americans support the military.
Jazak Allah
Answer
Wa'alaykum Salam. xyz
Boycotting of goods does work in sending a message to a country in question. For example, one the main reasons why the Apartheid regime in South Africa was defeated because people boycotted their goods (so did many countries). The Danish Govt began taking its Muslim citizens seriously during the cartoon affair only after Muslims in Muslim countries boycotted their products.
As to the countries like Pakistan, the South Africans also faced similar dilemmas but they persisted and won at the end.
Name
kitty
- Denmark
Profession
researcher
Question
Assalam Alaikom,
Do you think that the biased treatment and the discrimination to Muslims and the major security proceuders are the reason for what happened, if not then what maight be the reason for that, give us your opinion.
Answer
Wa'alaykum salam Kitty
Discrimination does take place at various levels against the Muslims. But I don't believe that this is the only factor in any terrorist acts. This may be one of the factors. The way anti-terror legislation is being implemented may also contribute to alienation and feeling of being treated as a second class citizen or not wanted or targeted - as a lot of profiling takes place when one is stopped and searched in the underground station and at the airports (for a long time this has been happening).
No one knows the answer why someone would commit the atrocities as it is a complex issue.
Name
Dina
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaikom. British government said that they are British born youth between 17-25 of age who intended to explode number of flights. And one year ago there were riots by French born youth between 15- 25. Why do you think youth lean on violence to express their feelings?
Answer
Wa'alaykum Salam Dina
Muslim in France did not commit any terrorists acts - their response was what happens in many communities when they are marginalized, face discrimination in employment and other areas, insulted and treated as second class citizens and provoked.
As to those who commit terrorist acts - we do not know what exactly makes them commit such acts - there are various factors, other than the above, when they see their brethren being killed, raped, ethnically cleansed, and no one cares, not even their democratic governments.
Name
Muhamad
- Algeria
Profession
IT
Question
Dear Mr Ahmad,
for you a Muslim living in the UK, do you find it hard to express your veiws as a Muslim and find yourself at the end of the day isolated with your terrorist identity (as the west call it)and what do you think of the expression that Bush said about Muslims (Faciests)?
Answer
Muhamad
We can express our views - except in the cases under anti terror legislation - like supporting groups like the military wing of Hizbullah. Like i cannot say that - wow| they have won - they defeated the Israeli occupation - congratulations. - even though most of the Lebanese people consider them as part of National Resistance!!!
As to the Islamophobic language of President Bush, it was uncalled for. On the one hand we are told the so-called war on terror is not against Islam but on the other Bush says "Our nation is at war against Islamic fascists" -which implies it is a war against Islam that breeds fascism.
Name
Amatullah
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
Question
As-salamu alaikom Br. Ahmed and thanks for your time. Long time ago when someone blew up the world trade center in the US, the US government said it was by Muslims, and then they found out that he was a non-Muslim American man, then after explosions of 9/11 they said it happened by Muslims and they didn't provide sufficient proofs for that except some words on tapes by Usama Bin Laden. Now United Kingdom is accusing Muslims and off course they don't have real proofs.. Why Muslims are suspected all the time?
Answer
Wa'alaykum Salam Amatullah
Re non-Muslim blowing up - not world trade centre but Oklahoma City bombing - by a practicing Christian.
As to 9/11 I believe it was done by Muslims according to evidence we have.
The recent arrests of suspected Muslims we still have to wait until the police provides evidence before making any judgments.
It is true that Muslims are accused whenever any terrorist act takes place- like the Oklahoma City bombing when Muslims were blamed.
But in some cases Muslims have been involved in terrorism and we have to acknowledge that.
Name
Ishtar
- United States
Profession
Linguist
Question
Dear Sir,
Do you believe what is being said unofficially that this was actually a government-media concocted plot to draw the public's attention away from the carnage in Lebanon?
Answer
Ishtar
There are people who claim that the high profile arrests were to divert attention from the Lebanese and other issues. But that is speculation.
We need to wait and see how many of those arrested will be charged and convicted.
