PERCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM — What Needs To Be Done

technology invented by the West, yet they do not acknowledge the West or offer thanks. The Muslim media, must thus totally stop spreading negative news, and, instead, must engage in the task of highlighting positive news. As for the general Muslim public, they must not participate in political, disputes and agitations at all. They should concentrate solely on earning their livelihood. They should remain indifferent in matters pertaining to politics. These are some ways in which the phenomenon of terrorism in the name of Islam can be combated. Islam is a spirit-based religion, not a form-based religion. Terrorism in the name of Islam has definitely impacted wrongly on some Muslims’ self-perceptions and self-confidence. In the face of the growing incidents of terror engaged in by self-styled Islamic groups in different countries, some Muslims hesitate to identify themselves as Muslims in front of people of other faiths. When in the company of non-Muslims, they tend to conceal or down play their Muslim identity. Some of them even develop feelings of self-hatred. Some have even lost interest in Islam. What is the solution for such people? There is a better choice available to such Muslims—that is, to disown the terrorism done in the name of Islam and to present the true picture of Islam before non-Muslims. They should tell people that they need to differentiate between Islam and Muslims, and that they should judge Muslims in the light of Islamic teachings, not vice versa. They can take this as an opportunity for carrying out dialogue and dawah work, that is, inviting people to God's path. When people are now talking about Islam, even negatively, they can take this as an opportunity for presenting to them a true picture of Islam. If Muslims remain silent on the wrongful interpretation of Islam that is employed to justify terrorism, they are giving non-Muslims an opportunity to form wrong notions regarding Islam. Thus, it is the duty of all Muslims to speak out and to correct this wrong image of Islam. Radical Islam is the product of the political theory of Islam. Those who are influenced by this interpretation, too, have to be explained that this is not the right interpretation of Islam. Once they are convinced, they will themselves abandon all activities directly or indirectly connected to militancy. o