Dangerous Minds

Submitted by Jeeshan (Singapore), Aug 13, 2007 at 11:34

SS:

It would seem patience is not a virtue. There are more people dying right now because the disease of imperialism is making its rounds. According to you Muslims will ( I refuse to use the meaningless term of moderate Muslims) "face the judgment of being condemned with Radical Islam" because results must be seen.

The war on terror is not going to end with the arrest or death of a few radicals. We need to examine more closely the root causes of radicalism rather than be led astray into thinking that exterminating "them" is simply the answer. A broader perspective like American foreign policies in the Muslim world should be re-examined.

Equally important, is perhaps the need for America to re-assess its own vision of a democratic society within its borders. The Human Rights Watch groups are reporting violence and abuse of minorities within the United States and I don't just mean the Muslims. Perhaps, the war on terror is a symbol of aggression and its effects evidenced by the dissemation of Iraq should serve as a reminder that patience is indeed a virtue.

What a mess Iraq is now. Being over hasty in scapegoating is simply not the answer to the current predicament. SS writes, "Action speaks louder than words" is the very type of mentality that is epoch making in its tragedy. When I wrote that Muslims should root out radicalism, I was referring to Islamic communities should counter radical ideology and show willigness to take a stand within their communities, by calling a spade a spade. Alot has been done by Muslims, however, I do not blame SS for thinking little has been done as the media is not wont to publicise such events. Yet, to say muslims are silent is certainly a false assumption. No one wants terrorism, Muslim or Non-Muslim.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".