Whos Who Among American Muslims Condemning Terrorism

Who's Who Among American Muslims Condemning Terrorism

In the years since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, Muslims have found themselves and their religion under intense scrutiny. Islam has been called an evil religion (by Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham), and subsequent bombings and uncovered terror plots (Madrid, London, Mumbai) have only furthered the misconceptions. A recent Associated Press poll revealed that 40 percent of Americans harbored prejudice towards Muslims. Most Muslims say that though they constantly condemn terrorism and violence in Islam's name, they're not being heard. So Beliefnet asked some of America's most promient Muslims--including an imam, a scholar and a comedian--what it is about the faith, about the Qur'an, and about the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad that drives Muslims to reject extremism and terrorism?

Click through this gallery to read their responses.

1. Professor Akbar Ahmed

Ahmed is one of the world's most well-known Islam scholars. He is the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies and a professor of international relations at American University.

"At the core of Islamic action is the notion of adl (justice). The name of God--and the core of the universe--is adl. When you don't have adl, you have imbalance, chaos and anarchy. Because justice is so important to Muslims, when they are involved in any fight or conflict, the fight must be involved on the basis of principle and not on bloodlust. There are moral boundaries that Muslims cannot transgress on the basis of emotion, ethnicity, sect, or personal loyalty. And when we live by these sacred rules, then we live as a just society that does not engage in acts of terror or accept people who commit such acts. There is no room for terrorism in Islam. Justice symbolizes God's rule."

2. Dr. Ingrid Mattson

Mattson, the director of the Islamic Chaplaincy program at the Hartford Seminary, is president of the Islamic Society of Northern America.

"Americans should turn off the TV and look for opportunities to get to know their Muslim neighbor because it will alleviate a great deal of fear and anxiety. The most important teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on this issue are about the rights of the neighbor, and that the neighbor has rights on a Muslim that are almost as strong as the rights of family. No one can be called a true believer if his neighbor, or anyone in his community, is afraid of him--these are the guiding principles for the vast majority of Muslims. It's these teachings that make those Muslims want to be good citizens and good friends to those people around. Terrorism isn't part of our religion, and never has been."

3. Azhar Usman

Usman is a stand-up comedian and member of the "Allah Made Me Funny" comedy troupe. He is also a lawyer and an on-air personality on MTV Desi.

"The Qur'an teaches human beings to 'stand up as witnesses for God,' even if it be against themselves. Being a witness for God, to me, includes standing up against injustice, oppression, and tyranny--whatever the form, and whoever the perpetrators. Being a Muslim is not about adopting a tribal mentality that means defending the actions of all Muslims. On the contrary, the Qur'an's command is clear: Condemn mischief and corruption on Earth, whether perpetrated by people who call themselves believers or otherwise. This applies with equal force to the condemnation of terrorists, as well as to those who engage in terroristic counter-terrorism. I am motivated by my desire to earn the good opinion and favor of God Almighty, not necessarily to win fellow Americans or Muslims as friends."

4. Imam Feisal Rauf

Rauf is an imam in New York City, founder and chairman of the Cordoba Initiative, and author of "What's Right With Islam: A New Vision for Muslims and the West."

"The Holy Qur'an teaches us that 'Whoever kills a human being … it is as if he has killed all humankind: and if he saves a human life, it is as if he has saved the lives of all humankind (Qur'an 5:32).' Islam condemns the abuse of religion by fanatics whose purpose is to rouse hate and beget further violence. Nothing is as antithetical to all religion as when wanton violence is wreaked by extremists. Millions of Muslims live in peace with the world around them. They are examples of Islam's true harmony and are fighting against terrorism through dialogue, knowledge, and outreach. And the Prophet of Islam serves as the ultimate example of compassion and love to Muslims. So to sink to violence against innocents serves no purpose in Islam."

5. Salam Al-Marayati

Al-Marayati is the executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC).

"Non-Muslims should know that Islam is based on three things: The belief in One God, service to humanity, and the teachings of mercy, compassion and justice. Islam has no room for terrorism, and Islam obligates us to counter terrorism. The Prophet to me stands for love of humanity, compassion to the stranger, and servant to the people. And the Qur'an repeatedly teaches us not to allow any self-destructive behavior, whether through suicide or through harming innocent people in our surroundings. We have been given a trust as human beings to fight oppression and to care for humanity. The Qur'an states: 'It is God's will that you become a community of the middle way.' That has been interpreted by several Islamic scholars as the call for moderation."

6. Asra Q. Nomani

Nomani is the author of "Standing Alone in Mecca" and an activist for Islamic reformation and Muslim women's rights.

"I get clarity about what Islam can be through the fact that one of Allah's 99 names is Al-Wadud, or 'The Loving One.' While it's easy to demonize Islam based on the actions of extremists, in reality our faith is founded on progressive principles of tolerance and inclusion. In a book of mine I offered '99 Precepts for Opening Hearts, Minds and Doors in the Muslim World' inspired by Allah's names. The first precept--live with an open heart to others--is based on the name Al-Wadud. What sets apart the American Muslim experience is we can stand up to extremists without fearing violent retaliation from the fanatical Muslims we oppose. With this freedom, we must continue to speak out against those who commit acts of terror in the name of Islam."

7. Shahed Amanullah

Amanullah is the editor of altMuslim.com.

"Islam stresses public order and the rule of law. Terrorism destroys this social order and decreases the tranquility of life that Islam emphasizes. During the life of the Prophet Muhammad, whenever there was a choice between conflict and social order, he always chose the path of least violence unless forced to do otherwise. The Qur'an has a strong ethical orientation to help people regardless of their religious affiliation and calls people to faith based on reason and spiritual intuition, not force. Terrorism is an imposition of force and fear to change the minds of people. Muslims must show non-Muslims the beauty of our religion, create peace between peoples, and promote justice and the rule of law. Terrorism runs counter to all these values, and therefore absolutely goes against Islam."

8. Daisy Khan

Khan is the founder of the American Society for Muslim Advancement and the Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow group.

"Islam shares the ethical foundations of Christianity and Judaism: To love God and our fellow human being, commit to social justice, diversity, and pluralism, and struggle for moral uprightness. The Prophet Muhammad cautioned Muslims, 'Beware of extremism in the religion.' He is known to have repeatedly emphasized the middle path of moderation and gentleness traveled by most of today's Muslims. The Qur'an continually warns believers against extremism and any kind of excess: 'Do not exceed the bounds in your religion,' and 'Commit not transgression therein, lest My anger should justly descend upon you.' From an Islamic perspective, zealotry and extremism signify a tendency away from what is deemed moderate and balanced. So we continue to condemn the violence and senselessness of terrorism and the devastation it wreaks on us all."

9. Imam Zaid Shakir

Shakir is an imam on the West coast, a lecturer at the Zaytuna Institute in California, and the author of “Scattered Pictures: Reflections of American Muslims.”

"The Qur'an urges us to protect the sanctity of human life. Killing innocent humans, the essence of terrorism, is equated with murdering all of humanity. This is powerful incentive to fight against terrorism in all of its manifestations. This Qur’anic quote says it all: 'For that reason we ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever takes a human life for other than retribution for murder or spreading murderous sedition on earth, it is as if he has killed all of humanity; and whoever saves an innocent life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity.' (5:32)"