No more excuses left for massacres

When it is the first time that one comes across a massacre committed on behalf of Islam, one could look for a conspiracy behind it saying, “Is it really Muslims who have committed this?”

When it is the second time that one comes across a massacre committed on behalf of Islam, there could be statements like, “The reason for this rage should be understood; that aspect should be focused upon.”

When it is the third time that one comes across a massacre committed on behalf of Islam, there could be an interpretation like, “This is all the West’s fault; the West is reaping its own harvest; the West is responsible.”

When it is the fourth time that one comes across a massacre committed on behalf of Islam, it could be said, “This has nothing to do with religion. Islam is a religion of peace; this is not the real Islam.”

When it is the fifth time that one comes across a massacre committed on behalf of Islam, there could be a diagnosis like, “It is a reaction to exclusion, a reaction to the history of exploitation, a reaction to inequality.”

When it is the sixth time that one comes across a massacre committed on behalf of Islam… Well, there, you need to stop a little…

Because now it is time to look for the responsibility in ourselves. Now, the whole matter has reached the point where no excuses can be generated. 

It is now the time to ask the question: “Why is terror coming from a religion of peace?”

Now, the time has arrived to develop a dignified, serious, firm objection.

Here's a list of those who humiliate Islam 

-    Those who chant “Allahu Akbar” while beheading people.
-    Those who regard it as Islamic to sell non-Muslim women in slave markets.
-    Those who issue fatwas such as “Civilians can also be killed.”
-    Those who blow up mosques that belong to different sects of Islam.
-    Those who demolish tombs, saying “There are no tombs in Islam.”
-    Those who burn down hotels in the name of Islam after being agitated.
-    Those who blow themselves up in crowded marketplaces while chanting “Allahu Akbar”
-    Those who raid schools and kidnap children on the grounds that “Girls cannot go to school.”
-    Those who find 1,000 different camouflages for the atrocities committed.
-    Those who massacre cartoonists on the grounds that they were mocking our prophet.

The ‘buts’ come out again

We are going through days when sentences containing “but” have peaked. 

"I condemn this, but…"
"Of course killing is horrendous, but…"
"One would not support a massacre, but…"
"I would never tolerate what has been done, but…"

Here's how to understand these types of sentences: Disregard all of the words before the “but.” Concentrate on what comes after the “but,” because the actual ideas are hidden there.

The benchmark is this

When our religion and our prophet are mocked, it is legitimate and acceptable to turn your face away. To protest and to show discomfort is acceptable. To oppose is acceptable. Even to say, "This cannot happen; this is unacceptable," is quite fine.

However, to kill, attack, behead, strafe with a machine gun, massacre, bomb, or blow up… Such reactions are never legitimate and never acceptable.

Having to remind of the very basic humane and Islamic benchmarks to such an extent, however, is simply humiliating, shameful…