Barbaric terrorists who describe themselves as Muslims have nothing to do with me, my beliefs, my soul or my person. Apologising for their heinous crimes makes little sense to me when I have absolutely nothing in common with them, and zero understanding of their grotesque interpretation of Islam. Why should I take responsibility for someone elses sins? Sins that I can neither fathom nor comprehend? Ill go on a solidarity march not because its my duty to show the world that Muslims dont abet murderers and terrorists, but because Im a human being and I feel empathy for those who have been hurt. I will talk about my faith and try to dispel misgivings, but apart from that Im as unrelated to these extremists as the patriot having trouble differentiating Islam from violent Islamism in his UKIP-town bungalow. When the EDL held demonstrations in my city, I never saw it as the duty of non-racist white British people to stage an apologetic march. They didnt need to say sorry for the actions of bigots because they themselves are not bigots. Do I appreciate it if activists voice their opposition to racism? Of course I do – I appreciate all forms of humanitarian endeavour. But I also recognise that this can be achieved without apologies that serve no purpose except to placate those who are missing the point. Moreover, I dont want anyone to connect my understanding of a peaceful Islam with the ridiculous actions of extremists, and apologising for them will only work to create a link – tenuous though it may be – between me and them. I dont want to have any form of affiliation with a group of inhumane monsters, just like I dont want to eat my lunch sitting next to a piece of greying dog shit. I have the right and the ability to distance myself, so thats exactly what Ill do. To apologise would be to accept responsibility, to accept that Islam as the vast majority of Muslims understand it had some bearing on the murder of those innocent journalists. I dont believe it did, and neither does any other sane-minded Muslim who treasures the value of human life and has imbibed the peaceful teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 02:00:53 +0000
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