Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Opinion
Source & Credit: Chicago Islam Examiner | April 8, 2010
By Qasim Rashid | Chicago, IL.
America's Commander in Chief made a campaign promise to improve America's image throughout the world. This campaign promise took another step forward when President Obama ordered removal of 'jihad' and 'Islamic terrorism' from security documents.
The term, 'Islamic terrorism' is actually an oxymoron. Islam comes from Salaam which literally means peace. Thus, Islamic terrorism would literally mean 'peaceful terrorism.' What would that look like?
Likewise, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) taught Jihad-e-Kabir and Jihad-e-Sagheer. Jihad-e-Kabir or, the Greater Jihad, is the struggle against the self that incites to evil. It is the internal struggle each person faces to abstain from sin and champion goodness. Jihad-e-Sagheer or, the Lesser Jihad, is the struggle against oppression through defensive battle. Even in such a battle, only the particular oppressors who are actively pursuing to kill are to be stopped, and no excess is allowed.
The abstention of these words while discussing terrorist threats to America benefits everyone. But in what manner? For one, these terms have been historically used in large part to describe the 'war on terror.' In at least some capacity, this strategy only served to diminish the status of the majority of the Muslim world who practice their faith in peace and tolerance. Simply consider if every Christian were viewed through the lens of the Hutaree, the KKK, or Timothy McVeigh? Such a ludicrous comparison would no doubt, and rightfully so, offend the countless peaceful God fearing Christians of our great nation.
Read original article here: Obama wages Jihad on "Jihad" and "Islamic terrorism"
Second, Terrorism simply has no religion. One may correctly call the terrorists the Taliban, the Tamil Tigers, or the Hutaree Militia. However, labels inclusive of religion only serve to create division and discord.
Finally, such a label is simply inaccurate. Every religion teaches peace and pluralism. That a few lunatics seek to ascribe, or blame, their actions on the teachings of a particular religion should invalidate the lunatic, not the faith.
Kudos, then, to President Obama for striving to fulfill this campaign promise. His Jihad of the pen is to be commended.
Read original post here: Obama wages Jihad on "Jihad" and "Islamic terrorism"
Qasim Rashid is a contributing member of Majlis Sultanul Qalm, USA (MSQ USA) and regularly writes for Examiner.com and various other publications on topics ranging from Islam to human rights. Leave your thoughts and comments, or email Qasim at 1muslim.examiner@gmail.com
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