Misplaced blame
Yasmine Bahrani’s Sept. 7 Other Views column, When will we take back Islam? is a sincere and well-meaning piece, but her blame is misplaced.
Today, many terrorist groups across the world are conveniently associated with Islam, why not with those who created a favorable playing field to let these thugs flourish, and those who sell them lethal weapons.
It a very simplistic for her to absolve the United States.
Invasion of Iraq was a monumental mistake with horrendous consequences. This conflict that created millions of displaced, injured and orphans who most likely will grow-up hating us; even choosing terrorism.
Her argument that Muslims haven’t denounced the culprits is ill-informed. Locally, the Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations has categorically rejected any violence against innocent people, like including the killing of Steven Sotloff a member of our community.
Nationally, the Council on American Islamic Relations called ISIS “not only un-Islamic, but anti-Islamic.” Internationally, as she cited, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, an eminent Muslim scholar, declared ISIS an illegitimate entity to represent Islam.
Unfortunately such news rarely makes the media. Most Muslim institutions in the West are still in the formative stage; they often join interfaith partners in rejecting the wrong.
Mohammad Shakir, Miami Shores
This story was originally published September 19, 2014 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Misplaced blame."