'Does Islam encourage terrorism?' The question is discussed here in the Irish Times (subscription required) by Susan Philips, author of The London Bombings, and Syyed Siraj H Zaidi, a founding member of the 'Three Faiths Forum of Ireland', which brings together Muslims, Jews and Christians. Philips says it does:
No matter what moderates argue, countless suicide attacks by jihadis against the western infidel, as well as against fellow Muslims whose interpretations of their faith seem to vary from their own, are given a religious justification.Zaidi says it doesn't:
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Many consider Islam to contain peaceful approaches, but within its literature, significant space exists to nurture a radical vanguard force, which is religiously driven and committed to world domination through a process of jihad.
Islam - like all monotheist religions - is a religion of peace and tolerance...It's another case of the different choices possible within a tradition of belief. (Thanks: TC.)Islam is the religion of unity. That is to say in the field of faith, this is a religion based on believing only in one God. Its view of life and the social system all call for the unity of humanity, brother and sisterhood, equality in basic rights and the abolition of all discrimination based on colour or race. Islam has declared that all people have honour, with no socio-political, material, spiritual, racial or cultural discrimination. It is therefore categorically untrue to claim that terrorism is a principle of Islam.
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"Does Islam encourage terrorism?" The question directly points a finger at the religion as opposed to this specific sect which believes in terrorism, and implies that there is something inherently wrong with it.
