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Originally Posted by vMike  ThoughtAddict, would you say the majority of Muslims around the world feel the same, or are they maybe less peaceful?
Why do we so rarely hear moderate Muslim leaders condemning terror attacks and organizations and calling for peace, but rather the ones who call for armed resistance?
Where are you located btw, in a Muslim country or US/Europe. |
I would say the majority feel the same. The majority of all people want peace and happiness.
Moderate Muslims are in a difficult place. On the one side, there is a base of folks with varying degrees of anger toward Islam who do not distinguish between Islam and the acts of a small population of Muslims. Witness, as a stark example, the beatings and violence just after 9/11 against Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs. As a less graphic example, consider the multiple stories of citizens refused flights due to speaking Arabic, praying, or wearing clothes with Arabic on them. As a more common example, how do you think it feels to have your way of life, your way of thought, described as barbaric, violent, ignorant, or a threat in nearly every conversation someone starts with you about it?
On the other side, there is a base of Muslims with varying degrees of anger about marginalization, violence, and war toward Muslims. As a stark example, witness the zealots who commit random acts of violence. As a less graphic example, consider the imam who calls for Israeli soldiers in Gaza to died. As a more common example, consider the Muslim girl who, otherwise peaceful, gets into shouting matches when people talk about the marginalized role she plays in her own culture (despite wearing top designer fashion and living a fantastic, empowered life).
In between, moderate Muslims are squeezed. A call for peace is ignored by one side and seen as varying degrees of capitulation by the other. Those who view the world as polar... good/evil, Muslim/West... instantly shun the Muslim who calls for peace. To zealots on one side, he is a betrayer. To the zealots on the other, a wolf trying to put on sheep's clothing.
Yet, there are still calls for peace. The Muslim Public Affairs Committee in London was vocal in this. Bhutto based a politically successful campaign on peace. Queen Rania has spoken out eloquently for peace and understanding. There are numerous groups including the World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace, Christians and Muslims for Peace (CAMP), and the Muslim Students Association who made very vocal attempts to foster peace.
But peace isn't flashy, or showy, or memorable compared to violence. Violence can grab national headlines... peace gets a passing mention.
I am a Muslim revert in the Bible Belt of the US.