There is a line that the media dare not cross when it comes to generalizing on any race, religious sect or the ethnicity of a people. But the US media observes no such editorial limitations when it comes to Muslims.

In the latest affront to Muslims the world over, MSNBC leads off a news column with “Muslim link to Madrid blasts?” — meaning Thursday’s bombings in the Spanish capital. The choice of words and the leading inference are nothing short of offensive.

It is an affront to one of the largest religions in the world and to the people who follow that faith. It cleverly misleads the uninformed into believing that the 1.2 billion Muslims in this world have nothing better to do than blow up innocent people everywhere. This is a flagrant example of racism in a so-called “democratic and free press”, intent on twisting the truth and falsely representing their so-called facts.

Well, I am a Muslim and I am proud of it. I do not condone terrorism anywhere, be it state-sponsored or by individuals and groups. My religion forbids me such heinous crimes, and there is no reward except hell and damnation for all those who participate in such crimes.

But I am also extremely offended by the lack of ethics displayed today in US journalism. Can MSNBC or any US media organization print that African-Americans were behind the DC sniping, or Jews had a link in the New York serial murders or insider trading violations? Or that Christians, for that matter, were linked to the Oklahoma bombings? They would be shut down before the ink had a chance to dry.

But they dare without boundaries when it comes to Muslims. They must be stopped. For the 1.2 billion Muslims the world over, a lawsuit must be prepared and slapped on MSNBC, to the tune of $1.2 billion, one dollar for every Muslim. The case must be for defamation and derogatory references to the good name of Muslims everywhere.

I call on Muslims everywhere to take charge and prepare a landmark case against MSNBC, including any websites that blatantly refer to a religious group with no regard to their feelings or beliefs.

Responsible journalism must be protected. The manipulations we witnessed in the past few years by the US media have indeed sunk to very low standards and must be fought and contained. It is time to do it through their pocketbooks.

Muslims will not be held hostage or put on the defensive for the actions of a few deviants that may attempt to hijack Islam, for there is nothing Islamic about such dastardly acts.

Islam is a peaceful religion, a submission to God’s will. We will not be insulted nor submit to a manipulative media anywhere.