After every terrorist attack anywhere around the world involving Daesh, Al-Qaeda or their affiliates, the entire Muslim population around the globe becomes the target of slurs and undue criticism. Everybody starts questioning their faith and the divine book they follow. There is a place on this very planet, which is known as the Central African Republic (CAR) where the Muslim population is being openly targeted by Christian mobs. Those attackers invoke verses from the Bible during the attacks. It is beyond comprehension as to why reports of such atrocities fail to find a place in the international media.

Why does nobody question Christianity or Bible for the actions of those who follow this religion? The reason is simple: The religion or the book has nothing to do with the actions of a handful of miscreants.

Ironically, Muslims and Islam are not being treated in this way. Following every terrorist attack, Muslims are somehow obliged to adopt an apologetic approach; failure to do so carries the risk of them being branded Daesh or Al-Qaeda sympathizers and extremists.

Why should we offer clarifications for the actions of the terrorists? Why does the world want us to clarify our position on terrorism again and again?

We Muslims never seek any clarification from people of other faiths for the actions of their fellow believers mistreating Muslims in the Central African Republic, Bosnia, Chechnya, India, Israel and elsewhere. Whenever a Muslim is attacked in the West, the attacker’s religious affiliation does not come under scrutiny but if a person who happens to be a Muslim commits a crime, our religion is immediately blamed. And these people accuse us of not willing to live in peace and harmony with people of other faiths.