I suppose in a way the Islamophobes who rant about Islam can be forgiven for their ignorance, xenophobia and money-making schemes to cash in on the thriving business of Muslim-bashing speaking tours.
I, personally, don’t necessarily forgive them, but their transgressions against humanity pale in comparison to Boko Haram, which has done more harm against Islam than any nutter with a website and funding from the right-wing lunatic fringe.
It’s Boko Haram that has waged death, destruction and misery on Muslims and non-Muslims alike in Nigeria with only modest efforts by the world to rein them in. Now, these terrorists have kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls, split them up in four groups to make their rescue more difficult, enslaved them and are offering them up for sale. So what has the Muslim world done about this crime against Islam, this crime against humanity?
Not much. There have been the usual condemnations, but the weak language used by leaders and scholars make absolutely zero impression on the world, let alone Boko Haram. These criminals and murderers can’t be controlled with mere words. Military action in the most extreme measure is the only solution. This is especially true when it was reported this week that Nigerian security forces were aware that Boko Haram was making a move against the schools four hours before the girls were abducted. Amnesty International reported the abductions could have been prevented. The Nigerian government clearly needs external help. At a critical time like this when people are stepping away from the core of Islam and becoming more extremist, whether to the left or right, such behavior should not be taken lightly because it not only harms the girls, but also an entire nation and a religion that was established on the concepts of mercy and respect for the human race in general and women in particular. These criminals should be fought and held accountable for their actions and for creating panic among the most vulnerable sector of society.
Boko Haram is an anti-Islamic group bent on murdering innocent civilians in a campaign to eliminate western education from the region.
The paramount mystery for the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims is why these so-called Muslim groups are targeting education when the first word revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was “read.” Muslims are urged to seek knowledge from cradle to grave. Islam also encourages Muslims to treat women in a tender way. It’s not enough to express simple condemnation or lament that these boys have taken a wayward path. Groups like Boko Haram are the real enemies of Islam. We have sustained severe damage to our religion thanks to Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabab, but Boko Haram takes the slander against Islam to a different level that requires immediate attention from Muslim countries.
There has been much discussion among Muslims about the crimes against Muslims in Central African Republic (CAR) and Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar with efforts to send aid to the persecuted. But how can we appeal to international aid organizations for help when men who hide behind the cover of their warped idea of Islam commit the same barbaric acts? Only swift, decisive military action can wipe out this cruel group and save lives.
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