Abdul Malik Mujahid discusses how the 2011 hearings by New York Congressman Peter King, which were intended to examine the radicalization of Muslims in the United States, ignore the fact that American Muslims have been directly involved in fighting terrorism since the 9/11 attacks.
A recent PEW survey found that 19 percent of American Muslims justify violence against civilians, which translates into 55,000 to 130,000 American Muslims. Scary, isn’t it?
Angry, disaffected young Muslim men make up the bulk of those accused of terrorism committed in the name of Islam. These men did not develop in a vacuum. They were a product of many things.
Although you have done nothing wrong, in an Islamophobic environment where 59% of our neighbors hold a negative opinion of Islam and Muslims, Islamophobes will be enjoying their non-stop commentary to continue to blame Muslims.
This open letter to Anwar Awlaki was written as a response to his promotion of terrorism, in particular the 2008 Fort Hood killings, which he praised. It is an attempt to offer a point-by-point rebuttal. If left unchallenged, it is possible that some other youth who respect him as an Islamic scholar may act on his false theology of anger.