Many Muslims are easily offended. Muslims were offended the presence of a carving of the Prophet Muhammad in the inner chamber of the US Supreme Court, even though it attempted to honor Islam's contribution to the legal system. We're also offended by things like outdoor underwear ads. A few years ago, there was an episode of South Park that some Muslims were upset with (it was actually a very funny commentary on evangelical Christians that went over their head). This week, Muslims are being offended by a church sermon on converting from Islam (even though we revel in conversion stories all the time). In fact, we're getting quite the reputation for being offended all the time.

And we're especially offended by Muslims who are off the beaten track, like those who perform standup comedy or have unorthodox political or social views. And woe to those on the fringe of Islamic belief - that seems to offend quite a few Muslims.

Sometimes, a subset of the offended are provoked into acting upon that offense. And an even smaller subset of people are provoked into taking such a drastic action based on that offense that incalculable damage is done to the rest of us - things like the murders of Theo van Gogh, throwing acid on the faces of women who don't wear hijab, or slicing off the heads of people because they come from a country whose foreign policies Muslims don't like.

There are quite a few things that Muslims can be rightfully offended by - workplace discrimination, trampling of civil rights, etc. But when we get offended all the time, and worse, when even a few take the law into their own hands, our offense becomes cheaper and is sometimes outweighed by the crimes committed in its name. These days, Muslims around the world could use a thicker skin. Being offended all the time gets tiring, and it isn't an example of people who are confident in the strength of their faith and community. Let's save our "Muslim rage" for when it really counts, and channel that anger in the most productive way possible.

Some people just like to be offended. That is not just a Muslim thing.

To read some bulletin boards, one would think Christians are a persecuted minority in the U.S.

Assalamu Aliakum
I agree with you that sometimes we channel our anger in the wrong direction. The Theo van Gogh incident wouldÌve never happened if we (Muslims) were not blinded by culture and ignorance of our duties and Islamic laws.
However you must also understand that getting offended and defending your religion becomes a second nature when you are being bombarded constantly with lies and false allegations against your religion, when the media portrays prohibited action taken by one Muslim as part of Islamic belief and Islam and its community supposable support these behavior or having to answer questions like Ïhow can you believe in this religionÓ.
It can get frustrating.
But overall, good job with the article.

Methinks Mr.Amanullah doth protest a bit too much.
Muslims werent amused at the humiliating depiction of Christ (saw) by that retarded cardboard cut out of a show. Totally understandable.

>>This week, Muslims are being offended by a church sermon on converting from Islam (even though we revel in conversion stories all the time). <<

The difference being that Muslims dont use lies and other forms of decpetion to lure reverts to Islam, something which missionaries have always done through misinformation and material incentives. Besides when was the last you saw a sign reading "Why I'm not a Christian" outside of a masjid ? Perhaps you're oblivious to the kind of language evangelical christians have been using against Islam, or maybe you're ignoring it.

As for throwing acid and beheadings, you're taking isolated incidents and broadly generalizing them as common practices within the community. Why dont you write about the over 100000 Iraqi men, woman and children who've been killed by terrorists in their war against Islam, or is that too hot a topic to take on ?

Recently, evangelical groups have become quite brave with their preachings. It can be seen not only among the priests; but also among the followers. This well funded group can preach or say whatever they want... but as long as one's belief (as well as knowledge) is sound, it should not bother anyone.

Beheading done by the extremist were definitely wrong; but unfortunately, such stories from middle east were the only ones made it to CNN. There were reports (i think in BBC once) that some rebel groups in some of the non-islamic countries used beheading tacktics recently just to get more media exposure; but they didn't get much (if not any) CNN coverage. Having said this, when extremism stories come from middle east, it gives fuel and incentive to many of these evangelical groups. They use it not only to tarnish Islam; but also to show "christianity is a religion of peace". Most followers of any religion follow blindly without investigating their prechers' words.

At the same time, we must realize that "fight fire with fire" attitude doesn't go anywhere. We must not only be on a constant quest for knowledge; but also be smart and patient with everyone (both inside and outside the community). We can always debate without being offended or angry.

As for throwing acid and beheadings, you're taking isolated incidents and broadly generalizing them as common practices within the community. Why dont you write about the over 100000 Iraqi men, woman and children who've been killed by terrorists in their war against Islam, or is that too hot a topic to take on ?

I don't think the issue is how often these incidents take place, but rather are they justified theologically and historically. They don't chop of heads, hands, and feet in Saudi Arabia or the Taliban regime in Afghanistan for the hell of it. The acid throwing incidents that I know of are all directed at women for some reason or another. You can extrapolate that to a much broader and common practice of abuse of women in the Muslim world.

Hot topics indeed.

>>but rather are they justified theologically and historically.<<

Do tell how these are justified theologically. Funny you clowns carry on about things you have little knowledge about.

>>They don't chop of heads, hands, and feet in Saudi Arabia or the Taliban regime in Afghanistan for the hell of it. <<

Ever been there, or have been watching faux news ? This coming from those who've butchered over 100000 innocent Iraqi men, woman and children.

>>The acid throwing incidents that I know of are all directed at women for some reason or another. <<

How many such incidents are you aware off ?

>>You can extrapolate that to a much broader and common practice of abuse of women in the Muslim world. <<

Sure, if you're a narrow minded bigot promoting misinformation. Based on your logic I should be able to extrapolate that all Americans are just like the slugs responsible for Abu-Gharib, or any of the other glorious imperial romps you've undetaken.

Based on your logic I should be able to extrapolate that all Americans are just like the slugs responsible for Abu-Gharib, or any of the other glorious imperial romps you've undetaken.

Imperialism: The policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations.

To wit, Abu Ghraib wasn't imperialism.

My apologies for not being clear. The acid throwing incident is one of many singular cases of Muslim violence against women that simply have no parallel in America. Is that to say that American men don't physically abuse women? Of course not. Abuse of women is a worldwide problem. But I was talking about Muslims, not America. You can face your problems or deflect.

Read, digest, and learn.

The irony. Read the op-ed again, k?

Cornelius,

The acid throwing phenomenon can be found all over South Asia. Kerosene is also used for the same purposes. The perpetrators come from all religious backgrounds - Muslim, Hindu etc. The stereotypical acid thrower is the "spurned suitor" of a young woman. The majority of victims of this crime are female but a significant proportion is male. Countries have passed tough legislation such as laws equating acid throwing to attempted murder or a maximum penalty of death for acid throwers. In theory, the acid-manufacturing industry is obliged to undergo close scrutiny in terms of making acid available to the public. So, your characterisation of acid throwing as "Muslim violence" is grossly inaccurate.

>>To wit, Abu Ghraib wasn't imperialism. <<

It was part and parcel of a failed culture which finds itself in war and savagery.

>>The acid throwing incident is one of many singular cases of Muslim violence against women that simply have no parallel in America. <<

Oh really now. I guess murdering 100 million native Americans, lynching African Americans for over 400 years and invading nations which have done you no harm isnt a big deal. Neither is using napalm and agent orange on civilians.

>>You can face your problems or deflect.<<

The only problem here is your ignorance and bigotry. Phony outrage at acid throwing isolated incidents is the least of your concerns o hypocrite.

Sometimes, a subset of the offended are provoked into acting upon that offense. And an even smaller subset of people are provoked into taking such a drastic action based on that offense that incalculable damage is done to the rest of us - things like the murders of Theo van Gogh, throwing acid on the faces of women who don't wear hijab, or slicing off the heads of people because they come from a country whose foreign policies Muslims don't like.


Yes DrDriveBy I see the over-generalization. And it is true that the article does not talk about the "100000 Iraqi men, woman and children who've been killed by terrorists in their war against Islam." Every article should.

I believe you've missed the point haben.

I think its true. We don't advocate reforms in our own communities as much as we advocate against other communities.

Its not a difficult thing to say that a beheading is wrong. I think the difficulty comes about when we want to say that the individual who carried out the beheading is wrong. Criticising the bearded guy with the gun is just a strange an idea to our Ummah at all levels (from clerical to common person). A case in point is Usama bin Ladens heinous bombing of African US embassies (to which he admitted to) receives little coverage amongst our own communities and even less outrage but let Kenny be wearing a turban when they kill him in South Park and its fervent speeches and heated debates.

As muslims, very little of Islams universal meaning remains in our identity and we see ourselves as responsible to communities and nations before we see ourselves as responsible for the liberation and development of humanity. Happily defending Osama's right to a fair trial (1 male witness or 2 female witnesses seeing him fly into a tower : )- ) but never advocating for the civilian casualties of his bombings.

Drdriveby- you are the point