San Francisco, California

  After an American soldier's tragic outburst of violence at Fort Hood, Texas – the army's largest US post, with some 40,000 troops – dominates the headlines, a fear-mongering hysteria concerning his supposed religious motivations is taking priority over questions regarding his mental health.

Although the facts, and clues about motive, are still being uncovered, we know that the alleged shooter, 39-year-old Major Nidal Malik Hasan, is an American-born medical doctor and licensed psychiatrist, who also happens to be a Muslim born to Palestinian immigrant parents.

When Hasan's Arabic name was revealed as the alleged shooter, the blogosphere and message boards lit up with the predictable assortment of anonymous bigoted bile vilifying Islam and questioning the loyalty of American Muslims.

Thankfully, most mainstream voices, such as Republican senator John Cornyn of Texas, urged caution and moderation, stating: "It is imperative that we take the time to gather all the facts, as it would be irresponsible to be the source of rumours or inaccurate information regarding such a horrific event."

But some, such as Republican US representative Michael McCaul of Austin, Texas, alarmingly responded with inflammatory histrionics: "Whether it was domestic or foreign, clearly when a US military base is attacked in this fashion, that is an act of terror in my book."

If it is discovered that this lethal rampage was motivated by an inexcusable and misplaced sense of religiosity, it would provide ammunition to those extreme rightwing, minority voices in America who are convinced their Muslim neighbours are stealth jihadists ready to commit suicide bombings at a moment's notice. These proponents of modern day McCarthyism find their allies in members of the "Birther movement", who remain convinced President Obama is not an American citizen. Their esteemed colleagues include those who pontificate about Obama being a closet Muslim and an agent of socialism.

Reports of an image taken hours before the killings showing Hasan in a prayer cap seem to insinuate that a common article of clothing worn by many Muslims before they are about to pray somehow conclusively proves an religious intent behind the violence. A blog note attributed (though this is unconfirmed) to Hasan – comparing terrorist suicide bombings to suicidal acts during war to protect fellow soldiers and inflict damage upon the enemy, such as Japanese kamikaze missions – is being pointed to on the net as his potential justification for the alleged shootings.

It should comfort most Americans that mainstream Muslim American organisations, which often espouse a sense of victimhood and unnecessary rationalisations, unequivocally denounced Hasan's alleged actions as "heinous" and incompatible with Islam. The Council on American Islamic Relations issued a statement saying: "No political or religious ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence."

Ultimately, this use – or misuse – of fear and rumour over Hasan's Islamic faith should be moot in light of the record of the thousands of Muslim American soldiers who have served and made sacrifice – such as Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, awarded the prestigious Purple Heart and Bronze Star and praised by Colin Powell, who now rests in Arlington cemetery after giving his life to protect and serve his country in Iraq. There are currently 20,000 Muslims serving with honour in the US military, according to the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council. If Hasan's faith is ultimately proven to be the misguided inspiration for his violence, then the brave and patriotic service of thousands of Muslim American soldiers renders him an isolated and aberrant exception.

Sadly, although yesterday's violent outburst against fellow soldiers was the most deadly in US history, it was not the first of its kind. In May this year, five soldiers were shot dead at Camp Liberty in Baghdad by Sergeant John Russell. In February 2008, an Air Force sergeant diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) upon returning from Iraq fatally shot his son and daughter after a domestic argument with his ex-wife. Religion was not the common link between these soldiers; it was mental instability. Even if such individuals purported to be religious, their wanton acts of barbarism reflect rather their tenuous grasp on sanity.

A cousin of Hasan, interviewed by reporters, has suggested an alternative motivation, not necessarily influenced by religious conviction. "He was mortified by the idea of having to deploy," said Nader Hasan. "He had people telling him on a daily basis the horrors they saw over there [in Iraq and Afghanistan]."

From the evidence thus far, it seems tragic and ironic that Hasan, a psychiatrist who helped heal soldiers suffering from PTSD, would allegedly turn against them upon learning of his deployment to Iraq. In the interview with Fox News, his cousin described going to Iraq as Hasan's "worst nightmare." He went on: "[Hasan] was doing everything he could to avoid that … He wanted to do whatever he could within the rules to make sure he wouldn't go over." Hasan's aunt told the Washington Post that her nephew had consulted an attorney to see if he could leave the army before his contract expired due to harassment he had received from colleagues because he was Muslim.

Whatever the FBI investigation and any subsequent prosecution following the terrible shootings at Fort Hood may finally reveal, incidents such as these warrant a re-examination of how to treat and discharge or excuse those soldiers who are troubled or conflicted psychologically, politically or religiously over our foreign policy and, in particular, the current war in Afghanistan and occupation of Iraq.

No mere factual, evidential explanation could ever justify or excuse in any way Hasan's alleged actions. But it ought to broaden the horizon of those in the media who seem infatuated with the need to pin the blame for this perverse tragedy solely on a man's religious faith and Arabic last name, rather than exploring the possibility of a more complicated truth involving some combination of mental state, divided loyalty or conscientious objection.

>>> Because the ones pulling your strings told you to ridicule me, using nonsense like "reptillian theory"?
>>> I'm not in the habit I see elsewhere here of stating speculative postulates as actual fact... LMAO
>> Are you all really the same person, using multiple accounts? ... ROFL

Lol. Of course you have nothing to say about the topic. The real problem is a secret military program that made him do it. The real problem with everything is some covert intentions, some unspoken plan of some secret society. You're a pompous ass for thinking we're going to fall into your dimwitted trap of conspiracies. I live in the real world with real people who are of concern to me. I do not invest in tall tales, and internet research conducted by OTHERS, usually semi-literate people who turn out to be doing more imagining of information than managing of it.

>>> I doubt that many of these "alt Muslims" are Muslim at all in fact.

There are people like you who come here constantly. Who don't actually know a thing about people here. Who prefer to "EXPOSE" the truth on the forums rather than deal with the truths of the articles. Do you deny that people are dead? Do you deny that people have been killed by a Muslim officer yelling "Allahu-Akbar". If you cannot accept the basic assertion of a victim, who do you think you are to comment on our Imaan. You're just another anonymous weasel whose found an easy way to feel superior without having to do anything constructive. Are the quotes of his family members real quotes? How about going to interview them and running the theory by them too while you're at it. I'd love to read ... watch the responses.

It doesn't bother you that people are dead. It doesn't bother you that this brothers family have lost him in an insane act of murder, the punishment of which is again immeasurable. It doesn't bother you that some Imaams are calling him a hero or that other people have lost family members (maybe because they're non-Muslim).

And you know what, you pronounciations of Takfeer on people who are willing to talk from fact, opine from discussion, learn from each other through respectful exhcange ... that does NOT bother me either. Pronounciations of takfeer are bannable acts of banal people.

>>> Further, I am saying that without complete knowledge of the material facts, and without Maj. Hassan being convicted of any crime, blanket condemnations of him are backbiting,and a great sin.

I'm quite sure he would assert otherwise if the victims were Muslims and the attackers was a non-Muslim. I spoke to a Pakistani yesterday about the violence by SWAT extremists. Its actually Israel and America messing with Pakistan etc. Zardari is the puppet who made suicide bombing ok. Its SAD, that intelligent people like him who have no intellectual backbone and are not self-critical enough to work for anything positive or constructive in the real world prefer to cower behind the "REAL" truth.

We don't care about your imagined programme. It doesn't exist. Your site links are all nonsense, and relate to this incident like urine is related to the sea.

This guys comments about our imaan are bannable right? But if we ban this guy, its gonna be operation internet ultra-force or some such nonsense. Do we let the takfeeri go?

http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/fort_hood_shooting_a_tragedy/0017712

Actually why not discuss the conspiracy theory with these Muslims. Tell them their condemnation is not in line with the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah?

This guys comments about our imaan are bannable right? But if we ban this guy, its gonna be operation internet ultra-force or some such nonsense. Do we let the takfeeri go?
>>>>

Write to the editor of this site. I have done so several times and as you may notice, a few idiots are gone. It's effective. But it can't be just me writing every day asking for people to be flung to the curb. And I have only sent off that request after WEEKS of the same broken record abusive rants. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) should do the trick.

You can do all the whining you want; I notice that four people and almost always ONLY those four comment on every story here. While you attack me, trying to use the Sharia that you have made so many disparaging comments about, nowhere do any of you address the backbiting you have done to a Brother none of you know. If you don't know all of the facts, none of you can pass judgment. If the facts you do have are managed and tweaked by multinational corporations hostile to Islam, you are being foolish to boot. I've been watching the comments here for months, I know what I'm talking about. Now, all of you, in unison (my, how well coordinated), pronounce me a "takfiri". Of course without a clear statement or action of disbelief, it is haram to call any Muslim a kaafir. You should all note, that nowhere have I mentioned anyone by name. I mentioned only the types of comments. I spoke of "alt Muslims" and have even been quoted that way, BUT ALL OF YOU RESPONDED OF YOUR OWN VOILITION. In the vernacular, "I opened a window and YOU jumped out of it." If it did not apply to any of you, then there was no rationale to take offense. Furthermore, until such time as I would meet one of you, all you are are words on a computer screen, which could be written by anyone. THEY COULD CERTAINLY BE WRITTEN BY SOMEONE WHO NEVER WAS MUSLIM IN THE FIRST PLACE. There are lurkers all over the Internet, pretending to be what they are not; that's not takfir at all. Now, I was not aware that anyone had to certify that they are Muslim to comment here. I have seen comments from non-Muslims. So are all of you who charge me with takfir certifying in some way that you are Muslim? Otherwise, it's child's play to fake it, and plant semantic bombs to trap the unwary and uninformed, isn't it? Indeed, it's possible that I am not a Muslim either, and Allah knows best. But I think those who have taken such grave offense at remarks that are pure speculation know better. Perhaps it is better to save some of your righteous outrage for a US President who refuses to end an unjust war, where our Brothers and Sisters are being slaughtered like livestock, despite unambiguous pledges to do so. Before any of you loyal American Muslims try a new tactic, and challenge my patriotism, I was not aware that loyalty to an unjust tyrant was part of my Deen.

Cry me a river; you're a real trip, you know:

"MK Ultra made him do it!" (paraphrase) but then saying that critics shouldn't judge him because we don't know what's in his heart, even though you claim MK Ultra is affecting his heart,

"Do any of you have a good level of English comprehension?" but back out by saying that you're not being mean to anyone,

"I doubt that many of these "alt Muslims" are Muslim at all in fact." but then back out by saying you're not actually making takfir; but you're suggesting it without actually committing it = no cajones,

You claim, then say you didn't actually claim it which makes you a liar, and this I do charge explicitly against you. Either a liar or a fool. You're a poor Salafist poser, and yes I'm being mean to you because you're an intentional fool so go pout and stomp on it.

You know this incident actually raises another important issue for me. The way we as a community can misunderstand mental illness. Depression and other forms of mental illness cannot be thought away. I don't think some people can physically pray their way out of this illness anymore than they can pray for a missing limb to grow back. And while ibaadat, dhikr and duaa can help us, its important enough for us to recognise that its a servere problem that requires collective action. I mean who does the base psychiatrist go to if he is suffering emotionally and psychologically?

Alkmst >>> While you attack me, trying to use the Sharia that you have made so many disparaging comments about, nowhere do any of you address the backbiting you have done to a Brother none of you know.

What a stupid thing to say. Are you now conceding that any commentary on a news event is backbiting?!?! lol.. What about those who say his actions are heroic? Sheesh. Don't post on this site then, or any news site if the story involves a person for that matter. In fact, write to the author/s and condemn their actions. Lobby ALL of the organisations that condemned the massacre to "jump out of the window". Call his family and tell them to stop telling the media they sympathise with the victims (Nidal included) and that he needed help!

>>> In the vernacular, "I opened a window and YOU jumped out of it."

Wow. Actually. Its our own fault, to be objective despite our own opinions and give new people the credit of a response. Yes brother, by asserting that most of the commentors at least are not really Muslims (or the same person hahaha), you've passed a judgement of Kufr on at least a majority of people here.

Whether that includes me personally or not, its still Takfeer of a few people ... duh! Basically, to denounce your takfeer is NOT the same as accepting to be judged as a kaafeer. Its not that difficult to understand .. if you think a little about it. Go on. Think about it.

And look how neat the labels have spread. He says we're backbiting, then goes on to say we're ignorant of the "REAL" reasons, then goes on to say that he doubts the imaan of people by their opinions of an event of mass murder, then goes on to say we support despotic rulers and show no outrage at them, and that we think he's a patriot and we're criticising his patriotism ...????

OmarG >>> You're a poor Salafist poser...

Glad you picked up on that. I don't know about the label of this guy though. But all the creedal/aqeedah students argue using this method ... if they can find even scant evidence of your disbelief, then what you say becomes inherently false and he is "proven" indisputably correct because we "jumped through the window" .. lol I'm going to use this one for the next week. Thanks AL :D

Theres a guy who discredited my response to his "DEMOCRACY IS HARAAM/SHIRK" comment, by saying I did not start my comment with Salaam so it proves the true nature of my imaan. sigh.

Thanks Akena. I don't think I'll write just yet. I've used the "contact" link to notify the editors before, but am not sure if it works because I never receive a response. And this guy has many outs. He can just admit that he misread the comments, that his non-Muslim comments were wrong, and his long-winded thesis on the MK ultra turbo thingy as well as his notes on "what a true believer would do" are silly and unrelated to this forum. We must leave some space for conciliatory discussion.