Last week, after the shooting at Charlie Hebdo Newspaper, some went to the ground zero to give their condolences, while others logged online to bash an entire religion for a few people’s actions.
Most people heard about the shooting from different news channels, and others from social media. If you heard about it through social media, you probably also saw the trending hashtag “#KillAllMuslims” on sites like Twitter.
What happened in Paris was completely unacceptable from the start. When Charlie Hebdo editors were threatened by extremists to stop making the cartoons, I personally think they should have stopped. They could have been asked in a nicer way, but obviously their cartoons were offensive to people. However, just because they didn’t stop doesn’t mean the whole newsroom and a bunch of innocent people should be have been killed.
This incident has only made things worse for Muslims — people who value peace and humanity like most of us. If you were to use “#KillAllMuslims,” how would that make you any different than the shooters?
As a Muslim when I first saw the hashtag, I was in complete shock. I was so heartbroken that most people only think of Muslims as terrorists and try to keep their distance from us. Most people don’t know anything about Islam, or how much Muslims have contributed to this world. Without Muslims you wouldn’t have that coffee you drink in the morning, and wouldn’t have a camera to instagram a picture of it. You wouldn’t have soap, shampoo, or perfume. You wouldn’t have cowpox treatment or anesthesia. You wouldn’t even have basic things such as three-course meals. If you’re trying to imagine a world without Muslims, you’d have to imagine a world without these things and many more.
Killing all Muslims would mean even slaughtering the ones who believe in peace such as Malala, Malcolm X, and even myself. Instead of turning against all Muslims, why don’t we just go against those extremists who are not only hurting you, but Muslims as well.
Ben • Feb 9, 2015 at 12:26 AM
Yea no offense, but you can’t give Muslims credit for the items you listed. A simple google search would disprove that entire paragraph.
Ben • Feb 9, 2015 at 12:21 AM
Great article, I’m so glad you wrote this because it gives me an opportunity to respond. No one, nor I, is here to bash Muslims. There are 1.2 billion followers of Islam. Of course not all of them are radicals, the majority of them are peaceful people. The radicals are estimated to be between 15-25% according to all intelligence services around the world. That leaves 75% to be peaceful people, but when you look at 15-25% of the world muslim population you’re looking at 180,000,000 – 300,000,000 people dedicated to the destruction of western civilization. This amount of people is the same as the population of the entire United States. So why should we worry about the radicals? Because it is the radicals that kill, because it is the radicals that behead and massacre. When you look throughout history, most Germans were peaceful, yet the Nazis drove the agenda and as a result 60 million people died. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. When you look at Russia, most Russians were peaceful as well. Yet, the Bolshevik Party was able to kill 20 million People. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. When you look at China, most Chinese were peaceful as well, yet they were able to kill 70 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. When we look at Japan prior to WW2, most Japanese were peaceful as well, yet Japan was able to butcher its way across Southeast Asia killing 12 million people, mostly killed with bayonets and shovels. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. On September 11th in the United States we had 2.3 million Muslim-Americans living in the United States. It took 19 hijackers, 19 radicals, to bring America down to its knees, destroy the World Trade Center, attack the Pentagon, and kill more than 3000 Americans. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. So for all of our powers of reasons and us talking about moderate and peaceful Muslims, I’m glad you’re here, but where are the others speaking out? You took the limelight instead instead of speaking about the Americans that died in this attack, as an American citizen I presume, you sat and wrote this article instead of asking about what our government is doing to correct the problem. You dared to make a point about peaceful moderate Muslims instead.
Anon • Feb 12, 2015 at 6:17 PM
First of all, this article isn’t even about being American. It’s about the Islamic faith and how many Muslims were being told they should die an twitter let it go on because it was “free speech.” My dad has always told my sibling and I that even though free speech exists, it does not mean people can say whatever they want. He is a firm believer in free speech, but has always said, “Free speech also means respect. Free speech means voicing your opinion, but being respectful while doing it.” What she was trying to say was Muslims are being hated for something two men did. Check your facts first because only 6% of all Muslims are radical and many of them aren’t considered Muslims. Islam is a peaceful religion. We are commanded by Allah (SWA) to stay away from violence. And to further prove my point, the Quran is the word of God, literally. And God himself has told all Muslims that “Whosoever killed a person, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind.” (5:33) So, yes, she dared to make a point about peaceful Muslims because that was the point of this article, and yes, I am applauding this girl for standing up for her faith.
A NON • Feb 22, 2015 at 9:02 PM
Way to use a valid source, the Quran, to back up your position. %6 of a 1.2 billion is still an obscene number, why don’t you get that? You check your facts. Islam is not a peaceful religion, free speech dictates that I can say this, but I ‘d bet this comment won’t get through the oppressors that are the Niles West News.
Rizwan • Jan 22, 2015 at 7:15 PM
Great analysis. I wish media plays their role and stop portraying Muslims as terrorist. Islam is religion of peace.
Jayquan • Feb 11, 2015 at 3:13 PM
Oh please.
Shahid • Jan 18, 2015 at 4:00 AM
Masha Allah…really impressed !!!! May Allah Bless you.
Zeeshan Salim • Jan 17, 2015 at 8:33 PM
I like your article. I wish we can open our hearts for other Nationalities and religion. My paternal Grange mother use to say all five fingers are not equal. Everyone have good and people.
Gul Syed • Jan 17, 2015 at 12:46 AM
Sana Kadir you spoke the mind of Muslims at large.Exactly my view too. May Allah Ta’ala keep you safe ; give courage to speak the truth and always make you successful, Ameen. Gul Syed.