Barbaric Attack In Paris another Wake Up Call for Muslims

By Orhan Kemal Cengiz

January 08, 2015

When I talk to pious Muslims about the barbaric acts of jihadist Muslims in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere, I always get the same reaction: They say that what these barbarians are doing has nothing to do with Islam, or that these acts are just a kind of conspiracy; namely, that there are dark forces using these jihadists for shadow boxing. Here we come to the core of the problem: These Muslims, who themselves maybe would not hurt a fly, do not want to see these jihadists acting on certain interpretations of holy texts and Islamic sources.

Since they do not accept any kind of kinship, even a distant one, between themselves and these jihadists, they are not in any position to influence the matter. Do they deny the very religious sources that those jihadists claim to act upon? Do they have a completely different interpretation of them? Do they put aside some of these religious sources, believing that they are outdated? When I look at the discussions I cannot see any answers to such questions.

I am not a religious person, nor do I have a deep knowledge of Islam. However, when I see this sudden reaction, “What they are doing is nothing to do with Islam,” I despair because I believe they are just pious, peaceful Muslims trying to refrain from pain at the expense of distancing themselves from the reality on the ground.

I am writing all of this because I believe moderate, peaceful, pious Muslims are the only force that can somehow make a difference and stop these barbarians in the Middle East and now in Europe.

When moderate Muslims show fiercer reactions to the killing of caricaturists at the France-based Charlie Hebdo satire periodical than to those who allegedly insult the Prophet Muhammad, I believe something will start to change. When moderate Muslims start to state very loudly that the insult is not coming from a caricature of Prophet Muhammad but from those who carry out such barbaric acts on behalf of Islam, I believe then change will start. I know there are many Muslims who already say all of this, but what I am talking about is mass demonstrations in the Muslim world, sending a strong message to those jihadists who kill people, who massacre people on behalf of their understanding of Islam.

I am really very sorry for those caricaturists who were killed in the recent barbaric attack in Paris. This attack was not only a horrific violation of the victims' right to life; it represents an attack on civilization, free thought and the freedom of expression.

I bow before the victims of this attack with deep respect and I hope this will be a wakeup call for all real Muslims around the world to consider their role in stopping these barbarians and encouraging themselves to look at the religious scriptures that are exploited by these murderers as justification for their actions.

I hope Muslims will rise up against these barbarians before it is too late.

Source: http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist/orhan-kemal-cengiz/barbaric-attack-in-paris-another-wake-up-call-for-muslims_369242.html

URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-terrorism-jihad/barbaric-attack-paris-another-wake/d/100947