Every religion has used violence for one purpose or another. Christians have at different points in history have been brutal. But do violent acts committed in the name of one religion or another reflect on all believers? Muslims have been dealing with these kinds of questions in very personal ways ever since the 9/11 attacks.
Dilshad D. Ali, Beliefnet Islam Editor, writes this month:
Every few months another story hits the news: Terrorist plot uncovered, Muslims implicated. Since the tragedy of 9/11, Muslims have remained under intense scrutiny, and more than a few Americans have called the religion "evil." People still wonder: Why aren't Muslims saying--or doing--enough to condemn terrorism and violence? Is Islam really a religion of violence?
The truth is, American Muslims are constantly condemning terrorism and religious extremism, unambiguously and in the strongest possible ways. But, many Muslims complain, their words and actions are not being heard. So Beliefnet sought out some of the country's most prominent Muslims, who battle these misconceptions everyday, to get their answers on this question:
What is it about Islam, the Qur'an, and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad that drives Muslims to reject extremism and terrorism?
Click here to hear their answers in this important Beliefnet story.
