This question is often hurled at Muslims, either
directly or indirectly, during any discussion on
religion or world affairs. Muslim stereotypes are
perpetuated in every form of the media accompanied
by gross misinformation about Islam and Muslims.
Infact, such misinformation and false propaganda
often lead to discrimination and acts of violence
against Muslims. A case in point is the anti-Muslim
campaign in the American media following the
Oklahoma bomb blast, where the press was quick
to declare a ‘Middle-Eastern Conspiracy’ behind the
attack. The culprit was later identified as a soldier
from the American Armed Forces.
Let us analyze this allegation of ‘fundamentalism’
and ‘terrorism’:
1.Definition of the word ‘fundamentalist’
A fundamentalist is a person who follows and
adheres to the fundamentals of the doctrine or
theory he is following. For a person to be a good
doctor, he should know, follow, and practice the
fundamentals of medicine. In other words, he should
be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine. For a
person to be a good mathematician, he should know,
follow and practice the fundamentals of mathematics.
He should be a fundamentalist in the field of
mathematics. For a person to be a good scientist, he
should know, follow and practice the fundamentals
of science. He should be a fundamentalist in the field
of science.
2. Not all ‘fundamentalists’ are the same
One cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same
brush. One cannot categorize all fundamentalists
as either good or bad. Such a categorization of any
fundamentalist will depend upon the field or activity
in which he is a fundamentalist. A fundamentalist
robber or thief causes harm to society and is therefore
undesirable. A fundamentalist doctor, on the other
hand, benefits society and earns much respect.
3. I am proud to be a Muslim
fundamentalist
I am a fundamentalist Muslim who, by the grace
of Allah, knows, follows and strives to practice the
fundamentals of Islam. A true Muslim does not
shy away from being a fundamentalist. I am proud
to be a fundamentalist Muslim because, I know
that the fundamentals of Islam are beneficial to
humanity and the whole world. There is not a single
fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against
the interests of the human race as a whole. Many
people harbour misconceptions about Islam and
consider several teachings of Islam to be unfair or
improper. This is due to insufficient and incorrect
knowledge of Islam. If one critically analyzes the
teachings of Islam with an open mind, one cannot
escape the fact that Islam is full of benefits both at
the individual and collective levels.
4.Dictionary meaning of the word
‘fundamentalist’
The Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of
the English language (published by Konemann) says
that ‘fundamentalism’ was a movement which was
first used to describe the Protestant Christians in
America in the early part of the 20th century. Earlier
the church believed that the complete message of
the Bible was from God. But Protestant Christians
protested and said that not only is the message of
the Bible from God, but every word, every letter
of the Bible is from Almighty God. If any person
can prove that every word and every letter of the
Bible is from Almighty God, then this movement of
‘fundamentalism’ of the Protestant Christians is a
good movement.
On the other hand, if someone can prove that the
Bible is not the word of God, then this movement of
‘fundamentalism’ of the Protestant Christians is not
a good movement.
According to the earlier edition of the Oxford
Dictionary, “a ‘fundamentalist’ is a person who
strictly adheres to the ancient teachings of any
religion.” But the second edition of the Oxford
English Dictionary (published by Clarendon Press)
has changed the definition. This second edition says
that “a ‘fundamentalist’ is a person who strictly
adheres to the ancient teachings of any religion,
especially Islam!”
Today the moment a person uses the word
fundamentalist he thinks of a Muslim who is a
terrorist.
5.Different labels given to the same
individual for the same action, i.e.
‘terrorist’ and ‘patriot’
Before India achieved independence from British
rule, some freedom fighters of India who did not
subscribe to non-violence were labelled as ‘terrorists’
by the British government. The same individuals
have been lauded by Indians for the same activities
and hailed as ‘patriots’. Thus two different labels
have been given to the same people for the same set
of actions. One is calling them ‘terrorists’ while the
other is calling them ‘patriots’. Those who believed
that Britain had a right to rule over India called
these people terrorists, while those who were of the
view that Britain had no right to rule India called
them patriots and freedom fighters.
It is therefore important that before a person is
judged, he is given a fair hearing. Both sides of the
argument should be heard, the situation should be
analyzed, and the reason and the intention of the
person should be taken into account, and then the
person can be judged accordingly
5.Islam means peace
Islam is derived from the word ‘salaam’ which means
peace. It is a religion of peace whose fundamentals
teach its followers to maintain and promote peace
throughout the world.
Thus every Muslim should be a fundamentalist i.e.
he should follow the fundamentals of the Religion of
Peace – Islam. He should be a ‘terrorist’ only towards
the anti-social elements in order to promote peace
and justice in the society