People all over the world have been appalled and grief-stricken at the terror attacks on Bombay and are expressing their outrage. It is imperative that our voice too, that of moderate Muslims from around the world, be heard with full strength. It is time for us to speak out and denounce the terror that is being carried out in the name of Islam.
No matter what our personal beliefs are we cannot deny that there is a problem of violence and terrorism in the global Muslim community. Whether we consider ourselves to be practicing Muslims or not today we must have the courage to acknowledge that coming from a Muslim background requires us to speak out against terror. If we do not assume this responsibility and achieve the self-awareness that this dreadful time calls for then we are turning our eyes away from the truth.
Lets not blame others, even if the causes of terrorism in the name of Islam have complex roots in world politics. Because two wrongs don't make a right. And because moderate, peace-loving Muslims represent the vast majority of the global community.
Sign this declaration. And stand up against terror in Mumbai, Islamabad, Casablanca, Iraq, Afghanistan, Spain, London, New York, Bali and every other place that has suffered violence.
DECLARATION AGAINST TERRORISM:
As a moderate Muslim I denounce the terror attacks in the name of Islam that have taken place in Mumbai and around the world. I completely reject violence and stand against militants in the global Islamic community.
SUPPORTERS OF THE DECLARATION AGAINST TERRORISM:
I commend and support moderate Muslims for speaking out against terrorism in the name of Islam.
PLEASE ADD YOUR VOICES TO THE DECLARATION OF YOUR CHOICE. WHEN WE HAVE COLLECTED A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF SIGNATURES WE WILL PUBLISH THE STATEMENTS IN THE PRESS.
38 comments:
I will be the first to sign this forum as a Muslim moderate who condemns the attack on Bombay. My heart goes out to the bereaved and injured. May Bombay rise again to be the great pluralistic city of dreams that is famed to be
Navina Haidar.
Navina, I am not a muslim but I have to say. This is brilliant, commendable and the mark of a world leader to take up this initiative. We have to stop this scourage by rightfully dissociating it from islam. I am glad moderate muslims are finally speaking out.
Navina, what you're doing is so wonderful, and so necessary. Here is the answer to anyone that says you can't be Indian, and Muslim, and proud of both. I hope you get thousands, millions of people signing on.
-Suketu Mehta
Navina, a great initiative. The vast multitude of Moderate muslims need to speak up both against the fringe elements who are hijacking Islam and also against those who are taking advantage of this lack of voice creating a wedge between society leading to ghettoisation. Anyone who kils in the name of religion, caste colour or creed is a terrorist. Once the perpetrators of the dastardly act in Mumbai are identified, the world should come down on them as one. Rashid K Kidwai
Wonderful sentiments and hope that many sign on to condemn these heinous acts, whether in India or elsewhere, that are perpetrated in the name of Islam.
Bernard Haykel
Muslim voices of outrage against what happened in Bombay need to be the loudest. We cannot let savages commit hideous acts using our name and let them get away. My heart goes out to all the people devastated by the attacks and to the great city that still trembles in the aftermath.
Navina, thank you for starting this.
-Nusrat Durrani-
Bravo Navina! I am so proud of you for taking this initiative to absolutely condemn terrorism. I am a Pakistani and have watched with utmost horror as my own country is being torn asunder by terrorists. This must be stopped. Efforts like yours are badly needed so that moderate Muslims can find a voice. Please count me in to do any and everyting to help you in this project. I would also like to offer my deepest sympathies to all my Indian brothers and sisters for the Mumbai carnage and assure you that we Pakistanis stand in solidarity with you in your fight against this common scourge which is threatening to destabilize our two countries. Azra Apa.
It is the deepest sorrow that so many innocents have been cut down so cruelly. It is a complete outrage. I condemn this cowardly, despicable act and hope that everyone involved is brought swiftly to justice. Such violence in the name of Islam, distorts Islam completely. This is not Islam! These terrorists are not Muslims!! This is the vilest, cold blooded murder perpetuated by the completely hate filled.
BRILLIANT Navina! Trust this initiative goes from strength to strength. It is time for us global citizens to make our voices heard and be stand up and counted against terrorism of ANY kind.
Navina, your words are so well spoken. It is imperative for moderate Muslims to speak out. The world needs to know that most Muslims do not support such acts.
Mona
thank you, navina! every indian muslim i know - when they heard about the attacks - said one thing, please let it not be muslims.
we are exhausted, we are horrified, we are frustrated, we are wrenched with sorrow and pain...
again, in the name of a way of life that means followers of the peaceful path, that equates the will of God with peace, that espouses tolerance and love of is twisted and distorted into a barbed weapon of hatred and destruction.
i weep watching the news, i sob talking to friends, i can barely email.
yes, we have to speak out.
but not AGAINST anything.
no anger.
no resistance.
we have to be FOR peace. for tolerance. for understanding.
FOR LOVE.
because that is the point of being alive.
I join hands and stand with you to condemn not only the barbaric acts in Mumbai terrorism, but also to condemn all the acts of terrorism in the name of Islam, Pakistan, or under any nationalist pretext.
May all of us succeed in removing this scourge from our religion and our countries.
Munir Pervaiz (Saami)
All acts of terrorism in the name of Islam or Pakistan, are an insult to Islam, Muslims, Pakistan, and Pakistanis.
We should condemn such barbarism with every breath.
The message to condemn terrorism in the name of Islam should be globally condemn by not just the moderate Muslims, but all the Muslims. That is the only way to gain respect for Muslims and Islam.
I stand with you wholheartedly and applaud your initiative to take positive action in this most bewildering of times.
Shefali Malhoutra
Its not about being a Hindu or Muslim or an American or Indian
Each one of us must take the intiative to spread the message of love & peace. We all have the power the power of one. We must go beyond bitching and condeming the
Politicians, Police, Pakistanis...
bravo, this is a very important way forward given the power of the internet and that citizens of the world regardless of their religious or ideological persuasions unite against dogmatic acts of violence
Sharada Srinivasan
Navina, I whole heartedly support your views. What has happened in Bombay and continues to happen all over the world is unacceptable and all initiatives to show solidarity and denounce acts like this are needed and welcome. Welldone.
Nita lal
Dear Navina,
I fully support your thoughts. I feel sorry, shocked, and completely frustrated and helpless with the continuing terror scenario not only in India but across the globe. I wish and pray that we are able to find a concrete and final solution to this menace.
Dear Navina,
It's wonderful that you are doing this. I have been shocked by how many intelligent rational minded grown-ups (!) here have been expressing Hindu extremist views. It's deeply saddening to see "Breaking News" say that Indian talks with Pakistan are indefinitely called off--I know my father would say it is like siblings not speaking.
Sage Mehta, Bombay
I am not a muslim navina but I wholeheartedly support what you are doing.
Love, peace and understanding.
love Miss Julie
x
Kudos to you, Navina, for getting the ball rolling.
Tuli
Navina: I commend and support your initiatives. Every sensible person would too. It should not be necessary for any individual to have to defend their religion: that is always and entirely a personal and private matter. This kind of militant action only uses the garb of religion or persecution to justify their actions. There really is no distinction in the victims. It is only politicians who divide and agitate people on religious grounds exploiting people's insecurities.
Keep well and more strength to your efforts.
From your beautifully written words, I can imagine the anguish you have felt there sis-in-law, just to say we are all there to support you in your efforts. It's a problem we need to face across the world together. Lots of love
I feel proud to sign up and commend you for this timely act. It is time that people realize that moderate Muslims are the majority. Bravo!
I am a Muslim and proud to be a follower of Islam. Anyone who follows true Islam has to be moderate and those who hold the radical view as enunciated by a particular sect funded from abroad are the one who are the true enemy of Islam and the humanity. Muslims are as helpless as their Hindus, Christian or the Sikh brother against the terror attack by these groups in the name of Islam. These terrorist are not only a scourge on a civilised society but the biggest cancer that the world has to tackle. They have failed to divide the Indian society and here lies the victory of the Mumbaikars and the miserable defeat of these mad elements. Long live the spirit of Mumbai
Dear Navina,
Thank you. This is one of the saddest events in India's history. As an American Indian Catholic it is so painful to see radical groups try to destroy the secular democracy that is India. With all our help they will not succeed.
You have my utmost support.
Erica
Excellent initiative, Navi, well done - because the last thing we need now is for the muslims in India to be targeted and for India and Pakistan to go about their sabre-rattling tango. That would be playing into the hands of the terrorists and granting them a needless,foolish and short-sighted victory. The best thing about this forum is that, with the cross-section of people you have attracted and will continue to attract, it doesn't just "say" something - it is that thing itself.
Shomit Mitter
Dear Navina,
I whole hearedly support your initative.
So many many many innocent lvies lost, i also lost a very very dear friend. and know a few others also.
I feel proud to sign up . The spirit of Mumbai will not be destroyed and it will live
in peace and prayer
astad deboo mumbai
I am very proud of you Navina, for having taken this initiative. I wholeheartedly stand by your side in this fight against terrorism. I hope every sane person in this world will do the same.
Leela Malhoutra
Navina
While I come from a multi-religious background (Muslim and Christian), I have always and will always considered myself an Indian, first and last. Though I do not profess to follow any religion and am an atheist in my beliefs, it has always bothered me when Muslims have become the symbols of hatred and violence across the world. Much of this comes from broad generalizations made by subconsciously bigoted individuals. However, when the portrait of 1.8 billion Muslims around the world is being painted by a handful of fanatics, the rest of the moderate world of Muslims, scholars, thinkers, mullahs and intelligentsia, need to stand up and say "ENOUGH"!
This problem needs to be addressed by Muslims, so that we don't enter the never-ending cycle of tit-for-tat violence.
I wholeheartedly support your move to unreservedly condemn the violent attacks, not just in India but the world over.
Bravo Navina.The only thing that could harm India is a change in the spirit of its people,Our tolerance and our secular beliefs are our greatest strength. In demonizing Muslims there is no victory.
BUNTY
Maryam said
Thank you for initiating this. It gives me some peace of mind and solace to know that there are people out there like yourself.
I am not sure what was gained by these horrifying acts. Such tactics instill fear but never accomplish a thing besides tarnishing the name of all Muslims, the vast majority of whom are moderate.
Dear Navina,
This is excellent stuff. Moderate voices must be heard at this time of rampaging terror. And let the protest come from all over the globe.
Love
Bhaiya
Salman Haidar
Navina, you have articulated so well what is on all our minds. We need to speak out about the senseless cycle of violence and extremism that has taken hold of our world. I thank you sincerely for taking up this challenge to communicate in loud voices that this fation is on the wrong side of all that Islam and civilized society stand for.
Dear Navina, I am so glad that there is some beginning for our voices. I will be always part of it and will forward it to as many people as I can. I really want to be a front runner to ensure that the tag of Islam is taken off from any kind of terrorism and also a thrust to ensure that only the fundamentalist voices are not heard and projected as voice of Islam by the 4th estate.
Well done, good beginning, lets take it further.
Navina,
Iremember watching the movie Fanaa in Colombo some years ago.As an Indian outside India, it felt rousing to watch some elements of Indias historic Islamic past being brought alive on celluloid.Similiarly, watching a Nadira Babbar play or reading a book on Indias Islamic past brings to fore images of a great culture of art,theatre romance and literature.As Indians we must continue to remind each other to cherish those aspects of our Islamic heritage.We should not let divisive forces take advantage of this pivotal moment in our history.We should not let the terrorists tarnish the image of a noble religion.We should not let opportunist politicians convert this into a vote garnering issue by dividing the hearts and minds of the people.Yours is a move in the right direction and though I am not a muslim, I think all Indians have a collective responsibility to protect the rich Islamic culture emanating from our country and support all such noble initiatives such a yours.So,all the power to you.Santosh Menon
Well done, Navina! I applaud and support this initiative wholeheartedly. It is the voice of sanity and courage to counter the all too frequent madness on all sides. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth and soon the whole world will be blind and toothless. But it is the sentiments and drive of moderate Muslims such as yourself which has the greatest chance of success. Good luck and God bless.
-Deepak Mukhi, Oxford
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