Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Voice of majority

The article "Voice of the silent majority" (Open Page, Oct. 16) makes interesting reading. The writer admits that some Muslims have misinterpreted Islam and that it is this misinterpretation that legitimises Muslim terrorism in the name of jihad. At the same time, he maintains that a majority of Muslims do not subscribe to this misinterpretation. But his argument that there are no takers for moderate voices within Islam is strange.

The article itself exemplifies that peace loving Muslims are not silent. The real question that needs to be addressed, therefore, is why the message is not being appreciated. It is because spokespersons of peace are themselves confused.

For instance, the writer claims that terrorism has spread due to the misinterpretation of Islam. At the same time, he blames the media for presenting a negative image. He has at best conveyed an ambiguous message.

Sadia Khan,
New Delhi

The source of terrorism is ignorance and the solution education. There are Muslim extremists, just as there are Hindu and Jewish extremists. As moderate Muslims outnumber extremists, they can distance themselves from terrorist acts and excommunicate extremists without the fear of becoming the target of the radicals.

If they remain silent on extremism, they cannot complain that the world does not understand them adequately.

T. Marx,
Karaikal, Pondicherry

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Making speed with broadband
Premium on preventive measures
School reform: learning from Iqbal
Bird flu: how far and fast can it spread?
Public figures and private lives
Election Commission must be a fair umpire
Centre's stand
Apt cartoon
Laudable
BJP victory
AMU ruling
Voice of majority

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu