By Sajid Iqbal

After the terrible terrorist attacks in London, everyone is pointing the finger at Islam and Muslims. So does Islam promote violence? Does Islam support terrorism? Is Islam a religion of extremists and fanatics?

The following traditions of Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, will clarify that Islam is a faith that promotes peace and harmony and one that is against violence:

‘A perfect Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands mankind is safe.’

This months honourable award goes to EXTREMIST, RADICAL AND FANATICAL so-called scholars and Imams.

Individuals who brainwash young naive Muslims and promote hatred and violence. So-called scholars who have a misguided and fanatical understanding of Islam. Imams who turn innocent young peaceful Muslims into extremists, fanatics and even terrorists.

Those who have an incorrect and dangerous understanding of Jihad. Those Mullahs who believe killing non Muslim civilians through bomb blasts, suicide bombings is Jihad.

The London terror attacks were a nasty piece of work by sick, pathetic, blood-sucking idiots. These attacks were a massive crime against humanity. This was a job carried out by crackpots who have no value for human life.

They wanted to kill anyone and everyone- black, white, brown, pink, Muslim, Jew, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Atheist. These kind of people, and those behind them, need to be caught and punished big time!

So ‘who-dunnit’ is what everyone wants to know. The favourites are always Al-Qaeeda whether it was them or not. It seems that British Muslims were behind these terrorist attacks. And you know what that means don’t ya? Islam and EVERY SINGLE Muslim is put on trial.

Fundamentalism is often a form of nationalism in religious disguise

Last year I attended a conference in the US about security and intelligence in the so-called war on terror and was astonished to hear one of the more belligerent participants, who as far as I could tell had nothing but contempt for religion, strongly argue that as a purely practical expedient, politicians and the media must stop referring to "Muslim terrorism". It was obvious, he said, that the atrocities had nothing to do with Islam, and to suggest otherwise was not merely inaccurate but dangerously counterproductive.

So, is Islam a faith of peace or does it in fact promote violence and hatred? I mean, we read in textbooks and hear on Friday sermons that Islam is a religion of peace but then we see Muslim individuals and groups who promote violence, terrorism and carry out suicide bombing all in the name of Islam.

You're probably confused innit... thinking what the heck is goin on? You see we have Mr. Ladin who wants to kill all Americans, has declared a holy war against the West and was thrilled about the attacks on the twin towers.

So, the 60 million dollar question is that if Islam teaches peace and is absolutely against violence and terrorism then why the heck do these individuals and organisations carry out these violent acts in the name of Islam? Is it in the name of Jihad?

You're probably thinking isn't fighting; violence and killing people all part of jihad.

Well, that's the trap that must people fall into. You see Jihad means 'struggle to the utmost' and one of the forms of jihad is to take up arms against oppressive and evil regimes that arc victimising innocent people.

SO, what drives people to carry out acts of terrorism? Why do some people hate America and the West so much that they are prepared to take their own lives as well as others?

You see America, the UN in particular and the world community at large has double standards about Muslim countries such as Kashmir. Bosnia, Chechnya and Palestine.

This causes concern among the Muslims or should I say it pee's them off big time. The issues where the Western interest is involved get an immediate response in terms of concrete action. Whereas issues like Kashmir and Palestine remain unresolved even after the passage of a long time, the UN resolutions not withstanding. Check this out:

Since Tuesday 11th September the blame for the Terrorist attacks in America has been placed on Islam and the Muslims. Muslims have been accused of being terrorist, violent and fanatics.

Islam has been portrayed as a religion that supports and promotes terrorism. As a result Muslim individuals, Mosques and Islamic centres have been attacked, abused and humiliated throughout the World.

So, have America and its allies, the media and the ordinary folk of the western world declared a war against terrorism or is it against the Muslims of the world and the faith of 1.2 billion followers worldwide?

One should ponder seriously over the following crucial points: