Islam - Why the silence over Muslim attacks?

The Las Vegas Sun investigates.

"But there is another reason for the silence - one that for many overrides all others.

Why, many Muslims ask, should they have to speak out against, or apologize for, actions of radicals who do not represent them - people they do not even regard as true Muslims?

Many find the very idea of being asked or expected to denounce such acts "extremely offensive and insulting," said Khurshid Drabu, a senior member of the Muslim Council of Britain."

Drabu would say that since, as you can see here, the MCB has links to terrorism.

The MCB's secretary general, Iqbal Sacranie, goes further and claims:

'There is no such thing as an Islamic terrorist. This is deeply offensive. Saying Muslims are terrorists would be covered by this provision' [the proposed religious hate law] .

How can you protest aganist something that doesn't exist? And yet British Muslims have protested against bin Laden and denounced terrorism.

Add to this the British government's support for the MCB and things start to get confusing.

Then there is, for Muslims, the fear factor. Fear from their own Muslim community that they will be branded traitors and un-Islamic if they denounce Muslim terrorism. Come again? Given the cases the Sun points out, it's hardly surprising.

But what happens when a bogus story of Koran desecration appears, a play critical of Islam is put on, a mosque is attacked or Muhammad is depicted in the media? Suddenly Muslim fears evaporate and they find their collective voice; riots and protest marches ensue. What prompted UK Muslims to take to the streets and protest against bin Laden as I noted above?

On Saturday 25th Feb Muslim groups held another rally in central London, making it the fifth since the Danish cartoons controversy flared up in late January. This however was not about the cartoons but organised by Shia groups to protest against the bombing of holy shrines in Iraq, with popular chants including 'Down with Osama Bin Laden' and 'Say no to terrorism'.

When we are attacked Muslims remain silent but when they feel under attack they find their voice. The MCB and MAB, with the blessing of the British government, reinforce this stance.

Anti-war westeners along with Muslims, who brand Bush and Blair terrorists and the Iraq war an act of terrorism, have no problem taking to the streets and proclaiming "not in my name". Presumedly Bush and Blair "don't represent them", yet they don't remain silent and they have no fear of being called un-Islamic by the Muslim community. Is it wrong of us to ask Muslims to take to the streets after Muslim terror attacks on 9/11, 3/11 or 7/7 and proclaim "not in our name"?

You can't have it both ways.
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