Ekaterina Andreevskaya, Petrozavodsk State University Terrorism and Islam (On the example of the events on September 11, 2001 in the USA)

Religious values and views play a significant role in the lives of people, as they deal with issues, affecting their communities. Religions teach about ultimate claims on believers’ lives, and provide a core vision for it, which invariably colors its followers’ socio-political aspirations, engagements and behaviors. Many people suppose that terrorism is connected with religion, and especially Islam.

The very name Islam comes from the Arabic root word 'salama' which means peace. Islam is a religion which is based upon achieving peace through the submission to the will of Allah.

The main source of Islam is Qur'an. The Qur'an specifically forbids the killing of innocents in war, the killing of other people even by accident.

Many foreigners are afraid of the word “jihad”. By simply looking into the sources of Islam, one is able to know, that the true meaning of “jihad” is to strive effort in the way of Allah. Thus striving in the way of Allah can be both peaceful and physical.

Allah: "And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you. But do not transgress the limits. Truly Allah loves not the transgressors."

Islam does not forbid suicide. But if people commit suicide, they will never be in paradise. The prophet stated that the one who commits suicide is in Hell. The prophet : "The one who throws himself from a mountain and kills himself will be eternally in Hell."

Many people suppose that the reason for the tragedy on the September 11 was religion. The tragic events of September 11, 2001 were a painful experience for everyone, especially to those, who lost dear ones. It was also a rude shock to people in the USA, and people all over the world, who do not subscribe to violence to resolve issues.

It is necessary to differ two big categories of people. The first one is true Muslims, who believe in god, who value the life of people. And the second one is the Islamic Fundamentalists.

Any religion cannot permit violence to someone, even if this someone is not of his religion. Fundamentalists form the sectarian rather than the religious group. They have distorted views and beliefs.

The Islamic religion has become very popular in America recently. The more than six thousand victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States were of many faiths, including hundreds of Muslims. Among the dead were people from more than 80 countries.

President Bush: “These terrorists practice a fringe form of Islamic extremism that has been rejected by Muslim scholars and the vast majority of Muslim clerics”

Terrorism is not the problem of god or religion. It is the problem of people. Political and economic factors, as well as racism rather than religious factors are behind violence in modern times.

Most people suppose that the Muslim world is a world of distortion. But nobody can even imagine that the Muslim world is now what the Christian world once was and should be.

The terrorists, whoever they are, could not be worthy Muslims. The Islamic message is a message of justice, peace and mercy to all mankind. A cowardly act of terrorism against innocent people is not a doorway to heaven, but a gateway to hell. Islam rejects aggression and self-serving retribution. Islam holds the human soul in high regard and considers the attack against one human being a grave sin.

Thank you for attention