Out Of The Darkness: General George Casey Speaks For Islam In Light Of Nidal Hasan's Actions

Sallams Everyone,
It's not often I write about positive news, but I have found this particular event to be most surprising. First, I will summarize the events around the light. On November 5th, a Muslim gunman fired shots in the Fort Hood military base in Killeen, Texas. Major Nidal Malik Hasan, a counsellor for the US military, killed thirteen people after jumping on a table in the Readiness center and shouting "Allahu akbar [God is great]."

Amazingly though, I found this article today concerning it.

The Army chief of staff says it's important for the country not to get caught up in speculation about the Muslim faith of the alleged Fort Hood gunman.

I smiled when I read that. An army staffer is warning people about jumping to conclusions about the Islamic faith. You see who you murdered, Malik? Just because they were sending you to Iraq gives you no right to do what you did. I understand you felt disturbed; however, it turns out these servicemen are still your brothers and are protecting Islam from unfair discrimination by their own people.

He says focusing on the Islamic roots of the suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, could "heighten the backlash" against all Muslims in the military.

Casey says diversity in the military "gives us strength."

Amazing. I'm speechless at the moment because of this statement. This is the first piece of good news I've heard in some time concerning Muslims; apparently General George Casey isn't going to fall for anti-Islam rhetoric.

Even if the general had said Muslims are messed up in the head, I most likely would have agreed with him. There are probably thousands of soldiers who feel the way you do, Malik, that doesn't mean you go shooting your own brothers. These are the same people who would have gladly jumped in front of you to save your life.

You really took things too far, and go "Allahu akbar" someone else next time. I have no idea what you were trying to prove, but all you did was get media attention and get Arab names back in the media. You also reiterated the misconception that "Allahu akbar" is a war cry; thanks for that.

General George Casey, thank you for being our voice today. That statement meant a lot more to me than Obama's Ramadan speech. Keep it up, and God bless you sir. I hope you are the voice of unity for years to come; we need people like you.
Ma'a Sallamah,
Munawar

Earthquake Hits Iran, World Turns Blind Eye

Sallams All,
A shocking discovery came to me this morning. On November 4th, an earthquake hit southern Iran. You can find the story here. I am not going to reiterate the injury count. Instead, I would like to bring your attention to something which I find to be more than coincidental. CNN--a "world news agency", which brings news from India, US, and several other countries, had no mention of the earthquake. Instead, I found it on BBC news. Someone correct me if I simply missed the article, but I remember checking CNN that day at the university while I was bored in Calculus, and I found no mention of an earthquake.

This would not have been a shock to me, if the following were not true: (1) CNN did a "Generation of Islam" series in which they made a clear distinction between terrorists and Islam and (2) CNN did a piece about the real meaning of hijab [cover]--the Muslim modest dresscode. Is it just me, or do they appear to be swinging both ways? Putting CNN aside, I do not even remember reading about the earthquake from USA Today--another paper that carries US and international news. Both papers have, in the past, reported about earthquakes in other (non-Muslim dominant.) countries. I am shocked at how quiet the news was about the earthquake in Iran. You may say "Munawar, earthquakes happen in Iran all the time." I accept this argument. However, "hundreds of people" injured (according to BBC) is not an every day occurrence. Maybe CNN isn't turning around after all.


Ma'a sallamah,


Munawar