Response to San Bernardino Tragedy

Last updated on: December 18, 2015 at 11:39 pm by Muslims Writers Guild of America

Response to San Bernardino Tragedy 2015-12-18T23:39:06-05:00 Muslims Writers Guild of America

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Khalifa of Islam Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

Saima Sheikh

I watched with horror the coverage of the San Bernardino massacre. I couldn’t believe it. I used to live in greater Los Angeles area! That was my first home when my family and I migrated to America in 1984 from Pakistan. I went to elementary school and middle school there. I attended the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino which is the largest Mosque in San Bernardino County. We still have family and friends who live in that area. I condemn this barbaric attack. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.

As I learned the identity of the assailants, I was saddened and outraged that once again 1.7 billion Muslims will be blamed for the barbaric actions of these two individuals Syed Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik. Calling them practicing and devout Muslims is a slap in the face of all Muslims. As a member of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Muslims who believe in the Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, I have been taught that true Islam honors the sanctity of life, a basic teaching inherent in all religions.

Islam teaches moderation. It doesn’t teach seclusion or extremism of any kind. That’s why I find it extremely distressing that the name of my religion Islam is now used as an excuse to harm innocent people. These so called Islamic extremists like Daesh (ISIS), Al Qaeda, Boko Haram and others are using religion as a means for their political gain. These terrorist organizations are using my religion Islam to brainwash young men and women. They are successful because these youths are unaware of the peaceful teachings of true Islam. They are unaware that Islam lays great emphasis on service to fellow human beings.

They are unaware that there is no room for violent ‘Jihad’ in Islam. As a Muslim, the Quran has taught me that all lives are precious and terrorism of any form is against the basic teachings of Islam. Jihad means to struggle. There are two kinds of Jihad. Jihad-e-Akbar, self reformation and Jihad-e-Asghar, taking up arms in self defense and is only allowed if Muslims are attacked first. Therefore, the ‘Jihad’ that ISIS and others like them propagate is false and baseless.

That is why I am blessed to be a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community which has been at the forefront of condemning violent ‘Jihad’ and terrorism for more than 130 years. In its place, we are engaged in a bloodless, intellectual ‘Jihad of the Pen’ to defend Islam.Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is spread in more than 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Our members are peace loving and loyal citizens. We champion education especially for women. We are the largest organized Muslim community under a central spiritual leader, Khalifa of Islam, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad. He is the world’s leading Muslim figure promoting peace and inter-religious harmony. Through his many lectures, he continually advocates for the establishment of universal human rights, a just society and a separation of religion and state. Under his leadership, our youth have flourished and are active members of their communities. They actively participate in various charity works, Adopt-a-Highway cleanings, Muslims for Life blood drives, etc.

At a recent Mosque inauguration in Japan on November 21, 2015, Khalifa of Islam, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad said, “Hence, those people who worship according to the true teachings of Islam will never be cruel nor merciless but instead will be compassionate, loving and those who desire the best for others and who prove to be a never ending source of blessings for mankind.” It is this kind of peaceful spiritual leadership or Caliphate the Muslim community needs in order to counter the radicalized and hateful teachings of Daesh (ISIS).

Follow Saima on Twitter @SaimaGSheikh

Previous Post

December 14, 2015

How to Prevent another San Bernardino Shooting

Next Post

December 20, 2015 Persecution of Minorities in Pakistan is Un-Islamic

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category American-Muslims Economic Justice Interfaith Jesus Palestine Ramadan Uncategorized World Peace

Select a Month September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 November 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 May 2018 April 2018 February 2018 December 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz