Title: Islam is not to Blame Question/Comments: Salaam , I would like to briefly share my perspective on the recent tragic events in the United States. I attend college in New York City and have seen the havoc wrought by the terrorist attacks. My father used to work in the World Trade Center two years ago and we used to have lunch together there. I just thank the Almighty we moved ... None of what happened on Tuesday is related to Islam. Jihaad, in the context of warfare, is a declared war launched by an Islamic state against an oppressive entity that persecutes Muslims. It forbids the harm of innocent civilians -- even trees are to be spared. What happened on Tuesday violated all these criteria: it was not declared, not launched by any state, and targeted the innocent. It was nothing less than calculated, cold-blooded murder, which is absolutely condemned in the Qur'an. The people who did this are despicable cowards who prostitute religion, shaming her, for a wicked cause. Islam promotes peace and brotherhood and one need only observe the nearly 7 million amicable Muslims, who live as decent human beings in the United States, for evidence of these values. As an American Muslim, I want everyone to know that we are grieving and bleeding with the rest of America in this dark time. Let us come together, as children of the One God -- made in His spiritual image -- and pray to Him to grant us strength, courage, and patience to bear our suffering. Answer: The only point that I would like to add to your note relates to your following statement: "...is a declared war launched by an Islamic state against an oppressive entity that persecutes Muslims". In my opinion, the statement should read as: "...is a declared war launched by an Islamic state against an oppressive entity that persecutes its citizens". Regards. Moiz Amjad September 17, 2001