Shabana Speaks

Islam not synonymous with terrorism: Shabana Azmi

Actor Shabana Azmi speaking at the ‘Shared History -The Indian Experience in South Africa’ festival in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

JOHANNESBURG: To say that Islam is synonymous with terrorism is “unjust and unfair,” Indian actress-activist Shabana Azmi told an audience here as she launched a retrospective of her films.

“I think that the 9/11 crisis also became an opportunity, because it was the first time that Muslims got together to make the world realise that Islam is not homogeneous, that it resides in 53 countries of the world, and becomes the culture of the country in which it resides,” Ms. Azmi said.

The actress is on a tour of three South African cities this week as part of the ‘Shared History Festival’ that showcases Indian art, culture and cuisine each year for a six-week period.

Participating in a discussion on Islam, Ms. Azmi said, “[Islam] is liberal in some countries, moderate in others, intolerant in some and extremist in the others. But it is not homogeneous. To say that Islam is synonymous with terrorism is unjust, unfair and cannot be accepted because it is a blatant untruth.” — PTI

I totally agree with Shabana that Islam is not synonymous with terrorism.
I would go on and say no religion in the world preaches violence.
At least the originators of the religion did not.
It is the followers who stray away from the path for their own selfish ends.
Like Richard the Lion hearted going on a crusade to convert the infidels in the middle east.
Or like Aurangzeb converting the Hindus or torturing or killing them.
Or the Hindus killing missionaries in Orissa for converting people to Christianity.
When people like Shabana and her husband or the umpteen Muslim film stars in Bollywood refuse to speak up and organize a movement and let the reins remain in the hands of the Mullahs and Maulvis whose only education qualifications consists on how fast they can recite the Quoran and how well they can incite anger in the minds of their followers, this problem will remain.
People of the world will not hear of the good deeds done by Muslims because that is not put in the news.
But they will read of thefts, extortion, murders, smuggling and terrorism committed by the Muslims and that will be the impression that will remain in their minds, for they read it everyday.
So, it is up to the educated Muslims to change the perception by reining in the Mullahs, Maulvis and the Madarssas.