Incidents of terrorism, especially bombings and resulting massive loss of lives are undoubtedly one of the major problems of our country. This tragic sequence has been going on for many years and countless lives have been lost so far. This, in turn, creates a state of fear and panic, especially in the big cities. These heinous acts of terrorism are highly condemnable. Their perpetrators, be they individuals or groups, are enemies of humanity and deserve the harshest and most exemplary punishment.

After these terrorist incidents, a special pattern is emerging. Within hours of the brutal violence, there are allegations by the police or intelligence agencies about the involvement of certain organizations whose names are Arabic, Persian or Urdu sounding. Then the roundup of innocent Muslims begins. Later, on the one hand, innocent youth continue to be oppressed while their families go through unspeakable torture. On the other hand, the media puts the blame for these incidents on the entire Ummah.

A lengthy series of detailed articles on news, statements, letters, editorial analysis and the opinion of so-called security experts begins and vile attempts are made to make the entire Muslim Ummah appear guilty and suspicious (in the eyes of the public).

One of the most heinous terms being used in the media is “Islamic terrorism” as if the lunacy of terrorism has something to do with Islam. Newspapers, radio, television and even some politicians have been using this fabricated term instead of adopting the correct way of thinking and understanding. Similarly, jihad, a sacred act of worship in Islam, has been denigrated in the media despite repeated clarifications by Muslim leaders as if jihad is a despicable and undesirable thing. These attempts to defame Islamic terms such as jihad and to introduce antagonistic terms such as “Islamic terrorism” are, of course, highly reprehensible and are intended to discredit and intimidate non-Muslims.

If the series of bombings were really a manifestation of Islamic terrorism, why would the people become their target? The psyche, tactics and history of the terrorists show that most of their targets are the most important enemy leaders whom they remove from their way. Gandhiji was assassinated by those who did not like his teachings and policies. The late Indira Gandhi was assassinated by those who were running a separatist movement for Khalistan. In the eyes of the terrorists who blew up Rajiv Gandhi, he supported those who prevented the formation of a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka. Abraham Lincoln was opposed to the separatist movement in the southern states of the United States, so the people of that movement killed him. Some of John F. Kennedy’s policies were hurting the interests of the American mafia and so he would be assassinated.From this perspective, the ATS chief Hemant Karkare was the most important target in all terrorist incidents. Those who were trumpeting the bogey of Islamic terrorism were being entangled in his dragnet as he tracked down the trail of the bomb blasts from Nanded to Malegaon. Now Muslim youth have been acquitted by the courts in different parts of the country. In states like Andhra Pradesh, the government has admitted its mistake and announced compensation for them. For example, the fact that the Isharat Jahan encounter case was fake has now been established by the judiciary. On the other hand, clear evidence against right-wing Hindutva terrorists is being presented in the courts. At least now, the media and intelligence agencies must stop this nefarious game and ensure the security and safety of the country by exposing the real terrorists.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, while strongly condemning the incidents of terrorism, has repeatedly pointed out to the government and the media that naming a group without investigation is an unjust, biased and irresponsible act. Indicting a person before providing evidence is a form of terrorism against the accused, his family and his religious affiliation itself.

Jamaat-e-Islami of Hind demands from the Government of India (GoI) to conduct a high level impartial inquiry into all incidents of terrorism through a credible commission and release all found innocent immediately. The GoI must offer reasonable compensation to these persons and provide them with respectable employment. All police officers who have have deliberately trapped innocent people, ruined their lives, created an atmosphere of hatred against a particular religion and threatened the peace and security of the country, must be tried on the lines of ‘Sohrabuddin and Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case’. It is also necessary to reform the police system. The police and the intelligence system must be cleansed of bigoted and sectarian-minded officers. The recommendations of the National Police Commission in this regard should be implemented immediately.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind also appeals to Muslims not to lose patience in these circumstances. They should not allow their youth to lose hope and fall prey to provocation. They must present the dynamic teachings of Islam to non-Muslims and prove through word and deed that Islam is the foundation of peace and mercy for all humanity.

The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind states with the full force and conviction it commands that Islam is not two but one. It is a religion of peace and harmony and a champion of justice and equality in the world. Islam is a religion of mercy. It teaches love and kindness and brotherhood. Human life is highly cherished and sacrosanct in Islam. The murder of an innocent person is the murder of all mankind and to save a single person is akin to the protection of all human beings. (Quran – 5:32) The Qur’an teaches: “Do not kill any soul which Allah has forbidden.” (Quran – 25:28) “Do not kill any soul which Allah has honored” (Quran – 17:33). Allah does not guide those who are unjust”.(Quran – 5:51)“. “If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein (forever), and the wrath and the curse of Allah are upon him, and a dreadful penalty is prepared for him.”(Quran – 4:93). Man does not accept any religion or ideology forcibly and hence the teaching of Islam is “there is no compulsion in the matter of religion” (Quran – 2:256). Muslims have been commanded to stand up for justice. The Qur’an says: “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do” (Quran 4:135). “O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do”. (Quran 5:8)