Across the globe Muslim leaders have stepped forward to show their disapproval against ISIS. An 18-page letter was drafted and sent to ISIS’ leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi by over 120 Muslim scholars and leaders. In the letter they decried the actions of ISIS. In the recent shocking news of Alton Nolen, a recent convert to Islam, who attacked and beheaded a co-worker, the Muslim community wants the nation to know his actions are not representative of every Muslim.
Stereotypes are a converging method of association and response. They can dictate and even orchestrate a band-wagon effect, or hence a gang mentality.
Letter to ISIS from Muslim Leaders and Scholars
After the news of Alton’s shocking action, Muslim leaders are reaching out to local communities to bring together peace, instead a sense of false vengeance. Alton committed an act of violence after being fired. His exact motivations, his exact reasoning is only known to him, but should not be spread out to every Muslim encountered.
NewsOK talked to a senior leader at a local mosque where Alton visited. He said those in attendance thought Alton’s actions were odd, including when the leader scolded the man for placing his Quran on the floor.
His mannerisms, behaviors and knowledge of the Islam religion seemed meager at best. Additionally, those who spoke to Alton at the mosque said he dabbled in other religions by visiting churches, synagogues and even tried Buddhism. Much too often, instead of blaming the person responsible, society wants to blame something bigger behind the reason.
Late last month, a gathering occurred in Dearborn, Michigan called “Muslims Against ISIS.” The group showed their solidarity to unite against stereotypes and not supporting violence.
Bad people happen, but blaming an entire religion on the act of a man who was not a true Islam at heart? That’s not representatives of all Muslims, and it should never be accepted as such.
by: Julie Patel
Have you seen his Facebook page? Of his 1,500+ friends, you would think someone would DENOUNCE what he is saying and defriend him them. Many did not and the majority supported what he was saying. That is, until he did what he did. Now they are silent. I am Arabic, and I am tired of stupid Americans, Paks and Somalis, the majority of the numbnuts who think they know what they are doing for some sky god they cannot even see, continually using religion to support their stupidity,. Go to school and get a clue. They should arrest those “friends” who egged him on as well. Africans seem to want to act like they know something about Islam. It is a cult of death. Keep claiming that you are for “Allah”. The majority of you are not better than terrorists. If I learn of you being a Muslim from one of those groups I mentioned, you will get the snub treatment from me. I will not be kind. You ruin the world and bring shame to Arabs. You are NOT ARABS.