SHAFAQNA – Muslims must condemn and send a strong message that violence, whether against fellow Muslims or non-Muslims, cannot be tolerated, says Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
The Communications and Multimedia Minister (Malaysia) said that Muslims rejected all forms of violence whether by terrorists or state organised.
“Violence begets violence and history has proven that violence has never been the way to solve conflicts.
“However, as long as the large silent majority remain silent and do not condemn such terrorist acts then it would be perceived that the silence means tacit support,” he posted on his blog Sunday.
He said the incident was the second terrorist incident this year in France after the Charlie Hebdo shooting and has brought back memories of the Madrid bombings of 2004 that resulted in 191 dead and 1,800 wounded.
Salleh pointed out that since the incident of Sept 2001, Islam is perceived as a violent religion and those giving Islam this negative image are Muslims themselves.
“Unfortunately, in all these tragedies it was the work of Muslims. And this is another tragedy because Islam is as much the victim as those killed and wounded.
“What the West may not realise is that there are more than a billion Muslims but just a small minority commit these terrorist acts while the majority of Muslims are peace loving and reject violence,” Salleh said. – Bernama