"A terrorist cannot be a Muslim, a Muslim cannot be a terrorist" judgment has been the most courageous remark over the past decade; however, it just cannot stop there.
If a person, born Muslim or Muslim convert, commits terrorist acts somewhere, Muslims cannot remain apathetic. One who condones terrorism also cannot be a Muslim! One who applauds terrorism cannot be a Muslim, either!
It is unjust criticism to say, "The problem is a political issue of one country. You make it wear a religious cover." How would you explain the 10 Arabs in Ossetia? They easily formed a front and called it: Islam and the others. There is "the other" concept and it is right. Nevertheless, the other does not mean that it should always remain as the other, that it should be killed, that it should enter the wells of hell.
We would oppose this even if the image of Islam were not tarnished. During World War I, every country fighting at the front possessed chemical weapons. Only the Ottoman Empire did not use the chemical gases it had. The problem was not an image problem. Even though it had moved so far away from Islam, the Ottoman Empire was still humane. The issue is an issue of faith, a human issue.
Some respectable intellectuals I highly appreciate, say, "Terrorism cannot be solved without the problems being solved." It is wrong. It is right. If the problems are solved, terrorism will lose its legitimacy; however, waiting until that time is tantamount to condoning terrorism.
What is more awful than the lie that "suicide bombers become martyrs," is the lie that "there is no alternative." A Muslim can always find a place to prostrate himself before his God and a place of refuge. Terrorism is not a method of struggle but a method of satisfaction. Independence or achieving other targets may not provide the satisfaction that terrorism provides. We do not have the opportunity to test this since none of the terror campaigns have been successful; nevertheless, the risk is great.
Stupidity is not a lesser offense than disloyalty. Death is a form of sacrifice; however, it is immorality to set conditions for killing. It is necessary to think strategically while making a sacrifice.
The struggle for independence is an honorable struggle. The Chechen struggle cannot be excluded because they have resorted to terrorist activities, it cannot be scorned or be considered as wrong.
When I first heard that the school was besieged, I said, "the Russians will launch an operation and perhaps hundreds of people will perish. And the activists will be held responsible for this." It was the same in the hospital siege in 1995 and the same in the theater siege in 2002. I am really curious seeing what an ordinary mind has seen, whether anyone apart from us had attempted to warn Russia against launching an operation. I really wonder whether or not a mediation was offered. How many people in Turkey and in the geography where Muslims live opened their hands and prayed saying, "Oh, God, please rescue these innocent children safe and sound from this situation! Please, don't allow our image as Muslims be tarnished. And provide those trying to do this a conscience." I am not curious about this. Because, I am very afraid of the answer…
