Originally Published in Mercurynews.com
Four Californian Muslims have been arrested on account of their plans to join the Taliban and kill Americans. This comes as a big hit to me as a 23-year-old Californian Muslim.
Like most Muslims, I wholly condemn these people. But as a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, denouncing such acts is part of my DNA.
My fellow Americans, know that organized voices against terrorism exist. We are not mute. We believe that the jihad of the sword is dead, and instead champion the jihad of the pen.
For example, the Quran teaches, “Saving one life is akin to saving all of humanity.” So, to honor 9/11 victims, we have raised over 25,000 blood donations. Internationally, we stand for justice and humanity, even in the face of deadly opposition — whether that is in Pakistan, Indonesia or Bangladesh.
Rather than looking at the aforementioned extremists when trying to understand Islam, I invite my fellow Californians to instead look at our example of service to, and love, of humanity.
Saad Karamat
