‘Prove You’re Muslim or Die!’
25th July 2016
In light of the recent terrorist attacks in Muslim nations, the argument is again being made that, say what they will, the terrorists are obviously not acting in the name of Islam—a religion which bans the indiscriminate slaughter of fellow Muslims.
Yet is it that simple? Since the Medieval era, Islamic clerics have justified the killing of other Muslims—intentionally, for they’re not “real” Muslims (e.g., Shias), or unintentionally, as collateral damage (who become “martyrs” and receive Islam’s highest paradisiacal rewards)—in the name of jihad.
Even so, it’s clear that, whenever they can, the jihadis do make an effort to preserve the lives of Muslims. This was the case in the recent terror attack in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. On July 1, 2016, six Islamic militants shouting Islam’s ancient war cry opened fire on a bakery in Dhaka, the nation’s capital. The assailants entered the Bakery with crude bombs, machetes, pistols, and took several dozen hostages.