I am writing in response to the New York terrorist attack which occurred on 31st October 2017.
Being a Muslim, any attack that happens anywhere in the world stimulates the same feeling of fear and worry: "Please don't let the perpetrator be a Muslim!"
Islam teaches tolerance and promoting a peaceful society. I admonish every single terrorist attack, whether committed in the name of a religion or not.
However, I feel the media portrays terror attacks committed by these so-called Muslims differently. If a non-Muslim commits the attack, he is not identified by his religion - he is simply portrayed as a mentally disturbed human or a "lone wolf", such as Stephen Paddock was, after the Las Vegas massacre. If a so-called Muslim carries out an attack, the news receives more coverage with the inclusion of specific words such as Jihadist, Muslim terrorist, and Islamist.
All of this is very hurtful to hear or read whilst being a Muslim. My religion is a religion of peace. Terrorists do not represent my religion. No one judges Christianity with the actions of the Ku Klux Klan or the Irish Republic Army (IRA). Then why do people judge Islam by the actions of a handful of terrorists?
The founder of my community, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, was Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad who clearly stated, according to the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), use of force is totally forbidden in matters of faith. We are not allowed to use the sword in the name of religion except in the case of self-defence.
According to the Holy Qur'an (Chapter 25 verse 53), Jihad, the holy war is, in reality, a holy campaign which uses the help of the Qur'an to bring about a spiritual revolution in the world. This means to tame the rebellious nature of a human being into complete submission to God.
I, being an Ahmadi Muslim, carry out Jihad of the pen by writing blogs. I try and dispel incorrect views of my beautiful religion. I make my best efforts to refrain from evil and be truly compassionate towards mankind. I aim to be compassionate towards all for the sake of God, so that I may be shown mercy in heaven. I wish to foster sympathy and to be compassionate towards the suffering. This is what my Jihad is.
We as a community. are guided by our spiritual leader, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who has said, "Suicide attacks are carried out to inflict wounds on soldiers of another army. But, in reality, it is the innocent who are killed. This is wrong. Any act committed by a person who is not part of an army is not Jihad, but rebellion".