Editor, RE: “Muslims must review understanding of Islam” (The New Times, December 24). Islam must reform? Right; how about Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism or even agnosticism? For the record the so called Christians have killed more innocent people in 2015 only and in the most atrocious and unjustified manner than Islam ever could—probably in history. So did the so called Jewish, Buddhists and non-believers. Every year, there are more than 4,000 innocent civilians killed by drones as collateral damage in Pakistan, let alone the total destruction of Lebanon and Gaza Strip by the Israeli Army. One shouldn’t forget the unjustified invasion and total destruction of Iraq, of Libya, all by either “civilized”. The fact that they do not yell “Hail Mary” before releasing the bomb on innocent women and children doesn’t make them less Christians. Buddhism, that I used to consider “Zen”, with all things nature, has shocked me when I saw Bonzes chasing and killing poor Muslims in Myanmar. All schools of thought should reform, and they are: including capitalism, socialism or science. So do religions, including Catholicism—at the image of the new Pope—to adapt to a dynamic world. Now singling out one religion and call for its reform is so petty and bigoted. And that, in fact, is the problem in a nutshell. The only sin of Islamists is that they have now removed that image of invincibility long presented by the West, by bringing the war to their capitals, at the heart of their powers. There is a saying that goes: “If you destroy my most, I will come and call for prayers (adhan) from you church”. Islamists are a direct product of historical and persisting injustice committed against Muslims. It is so simplistic to think you can reform them, if you do not reform yourself. I do not condone terrorism, Islamism, extremism, and I do have a particular problem with what the author is doing here in the article — obscurantism. The article is so prejudiced and misleading in many ways. Gatete
