Opinion: The Muslim Mind Is On Fire

Just in case you know of someone who is not sure which side to take on the war on terrorism, there is a great opinion piece by Youssef M. Ibrahim, published in the Middle East Times on July 26, 2005, that might shed some light into some of the most horrific acts in our times. Youssef M. Ibrahim is a former Middle East correspondent for The New York Times and energy editor of the Wall Street Journal. He is managing director of the Dubai-based Strategic Energy Investment Group.

To preview, here are the first few paragraphs:

Opinion: The Muslim Mind Is On Fire

Youssef M. Ibrahim
July 26, 2005

DUBAI -- The world of Islam is on fire. Indeed, the Muslim mind is on fire. Above all, the West is now ready to take both of them on.

The latest reliable report confirms that on average 33 Iraqis die every day, executed by Iraqis and foreign jihadis and suicide bombers, not by US or British soldiers. In fact, fewer than ever US or British soldiers are dying since the invasion more than two years ago. Instead, we now watch on television hundreds of innocent Iraqis lying without limbs, bleeding in the streets dead or wounded for life. If this is jihad someone got his religious education completely upside down.

Palestine is on fire, too, with Palestinian armed groups fighting one another - Hamas against Fatah and all against the Palestinian Authority. All have rendered Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas impotent and have diminished the world's respect and sympathy for Palestinian sufferings.

A couple of weeks ago London was on fire as Pakistani and other Muslims with British citizenship blew up tube stations in the name of Islam. Al Qaeda in Europe or one of its franchises proclaimed proudly the killing of 54 and wounding 700 innocent citizens was done to "avenge Islam" and Muslims.

For the whole article, please click Opinion: The Muslim mind is on fire