Two gunmen opened fire in Garland, Texas, outside an event hosted by a notorious anti-Islam hate group featuring controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I strongly condemn this attack, and there is absolutely no excuse for this violence. Islam has never permitted violence in response to blasphemy. Rather, it requires Muslims to protect free speech especially if you do not agree with that speech.
The Quran has addressed blasphemy on several occasions, but nowhere permits violence as a response. No faith tolerates abusing a religious founder, so it is unfortunate to see that the attendees of the event were dominantly Christians and verses of the Bible were played during the event.
Along with 200 delegates of Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, I traveled to Capitol Hill on May 1 to gain Congress’ support for the Protecting Religious Minorities Persecuted by ISIS Act of 2015 (House Resolution 1568), a resolution that protects sectarian Muslims and, yes, Christians as well. I look forward to the support from my fellow Americans to “Stop the crISIS” and help our efforts to promote the peaceful teachings of Islam and end radicalization.
Basharat Khan
Bothell
