Excommunicate jihadists in the name of Muslims

Much criminal violence is currently being perpetrated around the world in the name of Islam. This mindless aggression meets with strong disapproval from many Muslims in a peaceful society. They claim to be, and mostly are, reasonable, peaceful people while being resolute in adhering to their religious beliefs. Islam is discrediting not only itself but all its followers as well. Muslims physically represent Islam and are therefore seen as playing a causal role in the genocide in Iraq and misogyny in Afghanistan.

A religion is manifested in its supporters, which includes its financiers. Without followers and financial support, a religion is nothing more than a name. It is claimed that the jihadists carrying out the atrocities worldwide are in a minority. So why does the hierarchy controlling and financing Islam not disown them? Why not excommunicate them from what they claim is a peaceful religion?

It is not unreasonable to consider that their failure to do so is confirmation that Al-Shabab, Hamas, ISIS, Boko Haram, the Taleban, al Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood and other terrorist groups are acting in accordance with official Islamic policy. This being the case, why do reasoning, peaceful Muslims continue to support Islamism with its policies of genocide, beheading innocents, suicide bombing, abduction of children and misogyny?

Without the support of the majority, the minority and the hierarchy would be left high and dry. Any reasonable, peaceful organisation so discredited by a minority of its members, with the approval of the leadership, as is Islam, would find its membership resigning en masse.

Islam currently resembles a political ideology more than it does a peaceful religion. Its leaders and followers must decide which is its true identity and show the world at large.

JC Wilcox