Islam disallows violent reactions

By Imran Tahir, Troy, Mich.

Saturday, May 16, 2015 | 5:46 p.m.

I am profoundly dismayed to hear about the attempted terrorist attack in Garland, Texas, at the occasion of a provocative anti-Islam cartoon contest. It is indeed our good fortune that the attackers were apprehended and killed before they could cause any casualties. Civilians attending any event — even a distasteful one organized by a controversial firebrand like Pamela Geller — deserve to be protected and feel secure in their right to freely express themselves, even insensitively.

As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I affirm that freedom of speech is an Islamic principle recognized in the Holy Qur’an and that, although Muslims regard caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad as blasphemous, nowhere does the Qur’an permit violence as an acceptable response under any circumstance. Indeed, the Prophet Muhammad tolerated unconscionable abuse at the hands of those who regarded him as a false messenger, only to respond with tolerance, steadfast patience and compassion. I only pray that individuals who have a distorted view of Islam, such as the two terrorists in this incident as well as Geller and her supporters, learn from the example set by the very person they are both disgracing.