There is absolutely nothing Islamic about al Shabaab

The 7/11 bombings in Kampala have generated a huge debate in the media and social networking sites, with reference to Islam and terrorism. People are asking whether Islam teaches terrorism or not. Of course, Islam does not teach terrorism nor does it support the killing of innocent people.

I believe it’s healthy to have debates of this nature, because they will help educate both Muslims and non-Muslims alike, about Islam as a religion and its stand on terrorism. Unfortunately, some people engaging in these debates are largely informed by prejudice which is not good for learning, or even co-existence.

I have also sadly learnt that our local media, think tanks, and government have continuously used the word “Islamists” whenever they refer to the Harakat al Shabaab Mujahedeen fighters. It’s wrong to continue referring to al Shabaab as “Islamist” fighters because what they are doing is unacceptable by the teachings of the Islamic faith. Read more

By Hassan Isilow