By Adam Lankford, Special to CNN
Editor’s note: Adam Lankford is a criminal justice professor at The University of Alabama. The views expressed are his own.
The truth matters. For instance, the truth is whether civilians are killed intentionally or as collateral damage, their families and friends suffer the same trauma, the same devastation. As the foundational quote for the website Pakistan Body Count explains, “Whether it is a suicide bombing or an attack by a flying drone, for me it’s the same: a Pakistani got killed.”
This is why we were never going to change perceptions about suicide terrorism worldwide by making an oversimplified moral argument. In the aftermath of 9/11, the White House insisted that “no cause justifies terrorism.” And, as noted in the Middle East Quarterly in 2003, similar arguments were espoused by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian Sheikh Muhammad Sa’id Tantawi, and Saudi Arabian Sheikh Muhammad bin 'Abdallah as-Sabil, among others. But the claim that suicide attacks are always immoral, while Western military actions are always justified, simply could not stand up to scrutiny. Skeptics could see the truth for themselves: despite some black-and-white differences between the two sides, the conflict between Western powers and Islamic jihadists involves many shades of gray.
Meanwhile, government officials and leading scholars – from Kabul to Cairo to Washington, DC – have spent years overlooking a powerful truth that should help them deter future suicide terrorists. In my new book, I present overwhelming evidence that suicide terrorists are typically committing suicide, not making a sacrifice or engaging in martyrdom, as has been assumed. Because suicide is prohibited by Islamic law – as even the most radical of terrorist leaders acknowledge – this means that the behavior of suicide terrorists constitutes a major crime against God.
When presenting the evidence, Islamic leaders should use the past statements of terrorist spokesmen against them. For instance, in his influential essay, “The Islamic Ruling on the Permissibility of Self-Sacrificial Operations: Suicide or Martyrdom,” former al Qaeda leader Sheik Yusuf ibn Salih Al-‘Uyayri claimed that “martyrdom operations” are driven by the individual’s desire to sacrifice his life for the cause, not suicidal urges “of anger, pain or some other worldly motive.” This assumption has been echoed by moderate commentators all around the world. However, it is increasingly clear that ‘Uyayri’s definition of prohibited suicide is exactly what motivates suicide terrorists.
For example, anger and rage are common risk factors for both conventional suicide and murder-suicide, and they often drive suicide terrorists as well. For instance, a preemptively arrested suicide bomber known as Rafik admitted that he struggled with uncontrollable anger throughout his life. This included throwing hot tea on his father during childhood, beating up people for saying “Hi” to him, and threatening to kill a hospital doctor for delivering him bad news, according to an account in Driven to Death: Psychological and Social Aspects of Suicide Terrorism. Rafik also reportedly confessed to being suicidal before volunteering for his suicide attack: “I thought of committing suicide by cutting my veins, and had my mother not come into my room at that time, I might have done it.” Another example, cited in The Path to Paradise: The Inner World of Suicide Bombers and Their Dispatchers, is a female suicide bomber who admitted that she was driven by anger and despair because “my life wasn’t worth anything and my father wouldn’t let me marry the boy I wanted to, so I found a Fatah operative in Jenin and volunteered, to get back at my father.” There are many more cases just like these.
In addition, just like with typical suicidal people, the pain experienced by numerous suicide terrorists has led them to seek an escape through death. Bryant Neal Vinas acknowledged that he volunteered for a suicide attack in Pakistan because he was “having difficult time with the altitude. I was getting very sick, so I felt that it would be easier.” Umar Abdulmutallab posted online that “i am in a situation where i do not have a friend…i have no one to speak too, no one to consult, no one to support me and i feel depressed and lonely. i do not know what to do,” before ultimately attempting to blow up an airplane over Detroit. Other suicide attackers have been suffering from tuberculosis, seizure disorders, tumors, blindness, HIV, combat injuries, and drug addictions – or more commonly, plagued by a range of psychological problems, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and overwhelming guilt and shame.
In the absence of this evidence, misinformation naturally filled the void. For years, the myth of martyrdom has been built on the lies of terrorist leaders, who covered up their exploitation of vulnerable individuals; the denials of attackers’ families, who wanted to believe that their loved ones were heroes; and the bold rhetoric of suicide terrorists, who wanted to hide their shame and suffering from the world.
But the truth is now available, and it can no longer be denied. Anyone who supports so-called “martyrdom operations” is encouraging desperate people to commit suicide, which is a crime against God. Anyone who considers blowing him- or herself up should think twice, because God will not be fooled by false martyrs. Nor will he be forgiving.
“Do not kill yourselves…whoever does that…We shall burn him in Fire. And that is easy for Allah” (an-Nisā: 29-30).
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Suicide terrorism is the out come of slavery to corrupt, violent and destructive cunning minds, as their authority. Such authority uses them and make them to die in name of Allah. What a ignorance ? This is the example of how condition beliefs system deteriorate the dull and limited mind.
SCENIC PAKISTAN IN THE PIC. lol. What that policemen is doing ? Looks like he is trying to find pennies in that rubble.
He is a true Pakistani, trying to steal some rubber from there.
But why so many diseases in Pakistan as mentioned in the article ?
This is the result of inbreeding in Pakistan. Just check the world health statistics, they are the biggest pool of genetically defective people on this earth.
I am sorry but using "anger issues" and "psychological issues" as an excuse to kill others globally- it is akin to the "Twinkie defense" of the mid 1970's.. sorry, I don't buy it... hate is hate and murder is murder. This to me is just liberal drivel trying to stir up pity for programed killers! Sorry, people have to take responsibility for their actions, for each action is a reaction. I just pity the ignorant who actually fall for this drivel!
At the beginning it is anger, that intensifies. The person can cope with it. He tries to get back at whoever he sees responsible for his misery or take it out on others, who aren't responsible. In the West we see shooting rampages, the perpetrator very often kills himself, before he gets caught. Suicide bombers share much in common, only they are brainwashed, controlled and exploited.
please read: The person CANNOT cope .......
There is a huge difference here between the suicide bombers and those filthy creeps who operate those cursed drones. The difference is that the suicide bomber is willing to give up his life for what he believes in, while the creep who operates those godless drones does it because he is paid to do so and quite handsomely, too!
@Quigley – A drone can be used again after a strike. A Pakistani suicide bomber is like used toilet paper – you can't use him again. Drones are better, more durable and versatile than your suicide bombers. That's why drones are winning.
@Quigley - Suicide bombers are doing it because someone promised them the imaginary 72 virgins. Patriotic drone operators get their salary. So what?
Money is real - we all know that. Do you know if the 72 virgin promise is real? What idi*ts who die for a false promise like that? Total losers.
...I think what the article articulates is that suicide bombers are prone to suicide regardless of the "cause" but are doing it under the cover of jihad because of their own "religiosity".
...the people operating the drones are no more or no less right or wrong – but western policy is full of contradictions.
...the point of the article shows that nothing is black and white – these are complex issues and cannot be easily "explained away" based on the simple "beliefs" of either side.
@figjam - There is nothing complex about it. Look at that Muslim suicide bomber girl. Muslim societies are known for s*xual oppression – genital mutilation, stoning of women, beheading of women, etc. So, when these s*xually oppressed Muslim girls become too h.orny, they can not control themselves. Boom!! That's one way to put an end to their fantasies.
@dirka – seriously? The article is very serious and describes issues that on a "human-level" we should all understand. Making light of a populations desperate attempt to leave a life so full of misery that they are easy prey for those who would exploit them is not to be made a joke.
...clearly two wrongs do not make a right and western policy associated with this region is not without fault.
@figjam – Lighten up. These Pakistanis need to let those Muslim girls have a KY Jelly Party instead of making them suicide bombers. Save a life and have a party.
@Dirka - A KY Jelly Party? Great idea!! When and where? Count me in.
This is an excellent article. It gives an insight into Muslim suicide bombers' mind. A Muslim girl wanted to marry a boy but the boy did not want to marry her. So, the girl decided to became a suicide bomber. Wow!!
And Muslims claim that they are driven by some spiritual awakening to become suicide bombers. When a girl gets hot pants for a boy, why is that considered so spiritual?
@Ben – That Muslim girl was simply aroused. She was really h.orny. I do not find anything spiritual about being aroused. What is most revealing about this article is the extent a Muslim girl can be aroused. So aroused that she became suicidal. Now that is one really h.orny girl.
Dashing through the Ganges
In a one cow open sleigh
O'er the sewage filled waters we go
R aping all the way
Bells on rat tails ring
Making spirits shiver with plague
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one buffalo open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
In months of reading GPS, this is the first article that hasn't made me want to slap Fareed.
Excellent article. As Dirka pointed out, I re-read the part which reveals how s*xually oppressed Muslim girls end up becoming suicide bombers. Hey, I am willing to volunteer for helping out these Muslim girls satisfy their desire. It's a noble cause. It would feel soooo good to save a life.
Mike – Count me in. I have volunteered for so many different causes. But none have been more inspiring than this one. I'm truly inspired to save a Muslim girl's life. She can bring some of girl friends too. I can assure you that there is no shortage of volunteers here.
S*xually repression. That is the cold truth about these suicide bombers. They should install public showers at every major intersection in Muslim countries. A cold shower helps take away the s*xual urge instantly.
The author wrote: "suicide attackers have been suffering from tuberculosis, seizure disorders, tumors, blindness, HIV, combat injuries, and drug addictions". Since Pakistan can not handle basic health care, desperate people choose to end their lives by becoming suicide bombers.
That explains it. This is why Pakistanis have been so opposed to vaccination programs such as the Polio vaccination. If vaccinations are allowed in Pakistan, they will run out of suicide bombers in just a few years completely. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan can never let that happen
Should have sent Kevorkian to Pakistan. He could have done so much good there.
The only truth about these fanatics is that they are followers of Mohammed the murderer and rapist.
well you should think before you speak and your problem is that you scandalize each Muslim act and show that rest of the muslims are same
never pass a such a false sarcastic remark against our beloved prophet Muhammad (SAW) if we have a respect for your prophet then why do not you have narrow minded?this reply is for capricon only
This article gives so many excuses to suicide bombers such as: poverty, incurable sickness, and inability of a girl to marry her favorite boy.
Every country has poor and desperate people, but they do not become suicide bombers.
Every country has sick people with incurable diseases, but they do not become suicide bombers.
Every country has girls who do not get to marry their beau, but they do not become suicide bombers.
Then why all the suicide bombers in the world come only from Islamic countries?
Common denominator for all suicide bombings is Islam.
all the muslim are not same few people get trap in the hand of defame terriorist groups suicide bomber can belong from any country and from any corner of the world and from any religion but i personally think that these are not muslim who are doing such a mean things
The Truth? A dead Towel Head is one less Towel Head.
Stop suicide bombers? There's always the head left somewhere among the carnage. Get a dead pig head, place it over top of the suicide bombers head, and take pictures to post and send to the bombers family. No 70 virgins for you!!!!!!
Hinduism is a disgusting cult. Even to this day cross-cousin, father-daughter, mother-son, brother-sister, doing each other is common practice. Let me make it easy for you and refer you to the hindu scriptures and share it with the world. Shame on Hindus and barbaric Hinduism.
Pushan is the lover of his sister [ Rg Ved VI.55.4 ][ Apte 11 ]
The Ashvisns married Surya and Savitri who is their sister [ RV I.116.19 ].
Agni is the son of his father and his sister [ Rg Ved.I.91.7 ]
Thanks for writing the name of the book. I'll be sure not to buy it, since it promises to be a load of crap and false.
I've never seen so many stupid comments here like these ignoramuses who bash the suicide bombers and say nothing about those butchers who operate those killer drones from the safety of their air conditioned offices from a half a world away. Quigley above is the only one here who said anything sensible. All the rest of these posts here are pure stupidity!!!
OK I read both comments. Both Quigley and wjmccartan are terrorist sympathizers (My guess is they are probably the same person). You two seem to justify the acts of suicide bombers and killings of innocent people (I can bet some good money that you are a Muslim). It would be better for you two to post your comments on like minded forum like Al Jazeera instead of CNN.
Please. Killing noncombatants by mistake (as drone operators do) and killing them by intent (as homicide bombers do) are not morally equivalent. There's a reason that courts everywhere distinguish between manslaughter and murder.
Excellent study of suicide bombers. Contrary to the popular belief, these suicide bombers have no higher calling or higher purpose. It is appalling to see a wretched Muslim suffering from an incurable illness decides to kill a lot of innocent people before his death. Or a rage and hatred filled Muslim who decides to kill a lot of people instead of seeking therapy. Muslim girl gets dumped by her boyfriend, so blows up a bunch of innocent people. There are many reasons given in the article why these Muslim suicide bombers blow themselves up, but all these reasons are either selfish or truly disgusting. None of these reasons can ever justify killing innocent people. It is truly appalling to read about these Muslim suicide bombers - hey, but that's the truth about the suicide bombers.
The drone operator is doing his job. He enlisted to serve his country and military people do not get paid well. It is no less cowardly than the jihadist who plants an IED and then leaves the scene before the carnage. This is simply an effective tool of war. Drones are being used out of respect for Pakistan's desire not to have American boots on the the ground. They do a lot less damage than a Pakistan artilary barage would do to take out the same target.
Committing suicide generally requires a realy "injured" stae o mind. If you consult psychiatrists they would say: "depressive people may commit suicide". They feel worthless, down and guilty. But if you dig down they would say that depressive people would not commit suicide in the beginning and end of depresion. When they are deep down in depression, they are unable to lead themselves to killing themselves.
Hence I do not feel these suicide bombers did it willingly. I feel that they were specially chosen for their personal attributes and conditioned in an inhuman way.
This is the sickest side of terrorism that I just assume.
"India has been waging a silent war of terrorism upon peaceful Pakistan over the past 25 years. Indian sponsored terrorists have butchered over 60000 innocent civilians in Kashmir. Moreover, India has started at least two wars with peaceful Pakistan.
The problem is that Indians have an obsession with Pakistan . They love to HATE Pakistan. The Indian RAW (intelligence agency) and politicians encourage this hatred. They don't want Indian people questioning the low standard of living, high unemployment, lack of infrastructure, etc.
Blame Pakistan for everything. The usual conspiracy theory, multiplied by ten.
Pakistan has a reason to dislike India, but Pakistan has taken the high road.
When india had famine floods Pakistan sent food, and supplies.
Pakistan is trying to encourage India to behave properly, and is trying to encourage a positive relationship based on trade."
I pose this question to the folks on this forum. Is gang r aping terrorism or worse? From my moral perch, gang r aping is the worst form of terrorism for which there should be zero tolerance. Based on this logic and the statistics coming out of CNN today, one can conclude that India is a nation of terrorists. 20% of women in India or 140 million have either been r aped or groped. This is about half the population of USA !!! Also, 60% of men in India or 420 million believe that domestic violence/wife beating is acceptable. This is more than the population of USA !!!!! They make Al Qaeda and Talibans look like choir boys!! No wonder there is so much violence in the region !!!! We as a civilized society need to take immediate action to safeguard the region and the menace emanating from India. India is dragging the region down. Furthermore, these wife beating/domestic violence oriented Indian men are spread throughout the world and pose a danger to these societies in USA, EU and elsewhere. They are potential sleeper cells of violence, if you will, similar to Al Qaeda.
Come, Seek and Discover. Match India's medievalism to your heart, its girl trashing ways to your mind, and find a smelling experience that is yours alone. An India like no other. Dirty, Backstabbing and Cult Like. A Financier of Terrorism. DISGUSTING INDIA. COME, COME, EXPERIENCE!!!
Never thought these suicide bombers would kill for such frivolous reasons. If these terrible people are terminated by drones, call it euthanasia or mercy killing.
can you explain people who got killed in drone strikes they all were terrorists
Thank you CNN for digging into the reasons why terrible people become suicide bombers. Someone is sick, so he blows himself up and takes a whole bunch of people with them? Who would have thought that these terrible people kill numerous innocent people for trivial reasons!
Yes, this article indeed exposes the lies Muslims have been spreading about how their suicide bombers are spiritually inspired. These are a bunch of thugs who can not solve their problems so they decide to blow up innocent people who have nothing to do with their problems. All of the reasons these investigative journalists have revealed are pathetic excuses to kill innocent people in a true Islamic way.
What about the 70 virgins promised to them in paradise? Is it a fact?
@ugochukwu – You do not understand, you insolent kafir. Virgins were the currency in the Arab world just like you trade in dollars and euros. Mohammed was a cheapskate discount shopper. He did not want to pay the full price for a mature virgin. So, he traded a 6 year old at a discounted price and waited 3 more years to gratify himself. Being thrifty is an important lesson from Quran.
Islam, Islam, Islam. That cursed day when mohommad was born. he has done so much damage to humanity by forming that so called religion islam and that alla doctrine.
@xyzthegreat – You kafirs are so ignorant. If Muslims did not do so much damage then nobody would remember Mohammed. After 911, whenever you take a flight, you have to stand in line for hours and you are searched at the airport - and everyone in the line curses Mohammed. You see, Mohammed is remembered by all travelers now because of so much damage Muslims did.
oh man in what kind of age you are living if anyone has to stop for checking in line at airport and he starts to abuse anyone for this i think he would be mad and a sensible person knows how can be any one responsible any activity which takes place after him or his death
A few months back I read an article about a teenaged suicide bomber in Pakistan, despite detonating his vest/belt, losing both arms and legs, he survived. One of the interesting things that came out of his interogation by the police is that he was fed drugs by his Taliban handlers. Where does this fit into the grand scheme of the author?
@Donut – You are so naive, kafir. Unmarried Muslim girls use suicide bombings as birth control. It is far more effective than the weak western pills which do not guarantee 100% effectiveness.
While you're at it there Mohammed would you kindly explain the money paid to the suicide bombers family that allows them to live in comfort for the rest of their lives? Please do not try and tell me this does not happen as my brother was in the middle east and spoke to several of these families? Explain this if you can........
@Donut – You kafirs have so much to learn from Muslims. The drug they found was actually a pain killer. Quran teaches compassion - As a handler of young suicide bombers, you do not simply send them out for a major operation without a proper dosage of pain killers. Now, that is real compassion. We do not expect you kafirs to understand the meaning of compassion without reading Quran.
All I was doing here was bringing up a valid point and you start calling me names? I HAD a respect for your religion, but if all it teaches is derogatory name calling then you know what you can all pack on suicide vests and blow yourself and all your little muslim ditich pig friends.....yes you read that right PIGS to hades.
Its fact that all terrorist activities and looting of Banks by terrorists are carried out when they are overdrunk.
وردنا خبرا مؤكدا مفاده ما يلي :
المجرم واثق البطاط يتواجد حاليا في مدينة الشعله – في بيت يقع في نهاية شارع (60) بداية منطقة الدوانم مع مجموعه من المجرمين من المليشيات التابعه لفيلق القدس الايراني وينطلق من مدينة الشعله لتنفيذ عمليات الاغتيال في مناطق الغزاليه والسيديه والعامريه وبدعم لوجستي من مكتب القائد العام للقوات المسلحه
تعليقنا //
اين مذكرة القاء القبض بحق هذا الارهابي يا مالكي وهو لايبعد عن مقرك في المنطقه الخضراء اكثر من 15 كيلومتر ومليشياتك وجيشك الاجرامي يحاصر احياء الاعظميه والعامريه والسيديه لكي يتحرك هذا المجرم وعصابات فيلق القدس لقتل الابرياء وتصفية المطالبين بحقوقهم المشروعه many are in iraq those shiia evil helping hizboallah and iran to kill more people by order of iraqi evil prime minester nori al haleki
Read the article it does not talk about pakistani suicide bombers but suicide bombers from around the world that are hired by indians/RAW to destabilize Pakistan.
This propaganda bull crap against Pakistan by these indian Americans has reached its toll. These people Ameridcans are thankless we have sacrificed around 40000 lives for this american war on terror and instead of praising us they malign us. Brown colored Indians from hindustan are to blame who are involved at sabre rattling and war mongering. Its time that we should get out of this war for good!!!!
Its a fact that india is involved in destabilizing Pakistan. Indian intelligence agency Raw pays these terrorists a huge amount of money to kill Pakistani's in balochistan, peshawar & fata. Its high time we deal with the indians and even America if it interferes.
Satan created 3 abominations to stir up enmity amongst people:
1. Alcohol
2.Gambling
3. Indian/American journalists of CNN
Satan also created
DEOBANDIS
NAJDIES
AL-QAEDA
Though the analysis,up to certain extents is pertinent,yet some other important factors being the underlying reason and dogmas have produced such type of terrorists,suicide bomber and IED planting factions within the Muslim states particularly in Pakistan.Actually,super power capitalizing upon the differences existing amongst various sections of Islam has pushed her agenda to eliminate SHIA ,whom US is deadly convinced of supporting Iranian Agenda against USA.This is thoroughly misconception and not based upon reality.Actually,shias are more inclined towards West and their free thinking.It should also be cleared to all the west think tanks that TERRORISM in Islam crept just after the death of Holy Profit(peace-be upon him),since selection of Caliphs(first 3 ) was not made by engaging public mandate rather they themselves form theirs own coterie and got them placed in important seats of Caliphate. No one will find any aggression,loot and oppression before this Caliphate,during the period of SADAR-E-ISLAM(peace be upon him),in the history of ISLAM.
Furthermore,with the changing scenario of politics in India HANFI muslims established DEOBANDI SCHOOL.All peoples indulging in terrorist activities are either followers of Deobandi school or affiliated with SAUDI ARABIA.Saudi Arabia has been supporting LeJ,LeT,and all those who infiltrated into Indian occupied Kashmir for committing terrorist activities.
Al-Qaeda also belong to these groups and utilized them for its terrorist operations carried out else where in world.
I strongly beg world community to eliminate these groups,theirs sponsors,supporting states and all other who provide excuse and reason for theirs terrorist operations across the Pakistan and other parts of world,specially in IRAQ AND INDIA.
The very beginning sentence opened a window into this perverted thinking.
Whether it comes from Mr. Fareed Zakaria’s pen or not, these cherry picked reports being portrayed as sound analysis is a TRU REFLECTION of this COVERT radical supporters goals. I have said this in these columns, as well as in the columns of Time, NYT, and several other for a exposing this dangerous man…..Mr.Fareed Zakaria. Essentially, Mr.Zakaria is following in the footsteps of his late Islamic scholar father Mr. Rafiq Zakaria who preached nothing but hatred against Hindu majority India and the largely Christian West……….ONLY difference Mr. Zakaria does it in a more subtle way portraying himself as a crusader for justice, wrapping himself as someone who is truly concerned about the path America (his adapted home) and India (his country of birth)……..both of which he hates.
Mr. Zakaria’s “unwavering” allegiance remains ONLY to his Muslim Ummah (like all faithfuls) and he will leave no stone unturned to realize those goals.
Thankfully more & more Americans and Indians are seeing through this truly dangerous man’s agenda.
Here are two quotes from the above article which sums up my arguments: (I must admit I did not read the article beyond the second quote!)
“
Whether it is a suicide bombing or an attack by a flying drone, for me it’s the same: a Pakistani got killed.”
“The claim that suicide attacks are always immoral, while Western military actions are always justified, simply could not stand up to scrutiny.”
There were some grammatical errors in my above post......Sorry about that!
Here's the corrected one:
The very beginning sentence opened a window into this perverted thinking.
Whether it comes from Mr. Fareed Zakaria’s pen or not, these cherry picked reports being portrayed as sound analysis in his FZ Columns is a TRUE REFLECTION of this COVERT radical supporter’s goals. I have said this in these columns, as well as in the columns of Time, NYT, WSJ, Washington Post and several other leading media while exposing this dangerous man…..Mr.Fareed Zakaria.
Essentially, Mr.Zakaria is following in the footsteps of his late Islamic scholar father Dr. Rafiq Zakaria who preached nothing but hatred against Hindu majority India and the largely Christian West……….ONLY difference Mr. Zakaria does it in a more subtle way portraying himself as a crusader for justice, and wrapping himself in pretentious patriotic fervor, as someone who is truly concerned about the path America (his adapted homeland) and India (his country of birth) are taking……..both of which he hates.
Mr. Zakaria’s “unwavering” allegiance remains ONLY to his Muslim Ummah (like all faithfuls) and he will leave no stone unturned to realize those goals.
Thankfully more & more Americans and Indians are seeing through this truly dangerous man’s agenda.
Here are two quotes from the above article which sums up my arguments: (I must admit I did not read the article beyond the second quote!).
“Whether it is a suicide bombing or an attack by a flying drone, for me it’s the same: a Pakistani got killed.”
“The claim that suicide attacks are always immoral, while Western military actions are always justified, simply could not stand up to scrutiny.”
The problem is most of the non-Muslim world feel that Muslims are on a path to create an Islamic state/world and repress their religion with force when necessary. By not allowing other religion to be practiced in side their boarders, what other conclusions can be drawn? Look at the restrictions placed on other religions in places like Iran, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. Is this being a good neighbor? Yes other religion has problems but 90 to 100 percent exclusion of other religions by law is not one of them. The Muslim world needs to grow up and become part of the world community.