It is time for all Muslims in the world to rise up against terrorism killing innocents to prove Pope Benedict was wrong in his statement
Anil Sen
Sep. 16, 2006

In recent days there are no doubt that for whatever reason Islam has been perceived to be associated with terrorism. Not all in the world of non-Muslims agree with that notion. What Pope Benedict has said about Islam is controversial at the least, definitely outright non-diplomatic, most probably wrong.

Pope Benedict told Muslims on Saturday he was sorry they had found his speech on Islam offensive, expressing his respect for their faith and hoping they would understand the ''true sense'' of his words.

But his statement creates a challenge for all peace loving Muslims in the world. It is the duty of all peace loving Muslims in every corner of the world to work together to prove that Pope Benedict is wrong in what he said. And that can only be dome through a coordinated demonstration of non-violence and rise against terrorists killing innocent people in the name of insurgency or self-rule.

Mahatma Gandhi, Lord Sri Chaitanya Dev, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela are true examples where violence has been confronted with peace and love.

Around 1500 AD when India was attacked by foreign Muslim powers (Mughals) and in Bengal (now West Bengal of India and Bangladesh) thousands were converted to Islam. Sri Chaitanya Dev, a simple man from Bengal spread love and compassion. As a Hindu preacher he confronted Muslims. He spread love and compassion. Some Muslim local warlords hit his disciple Nityananda hard in the head, Nitynada was bleading bad - but he said at that moment what is a legend in Bengal today. Bleeding Nityananda said, "you have hit me with a broken piece of the ceramic jar but that does not mean I will love you." Those who hit him badly were perplexed. How could a man who is hurt so bad still offer love and compassion to the people of other religion? They all fell for Gaur, Nitai (Sri chaitanya Dev and Natyananda). They finally became devotee of Gaur, Nitai. Today Vaishnava Hindus still practice what Gaur, Nitai showed the world – spreading non-violence, peace and love.

This shows violence can be confronted with love and compassion. Non-violence is more powerful than largest guns and the nukes. The reason is simple. A human being can kill so many times and when he or she realizes that there is no reaction of violence from the other side, they decide to stop, listen and finally come back to sense. Practice of non-violence is not easy. It is spiritual and an ultimate test of one in his or her life.

It is time for Muslims to come together, denounce violence and spread love and affection for all - Muslims and non-Muslims. It is time for all Muslims to prove Pope Benedict was wrong - really wrong. It is a challenge to all Muslims to adapt to non-violence, spread love and compassion.

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