A trip down memory lane, full of myths and cliches about “twisted interpretations of islam” and "shared common values" ...
The Hon. Alexander Downer, MP
FORMER MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AUSTRALIA
Speech to The Sydney Institute
Terrorism: Winning the Battle of Ideas
1 November, Sydney
Al Qaeda and its fellow extremists pursue goals that are political in nature, but they use extreme and twisted interpretations of Islam to justify their actions. Mukhlas, one of the Bali bombers, says - and I quote - "according to Sharia law Almighty God commands the faithful to become terrorists".[2] Thus, for the terrorists, violence becomes a justifiable end in itself.More of the "tragic distortion of islam" and other myths at Foreign Minister
This is a tragic distortion of Islam, and one that is rejected by mainstream Muslims and religious leaders everywhere. But this is sometimes a sensitive debate for non-Muslims to enter into. Our repudiation of violent extremism can be misinterpreted as an attack on Islam itself, or indeed on all Muslims. This is simply not true, of course, but it is a myth the extremists like to perpetuate as it suits their desire to stoke conflict and resentment.
According to "allah" in Sura 8:12, Mukhlas would appear to be a ridgey-didge follower, not an extremist following some mythical "twisted interpretation":
When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
The source (allah) is twisted, of course, and God will deal with allah in time.
