Don't judge Islam by the acts of a few
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I read with interest
the letter , 'Hong Kong welcomes Muslims, but let's safeguard against extremism' (April 30). While I appreciate the recognition of Hong Kong's efforts to be more inclusive, I am concerned by the letter's unsubstantiated association of extremism with Islam.
Islam is fundamentally a religion of peace and shouldn't be equated with extremism or terrorism. When a few misguided individuals commit wrongful acts, it is unfair and hurtful to hold the entire faith responsible. It would be like blaming all Hongkongers for the city's occasional flashes of impatience or bluntness – traits often misunderstood and not representative of the whole community.
Just as Hong Kong is diverse and cannot be judged from a few negative encounters, Islam should not be judged by the actions of a few. Every community has its imperfections, but the true measure of a belief system lies in its foundational teachings. Islam's principles promote compassion, justice and harmony. It is the actions of individuals, not the faith itself, that sometimes fall short.
In Islam, taking an innocent life is the gravest sin. Violence contradicts the faith's core message of mercy and peace. The religion strictly forbids terrorism and harming innocent people on any pretext.
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Extremists distort religious texts by taking them out of context and twisting concepts like jihad (holy war) to justify violence. Such misinterpretations are rejected by scholars who stress that no genuine believer can condone violence. The path of countering extremism lies in education and promoting a holistic understanding of Islam – one that nurtures tolerance, respect for others and peaceful coexistence.
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