What is this — profiling? Who said this, anyway? Daniel Pipes? Franklin Graham? Me?
No, it was the Governor of Riyadh, Prince Salman. But of course, when the Prince says, “How can anyone claiming they serve Islam kill the innocent? These are acts of outlaws and should not be associated with Islam, even if those who claim responsibility for them are Muslims,” he encounters a serious difficulty. Those who perpetrate these acts don’t just happen to be Muslims; they also make the claim, repeatedly and thoroughly, that their actions are Islamic. They invoke justifications from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Innocence is in the eye of the beholder, and Islam provides ample foundation for violence against those who for one reason or another are not considered innocent. Until Prince Salman and others like him face this, such violence has no chance of ceasing.
From “Acts of Some Muslims Have Harmed Islam” in Arab News, with thanks to Doc Washburn:
RIYADH, 1 January 2005 — Riyadh Governor Prince Salman said terrorist acts committed by some Muslims have greatly damaged the image of Islam that does not condone aggression.
“It is unfortunate that because of these despicable crimes, every Muslim now is a suspect. How can anyone claiming they serve Islam kill the innocent? These are acts of outlaws and should not be associated with Islam, even if those who claim responsibility for them are Muslims,” Prince Salman said.