"Some people will say that Islam is a religion of peace, but that it is also a religion that is under attack from non-Muslims, or the West, or imperialism, or Zionism, or capitalism. In fact, as Muslims we are told daily through various media that we are under attack by those who fear our strength or our potential. We are then told that these attackers are the reason why we must unite as a global Muslim community and fight back. How we fight back is a question that is left unanswered, and so certain people take the opportunity to define the fight back as one that is personal, violent, and random.
"What should we do? Why does this make us feel uncomfortable? If we are Muslims and our religion is one of peace, then why are there loud voices that have declared that we are at war? And that this war is one that has enemies everywhere and all the time? The lack of clarity is upsetting. If we follow this path, then we will be at war with all people for eternity. This cannot be the correct approach to life in the service of Allah.
"If we are a religion of peace, then surely we should react to perceived threats with an open heart and open hand. Perhaps instead of calling for war by all, in all places and at all times, we should call for trust, care, and generosity by all, in all places and at all times. To my mind, this reaction to a perceived threat would be more consistent with the statement that Islam is a religion of peace. In fact, I believe that if we as Muslims demonstrated grace and patience in the face of imagined, or actual, slights then we are likely to defuse the animosity that others may have toward us.
"If there is animosity toward the idea of Islam or Muslims, then we should remember that there is more than one way of dealing with it. We can individually, and communally, demonstrate through our behavior that we carry no ill will to others. We can engage with Muslims and non-Muslims in the same manner. We demonstrate peace by refusing categorically to consider anger or violence as a response in our interactions with others.
"My dream is to see a deep consistency in our behavior toward ourselves as Muslims as well as toward non-Muslims. For when we say that Islam is a religion of peace, we are making a tremendous statement. The idea of peace is not something that is divisible in my view. Peace is something that should not be offered when it is to our advantage and withdrawn when it is a burden. Peace is a state of being. Peace is a permanent stance toward the world. Peace makes real sense when it is offered as a response to anger, aggression, and violence. This is the peace I see within Islam. When you hear the statement 'Islam is a religion of peace' I want you to grab hold of the responsibility of peace. I want you to see this not as a defensive statement, but as a reminder of a great responsibility that you have toward Allah, toward others, and toward yourself."
