Today is November 5th, Guy Fawkes Night. It marks the day when a plot to attack Parliament and overthrow the British government was foiled. Four centuries later, the night is known less for high treason and more for high spirits. Perhaps in four hundred years, we Americans will feel a little less shocked and betrayed than we do tonight.
Nidal Malik Hassan may have had motivations that extended beyond his own life and troubles; the coming days may reveal that the impetus for this attack was personal. Whether he sought a fantastical paradise or simply the end of his own troubles cannot be known as of yet. What is known is that he paid for such base treachery with his life. He got off easy.
Pray for the families of his victims. Pray for his family, for this is a mother's worst nightmare- for her son to have become a monster. Pray that this brings people together instead of dividing them. Pray for the Muslims that serve in our armed forces, for they may face unwarranted suspicion and scrutiny. I'd ask you to pray that this is the last time we are so shocked and saddened, but that would be a bit much, I think. Of all the British imports to covet, a November 5th treason was not among them.
edit: as of the time of the initial post, Hassan was reported dead. Apparently, he survived the shooting, and is in custody.
England could have kept this one.
By Fashion Mujahid - Posted on November 5th, 2009
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You are right the victims should be remembered first. May Allah Grant them Paradise. And have mercy on us all. This man Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan went berzerk and masscred innocent people today and because he was Muslim there is going to be an outpouring of examination of the Muslim or Islamic psyche. Is Islam a religion of peace, really? Can it be saved? Are Muslims more prone to violence? Are Muslim men just aggressive and out of control? Why do these things happen, like the man who ran his daughter over with his car and killed her. We keep getting information from the Universe that says "open your eyes" but we are not doing so because so many people believe to be truly Muslim is to be quiet and not question the culture and the religion that possibly leads people to make bad choices. I am in a quandry and I am very sad for Islam. I know this man was an individual, and like all people he had his problems, clearly bad ones. But somehow when I see this type of behavior I know somehow the system failed, and failed miserably. It failed him and it failed is victims. May Allah have mercy on us all.
This guy is a coward and a traitor to Islam and to Muslims. What he did will do absolutely no good for the global cause of Islam or Muslim political interests. On the contrary, his acts do incalculable harm to those interests and to the safety and wellbeing of Muslims everywhere. And he didn't even stick around to help his community take the fallout for his actions. This insane tragedy is monstrous for the victims and their families. But the damage and problems this kind of act bring to the Muslim community is arguably of equal import given the number of additional lives that will undoutedly be lost through escalating global tensions.