Terrorism is currently perceived worldwide to bear the imprimatur of the religion of Islam; but branding an entire religious community as murderers for the actions of a minimal percentage of maniacal, bestial,

merciless killers is no less barbaric and inhumane, because the psycho-social impacts endure in many deleterious and devastating ways.
 
In the wake of the horrific carnage of 9/11, the casualties extended beyond the immediate victims and included, along with the friends and loved ones of those who died, and those who suffered incalculable financial losses, thousands of normal men and women who bore the same racial characteristics as the perpetrators who planned and executed those fiendish actions.
 
The ironic phenomenon is that many of the victims of those who slay in the name of Islam are devout Moslems, among whom is numbered our own Nezam Hafiz, cricketing star and only son of loving parents.
 
Nezam was 32 years old, a decent, hard-working young man, who was striving to attain goals, and setting laudable examples for his peers and the younger generation to emulate, when the planes crashed into the twin towers and obliterated him from the face of the earth, and from the world of his devastated parents and all those who loved this exemplary young man.
 
There are many Nezams who have suffered the ultimate consequences of actions of those who have diverted from the real teachings of the Koran, which says that: “Allah is beneficent and merciful.”
 
Even worse off than those Moslems who die at the hands of terrorists are the Moslems who become the targets of the suspicion and distrust of their communities, and even in the wider society.
 
To be adjudged culpable for the murderous actions of others is psychologically and emotionally crippling, to an extent where innocent persons become so overwhelmed with undeserved feelings of guilt and shame that they secrete themselves in their homes and abdicate their basic human rights.
 
One can only imagine the state of mind of patriotic Indian Moslems during and after the latest attacks in Mumbai, most of whom would protect their country and their countrymen and women with their lives.  And that is the supreme tragedy, because the greatest casualty of terror is the distrust engendered by the actions of the terrorists, who are nobody’s friend.
 
Guyanese Moslems identify with Indians, because many of our foreparents originated from India, so there are embryonic linkages that transcend oceans and continents.
When India suffered terrorist attacks, Acting President of the CIOG, Mr. Sultan Rahaman, said:  “We condemn these cowardly attacks and ……offer sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed or injured in these senseless and inexcusable acts of violence against innocent civilians.
 
“Guyanese Moslems stand with our fellow citizens of all faiths in repudiating acts of terror wherever they take place and whosoever they target.”
 
Other Moslem organisations in Guyana had also condemned the attacks.  The Moslem Youth League of Guyana, The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman  and the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex made a joint statement to the effect that it had joined other Moslem organisations throughout the world in condemning, without reservation, the senseless attacks and killings carried out by extremists under the banner of Islam.
 
“We echo the voices of all Moslems in condemning suicide bombings and all terrorist acts.  Such acts have no place in Islam and must be condemned by all Moslems.  Islam rejects and condemns every form of terrorism.
 
“These criminals are traitors to Islam and humanity.  They have brought shame and disgrace to Islam.”
 
But no action can bring shame or disgrace to any religion, or to those who practise any religion.  Individual actions should be laid on the shoulders of the perpetrators and their supporters, not on the truly devout Moslems who give Zakaat and endeavour with their every action to walk the path of the righteous.
 
The innocents must not be crucified for the actions of the guilty.