... and we're still need to point out that "black lives matter",
... and we're still witnessing the detention of 41 Muslim men without due process, formal charge or proper defense under the most severe conditions in Guantanamo, facing inhumane and cruel treatment,
... and again, people are banned from freedom of movement and equal rights only for the reason of following another religion,
... and people are still starving to death because of malnutrition, whilst wealth is accumulated in the hands of a few,
... but still we're unable to outlaw torture and slavery,
... and Palestinians are still struggling for their basic right to live peacefully on the land of their own, to prevent their homes from being demolished, their loved-ones from being taken away arbitrarily,
... and thousands of people drain in the waters of the Mediterranean in quest for a life in dignity,
... but unjust wars are still waged and land is still occupied,
... and still crimes against humanity go unpunished...

The list could go on. The human race may at its peak in terms of technical progress and scientific knowledge.
But it has reached yet another low when it comes to humanity.

Whilst politicians in France and most of Europe seem to excel themselves mutually in their militaristic rhetoric, major news outlets succumb to the blame-game. Although the attackers alledgedly entered Europe disguised as refugees and held syrian passports, which had been detected at the crime scene, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls proposes the denaturalisation of binationals who "trample on the soul of France". The Topic of stripping binationals off their French citizenship does frequently arise in the French political discourse and is not only reserved to the far-right Front National.

The French Online-Newspaper "Le Figaro", which is the second-largest national newspaper in France and considered center-wing, has launched an online survey asking its readers:
"Do you approve the denaturalization of binationals?"

Here is how more than 50.000 People voted:

source: lefigaro.fr

There is almost unequivocal approval for declaring the loss of citizenship for binationals involved in terror. However there are strict requirements for the denaturalization of nationals. This measure has been applied 8 times since the year 2000 against terror suspects and may be justified in extreme cases.

But, this is a matter of law and should not fall prey to popular vote. It is highly unusual and a populist move to ask an instigated public: "Should we declare binationals non-citizens?". This supports the climate of hatred and general suspicion against binationals and corners a huge part of the French population.

It is wrong to fight for your values while compromising them at the same time. The French Constitution is clear in its Article 1. According to its Constitution, the Republic of France "shall ensure the equality of all citizens before the law, without distinction of origin, race or religion. It shall respect all beliefs."
If these are the values, President Holland has declared to fight for abroad, why give them up at home?

I first and foremost extend my condolences to the families and relatives of the innocent victims of the recent attacks in Paris. These losses are painful.
 
I also want to remind us that our empathy should not depend on where the attacks occur and on who the victims are. The deaths of 42 people, who were massacred during the recent bombardment of a hospital in Kunduz (Afghansitan) by the US-army on October 3rd, the 102 civilians who were killed by a terror attack at a train station in Ankara (Turkey) on the 10th October, the 50 civilians killed in a terror attack in the city of Beirut (Lebanon) on the 12th of November or the daily victims of occupied Palestine, the uncountable victims slaughtered in the Middle East – all these heinous attacks are no less despicable than what happened in Paris.
 
Being a Muslim in times of terror

Allah tells us in the Quran: “And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits,…”
Trials, tribulations and losses are a sad reality in this lowly, wordly life. The question is, how we deal with them.
 
The latest attacks leave us in shock and awe. Muslims are left speechless. For overnight, all Muslims are regarded with suspicion, confronted with accusations of all kind and fear that what has been general aversion for a long time, might soon turn into violent hatred. Muslims do not feel secure these days. They are considered as perpetrators despite being victims themselves. Innocent people were massacred in Paris, people from all religions and different origins are among the victims. It is our society, as well. We are not bystanders. This attack is also, if not even especially directed at us Muslims, who peacefully work, live and love in these “western” societies. We are in fact part of these societies. Any attack against the peaceful communities in the West, is an attack against the Muslims living in them.
 
Still, we Muslims are expected to distance ourselves from the attackers as if we were close to them. As Muslims, we despise terror attacks in Europe just as we reject drone strikes in Pakistan or in Yemen, military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan or the bombardment of Libya. All these violent attacks have one thing in common: They claim innocent civilian lives for political or economic aims.
 
The rules of war

Yet, Muslims are quickly put down as a scapegoat. We know that Islam does not advocate blind violence. No book has stronger words to condemn terrorism, than the Quran in Sura 5 ayat 32. And no religion was more respected for the rules of warfare than Islam. Apart from the fact, that no individual is capable of declaring war against a nation, there is no justification for terror in Islam. No terror group can legally declare a war against another nation. Even if it does, there are certain rules.
The Islamic ius bellum is in no way behind today’s Geneva Conventions. The first Caliph, Umar (r.a.) gave his people ten rules for their guidance in the battlefield:
 
“Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy’s flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone.”

Even the enemy’s flock, trees and fruits are considered sacrosanct. Untouchable are the civilian population and their sanctuaries. How can these high moral standards be compatible with the terror we witness today? How can anybody even justify these actions with Islam? This is what leaves a Muslim speechless.  

Let's face the challenge 

It is too simple to blame 1.5 billion Muslims and the deen of Islam, by drawing conclusions from a lost Syrian passport and the shouting of a parole. And yet it is also too simple, to lean back as Muslims and turn a blind eye to the allegations, because we know the truth .
 
Our purpose in this world is to spread peace. Allah tells us in Sura Al Mulk (67:2), that He created death and life “to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed”. Let us take this challenge seriously. Let us be role models for this world, not scapegoats. This means that we have speak out against injustice, if we are not able to actively eliminate it. 
 
These are tough times for Muslims. We need to reflect on our own communities. We need to reflect on the examples we set, on the impressions we leave. We need to revive the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (s.), who was commanded to “Call to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and dispute with them in the best way.” (Qur'an, 16:125). We are in lack of this wisdom today. Following the Prophet means to “dispute in the best way”, to be gentle and kind, to remind and to forgive.    

The remedy

This article began with a verse from the Quran, where Allah tells us that we shall be tested in this life. But Allah does not leave us without a remedy.
 
“… but give glad tidings to As-Saabiroon (the patient). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly, to Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.’ They are those on whom are the Salawaat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones”  (Al Baqarah, 2: 155-157)
  
Allah tells us to have sabr (patience), for only the patient will overcome the difficulties. Let us fulfill our duties, be patient and put our trust in Allah. We need to constantly remind our fellow citizens of this beautiful message of Islam, not only when we are confronted with another fatal attack and fear prejudice and hatred. For Islam is perfect, but we Muslims are not.