Are Muslims fundamentalists?

It is funny how the media labelled us Muslims. When the label 'terrorism' doesn't work, the word 'fundamentalists' is used instead.

Based on current issues, there are a number of misconceptions that is compressed into "labels" by the Western media. There are three main labels that are thrown towards us Muslims:

1) Terrorism
2) Fundamentalism
3) Extremism

TERRORISM

I have answered the issue on "Terrorism" in my last post "Does Islam promote violence?". But I have to say, the word terrorists is not as bad as it looks. Consider this analogy:

A terrorist refers to a person who causes terror. If for example a robber sees a policeman, typically the robber will be terrified. Does this means that the policeman is a terrorists?

So, similarly, every Muslim should be a terrorist too. But only to the antisocial elements in the society who oppose on us Muslims. Antisocial elements are those who, whenever they saw a Muslim, they are terrified. But a true Muslim will not cause terror to the common innocent people. As I have already mentioned in my last post on "Does Islam promote violence?", Islam promotes unity, thus Muslims should be a source of peace for innocent people.

**Besides, why are Muslims labelled as terrorists in the first place? Just because wars happen in Muslim countries? Think about it, they are the victims of political propaganda and media expoitation. During these wars, they lack of food, water and shelter. So, how can they even afford to have bombs and snipers? But wait a minute, I thought there are Western soldiers that always lingers around in these war sites right? I don't remember them holding flowers and candies. Oh yeah, those black n long thingy are guns right? But, what are they doing in these places anyway? And why are the Muslim children such as in Palestin, Iraq, etc are so terrified by these Western soldiers? Could it be that these Western soldiers are the terrorists, instead of the other way around?

FUNDAMENTALISM

This 'label' are often hurled during any discussion on religion or world affairs. Surely, such misinformation often leads to discrimination and acts of violence against Islam.

1) Definition of the word 'fundamentalists'

---A fundamentalists is a person who follows the principles of a certain doctrine or theory.

For example, for a person to be a good doctor, he should know, understand, follow and practice the 'fundamentals' in the field on medicine.

2) It is wrong to label 'fundamentalists' to be the same.

It is wrong to blindly categorize fundamentalists as right or wrong. One should base their judgement on a clear basis. The categorization of fundamentals depend upon the field of activity he is in.

For example, a robber who practices the principles of robbery, will definitely cause harm to the society. On the other hand, a doctor who follows the fundamentals of medicine, benefits the society and earns respect from other people.

2) (i) Dictionary meaning of 'fundamentalists':

According to Webster's dictionary, fundamentalists refers to a movement in American Protestanism that occurs in the earlier 20th century. It stressed on the infallibility of the Bible, in matters of faith and moral and emphasizes that the Bible is the literal word of God.
Thus initially, fundamentalism was a word used for a group of Christians who believed that the Bible was a verbatim word of God without an errors and mistakes.

***Let us look at Muslim fundamentalists

According to the Oxford dictionary, 'fundamentalism' means strict maintenance of ancient fundamentals doctrines of any religion, especially Islam.

***Think about it, are both of these fundamentals considered the same? Judge it on the basis of its "field of activity". For the Christians fundamentalists, they are doing a protest movement. Does protests ever beneficial to humanity? Compare it with the Muslim fundamentalists that is about the maintenance of Islam fundamentals. Maintenance is usually beneficial right? So how can we label 'fundamentalists' to be the same?

3) Muslims as fundamentalists

Muslims are labelled harshly as "too extreme and highly dependant on the 'rituals' of Islam". When I read this (in an article of an Islam critic, which I will not mention), I raised my eyebrow and said:

"Why not? I am proud to be a fundamentalist of Islam."

I am a Muslim who knows, understand and practice the fundamentals of Islam. As a fundamentalist Muslim, I know, the 'field of activity' of Islam are beneficial to humanity and the whole world. I also know that there is not a single fundamental of Islam that causes harm or is against the interest of human beings as a whole.

So, why should I shy away from being a fundamentalists of Islam? Just because you stereotypes are disturbed by this and does not have fundamentals of your own?

4) In a nutshell

Thus, it is important that before you judge a person, give a fair hearing. Listen to both sides of the argument. Next, analyse the argument and reason the intention of the argument. By then, only you can jugde a person accordingly.

No labelling, stereotyping, double-standards or even prejudicial language should occur in any context of analyzing an issue. Islam fundamentals does not teach this. Yet, Islam promotes peace and unity. We, as Muslims are proud to be fundamentals of Islam.