Editor,
I would first like to offer my deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones at the recent Fort Hood shooting. Whenever innocent people are killed in cold blood it is a lamentable thing.
Now, while we do not yet know exactly what caused Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan’s actions, one thing should be made absolutely clear: This was an individual who acted alone, and Islam had nothing to do with it — period. I feel that this point must be made absolutely clear because the corporate media are already trying to turn this tragedy into a systematic demonization of a faith that numbers about 1.6 billion people. Islam is being dragged into the gutter over this tragedy and it is both uncalled for and despicable. If we wish to honor the memory of those who are gone, then we would be wise to use this tragedy as a moment where we all attempt to love and understand one another. As the saying unfortunately goes, “In war, the first casualty is the truth.”
Mujahir Salam
UNM student
