Islam does not permit nor does it show any kind of tolerance to terrorism. Even in the literal definition of the word 'Islam' we find connotations of peace. Literally, the word 'Islam' means submission or surrender and the word 'Muslim' means one who has surrendered. The word 'Islam' also comes from the root word 'seleme', which means peace. Thus, in the religious context, a Muslim is defined as a person who has surrendered himself or herself to God in deep faith and as a result found peace within and with his or her social and natural environment.

By being a Muslim a person synchronises with the perfect order seen in the universe for, according to Qur'an, every entity within it has submitted itself to the Will of God by following Divine laws laid down in nature and the universe (3:83). For example, the Earth always follows the same route set for it by God. In a sense, it has submitted itself to God. Consider how bees always make honey and spiders always spin their webs. We could say that both the bee and the spider have also submitted themselves to God by living according to their predetermined dispositions. So, it would be fair to say that the earth is Muslim or the bee is Muslim. In fact, anybody who has submitted himself or herself to God can be considered to be a Muslim.

On the other hand, a 'terrorist' is defined as someone who generates terror in people, causes disorder and triggers chaos in society. The words 'Muslim' and 'terrorist' have diametrically opposite meanings. Hence, a true Muslim cannot be a terrorist nor a terrorist can be a Muslim. The words 'Muslim' and 'terrorist' cannot be used together in the same phrase. It is extremely offensive to innocent Muslims when these two words are used together.

Unfortunately, the media often uses the expression 'Muslim terrorist' quite often, compounding the misunderstanding and the false imagery people already associate with Islam and Muslims through centuries of misinformation. When the the phrase 'Muslim terrorist' is used in conjuction with a terrorist attack, more than a billion Muslim people are placed under suspicion. All of a sudden a Muslim in Australia finds herself in a position to explain herself, when a crime is done at the other end of the globe by someone she does not even know. A proven terrorist may be a person of Muslim background. He should just be called a terrorist. We never hear about "Christian terrorists" in Ireland or "Jewish terrorists" in Palestine. A terrorist is a terrorist. Terrorism does not have a religion.

Like millions of other Muslims, I understand Islam to be a peaceful and compassionate religion. Muslims start any basic task by saying bismillah-ir rahman-ir rahim ("in the name of God Most-Compassionate Most-Merciful"). The primary source of Islam, the Qur'an, gives a message of peace in that Islam was sent as a mercy to humanity (Qur'an 10:57), not as a menace. The Qur'an asks people not to make mischief on earth (Quran 29:36)." O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you", says the Qur'an (49:13).

Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad also said, "the Muslim is the one whom others are sure no harm will come from his hands and words." He warned Muslims not to harm non-Muslims in a clear warning: "Whoever harms a dhimmi (a non-Muslim citizen), I am his foe. Whoever is my foe, I shall deal with him on the Day of Judgement."^[24] Clearly it is very difficult to reconcile acts of terrorism and killing of civilians with the teachings of Islam.

[24] An-Nabhani 3:144; Acluni 2:218; New Hope Journal, Jan-Mar Issue 2004 p 21.