Act according to Islam's teachings

After reading and watching the news about the latest moves by some groups who use the name of Islam, I was left with nothing but pity and disgust. For me, a born Muslim with a strong Islamic background, I (and many other Muslims) find their moves insulting and degrading to Islam.

I am not a scholar nor a sect leader, I am a Muslim. How can one dressed in a traditional prayer costume go on a rampage to destroy property and hurt others? Islam is a religion of peace. Those who act otherwise should spend more time reading and understanding their Koran and read the Hadist (Prophet's sayings) instead of shouting and using Allah's name to damage other people's property and also to hurt and destroy Islam itself.

Especially in the month of Ramadhan, where all Muslims are asked to reflect on themselves and refrain from all emotional temptations, the actions of these people show they are not just failing to perform their duties as Muslims, it also shows that they fail to understand Islam itself.

It is ironic the very same people who strongly protest the assumption of Islam being regarded as a brutal and terrorist religion are the ones who also help create those assumptions. It is even more ironic that this happens in a democratic country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

There are many other ways to express your views, if you are trying to do something noble, then do it the right way. Why not have a sit-down protest or a public prayer at the site? Why not work with the local authorities? Why all the violence? Is that really the best way to solve anything? It is these kind of actions that have caused a religion that has been known for its wisdom, intelligence, peace and love for more than a thousand years, to be thought of by some as a childlike, uncivilized creed.

So here I am now (representing others who share my views on this matter), to plead to those out there getting the wrong perception of our beloved religion to spare a little of their time to reflect on themselves and fight their emotional temptations. If you want to be respected, then you must first respect others. Follow the footsteps of the Prophet if you wish to be a good Muslim -- he didn't use violence in spreading the words of Allah and in teaching Islam, yet he has brought this religion to become one of the largest and respected religions in the world. From your brother in Islam "Peace be upon you".

H. ABDULLAH A.
Jakarta