EDITORIAL: @Islamic condemns the heinous attack on two National Guard members near the White House
@Islamic condemns the horrific attack on two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House Nov. 26.
One week ago, an Afghan immigrant to the U.S., Rahmatullah Lakanwal, ambushed Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, critically injuring both. Tragically, Beckstrom would succumb to her injuries the following day.
U.S. President Donald Trump labeled it a “terrorist attack,” and days later, in an extreme and punitive measure, the State Department announced it would halt all visas and asylum applications for Afghan passport holders – an extreme decision that blames all Afghans for the actions of one individual.
Furthermore, the shooting fueled a wave of American politicians, primarily Republicans, to target an entire religion, Islam, because Lakanwal has a Muslim name.
Shortly after the attack, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) said “We need to ban all Islamic immigrants and deport every single Islamist who is living among us just waiting to attack.”
His colleague, Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL), wrote on X “NBC is reporting the targeting of National Guardsmen was an act of Muslim terror by a non-American Muslim. Dark days ahead.”
The identity of the shooter gave American-Muslims a far too often fear. When over five million American Muslims hear about any shooting taking place, they find themselves hoping “I hope the attacker isn’t Muslim” because it is the complete opposite of what Islam means to them.
As a news outlet run by American-Muslims, @Islamic joins other Muslims nationwide in condemning both the attack simply because it has no place in the religion we cherish, and the Islamophobic rhetoric spewed by these politicians.
Our country’s five million Muslims – and the world’s two billion other followers of Islam – reject violence, believing Islam is a faith rooted in a loving devotion to God, to establish peace between peoples, to support justice and strive for good works.
These are principles constantly mentioned in Islam’s holy book, the Quran, in more than 500 verses.
It strongly condemns the killing of innocent people in Chapter 5 verse 32:
“Whoever unjustly kills a person, it is as if they killed all of mankind, and whoever saves one life, it is as if they saved all of mankind.”
We say with firm belief in Islam that the National Guards members were innocent victims of a heinous attack. They were targeted for serving and protecting their country, something our faith deeply honors.
The Islamic Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized this honor on multiple occasions.
He once told his companions “Whoever is killed protecting his property is a martyr; whoever is killed protecting his life is a martyr; whoever is killed protecting his religion is a martyr; and whoever is killed protecting his family is a martyr.”
Some of the most renowned Islamic scholars in history, such as Imams Yayha al-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar al-Askalani, interpreted this Hadith, or saying of Muhammad, as extending protection to one’s entire community and country, not only to Muslims. It is an interpretation held by virtually all Muslims today.
Moreover, Muhammad also stated that “Love for one’s country is part of faith.”
Therefore, Islam views those who choose to serve their nation, including the National Guard members targeted in last week’s attack, as honorable individuals. This faith, in no way, supports violence against anyone, especially those who dedicate their lives to serve and protect.
We stand in solidarity with the victims’ families and all U.S. service members, labeling the shooting as an attack on every American, and the safety and sanctity of the nation we call home.
We pray for the swift recovery of Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and for comfort and strength for the loved ones of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom.
Lakanwal must face justice for his heinous act, and @Islamic trusts the U.S. justice system to act swiftly and firmly so he is held fully accountable.