This AP article opens with
As word spread that a gunman had opened fire at Fort Hood leaving a trail of carnage, a chilling realization swept across the U.S. Muslim community: He has an Islamic name.
If the U.S. Muslim community believes this, then it is mistaken. The issue is not that Hasan has an Arabic name. I’m not sure what an “Islamic” name is, and how to tell the difference between an Islamic name and an Arabic one. Anyway I know many fine people with Arabic names, many of whom attend our church.
What should chill the U.S. Muslim community is that he went on his murderous rampage shouting “Allahu Akhbar!” that is, God is great. He committed atrocities in the name of God. He invoked his religion to justify murder. That should concern the Muslim community far more than a mere name.
“This is no way a reflection of Islam any more than Timothy McVeigh’s actions are a reflection of Christianity,” -Rep. Andre Carson
The analogy fails because Timothy McVeigh did not commit his terrorism in the name of God. He may have committed murder for various other reasons (he hated the government, his fellow Americans, etc.) but he did not purport to act in the name of God. Rep. Carson unfortunately misses this distinction entirely, which is all the more concerning because according to the article he is one of two Muslims currently serving in Congress.
