Terrorism is a common enemy...

Having travelled far and read pretty extensively, I can confirm that there's no country that hates religious division more than the Gambia, but that's because division breeds nothing but confusion, and maybe that's something we can share with the world. Here, we appreciate each other's values and even share festive moments, and this is why some of us go to non-Muslim parties and be catered for. You'll be told which food is halal and which one is haram, so you only take what you're comfortable with.

Granted, there are amongst us a few that extol contrariness as a virtue; but generally, the way we see it, people don't necessarily have to be friends with each other; we don't have to shove our ideas down each other's throat, but we can all be friendly to one another. It doesn't hurt, and so far, it has taken us far. In a humane way that is.

Okay, now to the point. Muslims were warned not to fight against those who aren't fighting against them, but they're also encouraged to strive to prevent oppression, aggression and tyranny. So you tell me, how different is that with today's so called "war on terror?" Can't people see, Islam started war on terror some 1400 years ago.

However, in places unlike the Gambia, there are some who will ignore context and accuse the Quran for authorising the killing of all Jews and Christians. But anyone can do that. I can for instance, and with the intention to paint Christianity cruel, perversely quote Luke 19:27: "But those my enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring here, and slay them before me." But I won't do that, because I know better, that it isn't the right thing to do.

Few years ago, news agencies busted and exposed a lot of kinky priests, but decent people didn't slander all Christians because of the act of those few. Today, Netanyahu is butchering innocent Palestinians, but that doesn't make every Jew murderous. So why would supposed acts of Jihadi John or Caliph Ibrahim be a standard by which 1.6 Billion Muslims are judged?

Look at the show of solidarity that Muslims are doing for France right now. Do you think bad people will do that? I am more than sure that if we as true Muslims can do something to stop these armed lunatics, we will, but the truth is we can't. Obama has a bigger budget, but can he? So I guess the sooner we realise that we're dealing with a common enemy, the better for humanity.