Fort Hood gunman had told US military colleagues that infidels should have their throats cut

.... He also told colleagues at America's top military hospital that non-Muslims were infidels condemned to hell who should be set on fire. The outburst came during an hour-long talk Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, gave on the Koran in front of dozens of other doctors at Walter Reed Army Medical Centre in Washington DC .... Colleagues had expected a discussion on a medical issue but were instead given an extremist interpretation of the Koran, which Hasan appeared to believe. [telegraph.co.uk] Read more

The Tragedy of Nidal Hasan’s Fort Hood Shootings: Media Discipline & Muslim Condemnations .... If we learn conclusively that Maj. Hasan believed he had religious justifications for his actions, our condemnations as Muslims actually reinforce those making that connection instead of refuting it. Muslims and non-Muslims alike have to separate the actions of Muslims from the religion of Islam.

.... Understanding this separation of terms for the religion and the follower -- that is unique to Islam -- would lead to a better strategy like offering condolences to the families who lost loved ones and focusing on the loss of life. [MuslimMatters.org] Read more

Muslims must combat hate speech Last week's tragic incident at Fort Hood has inevitably added to the anxieties felt by US Muslims about how they and their faith are perceived by their fellow citizens. American Muslim organisations are to be commended for their swift action in excoriating the actions of Nidal Malik Hasan and calling for restraint while the authorities properly investigate what factors could have led to the killing spree. [Guardian Cif] Read more