I am writing as a practising Muslim doctor from Jammu and Kashmir. In light of the recent events, a disturbing and harrowing new term has emerged, "white collar terror." This terminology is deeply unsettling and demands our urgent attention and reflection.

To begin with, I, along with all law-abiding Muslims, unequivocally reject terrorism in all its forms. We firmly disassociate ourselves and our faith from any acts of terrorism. Terrorism has no place in any religion, society or state. Any demands, whether logical or illogical, justified or unjustified must be pursued through proper channels, employing peaceful, diplomatic, and constitutional means. I'll try to put forward my point of view in front of my fellow brethren, medical fraternity and peace loving citizens of my country.

We often hear the statement, "Islam is the religion of peace," especially in the wake of such unfortunate incidents. However, a common counter-narrative arises: “Then why are all terrorists Muslims? Why do they wear skull caps, keep beards, or have trousers above the ankles?” My dear fellow citizens, India is a land blessed with a rich spiritual and cultural heritage. Some of the oldest religious scriptures and relics have been traced back to this very land. Even within Islam, we believe that the first human sent to this world was Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), who is also referred to as Manu in Hindu scriptures and he was sent to the Indian subcontinent. As such people from this region are widely recognized for their deep spirituality and respect for religious traditions. We understand the profound significance of honoring religious personalities and following their teachings. In Islam, we believe in the concept of Prophethood i.e; Almighty God sends chosen messengers with divine guidance to different communities, tribes, and nations throughout history. This chain of Prophethood culminated with the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was sent with the final and eternal message of God for humanity. As Muslims, we strive to follow the teachings and lifestyle (Sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in our daily lives and consider this as act of worship. Practices such as wearing a skull cap, keeping a beard, or wearing trousers above the ankles are part of this Sunnah. These are expressions of faith and devotion, embraced by law-abiding, patriotic, and sincere Muslims. To associate these religious practices with terrorism is to fall prey to a divisive propaganda aimed at alienating a specific community from the nation. It creates a false impression that practicing Muslims cannot be loyal citizens. This is fuelled by some islamophobic media outlets for their vested interests. Just as individuals from other religions may commit wrongful acts, we do not blame their entire faith or community. Wrongdoings are the actions of individuals, not the teachings of their religion or the character of the entire community. Let us remember that peace, respect, and unity are the true foundations of our diverse society. It is only through understanding and rejecting stereotypes that we can build a harmonious and inclusive nation.

The medical profession stands as the noblest of all vocations. Doctors are revered as the saviors of life, entrusted with the profound responsibility of healing and caring for humanity. Medical ethics, which form the foundation of this profession, teach us to transcend all boundaries like religion, caste, color, or creed. Anyone who, despite being part of this sacred profession, contemplates causing harm to another has fundamentally misunderstood the true essence of medical ethics and the calling of medicine. We endure decades of rigorous study, relentless hard work, and countless sleepless nights, all to earn the title of "doctor." It is a title we wear with immense pride, for it signifies our commitment to being guardians of life and well-being. Our profession instills in us the importance of always carrying an identity card, a symbol of our readiness to provide first aid and emergency care whenever the need arises. This preparedness reflects the very reason we chose this path i.e; to save lives and alleviate suffering. It is deeply unfortunate when individuals associated with this noble profession engage in unlawful activities. Such actions cast a shadow over all of us, making it challenging to uphold our principles and to firmly call out those who commit wrongdoings. As Muslims, we unequivocally reject any and all forms of terrorism. Both the Holy Quran and the constitution of our country clearly condemn such acts as unlawful and unjustifiable. How can the killing of an innocent person ever be justified? It is a grave injustice that no faith or law can endorse. Moreover, it is contradictory and deeply troubling when someone condemns the killing of innocent Palestinians yet plans harm against innocent people within their own country. Islam stands firmly against such hypocrisy and violence. Our faith and our profession teaches us to value every human life and to promote peace and justice everywhere.

Allah says in the Holy Quran, "whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had killed all of mankind. And whoever saves one (life), it is as if he had saved all of mankind." (Quran, 5:32)

At the same time, invoking our religion to polarize society is completely unjustifiable. We, as Muslims, unequivocally condemn such activities and reject any attempts to collectively blame our entire community for the actions of a few individuals involved in conspiracies. Just as not all Hindus wish to be associated with groups like ABNES, GNLA or ATTF, and Sikhs do not want to be linked with pro-Khalistani factions, nor do Christians want to be grouped with NLFT, we too must recognize that every community has its black sheep. As responsible citizens, it is our duty to identify these individuals and bring them to justice, rather than allowing such actions to divide our communities and weaken the bonds that unite us.

As Muslims, we must unequivocally and openly condemn any acts of terrorism, just as we did in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack. It is essential that we stand firm as unapologetic Muslims, responsible citizens and compassionate human beings committed to peace and harmony.

To my fellow non-Muslim citizens, I urge you not to generalize or stereotype all Muslims based on the actions of a few, just as we do not judge entire communities by isolated individuals. Every community has its share of good and bad people. We, as Muslims, see ourselves as integral members of society, proud citizens of the world’s largest democracy, and children of the same homeland. Let us not fall victim to the divisive narratives propagated by the Islamophobic industry. Media outlets often chase ratings, and politicians focus on elections, but we must look beyond these distractions. Together, let us focus on the greater vision, the glorious nation we all belong to, and work towards unity, mutual respect, and shared progress.

To the medical fraternity, of which I am proud to be a part, we have always lived and worked together like a close-knit family. Throughout my journey, I have learned some of the most valuable lessons in both medicine and life from my non-Muslim teachers, lessons for which I will remain forever grateful. Every Teacher’s Day, without fail, I reach out to my mentors to express my heartfelt thanks for their guidance and support, which have been instrumental in all that I have achieved. I am confident that many of you share these same sentiments. In our profession, we rise above the boundaries of religion, region, and background. Our shared commitment to healing and learning unites us. I am hopeful that we will continue to uphold these principles, fostering an environment of mutual respect and collaboration, and advancing healthcare education and services with the same dedication and spirit. Together, let us continue to inspire, teach, and learn for the betterment of healthcare and the well-being of all.

(Dr Yasir Aaffaaq is a practising General & Laparoscopic Surgeon, a dedicated student of the Quran, an established public speaker and the author of six books and multiple articles. He also serves as the Chairman of Al-Sahwah Public Charitable Trust.) 

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