In the rush not to offend Islamic countries is our leadership avoiding a most important aspect of the enemy that attacked our homeland?

Over and over again our leaders tell us that our war on terrorism is not a war against a particular nation or religion. The focus is on the “terrorists.” The terrorists are then painted as thugs with a desire for destruction and mayhem as their only motivation.

Make no mistake. Our war may not be against a certain country or religion, but to those who attacked us their war is a religious one.

In The Muslim's Belief, from the Islamic Studies Series #2, published by the World Assembly of Muslim Youth, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Page 22 has the following:

"It is our opinion that whoever claims the acceptability of any existing religion today--other than Islam--such as Judaism, Christianity and so forth, is a non-believer. He should be asked to repent, if he does not, he must be killed as an apostate because he is rejecting the Qur'an."

This type of teaching is out there for anyone to see, but no one wants to accept it. Granted this is a very stringent interpretation of the teachings of the Qur’an, but it is not an unacceptable interpretation. The teachings of Muhammad clearly state that in a Jihad the above is to be followed (Qur’an, chapter 9).

The contention then becomes what necessitates a Jihad. More moderate Muslims will say that a Jihad can only be enacted when Muslim controlled territory is attacked. The “fundamentalist” Muslims maintain that a Jihad can be proclaimed against any people or nation that “want[s] to extinguish Allâh's Light (his teachings) with their mouths.” In other words, any people who would teach any religion other than Islam.

It is obviously the hope of bin Ladin that the current conflict with the United States will win sympathy from other Muslim countries. He frames the hostilities in religious terms drawing upon centuries old conflicts. Read his recent release to the media of Pakistan:

"To our Muslim brothers in Pakistan, peace be upon you.

"The news of the death of our brother Muslims in Karachi while expressing their opposition to the crusade of American forces and their allies on Muslim lands Pakistan and Afghanistan has reached us with great sorrow.

"We ask God to accept them as martyrs and to join them with the prophets, the caliphs and the martyrs and those of goodwill and to provide for their families. Those who are left behind children are my children and I will, God willing, take care of them.

"It's not a surprise that the Muslim nation in Pakistan will die defending Islam. It is considered on the front line of defending Islam. As Afghanistan was on the front line of defending itself and Pakistan during the Russian invasion more than 20 years ago.
"We hope that these brothers will be the first martyrs in the battle of Islam in this era against the new Jewish and Christian crusader campaign that is led by the Chief Crusader Bush under the banner of the cross.

"We tell our Muslim brothers in Pakistan to use all their means to resist the invasion of the American crusader forces in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"I convey to you good news my beloved brothers that we are steadfast in the way of jihad following in the footsteps of the prophet -- peace be upon him -- with the believing heroes, the people of Afghanistan and under the leadership of our prince the warrior Mullah Mohammed Omar.

"We ask God to make us defeat the infidels and the oppressors and to crush the new Jewish-Christian crusader campaign on the land of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"If God allows you to win, there will be no defeat; if he chooses that you will be defeated nothing will allow you to win. Therefore, depend on God.

"Your brother in Islam, (signed) Osama bin Muhammed bin-Laden"