I would also hereby like to question those people or organizations who claim that Islam is a religion of violence on the basis of the atrocities of the extremist groups. I would ask them to consider how these groups are able to acquire such funds that allow them to continue their extremist activities and warfare for so long? How do they acquire such sophisticated weapons? Do they have arms industries or factories? It is quite obvious that they are receiving the help and support of certain powers. This could be direct support from very oil-rich states or it could be other major powers covertly providing assistance.

And lest anyone think His Holiness is speaking in reactionary terms, on the contrary, His Holiness and his Caliph predecessors have relentlessly championed absolute justice in a long line of peaceful Islamic worldwide Caliphate spanning over a century. His Holiness has specifically lectured on U.S. Capitol Hill, before the British House of Lords, in front of European Parliament, and with countless heads of state. His Holiness has enacted international humanitarian relief efforts in Syria, Gaza, Pakistan, Kashmir, Liberia, Nigeria, and in hundreds of other nations and war-torn lands. His Holiness leads the world's single largest Muslim community -- spanning 206 countries -- that has existed for over 125 years while abhorring all forms of religious violence and terrorism.



Yet, while His Holiness accomplishes far above and beyond what critics and media alike ask when they complain, "Why aren't Muslims combatting extremism," it appears they have not heard him scream during his decade plus in office. Meanwhile, ISIS leader al-baghdadi makes one virulent unsubstantiated statement about Islam and violence and he garners 24/7 media coverage for the past six months.



The double standard is sickening.



So I suppose maybe I've been looking at this all wrong. It appears major media and critics can in fact hear Muslims scream -- but only when they scream threats and vitriol. Words and acts of altruism, compassion, love, tolerance, and pluralism fall on deaf ears.



The picture should appear clearly now. Muslims for peace threaten not only ISIS, but also the critics and media who make a living off promoting fear of ISIS and other extremist groups ascribing to Islam. The problem, therefore, isn't that Muslim leaders aren't speaking out. It is that critics know their future rests on drowning out Muslims for peace. So the next time you ask why peaceful Muslims aren't speaking out -- know that it's a slanted question. Know that we are speaking and acting out against all terrorism, but unfortunately that's not the narrative your media wants you to hear.



And if you're sick of this slanted narrative, then do something about it. Let the world hear you scream.