Terrorism and U.S. Policy

The United States recognizes no such thing as "Islamic terrorism." The members of al Qaeda are simply terrorists and criminals, nothing more. They cynically seek to exploit Islam to disguise their murderous agenda, which is nothing less than an attack on the values of civilization and humanity itself.

Bin Laden and al Qaeda attempt to justify themselves by the words of Islam for the same reasons that they burrow into Afghan caves: to escape the wrath of the international community for their savage acts of mass killing. Just as they hijacked airplanes, they now seek to hijack a world religion.

Muslim leaders and clerics throughout the world have condemned the terrorist attacks as a perversion and betrayal of Islam. As just one example, a panel of independent Muslim scholars, including the prominent Qatar-based cleric Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, condemned the terrorist attacks and said that it is the duty of Muslims to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Americans find the baseless charge that the United States is waging a war against Islam deeply offensive. This allegation, no matter how many times it is repeated, is not legitimate criticism of U.S. foreign policy, but a calculated lie.

Millions of Americans are Muslims; freedom of speech and religion stand at the very core of America's identity. To suggest that the United States would attack another's religious faith is inconceivable.

In this anti-terrorist campaign, the United States and its partners are upholding the values of tolerance, diversity, and freedom of faith - and battling against the fanaticism and hatred of organizations seeking to destroy those values.

For its part, the United States can point to its long and tireless record of seeking peace with security and justice for Israel and the Palestinians. The United States can also cite its indisputable record in defending Muslim populations and nations from invasion and ethnic cleansing - from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in the Gulf to Bosnia and Kosovo in the Balkans.

NEXT: Defeating Terror/Defending Freedom: Courage and Hope