Muslims Brace For Fallout From Fort Hood Attack

Muslim leaders across the United States were quick to point out that this was the work of one man. However, while authorities state he is stable and in a hospital, though shot four times, they have not questioned him yet. Thus, they have not yet ruled out the possible involvement of any radical groups.

There is, in fact, no evidence of this. And yet, some are trying to stir the pot of hatred. One such writer, a conservative named author Dave Gaubatz blames the Fort Hood killings on, among other Muslim groups, the Council on American-Islamic Relations. In an interview with Frontpagemag, he said:

Malik Nabal Hasan [sic] is a terrorist supporting the ideology of Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, and yes, CAIR. In Palestine, the leaders send out the young and vulnerable to carry out the murders in the name of Islam. The same is happening in America.

In fact, CAIR released a statement denouncing the act almost immediately. Despite this, one sees Hasan labeled a "terrorist" or at the very least, an "American Muslim." This term was repeated over and over again on CNN, for example.

However, reports have said that Hasan was a devout Muslim, that he was troubled in his Army career, and that he was mocked for his faith by other soldiers. While part of this points to his faith as a lightning rod, it does not point to terrorism. It also points to a troubled soul, who may simply have been a disturbed individual, one who if named Smith would not be labeled as Hasan is.

Psychologist Dr. Dominika Osmolska, PsyD said, "People snap when you ridicule and bully them. That happens in school and regular life, and it happens in the U.S. Army as well. While it's unclear what his motivations were, it is too early to ascribe it to terrorism, without considering other factors."

It is unfortunate that, while other killers such as Seung-Hui Cho are labeled mass murderers, because of his name and background, Hasan is immediately labeled a terrorist. The implication is that Hasan is a terrorist unless proven otherwise. That paints Arab-Americans and those of the Muslim faith as one thing, and it's hardly fair.

While Muslim and Arab-American groups were quick to denounce the shootings, it's obvious that those of that faith and ethnicity will be shunned and reviled in public places. The truth, what exactly was going on in Hasan's mind during his rampage, will come out, but not fast enough to stop racial hatred from taking root.