Why aren't Muslims speaking out? Options

[radhikaeatsraman]

I was having a discussion with my uncle and my father about the current situation with terrorism and the Middle East. During the discussion, I kept emphasizing that the majority of Muslims are good people and probably don't support terrorists and their actions. But then they said that they're all keeping quiet, and that by doing that, they're indirectly supporting it. By ignoring it, it's going to continue.

Then, they went on to say that in order for the terrorists to commit these acts, they need money for weapons and other equipment. Who provides it? Right after 9/11, millions of Muslims across the US were caught having connections to al-Qaeda, and many of them are in prison for it.

So why aren't "good Muslims" speaking out? Is it because of fear, or are they quietly supporting it?

[innovation]

How does Islam define "unbelievers"? I'm pretty sure that there is another passage in the Qur'an that acknowledges Christians and Jews as fellow "People of the Book." Did this tolerance decline throughout history?

[*kryogenix*]

How does Islam define "unbelievers"? I'm pretty sure that there is another passage in the Qur'an that acknowledges Christians and Jews as fellow "People of the Book." Did this tolerance decline throughout history?

I googled for "Islamic Dictionary" and came up with this from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da‘wah and Guidance Website.

He who does not believe in Allah or His Messenger (PBUH)or denies any of the five pillars of Islam
‏كافر : من لا يؤمن بالله ولا بمحمد رسول الله , أو من ينتقص من مقام الله تعالى ورسوله أو ركن من أركان الإيمان

(interesting note, I was trying to highlight the Arabic, but forgot that Arabic reads right to left, so I was sitting there for a few seconds trying to highlight it left to right).

So apparently, by that definition, I am an infidel since I do not believe that Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him, as he is regarded by Muslims) as a prophet of God.