Teresa Watanabe

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America, which were carried out by professed Muslims, caused many to question whether the Islamic religion supported or promoted terrorism. In the following viewpoint journalist Teresa Watanabe draws on the opinions of several Islamic scholars in examining the question of whether Islam justifies violence and terrorism. The authorities she cites argue that while Islam’s sacred texts include references to war and violence, nothing in Islam justifies acts such as the September 11 attacks. They claim that the terrorists are extremists who do not correctly represent Islamic views, and that Islam is no more inherently violent than Christianity or other religions. Watanabe is a religion writer for the Los Angeles Times.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What are some of the images associated with Islam, according to Watanabe?
2. Why...