The kidnappings of Margaret Hassan and Mohammad Hamad show how sick extremists are in Iraq. Margaret Hassan is not some random Jane they snatched off the street. She is a humanitarian and an activist, and most importantly, she is a woman. Mohammad Hamad is a 7-year-old boy who did nothing to deserve the heinous crime committed against him.

The great thing about being a Muslim is knowing that no matter what happens, the men in my life will take care of me. Whether those men are my father, brothers, uncles, future husband or future sons, I know the responsibility of taking care of me falls upon their shoulders.

Islam is protective of its women and children. Women hold a dear and important place in Muslim life. Prophet Muhammad once said that heaven is beneath the feet of a mother.

Muslims believe that getting married and starting a family completes one’s faith. This shows us how crucial family is. Taking care of one’s children is seen as an act of worship in Islam.

So, it might come as a shock to say that they are not practicing Islam. Even if they claim that Islam is their guiding light, what they practice is their own demented form of Islam. You cannot even call it Islam because it is so far from reality.

The true Islam teaches peace and compassion. Currently, Muslims are fasting during Ramadan, the holiest Muslim month of the year. If a person becomes angry and loses his or her temper, then the fast becomes void. Missing a day in Ramadan is considered a major sin in Islam.

What bewilders me most is how people are so quick to believe that Islam promotes the killing of innocent life. Why don’t people stop and think logically? What religion would actually promote the killing of innocent women and children?

Critics of Islam use a verse from the Quran that says to kill all the infidels and non-Muslims. But they don’t read the verses before it and after it to understand the meaning. If they did, they would see that the verse is taken out of context. They also would notice that Muslims are told to never engage in pre-emptive strikes. This illustrates how peaceful Muslims are supposed to be.

The Muslim individuals who use the Quran to justify their stupidity are just ignorant and lack understanding of their own religion.

When it comes to beheadings, kidnappings and killing innocent people (especially women and children), Islam is very clear: It’s just wrong.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.