Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal will tell a conservative think tank in London next week that if Muslim leaders refuse to speak out against violent elements in the religion, they are essentially part of the problem.
“A so-called religion that allows for and endorses killing those who oppose it is not a religion at all; it is a terrorist movement,” he says in prepared remarks released by his office. “I do continue to believe and hope that most Muslims oppose these bloodthirsty acts of terror.”
Mr. Jindal, a possible presidential contender in 2016, is set to address the Henry Jackson Society on Monday in London.
Mr. Jindal says that while he has no interest in defaming any religion or “assigning the maniacal acts of radical Islamists to millions of Muslims worldwide,” far too many Muslims agree with radicals, “and it is clear that they must be stopped.”
“Let’s be honest here. Islam has a problem,” he will say. “Muslim leaders must make clear that anyone who commits acts of terror in the name of Islam is in fact not practicing Islam at all.”
“It’s not enough to simply condemn violence, they must stand up and loudly proclaim that these people are not martyrs who will receive a reward in the afterlife, and rather they are murderers who are going to hell,” he continues. “If they refuse to do that, then they are part of the problem. There is no middle ground here.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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