Muslims in general are put on the defensive every time an act of violence is done in their name or their religion. It puts them in a spot and they cannot do much except condemn the act, and issue the oft repeated line that murder, mayhem and destruction do not represent them or their religion.
While many understand that there are radicals among believers of all faiths, there must be many who still wonder what would make people resort to death and destruction to make their point, or what is it with Islam that makes some of their followers to behave so.
It makes the case for every Islamophobe and racist to act the way they do and legitimise their discriminatory actions against Muslims, because, well, these people are out to harm them and their way of life.
While political correctness prevents many from identifying acts of terrorism with Muslims or Islam, the recent terrorist attacks in Paris has eroded such niceties.
Prior to Paris, there was a downing of a Russian passenger jet that many believe was the work of the self-styled Islamic State (IS), or its sympathisers.
To be fair, Islam is not the only religion associated with these kinds of problems, but of late, it seems that it has been taking more than its fair share of the blame, chiefly due to the worldwide terror group al-Qaeda and now, IS.
These groups have managed to inspire some Muslims and mobilise them to hurt international powers in ways that they were never hurt before. Their towns and cities are fair game and unlike conventional warfare, non-combatants and citizens are now targets, too.
Thus, another layer has been piled on top of the many already stacked against tolerance for Islam and the Muslims.
In the United States, for instance, some presidential candidates are now openly suggesting discriminatory actions against Muslims as a means to protect its citizens, and they are probably getting away with it a bit more now than they would have in the past. After all, the Americans, since September 2011, know a thing or two about Muslims attacking them.
After the recent attacks in Paris, many Muslims have been posting on the web lists of crimes against humanity or wars done by people of other faiths, but they were seldom identified or linked to religions. But, an act of terror by a Muslim would be labelled as such, it is argued.
Unfortunately, for Muslims, though, these terror groups almost always invoke Islam as their motivation.
The events in the Middle East have a profound impact on most Muslims, and they serve to be the source of inspiration or rallying point for other causes. They often cite the case of Palestinians under Israel’s constant military harassment, which include invasion, airstrikes as well as blockades. It is a sanctioned terrorism, land grab and genocide, and the world generally is happy to look the other way.
Yet, while two wrongs do not make anything right, support for such arguments is gaining traction.
The decades of persecution under various regimes and governments have taken a collective toll on the Muslim psyche and some feel that the only way to address the injustices against fellow Muslims is through war, and by war it actually means striking the enemies where it hurts most.
Brazen and inspired by the ability to inflict damage and fear following the Paris attacks, reports suggest that IS is planning more in major capitals. Whether these will happen no one knows or is willing to take the risk. The fear of a repeat of Paris has managed to cancel a high profile international football game. Soldiers patrolling the streets in peace time is now a common feature in major cities.
The majority of Muslims can continue to dissociate themselves from these people, but the negative perception will continue to follow the ummah. It does Muslims no good too when kidnapping and executions get amplified over the world wide web.
What then are we Muslims to do?
While the majority of Muslims do not support such violence, it does not mean that it is not their problem. Muslims must try to understand the root cause of why some Muslims behaved the way they did. Poverty and democracy, or its lack of, are some of the issues that have been identified as key drivers of terrorism.
I suppose Muslims must be able to articulate better their causes, and for leaders of Islamic nations to be able to use their collective political and economic weight to work the system.
And, if there is something the ummah, and all the learned leaders, ulama and thinkers need to figure out it must be how to be a Muslim in the current time. The inability to do so may result in organisations like IS running away with the Muslim agenda.
The writer is an award-winning columnist