You make a valid point. The clerics however, have been reluctant, should I say downright mute in denouncing these attacks. Infact, you will notice that clerics are the ones who fuel a lot of extremism by acting as advisors to terrorist groups instilling a false sense of purpose in disillusioned people.
I am from India. When a terrorist attack happens and a terrorist is captured — who more often is from Pakistan, the illiterate and radically converted muslims and clerics in India sympathize with the terrorist.
As an example, when a terrorist named Afzal Guru was convicted to hang till death by the Indian supreme court for attacking Indian parliament (!), there were countrywide protests against his execution. After he was executed by prison authorities, thousands of muslims accompanied by muslims and clerics surrounded his corpse — declaring him a matyr. That’s one case.
The instance of London clerics refusing to associate the terrorist with their religion is a welcome step. But it is too little, too late. Or maybe if the educated muslim community and clerics denounce such barbarian acts vehemently, we can tackle this.
Peace.
