Dear Members of Foth,
 
Aqsa's murder being a serious matter deserving of our attention and compassion, I thought I would share my two cents with you also.
 
First things First. Islam as a religion per se cannot be blamed for Aqsa's death. I make this claim for two reasons: The Quran does not mandate the hijab , nor does it prescribe a punishment for those who choose not to wear it. Aqsa's father's action's therefore represent his own rather warped understanding of Islamic precept.
 
This however does not absolve fundamentalist Muslims who are propagating the faith in a draconian manner, imposing religion from without rather than letting it emerge on its own as a guiding force in people's lives. Therefore any criticism of Muslim practice cannot be equated with a criticism of Islam. This distinction is very important to bear in mind, not only to avoid acrimony but also to see things in their true light as real dynamics facing Muslim communities today. We cannot commit the same blunder as extremist Jews who claim that any criticism of Israeli policy is anti-Semitism.
 
The observance of the hijab has become an obsession in some segments of Muslim society. Regrettably, it is considered the ultimate measure of a woman's piety. Need I point out the stupidity of this philosophy?
 
Rather than equivocate on these issues and look for excuses to explain away matters, it is about time Muslims took ownership of their actions. A community that lacks the capability to look inward about issues that bedevil it has no chance of ever beating them.
Muslim denial and silence over these  issues also exacerbates Islamophobia. I am astonished that many educated people are incapable of understanding this rather important aspect of these ongoing debates.
 
I wish you all the best for the holidays.
 
Farzana.