Change in Islam Must Come from the Muslims Themselves

It isn't often that a mainstream newspaper calls out Islam over a terrorist action—in this case one of the worst in history—the November 13, 2015 attacks in Paris—which ended in the murders of 129 people.

Instead of making the usual disclaimer that Islam as a whole should not be blamed, France's leading newspaper, Le Monde, had this to say in its lead editorial on November 17:

"Will jihadism be conquered by [military, special forces, police and intelligence]? We must not lie to public opinion. The dismantlement alone of the Islamic State will not be enough because it stems from a pathology proper to Islam, and because islamism is a totalitarian ideology it will have to be defeated by the Muslims themselves."

Until the mass of Muslims come to realize the full horror of the murders of innocent people that had been committed in their name, and they do something about it, there will be no rest.

Statements and views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author and do not imply endorsement by Harvard University, the Harvard Kennedy School, or the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.