Very minor point.  If I remember right, Islam comes from the root “islemtu” -“I have submitted”.  Perhaps Islam and salaam are indeed from the same root, I’m not sure.  I don’t have an Arabic dictionary handy to look up the root, which is not so easy if you have ever tried to use an Arabic dictionary.

This whole incident is just way too weird.
I’m afraid that our attempts to assign it to some understandable category will be in vain.

I don’t know about the core meaning of the root “s-l-m.”  “Islam” properly translated means submission to God and the sayings of the prophet Muhammad, and “muslim” (feminine “muslima”) is one who has so submitted.  Very often words coming from the same root have dramatically different meanings. The Hebrew, a closely related language, has “peace” from the root “sh-l-m,” and I don’t know if it’s essentially the same.  I wish someone who knows Arabic and Hebrew would comment.

“Islam” can mean “peace” only in the sense that those who submit are at peace with God, theoretically, and with one another, although the historical record shows that second item is often not the case.  I think modernizing Muslims would like to make the religion essentially peaceful, and more power to them.

I would be more convinced if any, let alone many, Muslims would affirm that God is not lifted up as great by murder.  Maj. Hasan shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he fired, meaning of course, “God is great”.  He reportedly was upset at his imminent overseas deployment (upset that he would be part of military action against Muslim terrorists?) and had made recent blog posts equating suicide bombers with soldiers who fall on a live grenade to protect their comrades, saying that suicide bombers protect Muslims from the enemies of Islam by so doing.

Milton #4, from the linked article:

“No political or religious ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence,” the statement from CAIR said. “American Muslims stand with our fellow citizens in offering both prayers for the victims and sincere condolences to the families of those killed or injured.”

This is the first time I am aware of in which CAIR has issued a statement condemning such an action without a “but ...” somehow justifying it to follow.  I hope this is a step in the right direction on their part.

CAIR has no religious authority within Islam, it is only a public relations organization here in the West.  So, it’s admonitions carry no weight.  When we can get a loud consensus of Islamic clerics to denounce violence of this sort, then I will accept CAIR’s assertions that Islam is all about peace.

I would compare CAIR to Catholics for Free Choice, which neither supports Catholic doctrine nor heeds the guidance of the leaders of the faith it purports to represent.

No, St. Jimbob, I think it’s worse.  CAIR frequently reflects the teachings of the more radical Muslims both here and overseas.  Its pronouncements are usually congruent with those coming from al Azhar in Cairo.  Catholics for a Free Choice does NOT reflect mainstream Catholic teaching; CAIR usually DOES reflect mainstream Sunni teaching.  That’s why their statement without a qualifier is surprising to me.  I doubt this will be a lasting reversal, however.

You need to get an unexpurgated version of the koran to know what it says about peace. When you do, look up sura 9:5.

Thanks for the tip, Bystander.  I happen to have a copy of the koran that CAIR sent to folks.  Surah 9, section 5:

And so, when the sacred months are over, slay those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them, and take them captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every conceivable place.  Yet if they repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues, let them go their way: for, behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.

I see.  So, slay and/or harass people, unless they convert to Islam or willingly accept dhimmi status.  And this is from CAIR’s version.

I thought it was forbidden to study the Koran in aught besides Arabic.