|
It is evident that the Muslims, especially the Muslim Americans are the ones who have been affected most by the terrorist attack of September 11 and its aftermath developments; and as time passes, their sufferings and nightmares are only increasing. While terrorist attacks did take place in America before and the casualties therein were also quite significant (though not in a similar magnitude of September 11's), and the perpetrators also used the name of their religion to justify their carnage, never ever in American history, any religion or its adherents at large were blamed for the crime of few individuals and their organizations. Unfortunately, the exceptions are being made only with Islam and the Muslim American community.
Indeed, it is strikingly noticeable that what were considered to be unfair, unconstitutional and 'un-American' before, today all those are being done one after one against the Muslims, and yet there is hardly any criticism, opposition and initiative to deter those discriminatory and 'un-American' moves. Instead, we are witnessing that anti-Muslim campaign and smears have become common and pervasive, and the venomous voices are getting stronger in the media, academia and policy making circles. "If this kind of prejudice and misinformation were to be applied against blacks, Jews, Asians or Catholics", as an analyst has rightly pointed out, "you would have riots in the streets." While no Muslim should ever think of expressing grievances by creating anarchy, for it is not allowed in Islam, it doesn't mean that Muslims should remain passive. Rather, Islam's teaching is that "you shouldn't do injustice to others, nor should you allow others to do injustice on you." Muslim Americans thus need to organize themselves and all the conscientious people against the ongoing discriminatory practices and injustices. It is surprising that in our society, whatever little voices were heard here and there before, have become almost silent now. Today, no body even mentions that when the horrific events took place in September, the Muslim Americans, too, watched it with profound shock and mourned the thousands of innocent dead; that a significant number of the victims who lost their lives at Ground Zero were Muslims; that right after the tragedy, American Muslims in unison came forward to condemn the attack and participated in the recovery and rehabilitation process and many of them even sacrificed their lives like the fire fighters to save others' lives. Furthermore, despite the eighteen hijackers' having Muslim identities, the terror they perpetuated can not be labeled "Islamic terror," for the actions of those mass murderers was in no way related to Islam, rather, that was an assault on the sublime teachings and image of Islam.
Painfully enough, ignoring or hiding all these facts, a group of hate mongers have started painting terrorism and Islam with one brush and thereby trying to implement their 'anti-Muslim' agenda in the fullest scale. Racial profiling has been made 'legitimate'. Hundreds of Muslims have been detained month after month without any charges and sometime without having any access to the lawyers. For the first time in decades, immigration procedures single out certain nationalities for unequal treatment. Muslims have been yanked off airplanes without cause. Some of their premier charities have been closed down. Even the well-known American Islamic institutions, their officials and families have been harassed. Muslim Americans' loyalty to this country is being questioned. They are being labeled and branded as either criminals or terrorists. Every morning they wake up and find that 'new rules' are promulgated which target ONLY the Muslims. By all indications, an era of 'neo-McCarthyism' seems to have taken roots in America.
Notwithstanding all the assaults, campaign and unprecedented animosity against Islam and Muslims, there are some encouraging signs also. For instance, people's curiosity for knowing about Islam has increased remarkably. Booksellers in U.S. and elsewhere have reported an upsurge in interest in the Qur'an and other Islamic literature. The rate of people's coming to the fold of Islam has also increased many times. In this backdrop, we believe, the following few issues may be of worth consideration for everyone.
First, the followers of Islam should have to be aware of their awesome responsibilities. They should know their religion as much as they can and must LIVE by it. Second, they should serve the society and people around them in the best possible way and present the message of Islam without any hesitation or adulteration. However, when they are faced with adversaries, as they are experiencing now, they should keep in mind that Allah SWT does not forsake His believing servants, and that by standing firm during trial and tribulations, they can attain more pleasure of the Almighty. So, instead of despairing or groveling, the Muslims must face the situation with patience and perseverance, and also keep in mind that Islam's appeal is universal and irresistible. No matter what the Islam bashers say or plan about it, Islam's appeal cannot be diminished. For, it's a TRUE divine guidance that everyone needs for his or her salvation, and consciously or unconsciously every human soul is searching for that. However, for any reason, if people don't accept it, Islam does not teach its followers to have ill- feeling for them i.e., the non-Muslims, let alone to be hostile towards them. Rather, Islam ENJOINS upon the believers to be dutiful towards other human beings, to uphold justice and fairness at every situation. This unique principle of Islam cannot be sacrificed even in the case of other party's hostility towards Muslims.
As it has been commanded in the
Qura'n:
"Believers! Be upright bearers of witness for Allah, do not let the enmity of others move you deviate from justice. Act justly, that is nearer to god-fearing."(5:8)
A distinguished Islamic scholar has explained this issue in a very eloquent manner. As he writes: "Man's obligation toward Allah and fellow human beings have been integrated in to one judicious blend of religious and moral life. The two are inalienable aspects of the same conduct, its human dimension follows from the spiritual one. Justice and kindness to mankind is pursuant to the faith in Allah and His benevolence. Striving in the path of Allah necessitates a life dedicated to help and rescue of the oppressed and weak. Failure in either of the twin aspects of religion incurs the displeasure of Allah"( Fazlur Rahman faridi, Living as a Muslim in a Plural Society, p. 75). Indeed, respect and regard, compassion and generosity, honesty and fairness, help to the needy and destitute are some of the basic values that govern a Muslim's conduct of life. As the learned author has also pointed out that the Quran and Sunnah do not discriminate between Muslims and non-Muslims in the implementation of these values.
Muslims who are striving to lead a virtuous life and are hoping to attain the pleasure of Allah must have to act upon the above guidance. And the more they would do so, the more positive changes they would find in their environment. As a matter of fact, this is the best way that the Muslims can make others understand what "Islam" or "Muslim" really means and create a society where peace and justice will be ensured for every human being. In other words, it is only through the proper observance of the guidance of Islam that the Muslims in North America can transform their present 'peril', if we say so, in to a 'promise' or better future.
Mahbubur Rahman
Editor-in-Chief
June
/
July 2002
|
