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Violence and Muslims
By Mohammad Nejatullah Siddiqi
[continued...]
American aggression
America has launched a worldwide campaign against terrorism after the attacks on
Pentagon and World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. In this campaign the real
targets are those individuals and groups who are angry against America or their
own governments and who don’t like the expanding American hegemony and are
determined to harm Americans and American interests world-wide. Since America
considers a number of countries sponsoring these individuals and groups, America
is also after these countries. Therefore after occupying Afghanistan and Iraq,
America is now eying on Iran, Syria and some other Arab and Muslim countries.
At the same time America is also trying to capture and punish people in Pakistan
and Southeast Asia who have committed terrorism against it or may be potential
terrorists. Consequently, many governments such as those in Pakistan, Egypt
and Saudi Arabia are coming hard on Islamists and their policy and attitude
toward religious schools are also changing. Due to these circumstances
Muslims all over the world have become very skeptical about America. They
suspect that America will go after Muslim and Islamic interests and destroy them
in the same way it has occupied Afghanistan and Iraq after September 11th
attacks. They argue that America wants to suppress and wipe out all such groups
and trends that it considers harmful for its hegemonic aspirations, especially
those countries or groups that keep away from the increasing permissiveness of
the American society. In support of their arguments Muslims point to the
tightening grip of government on religious schools, institutions and
organizations in countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. All this, some Muslims
argue, is happening at the insistence of America.
The entire Muslim world is troubled with American plans and actions; however,
Indian Muslims are especially disturbed. This is because the proponents of
Hindutva in India, many of whom are in power these days, have similar plans
to deal with Muslims in India. These people are also after religious
institutions; they are surveying the mosques, closely watching over Tablighi
(Muslim missionary) activities, and are proposing legislation to stop conversion
to another religion. Indian Muslims are afraid that the international campaign
of America against terrorism will provide a cover and an excuse to the forces of
Hindutva in India to achieve their anti-Islamic goals and objectives. In
this, Muslims suspect, the Israeli intelligence will also help the forces of
Hindutva.
It is not possible to objectively analyze all these fears and suspicions of
Indian Muslims in this essay. The discussion may be quite lengthy. However,
America and Islam and the relationship of Muslims globally cannot be understood
only in the light of recent events, nor would it be wise to think that all that
is happening in the world is only due to American hegemonic plans. We have to
analyze various futuristic models and scenarios to understand the interplay of
America and Muslims the world over. This may require many books and essays. In
this essay the author only wants to answer the question raised earlier: can
Muslims use violence against America as a counter measure against American
aggression and violence?
In the opinion of this author, it is neither advisable nor allowed by Islam to
use violence against America in the current situation. On the contrary it will
only hurt Islam and Muslims. When America attacks a country unilaterally such
as it did against Iraq, the people have a right to defend themselves. But they
have to do it within the framework of international law governing two sovereign
nations. We can help Iraqi Muslims but we cannot call for an open attack on
Americans and American interests any where in the world. This would be a
violation of Islamic teachings. Not only those acts violate the limits imposed
by Islam on the use of force and violence, they are more hurtful to Islam and
Muslims than it is to the Americans and their interests.
It is necessary to completely shun violence
In the opinion of this author, Muslims should not use violence against America
with the exception of the people of countries occupied by America.
My reasons are the following:
· In
the current situation Muslims’ use of violence necessarily takes such forms that
are prohibited by Islam.
· The
violence committed by few Muslims against America so far has already done enough
damage to Islam and Muslims. On the one hand, media use these events to portray
Islam and Muslims as uncivilized, inhumane, and unkind. This has led to
increased misunderstanding of Islam and Muslims among common people. On the
other hand, the U. S. government is able to form an alliance for aggression
against Muslims. In this way these violent activities have helped the extreme
right wing Christians in America and the Zionist lobby.
·
Muslims do not have sufficient power to combat American aggression with violence
and force. If Muslims have to confront America, which this author does not
consider inevitable, then they should do so in the fields of knowledge, ideology
and culture. Additionally, it is also not right to think that the use of
violence will be a deterrent to stop increasing American aggression against
Muslims. So far it has not happened. The balance of power is so heavily
tilted in favor of America that Muslims cannot deter America by use of force and
violence.
·
Another reason for strongly arguing against the use of violence is that it has
already damaged enough the Muslim society from within. Their valuable human and
material resources are spent on acquiring weapons and conducting covert
operations instead of investing in education, media, economic development and
other useful projects.
As explained earlier, when an individual or group engages in violence, it has to
be done secretly and by violating many laws of the land to which that individual
or group belongs. This leads to the emergence of a new leadership of such people
who only believe in violence and secret activities. These ‘leaders’ then seek
help from those who know how to break laws, engage in smuggling of weapons and
some times even in drug trafficking, and how to get fake names and forged travel
documents. Sooner or later such people have to seek cooperation from
international criminal groups. No act of terrorism can be committed without
breaking established international, national, and Islamic rules. This itself
makes terrorism a totally prohibited and undesirable act.
This leads to a major internal problem for Muslims: replacing the duly emerged
leadership with criminals and those with unIslamic character. It is desirable
as well as beneficial for Muslims’ interaction with non-Muslims that Muslim
leadership embodies the ethical principles of Islam and represents Islamic
character both in its actions as well as thoughts. If the leadership has to use
force, it does so within the limits imposed by Islam. It has been experienced
during the communal riots in India that when Muslims protect innocent
non-Muslims, non-Muslims too stand up to protect innocent Muslims and stand
against the members of their own community committing aggression.
Whether it is to combat against the aggression of Hindutva in India, or
it is to counter the Zionist, right wing Christian Evangelists, or a group of
Americans committed to America’s hegemony, in all cases Muslims’ real weapons
are their Islamic character and their ideology in which they firmly believe and
that which they want to communicate to the entire humanity. Whenever Muslims
take a violent approach under the pressure of a particular situation, they harm
their moral position and Islam’s mission toward human race.
Future strategy
It can be rightly argued that even if violence can be completely shunned, it is
not going to change Muslims’ situation. Whether it is India or the entire
world, Muslims have to do much more in order to live with honor and dignity.
Muslims don’t have any control over when others will leave violence, however
they can play a significant role in removing this myth from people’s mind that
Islam and Muslims are a threat to the world peace. In Europe and America the
environment has become very much anti-Muslim and anti-Islam. Muslims throughout
the world should help the American and the European Muslims in their efforts to
remove this misunderstanding. Muslims can also better the situation by
improving their own conduct. Following are three important points that, if
implemented, may significantly improve the image of Islam and Muslims.
Transparency
A lot of misunderstanding about Islam and Muslims are simply due to lack of
proper knowledge about Islam and Muslims. It is difficult to undo the distorted
memories of historical events and facts, however it is easier to remove
misunderstanding about the present state of Muslim thinking and actions. What
is being taught in religious institutions? What is being done in the mosques?
What is being learnt in Da‘wah gatherings and travels? One can provide right
information to replace ignorance or misunderstanding. If every one can directly
observe and obtain information about Muslim institutions and activities, about
management and about finances, and there is no secretiveness, people can
themselves see the truth. Transparency is especially required in keeping the
financial records clean and up-to-date. This will make it clear that funds
collected to run an Islamic institution are in fact spent in that institution,
and not in financing any act of terrorism. Having open and audited financial
records will also help prevent corruption in Muslim-run institutions.
Democracy
When only one person has all the
power to make decision in an
Islamic institution, things
cannot be transparent.
Transparency demands that
decisions are made in
consultation with people
concerned. One of the charges
America and its allies have
against many Muslim countries is
lack of democracy and freedom.
People have no say in the
affairs of their countries that
are either run by dictators or
by kings. In most Muslim
institutions the same model is
practiced. Both in religious
institutions and non-religious
organizations, leadership is in
the hands of very few who
continue to be leaders for their
entire life. When they die
their sons or people from their
families take their place.
Obviously people who become
leaders undemocratically cannot
care for democratic way of
dealing with issues. In such
situations it seems true that
Muslims are hostage to their
rulers and Muslim institutions
and their resources are hostage
to the leaders who control these
institutions. It is necessary
to liberate both the Muslim
common folks and their
institutions.
It is strange that the quality
that the Qur’an describes as
integral part of Muslim psyche
(as stated in the Qur’an, Verse
38, Chapter 42, “and those who
obey their Lord, establish
prayers, and conduct their
affairs by mutual
consultation.”) is lacking among
Muslims and has become an excuse
for others to attack Muslim
countries and institutions.
Transparency will help Muslims
effectively manage and run their
institutions and consultations
and democratic approach to
decision making will help them
gain people’s confidence and
trust. If Muslim institutions
and organization implement
consultation at all levels, it
will increase their
credibility. Today the
situation is opposite. This
helps the forces of Hindutva
in India and internationally it
helps America to associate such
activities with Muslims that do
not reflect the reality.
Unrepresentative leaderships
that are running Muslim welfare,
religious and educational
institutions can easily be
blamed for inhuman trends,
intolerance, and violence.
Muslim institutions worldwide
are easily blamed for such
acts. If Muslim leadership
maintains transparency and
democratic norms in all its
institutions and organizations
and if it respects and tolerates
common Muslim’s opinions, then
it will be easier for others to
understand them. People will
know that Muslims’ activities
are predictable and people will
no longer be afraid of Muslims.
Grass root work
The third quality necessary for
any reform or for any mission to
be accomplished is the
relationship with common folks.
It is important for Muslims to
partake in the pain and
sufferings of human beings
regardless of their race or
religion. It is a fact that
whether it is India or the whole
world the list of issues
specific to Muslims is not very
long. Most Muslims are facing
the same issues that their
fellow human beings are facing.
Poverty, illiteracy,
homelessness, illnesses,
insecurity are the problems
common to Muslims and
non-Muslims alike in India,
Southeast Asia, and Africa.
Muslims’ suffering may be a
little more but they are not
altogether different. To solve
these problems effectively, it
is necessary to launch common
efforts including Muslims and
non-Muslims. Muslims do not
create their own islands,
instead they consider the entire
world to be their home and make
efforts for the betterment of
the entire humanity. This
approach is especially
significant in the current
environment of mistrust against
Muslims. Whether it is a
neighborhood in America or
Britain, or a locality in India,
it is important that doubts and
suspicions toward each other are
replaced by trust, confidence
and credibility. The roots of
violence are embedded in an
environment of hatred and
suspicion. To eradicate
violence, one must change this
environment.
It is common these days to
establish non-governmental
organizations (NGO’s) for social
and welfare work. Some of these
NGO’s have gained international
respect and credibility and they
can independently operate in any
country. Some NGO’s have been
recognized by the United Nations
as observers. These NGO’s work
for a variety of purposes
including safe environment,
world peace, human rights watch,
eradication of poverty, women’s
rights, and organizations
against child labor. The spirit
of Islam demands that Muslims
enthusiastically participate in
these activities. The current
environment of hatred and
suspicion also demand that
Muslims do not hesitate to
exploit any opportunity to
strengthen relationship with
their fellow human beings. Like
many other countries, Islamic
financial institutions in India
too have been opened to
non-Muslims and some non-
Muslims are in fact associated
with these institutions, this
model should be followed in
other Muslim institutions too
and Muslims should try to make
non-Muslim participation in
these institutions more
meaningful and extensive.
Final words
Efforts to achieve transparency,
development of democratic
culture and enhancement of
relationship with common people
are not presented here as a
solution to all the problems
Muslims face today. Instead,
this program is recommended to
minimize the hatred and
suspicion that has become
widespread. If this happens,
the possibility of initiating
more proactive programs will
become a reality. Leaving
violence is not the solution to
all the problems of Muslims, but
it may enable Muslims get rid of
many problems that they are
facing due to some Muslims’
violent acts. As far as the
question: when will Muslim
decline come to an end and how
can they start making progress,
Muslims are debating these
questions for long. Muslims are
also doing many positive efforts
in the field of education,
training, health care,
economics, and politics etc.
Muslims must continue to do
these things patiently for as
long as it takes to regain their
status as the balanced nation.
Muslims must not become victim
of the short-term-ism and a
narrow vision and must not
engage in violence as a solution
to any problem.
The author has made an effort in
this essay to convince Muslims
that violence is not at all a
strategy to deal with Muslims’
issues and problems. It is only
a mistake, a big mistake that
Muslims must realize and
abandon. They should instead
follow the path of
righteousness, wisdom and
patience.
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