Turn on the radio or TV, or better yet, don’t. I will tell you what’s on. If it is a news station particularly covering International news, then someone is talking about some kind of bombing or killing or violent act of some kind and it is very likely that it is done in the name of Islam or that’s what the media have you believe. Is it then a surprise that the common person thinks that Muslims are violent and that society is way better off without them in their midst? Is it then a surprise that any accomplished Muslim rather not associate himself/herself with Islam or Muslims? Is it then a surprise that there is a whole industry of well-funded Islamophobia who are blaming Muslims for everything and making up stuff as they go along and get millions of viewers who watch without questioning anything at all?
Is it then a surprise that the common Muslim is overwhelmed, dejected and has no clue what can be done to show the world what true Islam is? How can the believers in God the Most Merciful and the Prophet (PBUH), who was sent as a mercy to mankind be this violent and merciless? Is it then a surprise that we see intellectuals debating whether or not Islam is a peaceful religion?
Media and pundits have blamed Muslims again and again of remaining silent and not condemning the violence enough. I think Muslims are getting good at that now, as soon as some violent act takes place, Muslim organizations jump up and down and issue PRs condemning it, in some cases before the culprits are even known to be “Muslim terrorists” (in the recent case of the Boston bombing).
We are not fooling anybody except ourselves. Do we really think that condemning these acts can stop the media from blaming the religion of Islam for every misdeed of its supposed follower? Then what do Muslims need to do? Put simply, they need to heed the call of the Quran (3:104, 16:90).
The Holy Quran exhorts believers to do good and prevent what is wrong. Muslims need to stand up and be counted, not by issuing PRs to condemn terrorism in the name of Islam, but by doing good and standing up for justice and peace. Our society is suffering from all kinds of ills, whether it is a big topic like the gap between rich and poor and the imbalance it has created in our society to things like break up of families and prevalence and embellishment of immorality all around us. Quran places a premium on human life and prods us to honor every human being irrespective of their belief, race, color, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
It is about time Muslims stop issuing PRs and start working to make this society a better place to live. Muslims don’t need to only be doctors and engineers but they need to reach out and be volunteers and teachers, who are involved in all aspects of the society, from serving in soup kitchens, to volunteering at art festivals, to PTAs, to rallying for worker’s rights. Let us outcompete and outnumber others in doing good and preventing wrongs and we will not have to defend our religion, others will defend it for us, for they will see real Islam in action, Islam of their neighbors and peers, not the Islam they see on CNN or Fox.
Quaid Saifee
Is it then a surprise that the common Muslim is overwhelmed, dejected and has no clue what can be done to show the world what true Islam is? How can the believers in God the Most Merciful and the Prophet (PBUH), who was sent as a mercy to mankind be this violent and merciless? Is it then a surprise that we see intellectuals debating whether or not Islam is a peaceful religion?
Media and pundits have blamed Muslims again and again of remaining silent and not condemning the violence enough. I think Muslims are getting good at that now, as soon as some violent act takes place, Muslim organizations jump up and down and issue PRs condemning it, in some cases before the culprits are even known to be “Muslim terrorists” (in the recent case of the Boston bombing).
We are not fooling anybody except ourselves. Do we really think that condemning these acts can stop the media from blaming the religion of Islam for every misdeed of its supposed follower? Then what do Muslims need to do? Put simply, they need to heed the call of the Quran (3:104, 16:90).
The Holy Quran exhorts believers to do good and prevent what is wrong. Muslims need to stand up and be counted, not by issuing PRs to condemn terrorism in the name of Islam, but by doing good and standing up for justice and peace. Our society is suffering from all kinds of ills, whether it is a big topic like the gap between rich and poor and the imbalance it has created in our society to things like break up of families and prevalence and embellishment of immorality all around us. Quran places a premium on human life and prods us to honor every human being irrespective of their belief, race, color, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
It is about time Muslims stop issuing PRs and start working to make this society a better place to live. Muslims don’t need to only be doctors and engineers but they need to reach out and be volunteers and teachers, who are involved in all aspects of the society, from serving in soup kitchens, to volunteering at art festivals, to PTAs, to rallying for worker’s rights. Let us outcompete and outnumber others in doing good and preventing wrongs and we will not have to defend our religion, others will defend it for us, for they will see real Islam in action, Islam of their neighbors and peers, not the Islam they see on CNN or Fox.
Quaid Saifee
Thank you for this article. May you be rewarded immensely?
ReplyDeleteI also believe that we as a community must move onto the platform of service to humanity. Being involved in our cities is crucial as the Prophet (s) was known to be in constant service of his neighbors and larger community. Now that I live in Detroit, I am meeting many Muslims who are doing wonderful things in the community. Many Muslims are indeed standing up for justice and peace and ridding the greater society of many of its ills. An issue I see is that they are not being heard. Dinner after dinner our suburban communities, for example, invite the college professor or popular scholar rather than the Muslim activist or community volunteer serving the greater community. I recently learned of a Shaykh who was granted the title of best citizen in his local city due to his service to the needy in this community. There are many amazing individuals who are producing projects and initiatives that are novel and beneficial for the community. I wish there was a better way to raise those individuals as exemplars in the community. Intercity Muslim Action Network in Chicago, Huda clinic, Darul Hikmah, and launch good are some great initiatives serving that purpose. I really hope their voices and examples can be heard so they can motivate other Muslims to step up to the plate! Thank you!