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None to blame for silence on Muslims' rights
7-26-2017
Prophet Mohammed, said, “Whoever of you sees an evil must then change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then [he must change it] with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then [he must change it] with his heart. And that is the slightest [effect of] faith.”
Similarly, Edward Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil if for good men to do nothing.”
Whether its closure of Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, Palestine, or mass killings in Syria, Yemen, or state tyranny in Kashmir. As long as the Muslims, along with their leadership and the global community of civil society remains silent on such important matters, this injustice, aggressive and oppressive conduct will continue to intensify. As the world watches the triumph of evil enveloping the good – silencing it forever.
Al Aqsa Mosque closure in Jerusalem, Palestine by the Israeli government to a senseless butchering of an unarmed Muslim man by ten Hindus, in broad daylight, in a residential area in India is appalling to any sensible individual of a civil society. However, none of these individuals ever dare to speak out against it. Thus, the new norm, where the value of cattle in slaughterhouse is worth more than the life of a Muslim.
Unfortunately, neither the Muslims pay any heed to the sayings of Prophet Mohammed, nor do the sensible individuals of the civil society pay any attention what Mr. Burke had once stated. Hence the senseless massacre of the Muslims under the disguise of “Right to Exist” in Israel, Rise in “Hindutva” in India, and the takeover of “Populist Sentiments” in America and other parts of the world marches on. All of them united with one aim – suppress Islam – Kill Muslims.
Regardless of what argument is advanced in their own defence by the aggressors to justify their senseless aggression and violence towards other human beings. We have no one to blame but ourselves for this evil to triumph right in front of us in our plain naked sight.
Let’s face it, as one of Canada’s leading newspaper describing Islamic leadership as “incompetent and impotent,” and rightly so. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is about the only world leader who had the courage to speak out against Israeli aggression. Mr. Erdogan said on Wednesday, "Israel is attempting to damage the Islamic character of Jerusalem with new practices every day by taking advantage of the current weakness of Muslims," Erdogan said during an event to discuss higher education in the Islamic world at the Presidential Palace complex in Ankara.
"Those who criticize our country whenever possible suddenly become silent when the issue is Palestine, Jerusalem or Muslims' rights or laws."
"How sorrowful it is that separations are on the agenda of the Islamic world rather than unity and conflicts rather than peace."
Other than the above there is a deafening silence on this sensitive issue which has the potential to enrage Muslims worldwide. It’s a ticking time bomb!
The Palestinian envoy to the UN has told the Security Council that al-Aqsa Mosque compound crisis in East Jerusalem is at a tipping point, urging the council members to help protect Palestinians and their holy sites from Israel's "reckless and destructive agenda".
Riyad Mansour warned in his speech to the Council on Tuesday that "the stoking of a religious conflict is rapidly unfolding as Israel persists its illegal actions in occupied East Jerusalem".
Whether you are Muslim or not, this is not the time to remain silent. As Israel crosses all boundaries of civility. Restricting worshippers to enter one of the holiest sites, a UN world heritage site, to advance its own agenda.
Jerusalem is sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the Islamic world's third holiest site behind the Kaaba in Mecca and al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina.
Having said all this, let’s perform an introspect. Why this is happening? How is it allowed to be continued? What can we do about it? These and many such important question needs to be asked by us. We need to look into our own selves, and answers could be found within. The simplest answer to the above questions is, we have failed to educate ourselves and our children on such important issues and matters. We can’t even be bothered to discuss these matters in the confines of our own homes with our children. How can we expect others to talk about it?
We are waiting for a miracle. Sadly, to say, the miracle would occur only when we educate ourselves on this issue and start discussing among ourselves, trying to find peaceful solution. It is only then the rest of the global civil society would dare to stand up with us. Until then, the oppression, the aggression, the violence, and this abhorrent injustice would continue and with each act, it will intensify.
Whether it’s the closure of Al Aqsa Mosque, or senseless killing of a Muslim in India. Not a single mainstream media bothered to give coverage. Anyone with a shred of humanity would not be able to watch the few minutes of leaked CCTV video of the Muslim who was butchered in the streets of India in broad day light.
The Indian media has been somewhat silent, except to deem it as a gang rivalry, and categorizing the victim as a criminal out on bail.
Let’s assume for a moment that this was a gang rivalry, and the target, a Muslim, by the name of Rafiuddin Shaikh was a criminal out on bail with long list of enemies, wanting him dead. Does that mean Indian government would allow this sort of lynch mob justice, allowing vigil-anti to take the law and justice in their own hand? What happened to the due process? This is not simply a one-off matter. It went viral on social media due to leaked CCTV footage. Otherwise countless such matters have now become a norm in India on a daily basis, targeting Muslims.
It is time that we as Muslims stand up for the victims of such state backed massacre of Muslims and other minorities in other parts of the world. We are certain if we start to discuss such matters, expressing our disgust, other members of the global civil society would stand shoulder to shoulder with the Muslims denouncing such atrocities. At the end, it is us who will have to take the first step, before expecting others to take a stand.
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