A Challenge to Islamic Leadership
Today, I watched with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness the breaking news of the massacre of innocent school children by the Taliban in Peshwar. I sit up and stare into space for a few minutes wondering what has become of the world I grew up in and a religion I was once passionate about and all I feel is sadness. I am saddened beyond words.
I can predict and pre empt the reaction of most muslims I know, it will be something like this ( in various forms) "These people are crazy terrorists; It has nothing to do with religion"
I have gotten to a point where I'm inclined to think these types of comments are not enough and will not change anything. A weak sweeping comment denying association with terrorist groups who insist on associating with a specific religion is not enough! Particularly if it is a religion where cartoons about the prophet and the burning of the Quran could cause major international riots. The silence and mild dissociations from a steady stream of terror attacks carried out in the name of Allah and Islam speak volumes and speaks them loudly too.
There is a general outrage in the muslim world if anyone ascribes to the prophet what does not befit him. Why is there no similar outrage and Jihad against these people who rape, kill and maim in the name of Allah? This, to me is first grade blasphemy and such a greater insult to Allah than the Danish cartoons about prophet Mohammed.
In an article in Wikipedia, it stated that "Critics of the cartoons described them as Islamophobic, racist, or baiting and blasphemous to Muslims," (Wikipedia). Though current attacks like the abduction of the Chibok school girls and constant bombings in Nigeria and today's massacre are more blasphemous to Islam and Allah, yet we do not see the expected outrage and condemnation from the Muslim community.
If indeed, Muslims strongly believe this to be pure unfounded madness on the part of the terrorist, by now, passionate Muslims should be tweeting about a peaceful protest bigger than the occupy movement to openly denounce and dissociate from the terrorists and their evil form of Jihad.
I strongly believe it is time to change the discourse. It is time for every Muslim to ask themselves some questions in the quietness of their hearts. What is it about the teaching of Islam that makes it common for some Muslims to grow into heartless terrorists like Boko Haram, ISIS and now the Taliban?
It is obvious that majority of these terror leaders are well versed in Koranic scriptures. What is it they see in these scriptures that moderate tolerant Muslims miss? What is the relationship between Islam, jihad and modern day extremism?
I have put these and many other questions to some of my muslim friends and what I hear them say is that the Koranic verses are taken out of context. If this is so, is it not right that we put a contextual warning besides such paragraphs? Many vulnerable minds will read the Quran and take it literally but how many will ask the questions about verses that clearly instruct on the benefits of Jihad?
Perhaps it is time to review the Quran and the Hadith and put it in modern day context for clarity of the young muslim child who is at risk of becoming an extremist. Perhaps, it is time to depoliticize islam and focus on the individuals who may be seeking an outlet for their personal rage and real or perceived injustices and finding validation in the texts of a sacred scripture......but only if we believe that the message about Jihad and warfare in the Quran is taken out of context.
"How can it (the heart) travel to Allah when it is chained by its desires"
Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (1165-1240). The little book of Sufi wisdom by John Baldock
I can predict and pre empt the reaction of most muslims I know, it will be something like this ( in various forms) "These people are crazy terrorists; It has nothing to do with religion"
I have gotten to a point where I'm inclined to think these types of comments are not enough and will not change anything. A weak sweeping comment denying association with terrorist groups who insist on associating with a specific religion is not enough! Particularly if it is a religion where cartoons about the prophet and the burning of the Quran could cause major international riots. The silence and mild dissociations from a steady stream of terror attacks carried out in the name of Allah and Islam speak volumes and speaks them loudly too.
There is a general outrage in the muslim world if anyone ascribes to the prophet what does not befit him. Why is there no similar outrage and Jihad against these people who rape, kill and maim in the name of Allah? This, to me is first grade blasphemy and such a greater insult to Allah than the Danish cartoons about prophet Mohammed.
In an article in Wikipedia, it stated that "Critics of the cartoons described them as Islamophobic, racist, or baiting and blasphemous to Muslims," (Wikipedia). Though current attacks like the abduction of the Chibok school girls and constant bombings in Nigeria and today's massacre are more blasphemous to Islam and Allah, yet we do not see the expected outrage and condemnation from the Muslim community.
If indeed, Muslims strongly believe this to be pure unfounded madness on the part of the terrorist, by now, passionate Muslims should be tweeting about a peaceful protest bigger than the occupy movement to openly denounce and dissociate from the terrorists and their evil form of Jihad.
I strongly believe it is time to change the discourse. It is time for every Muslim to ask themselves some questions in the quietness of their hearts. What is it about the teaching of Islam that makes it common for some Muslims to grow into heartless terrorists like Boko Haram, ISIS and now the Taliban?
It is obvious that majority of these terror leaders are well versed in Koranic scriptures. What is it they see in these scriptures that moderate tolerant Muslims miss? What is the relationship between Islam, jihad and modern day extremism?
I have put these and many other questions to some of my muslim friends and what I hear them say is that the Koranic verses are taken out of context. If this is so, is it not right that we put a contextual warning besides such paragraphs? Many vulnerable minds will read the Quran and take it literally but how many will ask the questions about verses that clearly instruct on the benefits of Jihad?
Perhaps it is time to review the Quran and the Hadith and put it in modern day context for clarity of the young muslim child who is at risk of becoming an extremist. Perhaps, it is time to depoliticize islam and focus on the individuals who may be seeking an outlet for their personal rage and real or perceived injustices and finding validation in the texts of a sacred scripture......but only if we believe that the message about Jihad and warfare in the Quran is taken out of context.
"How can it (the heart) travel to Allah when it is chained by its desires"
Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (1165-1240). The little book of Sufi wisdom by John Baldock
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