By: Tashbih Sayyed
Militant Islamist organizations in the US have created the perception that they are the sole voices of Muslims in the US, making their opposition against US efforts to eradicate fascist and totalitarian Islamist regimes a popular Muslim trait. The logical consequence of such p.r. is the belief that Islam is not only anti-democratic, but as some Christian leaders have stated, "evil and violent". Moreover, anti-American outbursts of Islamist leaders, after the fall of Baghdad and their efforts to present this war on terrorism as a crusade, has raised doubt whether American Muslims share American concerns for our security or not.
A non Muslim American friend forwarded an email sent to Muslim Americans from a militant Islamist organization declaring Saddam Hussein a Shaheed (martyr). The email compared Saddam Hussein to the Prophet's grandson, Husain bin Ali, who died fighting in the defense of Islam. The email quoted the Quran, "And if ye are slain, or die, in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all they could amass." [The Qur'an 3:157]
My American friend asked me why Muslims are against the US, and if Islam's holy book supports people like Saddam Hussein.
This email was clearly aimed at inciting Muslims against the US by exploiting Muslim sensitivities,. Islamists used the Quran not only to present Saddam Hussein as a pious Muslim, fit to be a martyr, but also tried to establish that his fight against America was a fight for God. They did not hesitate to bestow the honor of martyrdom upon a fascist dictator. Islamists deliberately ignored that martyrdom in Islam is reserved only for the most pious and the upright, "And if ye are slain, or die, in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all they could amass." [The Qur'an 3:157]
I was not surprised to read the email, because I know that Islamists do not represent Islam, they only exploit it. It is a common practice in Islamism to use the Quran and hadith (the sayings of Prophet Muhammad) - to recruit Muslims for their political and terrorist causes, as evidenced from the venomous tenor of Islamists assumed during 'Operation Iraqi Freedom. Knowing that the main driving force in all Islamist controlled societies is anti-Semitism, Islamists have convinced the Muslim street that Bush's road map for the Middle East is meant to benefit Israel and the greedy companies that brought him and his aides to power. By presenting 'Operation Iraqi Freedom' as a plan to empower Israel. Unfortunately, no Muslim challenged this anti-US campaign by defending American policies, therefore, it should not be a surprise that all Muslims are viewed today as anti-American and against the war on terrorism. The Muslim community's failure to condemn the Islamists strengthens the impression that all Muslims are aligned with anti-American elements.
The fact that Al-Qaeda has recruited Muslims from around the world is a living testament to the misuse and abuse of religion. What I can't understand is the silence of normal and patriotic Muslims. Why are they not challenging this totalitarian state of mind? Did they come to America to improve their lives and to secure a brighter future for their children or did they come to the US to destroy it,? To wage a war against the very system that rescued them from an inhuman life in some so called Muslim state? By not challenging the Islamists as they continue to use Islam's holy scriptures and Prophetic traditions to justify their terrorist acts, Muslims are not only hurting themselves but are destroying the image of their faith. Their reluctance to speak up against the fascism of so called Muslim advocacy groups who are waging a war against the US, Muslims are placing themselves in a very indefensible position. Muslims will have to think before they offer their support to militant Islamists if they are not allowed to live like a Muslim in the US? Whether the true Islam is really in danger in the America?
Whether they are, in any way, restricted in the performance of their faith? If the answer is no then they should condemn the voices who are trying to undermine our freedoms.
In another email, a Wahhabi group exhorted Muslims to rise up against the US in defense of the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Saddam Hussein and their kind. They quoted one of their spiritual gurus, Imam Ahmed,
'Prophet Muhammad (saw), said: "The Muslim Ummah is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind: Their LAND is ONE, their WAR is ONE, their PEACE is ONE, their HONOR is ONE and their TRUST is ONE". Whereas it is true that all Muslims are bound together in one Ummah, Islam does not condone acts of terrorism against human beings. And terrorists are not part of Muslim Ummah. The Quran is very specific about militant Islamists, it says, "And when it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth," they say: "We are only peacemakers." (surah 2 ayat 11).
According to my experience and observation the US is the only place on this earth where there is total freedom for Muslims to live within their faith. No "Muslim" country offer such freedom. Therefore it is in the interest of the Muslims to remain true to their faith and distance themselves from these militant Islamists.
