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It's almost like clockwork. Whenever we fall into a terror-free slumber, the media delivers another gut-wrenching blow. I don't know about you but my heart falls to the pit of my stomach whenever I read about Muslim terror.
The Mumbai massacre was a heinous act perpetrated by those who can scarcely call themselves human beings. I wonder just what kind of psychopathic illness can bring about such a state of mind that one can slaughter other people like that. I would like to ask though, is it really Muslims who are behind this merciless massacre of over 120 innocent people? I don't know but does it matter at all? When the Islamophobes who attack guys like me commit their dastardly deed, they will not stop to ask 'Excuse me Mr Muslim, are you supportive of terrorist acts'. They will not even stop to ask me if I am a Muslim or not. Simply because I look the part, I will get my head kicked in, no questions asked. Think of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was murdered by the British police. He's not even Muslim or Arab, he just looks the part. So perceptions matter. Whether or not Muslims are behind the Mumbai massacre of 2008, if the people think they are behind it, the repercussions will be the same. Heads kicked in, no questions, no mercy. Grim, yes but as Muslims, what can we do about this? Of course, if one is at the point of actually facing an Islamphobia-motivated attack, nothing much. Fortunately, things are not quite that bad yet and if Muslims actually take charge of their situation, no amount of media manipulation can affect our integrity as peaceful citizens of the world. However, the measures which we need to take may not be reachable given our present mindset. What we need to do is to ask the vital question, where do our loyalties as Muslims lie? Do we make excuses for terrorism just because we think it’s Muslims who are behind it? Do we say things like ‘well, the Hindu dominated Indian government oppressed them so it’s understandable’. Is it really understandable and if so, by whose criteria? I was the under the impression that Muslims had but one criteria and that is Quran. If we go by Quran, we are to only fight those who fight us and never to overstep that limit (chapter 2, verse 190). Those who cause mischief in the land (defined in Quran as the opposite of the states of security and balanced beauty) are known in Quran by title ‘kafireen’ (2/8-20), the very same word Muslims use to derogate others but ironically fail to notice when they actually fit the definition themselves. So our loyalties here need to be with God through His text, not with those who simply claim they are in the right. We need to use Quran to measure the behaviours of these people and to give the appropriate response. That response must be in accordance with the general principle of bringing about benefits to humanity which Quran deems as a characteristic of al-haqq, the Quranic word for the absolute truth (13/17). Quran would never support acts of terrorism. It is simply the antithesis of what it preaches. All one needs to do is to open the text and see for oneself how clear it is. Therefore, Muslims must do whatever we can to aid counter-terrorism. That aid should not be equated with helping non-Muslims against fellow Muslims but rather helping those who need to defend themselves against the threat of despicable criminals. Lets do the best we can and Mumbai will be our last grim reminder. Farouk A. Peru
www.farouk.name MT Admin : Latest Coverage of the Mumabai Battle can be read HERE
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Until then, Muslims will go about their business issuing fatwas about yoga and short hair.