| Fish Sunday Thinker |
02-08-2006 10:00 PM |
Have Fun, RT
Quote:
Originally posted by Diane_Keaton
My own Muslim friends have all been living in the U.S. for some time (some from Iran, others Pakistan and one UAE) and, presumably, come from some money seeing as how they got here (to attend colleges in the U.S. - they stayed afterward) so their reactions may not reflect much of anything, but...their response to events like 9/11, hearing of this or that head cut off and other things perpetrated "in the name of Allah" has been pretty much the same: they shake their heads, say "Wow, that's fucked up" and then move on to another topic. In private, after a few drinks, they'll allow a lot more and sometimes make clear their feeling that the violence is somehow understandable. Some of these people have themselves been victims of overzealous Muslims (those whose families fled after the Shah left). Is there some value or other principle that prevents Muslims who are against violence from speaking up when these things occur and denouncing violence perpetrated in the name of Allah? A desire not to offend other Muslims? What do you, as a moderate Muslim, feel moderate Muslims should do when someone commits a violent act, purportedly to further the cause of Islam?
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As a Pakistani Muslim who has lived in the UK and the US and currently is in the States, my perspective is that I know the attitude that you have encountered but would counter that the super majority of Muslims are moderates or liberals and want peace. And are against violence for any reason. But, we also want to be understood and respected within our adopted societies and within the world community.
While the cartoons are trivial in the grand scheme and any reasonable, civilised and intelligent person know this and seek to move the debate to a higher plane, there is an element of unnecessary hatefulness inherent in this incident and throughout the world based on an ignorance of Islam. Look at some of the posters here.
Anyone who resorts to hate speech or violence, regardless of their god, should be ashamed. I feel my duty as an emissary of my religion and my god is to have respect for all peace-loving, fair-minded people in my native lands, my adopted home and trhoughtout the World, Islamic or not.
The tiny minority of extremist thugs that misrespresent Islam must be roundly chastised and the violence condemned. They are enemies of Allah and Islam. But we should also look into our hearts and purge the shades of racism that exist within Western societies and cure the ignorance that helps fuel the flames of the violent thugs. Ignorance is as much bliss as destructive, it seems and can be as dangerous and provocative as actual violence. No matter where you live or what your faith is.
Diane, I hope you understand this and together the peace loving humanists within both of our societies can find the harmonious common ground. |
