Kingston, Jamaica
In a complex world of the 21st century, it is a difficult task to deal with only two cohesive values and two divisive values (vices) which unite and which divide the Muslim cultures and the Western cultures.
Cohesive Values:
On the question of common values, the dialogue between Muslim cultures and Western cultures should begin with the common human heritage. The father of the human race is Adam and this TRUTH should submerge all divisive issues (religious, social, cultural, economic and political) among people of diverse cultures and lead to the Unity of Mankind, i.e. the Unity of the Creator.
Divisive Values (Vices):
Religious Intolerance in the West and the War on Islam: War on terrorism is a war on Islam. Islam has been officially declared to be the religion of the terrorists from the highest political office to the ordinary level in the West. The media, both print and electronic, launches deliberate hate campaigns against Islam. Islam has been equated to fascism, the Holy Prophet has been ridiculed in the most obscene languages, and by means of caricature and cartoons, which is an act of sacrilege in Islam, the Holy Qur’an has been desecrated, masajid (Muslim houses of worship) have been destroyed, vandalized, clerics have been imprisoned for their religious sermons on grounds of inciting Islamic fascism, Islamic schools (madrasahs) have been either closed or restricted in their religious teachings, Muslim charity funds have been confiscated on allegations of money being transferred to terrorists, freedom to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia restricted by various visa stipulations and the abuse of privacy of every pilgrim (Haji), whose photograph along with other identifications appear on the Hajj web page without the permission or knowledge of the pilgrim. Above all, in this war on Islam, the freedom of thought and freedom of movement of Muslims worldwide have been curtailed. Religious bigotry and hate campaigns against Islam initiated by Western heads of states and government and even by the head of the catholic Church have led to some unfortunate destruction of churches in some Muslim countries.
Professor Sultana Afroz
Department of History, University of the West Indies,
Kingston, Jamaica
In a complex world of the 21st century, it is a difficult task to deal with only two cohesive values and two divisive values (vices) which unite and which divide the Muslim cultures and the Western cultures.
Cohesive Values:
On the question of common values, the dialogue between Muslim cultures and Western cultures should begin with the common human heritage. The father of the human race is Adam and this TRUTH should submerge all divisive issues (religious, social, cultural, economic and political) among people of diverse cultures and lead to the Unity of Mankind, i.e. the Unity of the Creator.
Unity in diversity is a common belief both in the Muslim world and the West. The Holy Qur’an emphasizes the principle of unity in diversity when it states: “O people, We created you from a male and a female and made you into races and tribes so that you may know each other. The most honored of you in Allah’s sight is the most righteous” (The Holy Qur’an, Surat Hujurat, 49:13). The Americas exemplify the demographic diversity of people of varied races, tribes, ethnicities and nations. Exploration of the unique elements in diversity can only lead to unity and creativity and above all integration of the different races and religion into a common citizenship. The basis of common citizenship stems from recognition of human rights. The Constitution of Al-Madinah (622AD) is regarded to be the first Human Rights Document in the history of mankind. The document stands the test of all ages.
Gender equality and the universal stand on the issue of violence against women are values and concerns, which can lead to the convergence of minds of the Muslim world and the West. Islam is the first major religion to have elevated women to the status of being as worthy of human dignity as are men. Islam has granted women broad social, political and economic rights, education and training rights and work opportunity rights. Islam has further provided firm legal safeguards to protect these rights. Abuses of women’s rights in Muslim countries are the results of societal malaise (political, economic, social and cultural) and are not inherently Islamic.
Western secular feminists in their quest and advocacy for women’s rights such as ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) will only find in Islam dignified answers irrespective of geographical and cultural backgrounds to their complex women issues.
Joint ventures in science (including medical) and technologies between Muslim countries and the contemporary West could lead to political dignity, economic equity, social justice and genuine human development. Energy and cash resources of the Muslim countries in exchange for Western technology could lead to more balanced and mutually beneficial ties between the two cultures. Islam, with its universal message of peace and justice emphasizes the spirit of enquiry for the benefit of man and nature. Islamic Science and technological achievements of the Middle Ages made the Muslim civilization not only the leading force in the world for almost a millennium but also forms the genesis of the Modern technological world of the West.
Divisive Values (Vices):
Religious Intolerance in the West and the War on Islam: War on terrorism is a war on Islam. Islam has been officially declared to be the religion of the terrorists from the highest political office to the ordinary level in the West. The media, both print and electronic, launches deliberate hate campaigns against Islam. Islam has been equated to fascism, the Holy Prophet has been ridiculed in the most obscene languages, and by means of caricature and cartoons, which is an act of sacrilege in Islam, the Holy Qur’an has been desecrated, masajid (Muslim houses of worship) have been destroyed, vandalized, clerics have been imprisoned for their religious sermons on grounds of inciting Islamic fascism, Islamic schools (madrasahs) have been either closed or restricted in their religious teachings, Muslim charity funds have been confiscated on allegations of money being transferred to terrorists, freedom to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia restricted by various visa stipulations and the abuse of privacy of every pilgrim (Haji), whose photograph along with other identifications appear on the Hajj web page without the permission or knowledge of the pilgrim. Above all, in this war on Islam, the freedom of thought and freedom of movement of Muslims worldwide have been curtailed. Religious bigotry and hate campaigns against Islam initiated by Western heads of states and government and even by the head of the catholic Church have led to some unfortunate destruction of churches in some Muslim countries.
Islam’s Position: Islam condemns and abhors violence and oppression of any form. “Oppression is worse than slaughter”. The very basis of Islam is Peace and Purity derived from submission to the Guidance of the Will of Allah, Who is the Source of Peace — As Salaam. The universal Islamic salutation As-Salaamu-Alaikum, is a greeting of Peace, Mercy and Blessing sought from Allah. The Islamic principle of “non-compulsion in religion” negates religious war against non-Muslims (The Holy Qur’an, Surat Baqarah, 2: 256). Compulsion is incompatible with faith for Worship based on faith must be sincere and pure. Allah categorically states that He Alone will lead men from the depths of darkness into light (Surat Baqarah, 2: 257).
Allah (SWT) further Says: “If it had been the Will of your Lord that all the people of the world should be believers, all the people of the earth would have believed! (what Muslims believe) Would you then compel mankind against their will to believe” (Surat Yunus, 10: 99).
Muslims are further commanded not to persecute or abuse any non-Muslim for his/her faith or belief but to adhere to the Qur’anic principle, “I worship not that which you worship, nor will you that which I worship…To you be your way, And to me mine” (Surat Kafirun, 109: 2-3 & 6).
Essential elements in the First Pillar of Islam, which call upon Muslims for the Belief of Revelations and Prophets (Sahifah to Abraham, Tawrat to Moses, Zabur to David, Injeel or Gospel to Jesus and The Holy Qur’an to Muhammad), bear testimony that Muslims must respect the people of the Books (Revelations). The Prophets of the Jews and the Christians are also Messengers of Allah and the Worship of the One true creator has been the only Message through the ages.
Imposition of Western institutions and value system (western style secular democracy) in Muslim societies through outright military occupation sanctioned by international organizations formed by Western Powers (the League of Nations and the United nations) or political subjugation is a cloak for political, economic and social and cultural hegemony of the West and is in direct contrast to the elements of democracy and freedom, and above all a violation of the Qur’anic commandments to establish consensual leadership acknowledging the Sovereignty of Allah in a Muslim state. The political leadership in most of the Muslim countries, to date, is the legacy of Western imperial and colonial rule serving Western economic interests and keeping the oil-producing Arab Muslim world in perpetual debt, chronic poverty, and in an unproductive state, thereby breeding resentment and anger in many Muslim countries. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) introduced the concept of a written constitution in the political history of mankind. The Constitution of Al-Madinah (622AD) established a religious-cultural pluralistic system embracing people of every faith and covering every aspect of life.
International double standards: Israel still continues to occupy Arab lands’in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon in defiance of UN Resolutions, which call upon Israel to end occupation. The West has successfully prevented any international trial of Israeli leaders (Menachan Begin, Ariel Sharon) for committing repeated genocide against Palestinians and Arabs (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt). On the other hand, Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1991 saw the blitzkrieg Desert Storm sanctioned by the UN, followed by the creation of two no-fly-zones virtually severing the territorial integrity of Iraq and the 12-year economic sanctions and weapons inspection on Iraq leading to outright military occupation since 2003. To date, the United Nations has failed to introduce any resolution calling upon the United States and the coalition forces to end the occupation. UN has further legitimized the illegal war by extending the mandate of the occupying forces in Iraq. This is in sharp contrast to the speedy implementation of UN Resolution which called upon Syria for the complete withdrawal of her troops from Lebanon following Prime Minister Tariq Hariri’s assassination in early 2005. Incidentally, Syria had sent in troops to Lebanon upon the request of Israel and the United States to combat the Palestinians in Lebanon during the civil war initiated by Israel with the Christian Lebanese army and militiamen.
While the principle of self-determination and the UN Charter on Human Rights have not been applied in the case of Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir, Bosnia, Chechnya, Kosovo, the UN did not hesitate to break Indonesia to create an independent East Timor, which has proven to be a failed state.
Western rejection of the Palestinian government formed by the Hamas Party which won the general election (regarded by the international observers as a fair and free election) in early 2006, has revealed the ugly face of falsehood of the Western Powers in their policies towards the Muslim countries. A genuine desire to see democracy prevail in the Muslim countries is far from the truth, since almost the entire Middle East represents the Arab cliental states of the West.
Professor Sultana Afroz
Department of History, University of the West Indies,
Kingston, Jamaica