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MUSIDEN
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1993-04-28
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MUSLIM IDENTITY
Over 1400 years ago, Prophet Mohammed PBUH has been chosen to
reveal a message to mankind. A message that tells us to obey
God. A message that lights up the way for us for a better life
and after-life.
That message has changed the world in many a way. First, it
has changed the society in which the message was first revealed:
the Arab society of Mecca, Madina and other cities and tribes in
Hijaz and beyond. These people were a brutal, heartless society
that kills its daughters, disdains its women and allows various
behaviors that lowers humans to the ranks of animals. They were
transformed over very short years into the most civilized, caring
and sensitive society in the world. They opened their homes to
fellow Muslims, they shared everything with them, they were ready
to give everything (including life itself) for their faith and
their new community, the Muslim Umma. They gave their comfort,
wealth, time and lives to defend their brothers and sisters and
to spread the word of God.
They crossed the Arabian deserts in all directions, heading
towards nations with formidable power and well trained and armed
troops in overwhelming numbers. Muslims were armed with faith,
determination to succeed and willingness to sacrifice. In these c
onditions and with the help of Allah, they conquered Persia and
went along to India and China. They have also conquered the
mighty Roman Empire and liberated Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia,
Egypt, North Africa and crossed the sea to Spain, Portugal and Fr
ance.
They controlled these countries and ruled over them for long
periods of time, until their descendents declined and abondoned
the cause of their power. They were defending Muslims without
harming non-Muslims. They were tolerant but firm. They had no
fear from any person or any thing. They only feared God. They
have never allowed Islam or even a single Muslim to be
humiliated. We remember the stories of Salah El Din and others
when any of their Muslim subjects asks for help. We also remember
the stories of Omar Ibn El Khattab when Copts or Jews would
complain to him about minor instances of injustice.
Where did this spirit go? Muslims are captured and jailed for
no reason other than being Muslims. In some Muslim countries,
people are afraid to pray in mosques five times a day. In some
Muslim countries, towns are demolished if they defy the authority
of the ruling despots and ask for the application of the Laws of
God.
The status of Muslims in non-Muslim coutries is at least
equally catastrophic. Minorities have been massacred in many
African and Asian countries. They are harrassed and pushed to
abandon their rituals and beliefs to avoid risking their
livelihoods and their lives. In the so-called civilized European
nations, they have to endure humiliation, negative image and
flagrant discrimination.
Where are the Muslims? It seems to me that Omar, Salah El Din
and the other great leaders of our nation have no heirs to carry
the burden of defending Islam and Muslims. Muslim leaders are
fighting among themselves. They are not even fighting for their
beliefs or religion, but for their thrones and personal
ambitions. Quran does not move the hearts and souls of Muslims
anymore. A simple proof is that the radio stations of our enemies
did not stop broadcasting Quran: they know that to most Muslims,
it is just another old song with no meaningful lyrics. When
people hear about devotion and sacrifice for Islam they just
forget that they have a duty and an obligation to do so.
An example that really hurts is the situation of Muslims in
the former Yugoslavia. Every day, hundreds are killed and
thousands are forced to flee their country. Do we remember
Al-Andalus, the Spain that reverted from Islam? Do we remember
the Philippines, the country that was Muslim before Spanish
invasion? Do we remember Palestine, the Holy Land that we lost to
the intolerants? Do we see any analogy? Are we still not
convinced that this process should stop before it is too late?
Can we help prevent this genocide? Can we just help by asking
for help? Above all, are we still Muslims? Do we deserve this
noble identity?
Br. Ahmed
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