
No matter what the movie’s content is, the reaction that it
elicited was equally as offensive and savage. Egyptian mobs stormed the
courtyard of the US embassy in Cairo, tore the US flag and erected an Islamic
flag. Discontent continues to foment in Egypt today in clashes with security forces, amid a deafening silence from the Egyptian government, and Islamist president Mohamed Morsy. However, the more heinous attack occurred next door in Libya last night, where
armed gangs of about 100 people reportedly launched a barbaric offensive on the US
consulate. Once again, Muslims around
the world are at a loss of words, trying to defend the peacefulness
of their religion. We, as Muslims, have to stand steadfast against the cancer
of extremism and the fossilized modes of thinking that have gnawed at the core of
our societies. Acts of violence only perpetuates the pre-conceived ideas and
stereotypes that Islam is a religion of war, and Muslims as radical fanatics
thirsty for blood at the slightest act of provocation.
The Prophet of Islam himself was a peaceful, rational, and a
patient individual, who preached temperance and condemned acts of foolish
anger. I am not a religious scholar, but I was taught early on about well-known
hadiths (Prophet’s deeds and sayings), in which he proclaimed that: "The strong man is not the one who
can overpower others; rather, the strong man is the one who
controls himself when he gets angry." Where are these extremists from the
prophet’s teachings? And does the prophet need their protection from every
little incitment? These acts that solely seek to inflame the passions of Muslims are a true test for all of us to channel our angst towards displaying a positive view of Islam.
Muslims continue
to define their religion in terms of what it is not, instead of focusing on
reaching out to other faiths and traditions to build the foundations for true
inter-cultural dialogue. Others have engaged in the facile trope of blaming all
the ills of the Middle East and the Muslim world on United States foreign
policy. There are indeed too many shortcomings of a myopic US foreign policy in
the region with its double standards, moral relativism and narrow focus on
geo-strategic interests. However, we, Muslims, have to look inward and take
action against the increasing, worrisome trend of extremism. Failing to educate and emancipate our own in the name of religion, while engaging in acts of abject violence to prove the virility of Islam does harm to Muslims and the religion we espouse.
This religion of peace has been bastardized to suit the purpose of those that resist and fear change. Contextualization of texts is blasphemous, adapting Quranic and Hadithic teachings to modern day realities is apostasy, and granting some basic individual and group freedoms is un-Islamic. People have not fought despots to succumb to the tyranny of the fanatically religious and misguided few. They've transgressed the limits of God and they are the blasphemers as they continue to spew hatred and sow the seeds of discord in Muslim land.
This religion of peace has been bastardized to suit the purpose of those that resist and fear change. Contextualization of texts is blasphemous, adapting Quranic and Hadithic teachings to modern day realities is apostasy, and granting some basic individual and group freedoms is un-Islamic. People have not fought despots to succumb to the tyranny of the fanatically religious and misguided few. They've transgressed the limits of God and they are the blasphemers as they continue to spew hatred and sow the seeds of discord in Muslim land.
Ambassador
Stevens was optimistic about the future of Libya, where he traveled with
relatively little security. He interacted with average Libyans, and was integral to
the US and NATO mission during the rebels’ push to topple Gaddafi. Libyans were
and are grateful for the US, France and the UK for their assistance in their
liberation. Ambassador Stevens would have been particularly pleased to see the many Libyans
that took to the streets today in Tripoli and Benghazi to condemn the terrorist
attack on the US consulate. Friends in Libya are all ashamed and unnecessarily apologetic about the vile attack on the consulate. They have demanded, along with other Libyans, stricter response from their government against armed extremist groups in their midst. Libya still struggles with internal issues of security and order, as many violent extremist groups are trying to hijack Libya’s path towards political
progress. Now more than ever, Libya needs more assistance to steady its course
towards a transition to democratic rule.
5 comments:
"No matter what the movie’s content is, the reaction that it elicited was equally as offensive and savage"
an opinion not agreed upon is not in the same ball park as murder. I did enjoy your blog and think it is more important than ever for peacful Muslims to speak out against these acts of violence.
Thank You
I agree with with you. Thank you, anonymous.
Please support my cause
http://youtu.be/U_HmFmHzl3s
campaignonedollar@gmail.com
It was very useful to be the part of them and by reading their mentioned guidance! You should also take a survey at this site Cal Horton is great and will be very helpful!
I even have been getting a lot of helpful and informative material in your web site.bath fixtures
Post a Comment