The Muslim Community is in a state of emergency, but in it lies our greatest opportunity
They say that humanity only really learns the most earnest of lessons in a state of crisis, a state of complete breakdown. Only after facing that breakdown, are we then capable of embracing the breakthroughs necessary that have largely been neglected. It is when we are at the cliff edge, in the emergency of the situation we find humanity is able to effect the kind of changes where there was resistance before.
Brothers and sisters we are facing this very scenario. If we are to analyse various aspects of the British Muslim livelihood, it seems to be under attack. In the depth and breadth of Islamophobia, our every ritual, character and identity is frequently and thoroughly demonised. Even more so now, with the latest counter-terrorism laws in various western nations, normal human characteristics are seen as suspicious if borne by a Muslim.
Simultaneously, we have seen the Government marginalise legitimate grass-roots Muslim organisations, whilst financially and politically aiding organisations with no grass roots support whatsoever. A similar dynamic is at play in the US.
We normally think of Islamophobia as a disorganised effort. At most, we may see it, if in any organised fashion, as the constant pushing of certain narratives in the media. In fact, as we have seen in various studies into this social phenomenon, it is a real organised industry, with assigned jobs, roles and financial supporters. This web of hate of preachers, power brokers, ideologues and their backers are mainly mapped in the US. Nathen Lean’s “The Islamophobia Industry” and Fear, Inc. 2.0 addresses most of that research.[1][2] We have yet to see a similarly comprehensive research of Islamophobia in the UK and Europe. However, given the political trajectory of Europe, there is very little doubt that it does exist.
The effect of Islamophobia has been devastating to say the least. And yet, our response has been even more so. If the warnings our communities received from certain people to prioritise the tackling of Islamophobia seriously were not heeded, seeing their predictions unfold before our eyes did the job perfectly. In the UK, more mainstream politicians are calling for powers to shut down masjids under the undefined banner of “extremism”;[3] religious slaughter is already banned in at least five European states;[4] calls to ban the niqāb is growing strong in the EU overall;[5] and the even zakāt, the compulsory paying of charity for those capable, is being demonised as governments accuse Muslim charities of “funding terrorism” with little or no evidence.[6] In the US, the very safety of Muslim lives has been at risk since before the Chapel Hill shootings, made all the more problematic by the media’s dismissal of Muslim suffering.[7]
It is necessary to comprehend all of this for one single realisation. The only way to counter an increasingly dangerous and more violent Islamophobic movement is to create a movement ourselves; one that not only demands a stop to Islamophobia, but goes further. We need a movement to demand the equality of Muslims both here and abroad, and an industry whose sole job is to propagate and legitimise that demand. Anything less would not be sufficient.
In addition, the great shift in prioritising the grass roots towards tackling this danger is also key. Without it, the institutions of activists, lobbyists and advocates would soon collapse under the constant and prevalent demonization in the UK. The need for mass support from Muslims is equally vital. As a result, every single Muslim, in addition to everything we do to make a living and practice Islām, must prioritise the cause of defending Muslims against the demonisation we are all facing.
If you are an artist, you must visualise, illustrate and convey the cause. If you are a writer, you must write about the cause. If you are in business, you must fund the cause. If you are a mosque leader, you must educate and empower Muslims for the cause. If you are in media or politics, you must advocate the cause. If you are a specialist in technology or social media, you must develop the tools necessary for the cause. If you are teacher, you must teach the knowledge that is necessary for the cause. If you are a mother or father, you must instill the values of justice in your children’s identity, so that they will never forsake this cause. And of course, if you are an activist, you must prioritise your time for the cause. Everyone must play their part.
In the emergency we find Western Muslims in, we have real opportunities to overcome the issues that we have neglected to address for so long. Out of necessity, we must unite across sectarian and theological differences, to tackle Islamophobia in all aspects of society. We must empower our masjids so that they become fully functioning community centres that support their Muslim and non-Muslim communities and instil a strong, positive and proactive Muslim identity. We must outreach and invest a stake into the local concerns of our community and not just focus on “Muslim issues.” We must create the ideas, tools, mindsets, infrastructure and leaders for our children to, not necessarily defeat Islamophobia, but be capable of fighting it. They will not have a chance otherwise.
Above all, we must be people of justice. This core value of Islām has lost its central role in our contemporary social fabric. We must revive this core Islamic identity; not just because it will transform and mobilise the sleeping Muslim masses; gain us allies among those who desire a civil, peaceful society or give Muslims the inner strength needed to weather this storm. Rather, we must be people of justice because we are Muslims and this is what Islām demands of us.
The biggest threat to Muslim activism, is Muslims ourselves. No one can help us, except us. The Islamophobia industry is in its end game. We must build the machinery that is needed to protect our rights. Our children’s future depends on it. We still have time, but none to waste.
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Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
[1] http://nathanlean.com/books/the-islamophobia-industry/
[2] https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/FearInc-report2.11.pdf
[3] http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/theresa-demands-new-powers-shut-5387668
[4] http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2014/02/religion-and-ritual-slaughter
[5] http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-06-27-Burqa_N.htm
[6] http://www.claystone.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/MuslimCharities_SuspectSector_Claystone.pdf
8 Comments
http://www.croydonmosque.com/pdf/Relations_with_Non_Muslims_According_to_Islam.pdf
Above is a good read from my local mosque which is apt for this article
Another depressing article…
The media does enough of negative incitement. Let’s try the positive card more often!
Depressing? Hardly! It’s more of a wake up call. 🙂
Perspective perhaps?
This reads rather like black victimhood and the subsequent “Black Power” movement to me. Moreover, I’ve read calls like this about Muslims being under a concerted organised attack, and the urgent need for a bloc Muslim counter movement every 5 or so years since the 1980s at least. So nothing is new here.
Agree with Greene’s point. Islamic teachings point to one list of qualities, the lived experience and reality of Muslims is another list altogether. For example, Islam promotes honesty and fair dealings, yet prisons are full of Muslims and the second major reason for this in the crime if fraud. Not for nothing are house prices in Muslim residential areas at the bottom after 40 years. In a free market, prices say a lot.
People, are still fair. When all the sums are done, the UK is still the fairest place of them all – if Muslims are managing to turn a fair minded people to feel uneasy, if we cant ‘make it work’ here, what does that say about us??
Lastly, people are genuinely both uncomfortable and frightened. The association with Islam and with violence is all too evident. This is not “because of the media”. And crucially, the state, the nation itself (the country) is threatened with violence and threatening gestures. Whether that is actual violence like the 7/7 bombers or a soldier being stabbed on the streets or an attempt to bomb Glasgow airport or the head of an aid worker bring chopped off, or whether its banners or the burning of flags, it all amounts to the state itself being attacked – in the name of Islam, as far as citizens are concerned.
Islamophobia began before the the blessed Prophet had even sat down from making his very first call. It has never stopped and never will. There will always exist some network of “Islamophobes” ( though at a general public level it is largely Muslim-phobia).
Dwelling on it, being driven by it, will not yield fruit. We will only become absorbed in our self-centred pity, and we will misjudge the greater social mood, and our negativity will be like an anchor in building the bonds needed for good social relations. I feel.
Regarding a concerted ‘attack’ on Islam, this is the explicitly publicly stated aim of US intelligence services. See “Civil Democratic Islam” where they define the long term US approach against Islam which they have even their own definition of a ‘good’ muslim: http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monograph_reports/2005/MR1716.pdf
Regarding house pricess, actually some of the cheapest property in the UK is in places like County Durham, the Welsh Rhondda valley, Liverpool, Hull, ie places that associated with impovrishment and lack of opportunity rather than muslim enclaves as you seem to imply.
Regarding people’s discomfort and fear, well that kind of is the point of islamophobia, to spread uncertainty and fear. It’s called islamophobia because these incidents are linked to the religion and then also to the body of muslims that have nothing to do with the criminal act, whereas other equally heinous acts are not linked to any other religion.
Perhaps I’ve misunderstood what you were attempting to add to this discourse with your comments?
It’s self evident that actually being concsious and aware of the circumstances we’re under without any delusion just means our collective responses are that much more effective. If we need anything then it’s more people making this call to action. 🙂
Association of Islam and violence IS due to the media because they don’t show violence of kuffar and violence against Muslims by the kuffar. Since the media is biased in their approach they are responsible
Congratulations O Muslims. While many have not even got out of the starting blocks you have applied for the bargain/ business transaction of all time. In testifying to belief in God and his illustrious messengers, you have shown that you are the people of insight & ambition.
‘… But he has not attempted the ascent (ie. ambitious act). And what will inform you what the ascent is? It is to free a slave (from bondage), and to feed in the day of hunger an orphan near of kin, or some poor wretch in misery, and to be of those of believe & exhort one another to perseverance and to exhort one another to pity/ compassion.’ Quran(90:11-17)
Loved the fact that you write about Muslims helping the non Muslim community, we don’t see enough of this. It is for this reason, people view Muslims as unfriendly which fuels hatred. How many Muslims do you see who practice the sunnah of being kind and friendly to their non muslim neighbours? There are so many areas where muslims are are in majority, but don’t want to greet or talk to non Muslims in the same area. Muslim mothers in the playground only talk to other Muslims and are seemed unfriendly by the non Muslims. There are muslims being caught acting criminally, grooming girls, dealing in fraud etc. yes, other people do it too, but muslims are, and SHOULD get a hard time for it, because we are supposed to represent our religion in a way that please Allah.
Teach our youth to be interactive, be strong, well mannered, kind, honest Muslims….be a good practising helpful, generous Muslim, and give people a reason to not hate Muslims. Then if we are best in character, in our schools, workplaces, in our community and area etc. we will see the respect for our religion gaining momentum.