Donald Trump has moved seamlessly from President-elect to President. In fact, so seamless has been the transition that he seems identical to the one who started as the prospective Republican nominee. Trump is just as egocentric, brash, brazen and still as Twitter-obsessed as he has always been. For all his faults, one thing that he is not – is fickle. He has unashamedly maintained his anti-Muslim rhetoric which has, true to his words, now been enacted through one of his many executive orders.
Trump famously campaigned on a pledge to ban all Muslims from entering the United States. This pledge has seen Trump sign an executive order banning migration into the United States from seven Muslim countries. The ban is without doubt illegal under US law,[1] however try telling that to Trump and his entourage.
Also read: Trump isn’t the problem. America is.
This is all quite surreal. At each and every step of his journey, from business tycoon to President of the United States of America, I kept thinking that he would fall at the next hurdle. Instead, he has, from the lofty heights of the Oval Office, now signed a piece of paper to execute the ban he so unashamedly advocated.
One thing he never accounted for was the swathe of sympathy that such blatantly discriminatory policies would generate within the American public. Up and down the United States, people have protested, demonstrated and shown solidarity with the Muslims. Protests have taken place at many cities and airports including Washington, Orlando, Atlanta and Seattle.[2]
Such solidarity with the Muslims is not an isolated incident. Actress Kathy Najimy encouraged all women to wear a hijab or headscarf at an anti-inauguration demonstration held in Washington.[3] She described it as a way to stand alongside their “about-to-be-disenfranchised Muslim Sisters”.
Levels of discontent and protest have now spread across the world. Demonstrations have even been happening in towns and cities across the United Kingdom. A petition to prevent Trump attending a State Visit to the United Kingdom has attracted nearly 2 million signatures and counting. Their displeasure is clearly indicative of a nation which feels that the UK should not welcome a president who has the audacity to implement a ‘ban on Muslims’ in his own country. Added to this invitation, which is being seen as tacit consent to the Trump order, there is resentment that the visit would be a State Visit with all its pomp and ceremony – and paid via the public purse.
Each and every day since the enactment of this executive order matters related to the high office of the President of the United States of America have reduced to near farcical levels. Trump has now retracted on the position that this is a Muslim ban. This, despite Rudy Giuliani, former New York City Mayor and a confidant to Trump, acknowledging on Fox News that this was a backdoor Muslim ban.[4] Additionally, Trump in true business-like style, has had the audacity to sack the acting attorney general, Sally Yates, for doing her job and questioning the legality of the executive order.
As they say, ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’ when it comes to solidarity with the Muslims. If Trump decides to stand the course on developing a database for Muslims,[5] then pro-Muslim solidarity may soar to unprecedented levels. In fact, Madeleine Albright, the former Secretary of State, and actress Mayim Bialik have both stated their intentions to register as Muslim if that was the case.[6]
Such acts of solidarity remind me of the famous story of the conversion of Hamza (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu), the uncle of our beloved Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). Hamza (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) initially stated that he was a Muslim to antagonise Abu Jahl as an act of solidarity for his persecuted nephew (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). This act of solidarity became the catalyst of Hamza’s eventual conversion to Islām.
Despite all the rhetoric, discrimination, bigotry and downright anti-Islamic policies in recent times, it is almost unbelievable that four polls conducted of the American public in the last year has revealed “extraordinary, progressive and unexpected” positive attitudes towards Muslims and Islām.[7] Evidence seems to indicate that this is a result of opposing the views and sentiments of Trump himself. There is now a very simple barometer to gauge whether an American is progressive, just, fair and equitable – you just need to oppose Trump’s policies. Hence, the more Trump continues on with his policies based on bigotry, the more it will draw Islām and Muslims closer to the American public.
As Almighty Allāh says in the Glorious Qur’ān,
“But they plan, and Allāh plans. And Allāh is the best of planners.”
“They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it.”
Despair not, as hard as it may be to stomach. Trump may actually be good for Muslims and Islām.
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Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
1⃣ Trump’s Immigration Ban Is Illegal https://nyti.ms/2jGCwhW
2⃣ Protesters decry Trump’s immigration policies http://cnn.it/2jJ6GkS
4⃣ Rudy Giuliani admits Trump’s executive order is a backdoor Muslim ban http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/giuliani-muslim-ban_us_588e25fce4b0b065cbbca59f?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004
5⃣
7⃣ How Trump changed Americans’ view of Islam – for the better:
Totally agree, but we’re still sleepwalking our way to disaster. People keep assuming it couldn’t happen, it wont happen and yet our rights and liberties as Muslims are being continually oppressed and justice is not forthcoming. These are great wake up calls to remind us to ALL be active in WHATEVER form you can. Participate in community events, even non-muslim ones so new people get to be in your space as a proud Muslim and carrier of the message of Allah. We take it for granted but need to be reminded that Islam is awe inspiring! So be that walking talking Quran yourself and do whatever it takes. Start new social groups, get things happening in your locality, do something with your children’s school or in the press. Allah has given you skills and ability so write, speak, lead, take action, take action take action in whatever form you can. This is a huge opportunity especially for Muslims in the west to start owning the agenda because the world is now paying us a huge amount of attention.
Fab article of everyone coming together in unity whatever our faith
Muslims are receiving much love and support, by word and by deed, from many good people, it is true.
But I wouldn’t put my hope in Trump’s bigotry as a formula.
Muslims must also give: we must give to others what we are warm-heartedly receiving in the present. To stand with others, and be others, to actively go in and help others, to show genuine compassion and non-judgemental love and nothing in return, THAT draws people closer together.
Always has.
Assalamu alaikum,
I think in response generally, to some of us we have been given the kick up the proverbial back side to get engaged with the local community. Plus what better time than near to #VisitMyMosque to capitalise on the media coverage. One of my local mosques, Baitul Aziz in the area of Elephant and Castle in South East London is hosting a Tea and Tour open day on Sunday 12th Feb, which has been 4 years running.
All I can say to everyone lets get moving now go to our nearest masjid and start suggesting to committees of our locals to put an open day, specifically the masjid who have not arranged one yet.
Great but do it at least once a month. In terms of jihad with your wealth and person its barely registering but its better than nothing.
Victory for muslims often comes out of left field after a desperate looking situation has caused the weak in eman to run, exposed those who lack patience and do not put their trust in Allah. That said i think this is a very dangerous moment and we need to be sure not to just sit back and put our trust in Allah to sort it out for us. That would seriously misunderstand our deen. We must struggle against this with everything we can. Struggle in the dunyah for the sake of Allah.