3F: Fear, Freedom and Faith

         Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you) and hello readers. Lately media have been swarmed by countless news and future events regarding Muslims and Islam. Many irrelevant diatribes, illogical misunderstandings and immoral behaviors bombarded the Muslim community in the USA. Some claimed to be overnight “professionals” in Islam by confidently talking about it. Not less declared to be great “idealists”  by discussing about the idea of terrorists’ triumph if the Islamic Center built near the Ground Zero – the place where the tragedy 9/11 took place in 2001. Unfortunately, all these “professionals” and “idealists” weren’t utterly aware of what had been happening all around the globe. They just had the sudden urge to speak and took so-called leadership to further make the world confused about the already confusing views on Islam. So every one of them came with the best bets they had in hand. That was how the words - fear, freedom and faith – came into the landscape of current discussion. Come on!!! Who are we kidding? Fifth graders? I guess the fifth graders are by far smarter than most of us. Sigh!

         First let me discuss about FEAR and see what is really happening in the dark where no one sees it. Years after the attack of the 9/11, people were still perplexed and clueless about what Islam is, especially in the United States. Out of the bewilderment, they just concluded that Islam is terrorism and abandoned the impulse to understand the religion. Then the word Islamophobia emerged in the American society in the early 21^st century. Islamophobia existed because people are afraid of Islam due to a lack of apprehension about it. (Really? We were already in the 21th century when this thing was happening? How come a self proclaimed well-educated society like Americans becomes so close-minded about a religion?) The misinterpretation about Islam had been continuing until people started to reach the dawn of comprehending Islam. Yet, some politicians wittily manipulated the sensational events for their advantages and shamefully placed their opponents in difficult position. Advocating the Americans rights, condemning/praising the religion and its adherents have been burgeoning up till today. This hot-potato topic really picked up some moment to the stage of reaching to the point of no return. As usual, many huge figures unexpectedly expressed their 5-cent concerns to get cheap publicity without really putting things into action. Read here for more.

         In the meanwhile, FREEDOM also plays a major part in the interreligious debate. The United States has been taking pride in her “sincere” freedom over practically anything we can imagine. Americans always boast about their active participations in setting the world free from any “abusive” dependence according to their eyes. Hence they devise freedom of speech in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. This freedom is not specifically meant to tackle the speech alone but also to be extended to generally anything unlimited by barriers/boundaries. That’s good but the problem is, the hypocrites take the liberty to bend the rule as they like and try to hide the truth from the uneducated and cynical. So a perfect storm occurs when freedom of speech meets head-to-head with freedom of religion. Hate-mongers and peace-makers look alike and true information stay buried in the crusade. This is what the US Constitution obviously fails to tackle and contain. See what Americans say about the Quran burning event here.

       In the midst of ups and downs of world’s religious troubles, the educated take a brilliant step by staying put and let the turbulence to recede before executing any honest, healing duty. They persist to have a FAITH in mankind. They are the actual advocates who genuinely understand the gravity of the situations. For understanding non-Muslims, they still believe in harmony and try to stay optimistic in this difficult times. Hopefully faithful Muslims take a high road and keep living their Islamic way of life. I think this knucklehead’s programs are not long to stay in the picture. Enlighten about the current event of building a mosque near Ground Zero here.

        In the nutshell, let’s be more critical in judging what is really happening around us. Be more observant and take time in gathering right information, conquering personal fears and getting ready to face tomorrow’s greater challenges. The truth will prevail. Insyaallah (God willing).