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State of Muslim
Communities:
According to an estimate, there are about
1.8 billion Muslims, by the end of 2015, (PEW, 2017), forming, almost, a quarter
of the global population, however, helm
of affairs are not much favourable. There are 57 Muslim-majority states (OIC,
2017), however, the rights of people are not ensured in the light of Objectives of
Shari’ah. Objectives of Shari’ah [at necessities level—without which the system
of a nation will run into chaos], as envisioned by Imam Ghazali includes;
Protection of Faith, life, intellect, lineage and wealth [Hifz ul Eman, Hifz ul Nafs, Hifz ul Aqal, Hifz ul Nasal and Hifz ul Mal] (Siddiqui, 2000). Interestingly,
modern Western values of democracy, freedom, justice [human rights—including
women and minorities—and merit] are in line with Islamic teachings (Rashid,
2016). Muslim majority countries are spanning from Fareast
to West Africa and from Central Asia to South Africa. Generally, Muslim youth
is under stress and anger (Baroud, 2014), which increases with every passing
moment, especially, when mainstream media links an act of terrorism with the religion of Islam—because Muslim youth know
that Islam discourages killing of innocents. According to Holy Qur’an, “if anyone killed a person—not in retaliation of murder or (and) to spread mischief in
the land—it would be as if he killed all mankind; and if anyone saved a life,
it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind” (5:32). Even, during
declared conflict/war with a nation, Islamic protocols of fight do not allow
the killing of innocents—including women,
children, old-age people (BBC, 2009). In addition, none of the known and
credible Islamic scholar ever supported any act of terrorism, leading to the killing of innocents. Causes of terrorism are
more political than religious.
Although much of the
reasons for anger and frustration of Muslim-youth is contributed by the circumstances
around them—corruption, poverty, lack of education and health facilities—however,
Western establishment, too, contributes a
certain amount—or at least Muslim-youth
perceive in this way. In this article, we have tried to document certain
reasons for anger and frustration of Muslim youth, as well as, suggest a line of
action to address them. Addressing of anger and frustration of Muslim-youth is need of the time and ignorance might lead to
failure in establishing global peace—a prerequisite to developments in the areas
of economics, science & technology, and
global society. The modern world is
interconnected and any attempt to isolate or ignore billions of people (PEW, 2017), would never let others progress.
In the era of information technology, it is no
more a secret and private the lifestyles
of various communities around the globe. Maybe
members of rich societies (people in high-income
economies) are not interested to know as what is happening in poor communities,
however, rest assured, people of poor and depressed communities are very much
interested to know the circumstances of advanced societies. 24/7 news channels,
films, documentaries, economic data and multi-million websites—accessible
freely or at a very significant low cost—feed information every tick of
the clock to billions of people worldwide.
It is natural to wish for oneself the
best available resources and comforts, whenever uncovered or accessible.
Resources including goods and services, as well as, liberty and
self-actualization contributes to the comfort of a human being. Maslow (1943)
was instrumental in the identification of
a hierarchy of needs starting from
physiological—food, clothing and shelter—to the highest level of
self-actualization— the realization of
potential. In between are safety, belongingness and esteem needs (Mcleod, 2017).
In the light of Maslow’s hierarchy, if we look
into the Muslim world, communities have
attained different levels of needs
fulfilment—for example, in GCC public is
up in the ladder (higher command over
consumption) and some sections of Muslim-communities, elsewhere, could
not fulfil physiological needs (SESRIC,
2015). In addition, within geographical boundaries of a country, a disparity exists—for example in Pakistan,
certain sections of the society are affluent and a large number is below the poverty line (Ebrahim and Ali, 2015). A large
number of Muslims, globally, has not free access to education, healthcare,
sufficient food, and security (Ibrahim,
2011). However, with the help of access to information, they know people around
them, as well as, elsewhere enjoying the lifestyle
of (earlier-days) royals or even better.
Who is responsible for this very bad state of
affairs? My
answer is very simple! That is poor governance of these countries. Who
governs these countries? Again, they already have independence from
colonization, except few communities—including Kashmir and Palestine. The elite
of their own countries is governing them.
Moreover, that elite is either unfaithful to them or clearly lacs ability to
run the modern society. In fact, rulers of these communities are not chosen by
the free will of the residents—few exceptions may be—rather rulers are imposed
upon them. Here comes the problem of divergence between West and Muslim youths
to fore. Western establishment, repeatedly, approve or disapprove ruling elite
in the various Muslim communities. Interestingly, often, Western establishment
supported the elite/ruler in a country, was not a true representative of the community. Not only this, often, Western-establishment remained hostile or lesser cooperative to rulers of Muslim communities with ground-level support. Few
examples cited here.
Perceived
Injustices: In
Pakistan, Western establishment, all the times supported military dictators and
poured in billions of US dollars during those regimes—including Ayub, Zia, and
Musharraf. While during civilian regimes—including Bhutto and Sharif—Western
establishments ignored Pakistan or at least reduced support including economic [and
political] (Ali, 2009). Fact is Bhutto and Sharif had ground-level support, among the masses, and supporting them would
have created a soft image of the West in
the hearts of Pakistanis. America has helped Pakistan in many areas, including defence and education,
but American image is ‘more of an enemy than a friend’
in the eyes of the masses (PEW, 2010). Likewise, Pakistan returned the favours by
joining US-led quests—including normalization with China, the defeat of Russia in
Afghanistan, and latest move of toppling Taliban regime (resulting in losses of
billions in economic and thousands in human-lives)—but Americans perceive
Pakistan more of an enemy than a friend (DAWN, 2011). There is a huge trust
deficit between the two nations—in spite of a lengthy partnership.
Pakistan was a partner of America in defeating
USSR in Afghanistan, but in the post-war era,
America and Pakistan could not agree on the choice of rulers in Kabul. Pakistan
succeeded in finding a friendly government of Taliban in Afghanistan, but later
on, America attacked Taliban—post 9/11
tragedy—and got Pakistani support through arms twisting. America could not
succeed, [like earlier wars in Afghanistan] and promoted the role of anti-Pakistan elements in
Afghanistan—including Northern Alliance and Indian influence. The increased roles of these anti-Pakistan
parties are certainly against the interests of Pakistan; hence, Pakistan could
not support America, wholeheartedly—as per USA demands.
With every passing day, relations of America
and Pakistan are moving towards hostility. Definitely, in this age of
information, Pakistani youth are looking at all these developments. They question American actions because they knew their nation has sacrificed above 62,000
lives and 118 billion of US dollars in economic losses (Sabri, 2017). They knew
their streets and schools became red by the blood of their countrymen in a war, which was not their war—in
fact, it was a Western war but brought suffering for their community,
more than anyone else in the world. No other nation suffered too much in
human-losses.
Consider the case of Egypt. A democratically
elected president is persecuted and Military dictator took over, and Western
establishment approved the whole process. We all know Morsi was the real
representative of the people of Egypt—and Muslim youth had expectations with
the West for his support because he was
an elected president through a transparent process—but Western establishment
preferred to support dictator over an elected
representative, like Pakistan. Such double standards—opting democracy
for themselves and dictatorship for others—of West contribute to anxiety, stress, and angriness of Muslim youth towards the West.
In Iran, Western establishment supported the king
over the elected prime minister in early 50s and continued support till the people’s
revolution happened in 1979. After the establishment
of people’s government in Iran, the Western establishment became hostile instead of
being supportive. This gives rise to
negative sentiments among youth towards the West—as
what Westerns like for themselves (democracy) do not willing to see in other
communities.
Likewise, the latest
episode of the Army coup in Turkey. Erdoğan is a popular
leader in Turkey and in the power for more than a decade. He has alleged,
that Western establishment supported that army coup (Withnall and Osborne,
2016). Again, irrespective of the truth
of his claims, such acts of Western establishment contributes only to the stress and angriness of Muslim youth
towards West.
Kashmir and Palestine are two major disputes
among Muslims versus India and Israel. Globally, Muslims are unanimous on the resolution of these two issues under the
resolutions of the United Nations. Clearly,
United Nation resolutions guarantee the right
of self-determination to Kashmiris and Palestinians (United Nations, 1948).
However, Western establishment never acts
overwhelmingly for implementation of such resolutions by pressing Israel and
India. In fact, often in case of Palestine and occasionally in case of Kashmir,
Western establishment put its weight against the oppressed Muslim communities.
In addition, there were two issues of separation relating to Non-Muslims—in
Indonesia and Sudan—and got quick resolutions
by dividing the countries and ensuring independence in South Sudan (2011) and
East Timor (2002).
Muslims are weak in technology, economics,
education, governance and politically, as compared to the west. However, every
treatment, in violation of merit and justice, creates hatred among them, at
least; and powerful nations should not exercise “license to kill” the weaker
segment in economics, politics, media and conflicts. Such an insult to a nation
with glorious past—leadership in middle ages—as well as, forming one-fourth of the global community, with production of hundreds of thousands professionals in all
areas—medical, science, technology, business etc. would definitely have
consequences.
Way Forward: Implications of these—perceived—injustices and
bullies include disapproval at the initial stage, later converts into anxiety and
anger—at every repeat—and finally leads to resentment and revenge. Few of
Muslims reach the final stage—however, few of 1.8 billion is hundreds of
thousands. How much to kill? And at how many places? Anyone, reached the final stage,
can be found and trapped anywhere. The solution is to work for ending the
problem at an earlier stage—by addressing
the causes of anxiety and angriness. Unfortunately, the prevailing western
establishment—led by Mr Trump—have adopted the opposite course of action. For
example, banning entry to the United
States for members of some Muslim nations—including Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Syria
and Iran—shifting USA embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, assignment of the increased role to India in South Asia—are acts
of incitement to anger and violence, around the world.
West occupies a prime place—due to leadership
in science and technology—in the global community,
is expected to help-out less developed communities in the area of education,
economics, and governance. However, at
present Western role is being suspected as part of the problem—and not the solution of the problem. With this perception
about West—part of the problem—among Muslims, the job of terror promotors become much easier to recruit the people
willing to sacrifice their lives, especially, when their lives are lacking
comfort and fulfilment. If the West is
really serious about addressing the problem of terrorism, it needs to rethink its role as a global leader and make necessary improvements, based
on agreed-upon values of democracy, justice, human dignity and human rights.
People, in Muslim countries, expect from West
to help—them in achieving their goal of progress and prosperity—and not to deal
them unjustly at multiple forums, regarding multiple issues. People expect Western
support to achieve common values of humanity, in their communities, as
practised in Western societies. People expect resolution of conflicts among
Muslims and others, based upon merit, with equal treatment of the parties.
Empirics suggest; Western support on merit—to the Muslim community in Bosnia—has contributed to increased confidence and soft corner, among Muslims for the Western establishment. However, prevailing Western
policy—killing terrorists (by ignoring the collateral
damages), isolating people of certain nations, planting puppets (rulers) in
Muslim societies, and silence (and/or opposition) on Muslim disputed
territories—have clearly failed and terrorism is on the rise, in both—Muslim
and Western societies.
We can only hope for the betterment of helm of affairs, although, things
are getting worse every minute and leadership style of wealthy states—Modi and
Trump—may fuel the fire. We do not consider appropriate that the global community has an option to fail, in addressing terror threats, through a multi-pronged strategy. Failure to address
means more terrorism—leading to bloodshed and making the world hell—and ironic
is that over time even in western stable and peaceful societies the signs
of hate and discrimination for (ordinary
and peaceful) Muslims are emerging. Attacks on Majids (Mosques) and Muslims
(BBC, 2017), discriminatory laws—targeting Muslims (Independent, 2016)—and
Islamophobia is rising in Europe and
North America—consequently making the job easier for terror recruiters.
Written in 2018
***National Park Service https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:National_Park_Service_9-11_Statue_of_Liberty_and_WTC_fire.jpg
***National Park Service https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:National_Park_Service_9-11_Statue_of_Liberty_and_WTC_fire.jpg
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