By Saboor Syed
Worldwide attention has for some time now been focused on media sources that paint Islam as an ideology that causes unrest, turmoil and mayhem in the world at present.
Religious plurality in this world is willed by God, as is stated in the Qur’an. It equates the unlawful killing of a person – Muslim or non-Muslim – with the killing of all of humanity. The Qur’an also clearly calls for reconciliation during times of conflict. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) extended the greeting of peace to all without distinction, his actions serving as an example to Muslims.
In Islam, war is permitted for Muslims only as a last resort and only under three conditions: in self-defence, for the removal of a tyrannical force or against those who breach a pact or agreement.
Even after engaging in war with non-Muslims, Muslims must never prevent them from practicing their religion. British historian and Middle East expert Karen Armstrong acknowledges that after conquering Jerusalem in 637 AD, Caliph Omar declined the offer to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre by the Archbishop of Jerusalem, fearing it might prompt Muslims to commemorate the event by erecting a mosque at the site of the church at some later date.
In his book, More in Common Than You Think, Dr. William Baker explains that when the Jews were being persecuted in Europe during the Middle Ages, they found peace, harmony, and acceptance among the Muslim people of Spain. In fact, Jews themselves refer to this era of Jewish history as the “Golden Age”.
If these examples illustrate Islam’s principal position on war and violence, why then is the Muslim world currently presenting a different image, leading many in the West to think that violence and terrorism are the hallmarks of Islam?
The issue of Muslims engaged in militancy must be viewed in context, and not in isolation. Palestinians have been denied their right to an independent state notwithstanding the existence of several UN resolutions in this regard. Similarly, UN Security Council resolutions giving Kashmiris the right to self-determination remain unimplemented. In many cases, Muslims – be they Palestinians, Kashmiris, Afghans, or Iraqis – believe they are fighting in self-defence and to regain the usurped right of independence and freedom.
Thus, it needs to be reiterated that peace never exists in vacuum – it is in fact the ultimate outcome of justice. Where there is injustice, there is bound to be violence and terrorism. Hence, unless injustice is rooted out, there can be no real peace in the world.
We must launch an international movement to arrest the menace of violence and turmoil in the world today. Based on the principal of “no peace without justice”, the movement must stand for those who are oppressed and victimised, no matter politically or otherwise, without any heed to their faith, colour and creed.
Commanding huge respect from their followers, top religious voices – such as clergy and scholars – must come forward to shape and lead this movement by establishing a regional and international network. Taking the lead from synchronised international protest demonstrations against war and violence, this peace movement should make a principal decision to oppose war and bloodletting in every case and organise mass protests in case of any such eventuality.
One can safely claim that such a movement is bound to elicit a positive response from the adherents of different religions who can emerge as strong pressure groups to force their respective governments to avoid indulging in violence or supporting an unjust war anywhere in the world.
Since Islam is routinely blamed for the present spate of violence in the media, the onus is on its worldwide acclaimed and respected voices to come forward and take the lead in organising this movement. With all religious voices speaking out as one, this movement can act as a shield against those forces working toward violence and confrontation.
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Saboor Syed is an Islamabad-based freelance journalist who has worked with several different developmental and advocacy organisations. This article is written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews) and can be accessed at www.commongroundnews.org.
Source: Common Ground News Service, 12 February 2008, www.commongroundnews.org
Copyright permission is granted for publication.