Salam,
In light of the recent hostage fiasco in Afghanistan, I thought I would express my 2 cents.
For those who are not aware, Taliban militants in Afghanistan kidnapped about 23 South Korean Christian aid workers (supposedly missionaries) by gunpoint and threatened to kill them unless South Korea agreed to a prisoner swap. Apparently, there are about 200 volunteers many of whom are engineers, doctors, and medical staff. They have instigated quite the uproar within the staunchly Muslim community in Afghanistan, especially after rumors spread about these volunteers proselytizing Christianity where they serve. As for the 23 hostages, majority of them female, one has already been killed yesterday.

When I read this in the news headlines, I was almost inclined to feel stoic in reaction. Not because I don't care, but because such news is too damn common, and American Muslims, for the most part, shy away from the public eye when it happens. Muslim terrorists. Islamic suicide bombers. Mujahideen bombs this. Taliban kidnaps that. You know which headline is my favorite of all time? American Muslims don't give a damn. Actually, I never heard such a headline, but it's been implied. And such an implication, I question- does it contain any truth?

In fact, the other day, I was having lunch with a few of my classmates, one of whom asked me "But what about you American Muslims? Why don't you say anything? Why don't you do anything about it?"

My response was garbled and a bit abstruse because the truth of the matter is, our Muslim community in America struggles with so many of its own problems and divisions (I heard this being used an excuse on several occasions), but I'm not too sure how that would justify our sidestepping any opportunity to public condemn acts perpetrated in the name of the Glorious One.

If we sincerely loved our Creator, we should stand up for Him. When we see our names slandered in the headlines; our religion depraved by equivocal politicians and crap-spouting bigots; harassed by trite misinterpretation, where are we to deprecate the wrong-doers, debunk the misconceptions, and support the oppressed truth?

There are, in fact, many Islamic activist organizations and exemplary Muslim individuals in America who are speaking loud and proud about their beloved religion and misconcieved identity, while codemning the acts of lunacy committed in the name of their sacred faith.

But besides public condemnations, what else are we supposed to be doing?

Is the Muslim voice debilitated? If so, by what? I'm not sure. But on the brighter side, there is evidently a gradual rise of Muslim presence in the limelight. (Check out Washington Post) Alhamdulilah.

Let there be among you a community who enjoin good and forbid evil; it is they that shall be successful [3:104]


My prayers go to the victims of injustice and ruthless oppression. God give the innocent strength against the evil-doers. Ameen.