DHAKA: Once again a depraved and dangerous game is being played, one
with the aim of increasing religious tensions across the globe. This
time it`s a film that seeks to defame the religion of Islam.
Predictably, too many Muslims have reacted with fierce intensity, and
with deadly consequence. Angry demonstrators have attacked American
embassies in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen. In Benghazi, Libya, the
American ambassador, three other embassy officials, and several Libyan
security staff members were tragically killed.
One should deplore
and condemn both the audacious bigotry of the film-maker as well as the
inexcusable violence of the protesters. The protesters cannot counter
the fraudulent claims of the obscure film, Innocence of Muslims no
matter how profane and bigoted it is with behaviour that itself harms
the image of Islam everywhere. Ironically, the world came to know about
this film only after American embassies were attacked and the ambassador
to Libya was killed. By engaging in violence, the overzealous Muslims
are falling into the very trap set up by the bigots.
The
Islamophobic campaign is nothing new in America. It is even worse in
Europe. The film made by Sam Bacile (who it now appears is actually
Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, a California man who was convicted in 2009 of
bank fraud) is not the first effort to denigrate Islam, nor will it be
the last.
There have been countless attempts by Islamophobes to
incite a fierce reaction in the Muslim community. In some cases, the
provocateurs succeeded in eliciting a violent response. On other
occasions, their hate-mongering plots faded into obscurity, especially
when Muslims decided to ignore them or chose to counter/correct them
through dialogue and other civil means. The results were predictably
positive: the challenges soon turned into opportunities where Muslims
were able to present the truth of Islam to their fellow citizens.
Those
who seek to inflame passions will continue their incitements, hoping
that Muslims will take the bait. They can then say: `See how violent the
Muslims are.` The incitements will remain unabated; but Muslims must
stop reacting and instead respond to the evil with something that is
civil and intelligent and put the bigotry to shame. In fact, the Quran
itself commands Muslims to `repel evil with what is better` (Surah 41:
Verse 34). The Quran also says: `O you who believe! Be steadfast in the
cause of Allah, bearing witness in equity; and let not a people`s enmity
incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just, that is
nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is aware of what
you do` (Surah 5: Verse 9).
The overzealous Muslims, who claim to
be defending the honour of the Prophet (PBUH) by attacking the
embassies and committing acts of destruction and even murder, need to
reflect on how the Prophet (PBUH) would have responded to a provocation
like Sam Bacile`s film. The Prophet (PBUH) was a man of patience, peace,
and mercy. Even though he was attacked and insulted many times
throughout his life, he responded with a highminded and measured
perspective, always inclined to compassion and forgiveness, and never
acted out of revenge or in a violencedriven way. Engaging in wanton acts
of violence and senseless killing can only serve to defile his sublime
legacy in the minds of those who don`t know him. Muslims in the
MiddleEast and around the world must remember this: We honour the
Prophet (PBUH) by following his example of tolerance and patience in the
face of hostility.
It is also important for Muslims to recognise
that the actions of a person who reviles or mocks the Prophet (PBUH),
or even goes so far as to insult or ridicule God Himself, is responsible
for his or her own actions. There is no justification for collective
blame, whether of the perpetrator`s national, religious, or political
group, or of the government of the nation he resides in (let alone the
ambassador or other embassy officials or staff).
Regrettably,
many Muslims across the world have little or no idea as to how American
democracy functions and its society operates.
They think the
American government is behind, complicit in, or endorsing any
Islambashing action or statement broadcast from its soil. This is a
serious misperception and myth about America that must be dispelled and
debunked at every opportunity.
It is true and unfortunate that
some biased individuals and organisations are stirring up hatred against
Islam and Muslims with unrelenting persistence. The film that is centre
stage in the current turbulence is a manifestation of exceeding
ignorance and the most ignoble foolishness in its scandalous attack
against the Prophet (PBUH), Islam, and Muslims. It aims to tarnish the
image of Islam and spoil the relations between Muslims and nonMuslims.
However, there are huge numbers of people in America who have condemned
this film, and among them are leaders of various faiths, especially
Christianity and Judaism.
Some non-Muslim academics have even called for Sam Bacile`s arrest.
Muslims
must think deeply before reacting tempestuously. For overreacting to
such provocations will only make things worse. Resorting to violence
shouldn`t be an option at any time.
The maker and sponsors of the
hate film have undoubtedly put forth a piece of propaganda promoting
the worst kind of bigotry; still, this should never be an excuse to
commit any act of violence against a person or any destruction of
property.We are certainly not suggesting that Muslims stop defending the
Prophet (PBUH). But the best way to defend the Prophet (PBUH) is by
conveying to people who he really was, and by emulating his sublime
character. We cannot become emotionally overblown and act irrationally
every time an Islamophobe insults Islam. We should act with utmost
maturity and deal with caution, care and prudence.
The Prophet
(PBUH) is loved and respected by hundreds of millions of people around
the world, and no one can take this veneration from our hearts. So we
should not fall into the trap of those who wish to incite our anger and
instill hatred in the minds and hearts of nonMuslims. Indeed, there is
no God-conscious faith or love for the Prophet (PBUH) in reacting in a
brutal and destructive way.As we mourn the loss of lives, we call on
Muslims around the world to `repel evil with what is better`. That might
entail ignoring a provocation, like the film in question, that is ugly
in its purpose but supremely foolish in its content. It might require in
presenting a reasoned argument as to why some anti-Islam talking point
is erroneous. In all cases, however, repelling evil with what is better
demands speech and behaviour that is wise and judicious, with sober
awareness that everything we do and say has consequences. If only `Sam
Bacile` had observed such prudence.
By arrangement with The Daily Star/ANN
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