From a flawed perspective...

In a recent Facebook discussion, a friend of a friend articulated the following:

"Many Americans, specifically non-Muslim Americans, do have questions about what Muslims believe and the connection of those beliefs to the terrorist actions we are seeing out of the Islamic world over that past 30 years or so. Is there something within Islam itself, as a belief system, that justifies terrorist action against innocent civilians, or are the Islamic terrorists being unfaithful to what Islam teaches? (in the same manner that someone who identifies as a Christian and murders an abortion doctor would be acting in a manner that is unfaithful to Christian teaching).

Under what circumstances is violence justified according to Islam? That would be the question many Americans have and are concerned about. I believe it is fair to say that is the question that Juan Williams seems to be asking and reflecting on as well."

My response:

"These are the valid questions that need to be raised. These questions are the questions that people will naturally come to. However, it also speaks to a hidden rejection of Islam as a divine religion. I say that because a fair-minded Muslim would not ask if the violence that a Christian or Jew perpetrates is rooted in his theology. Why? Muslims believe that these religions are from one God. His way and will are the same throughout. The independent laws may be different, but the overall message is the same.

A fair-minded Christian or Jew could only ask this question and think that it is a valid question because they are starting from the focal point that "this Islam thing" comes from a different creator and a different being, so there is a chance that there is something in it that could be wrong. This perspective lays the foundation for the other skewed views that arise.

Hence, unless we begin to rely on the true foundations of our faiths, we will continue to start from a position of defeat, rejection and disenchantment. Starting from these positions cannot allow us to embrace each other as brothers in the belief in One God, much less as brothers in humanity."

Between Indifference and Deference

Personally, I am not indifferent to issues and concerns pertaining to the Park 51/Cordoba House/"Ground Zero Mosque" controversy. I am not indifferent to the sensitivities of the proponents or opponents to the project. I am not indifferent to the ramifications that will result if it is built or if it is not built in that location. My indifference is to the location itself. Granted, it is all about location; but is it?

I know that the developer stands to lose from this investment he has already made; I am putting that aside for a minute. I know that there is a smear campaign being waged against Imam Rauf and other national organizations; I am putting that aside for a minute. I am fully aware of the aims and goals of the Right-wingers to instill fear of Islam and of Muslims into the hearts and minds of Americans for economic and political gain. That is clear. Thus far I have reserved my personal comments on the issue and have only shared information pertaining to the vitriol against the issue. On the surface level, it would seem that I support the establishment of the building at that location and that I advocate that they should not compromise or move. However, I am indifferent to the location. In fact, the more I think of it, the more I think that as Muslims we should defer.

Now, before you brand me a coward or suggest that I am capitulating to pressure, please understand the perspective from which I am coming. I am fully aware that moving it could give the impression to those who wish to do America harm that America hates Muslims. They have that impression already. We have no control over that. The power to change hearts is in God's Hands. I also understand that we should stand firm and erect it to change this perception of "collective responsibility" for the terroristic acts of 9/11. However, I think what we would gain by taking the more difficult route is much greater than what we would lose.

Humility, patience and understanding are the trademarks of a Muslim, especially in this month of Ramadhan. For this situation to raise its head and for us to not see its interconnectedness with what we are to strive for during Ramadhan makes me wonder if we are really looking at the big picture. In discussing humility, I question how much of the "firm stance" we are taking is now clouded by our insistence on showing America that we will not be intimidated; that we have a right to be here. I fully agree with this sentiment. However, we are that America. This is our family. Aren't we expected to show more humility when dealing with those closest to us? If this part of our intention is being clouded, then we have to be very concerned about the outcome of the project. Think of the concessions during the Treaty of Hudaibiyah; this was the epitome of humility. We have nothing to lose by being humble.

I do not have to dwell a lot on patience. We know what is required in this case. We know that we are to be patient. Think of the Prophet during the years in Mecca. That was patience. He endured and he persevered. He did not focus on the physical, but more specifically on the social relationships and partnerships being created by living out the belief he had adopted. Forgiveness and tolerance are subsumed in this quality of patience. In this month of Ramadhan, we beg for forgiveness and acceptance from the One who holds our souls in His hands. How can we ask for it and not be willing to give it freely ourselves?

We cannot claim to be understanding of others if we do not put their needs above our own. This is the spirit of what we claim as our way of life. Can anyone really say that we will lose greatly if this does not move forward in the way many of our hearts would prefer to see it move forward? I will be foremost in saying that we need community centers and other facilities for our communities and to create safe spaces for basic human interaction. I agree with that. I also understand that a safe space cannot be created if some feel threatened by the space. Furthermore, I understand that if we are to send the right message - which is our responsibility - we have to do it quickly and decisively.

The one who has less to lose can afford to have patience, can afford to forgive and can afford to be understanding. What do we have to lose? We are told clearly in the Qur'an that if those who are against you are inclined to peace, then we are advised to incline towards peace as well. What prevents us from inclining towards peace? What prevents us from seeing beyond our own needs? I think that as Muslims, we have a greater responsibility. It seems like we are not up to the challenge of that responsibility.

I shall continue to share the posts on the opposition to the project. I shall continue to do that to show that unless society as a whole modifies how it looks at things, hatred and division will be our continued reality. If we want to be better as a society, we have to be better as individuals.