Commentary: Muslim majority must be willing to take a stand against injustice

The Northwestern - March 6, 2007 (MSQ USA) -- Whenever we talk about extremist elements among Muslims that is always coupled by a disclaimer about a silent majority that thinks otherwise. I am a Muslim and understand that Islam has little to do with the extremists and terrorists – but I am having second thoughts about those who call themselves Muslims.

A couple of months ago, six Imams were removed from a US Airways flight because the fact that they prayed before boarding the plane was deemed suspicious. It was a big news item and Muslims all across the US were outraged. Then just a few days later some Muslims were expelled from the country for offering the same prayers (http:// www.thepersecution. org ai/aius070117sa.html) and there is little reaction from the Muslims. Same imams who were so distressed about their own flights probably support the expulsion of this minority sect from Saudi Arabia. What an irony! Removal from a plane and removal from the country – for the same action.

Then we come to the next month, this time it is Pakistan. A Christian woman is in jail because some Mullah accused her of blasphemy (http://www.persecution.org/suffering/newsdetail.php?newscode=4562). In Pakistan just accusing someone of blasphemy is enough to ruin their life – and if that poor soul belongs to a minority sect or a different religion then the country's judicial system is of little assistance. This is the same country that accused and sentenced a 14 year old Christian boy to death for blasphemy (http:// www.domini.org/openbook/pakblasp.htm).

So where is this silent majority? Are they so silent that they are irrelevant? Referring to a spineless majority just for the sake of political correctness is of no use. I would also let you in on a little secret; they are only silent about the crimes that are done by the Mullah against the minorities – otherwise the majority is quite vocal. Most of the mosques in US are packed to the capacity on Fridays. Imams are busy delivering their irrelevant sermons about the crimes being conducted against the Muslims – but have little to offer about these Muslim countries. Islamic Circle of North America (http://www.icna.org) is holding a rolling fast for a detained professor but offers little about the expelled Muslims or the distressed Christians. Islamic Society of North America (http://www.isna.com) is equally silent about such crimes.

The affairs of the Muslims are in a sad state. When it comes to the religion Muslims believe that they are being victimized by the west – not realizing that most of the crimes are done by the Muslims against the Muslims. This silent majority needs to become more vocal because if they do not, they would become irrelevant. The majority of the Muslims act like a chicken with its head cut off; they are running around making all sort of noises – but have no direction.

Islam is a great religion that offers peace. It implores on its followers to stand up for justice. It equates accepting injustice to hypocrisy. When we see injustice we should try to remedy that not look the other way. If the injustice is in our backyards then it becomes an even bigger responsibility. If we look at the state of affairs in these Muslim countries, US and Canada are more Islamic than all of them combined.

Northwestern Community Columnist Saad Ahmad is originally from Pakistan and has been living in Wisconsin since 1990. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and then stayed in the area. He works as a computer software consultant.

Commentary by Saad Ahmad, Member of MSQ USA. Originally published 03/06/07 by The Northwestern. Posted online at: http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070306/OSH04/703060367/1190/OSHopinion

NOTE: This commentary does not necessarily represent the views and/or opinions of MKA USA.