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| One Poor Hijacked Victim Continues to
Suffer: Islam Tarek Fatah Long before they hijacked American airliners, Muslim fanatics had hijacked something more potent and precious - the religion of Islam. And while these fanatic supporters of the Taleban slowly ate away at the core values of Islam - peace, tolerance and freedom from fear - most ordinary Muslims looked the other way. Today, Canadian Muslims must do much more than rightfully protest the harassment they face. Today, they must speak out against the Taleban and its interpretation of Islam. Today, when we fight the venom of the racists, we simultaneously stand up to the Taleban; a group of medieval men who have hijacked our religion. These purveyors of hate have made such deep intrusions into the lives of ordinary Muslims that they have prohibited the simple act of clapping hands. I urge my fellow Muslims to take ownership of Islam and be proud of its call for justice. Next time a 13-year-old like Bariya Ibrahim is punished by a shariah court in Nigeria, speak out with one voice as Canadian Muslims to demand her freedom. Next time, when someone threatens to destroy the Buddhist Bamiyan statues, don't be caught speechless. Speak out for the statues that have no voice. Right now, speak out against the death sentence imposed on a Pakistani physician on charges of blasphemy. Those who have brought death, destruction and drugs to Pakistan and Afghanistan should not be allowed to take Islam hostage. I urge all Canadian Muslims to stake out their claim and reject the Talebanization of our community. Have courage and take back Islam from these hijackers. We owe it to our children and we owe it to ordinary Canadians to relish the religion that produced the poet Rumi, the philosopher Averroes, the scientist Avecenna, the science of Algebra, the Taj Mahal, the Blue Mosque of Istanbul, the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, Suleman the Magnificent, Saladin the Great, the mosque of Timbuktu, the fighters of the ANC, the Sufis of Turkey, the poetry of Mahmoud Dervish, the epics of Muhammad Iqbal, the revolution of Imam Shamael and, above all, the compassion and tolerance of Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him. Source: forwarded e-mail |