By: Saif Ali Budgami
The continuous mass killing of Rohungiya Muslims of Myanmar have raised important questions about the role of Muslim leaders in shaping a responsible discourse of resistance to oppression and injustice. Let me examine some of the issues that have been raised in this regard and will consider the question, what kind of leadership do Muslims need in the face of oppression? In particular, I will consider the role of Muslims especially living in Muslim majority countries in the context of world events following the continuous Muslim genocide globally. May it be Myanmar, Kashmir, Palestine, Syria, Nigeria, Yemen etc.I acknowledge that since Muslim leadership must be responsive to events, this question cannot be answered completely in isolation of specific circumstances. The appropriate response will necessarily depend on the nature of the threat. At the same time, will stress that any truly appropriate response must be firmly rooted in faith. A faith-based response is one that recognizes the omniscience of Allah and the limits of human understanding. Faith urgently demands that we recognize the omnipotence of Allah , and the limits of human authority. Finally, faith demands that we acknowledge the absolute accountability of each individual before Allah, and that communal solidarity should never impede honest self-criticism, nor should it lead to injustice against other groups as being watched for some years in the Islamic world.
Islam is not the cause of oppression, rather the expectations of societal norms that curb one’s ability to practice Islam correctly is what is truly oppressive. The Muslim world talks about oppression all the time.
Muslims in Muslim-minority countries often feel oppressed when having to deal with discriminatory practices. Muslims in Muslim-majority countries face oppression in other forms through challenging governmental policies or occupation by other nationals whether Muslim or non-Muslim.
“And what is wrong with you that you fight not in the Cause of Allah, and for those weak, ill-treated and oppressed among men, women, and children, whose cry is: “Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect, and raise for us from You one who will help.” [004:075: Al Quran]”
Before, let me remind you the event of 9/11 attack within hours of Muslim leaders internationally including the Chief Mufti of Saudi Arabia and the leaders of all major Islamic organizations in the United States, issued strong statements denouncing the attacks as sinful and illegal. Almost all the major News channels and newspapers had the highlighted headlines. But woe be the countries which claim to be the Islamic, didn’t even accepted the reality of Muslim Genocide of Myanmar, like the Government of Bangladesh, followed by the comments from Indian National BJP leader, so called Muslim Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi who openly refused to place the oppressed Muslims of Myanmar.
At the same time, many other so called Muslim leaders have not felt comfortable with response to the acts of terrorism, in Myanmar by Buddhist terrorists. They have surely become the puppets of killers who support them in one way or the other. But they are surely equal in oppression to the Muslims of Myanmar. I get astonished to see a Muslim (Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi) BJP party Leader in India rejecting the placements of Rohungiya Muslims. Apprehensive that it will lead to further interventions in Muslim lands that will only increase the suffering of ordinary people.
Likewise some responsible leaders blame these Rohungiya Muslims back for being the late illegal immigrant terrorists, to secure themselves from raising voice in front of some Zionist governments like India’s running under the Shadow of RSS.
I am sure for those especially in Kashmir who laugh today and stay back from helping the oppressed Rohungiya Muslims of Myanmar. Tomorrow world will laugh at us when we will be treated like Rohungiya Muslims of Myanmar. How lucky are they shouting under the edge of sword “LA ILA HA IL LA ALLAH” being slaughtered and burned down to martyrdom. And how sinful are we to enjoy them being shouted “Oh the Muslims of world help us for God’s Sake” Is this our fault to be Muslims. Alas! What response they get from so called Muslim lady (Sheikh Hanseena of Bangladesh).
Simultaneously appreciate the governance of some countries who suddenly bounced on the terrorist government of Myanmar, like Turkey and Iran. Almost relaxed the oppressed to ease.
In addition, it is perceived that India contributes to aggression against Muslims of Myanmar indeed, enormous financial and military support has continued. It seems that, any Muslim resistance to Myanmar is termed “terrorism,” but when witnessing the Buddhist terrorists slaughtering the Muslims brutally, lavishly call their actions ‘Religious Worship’ and is responded to with overwhelming force. The result is the Rohungiya Muslims themselves are increasingly showing less restraint in the force they employ to defend their families and homes.
Therefore go ahead to stand strong on their faith. And What we learn from the Prophet’s example is that Muslims are required to help the oppressed within the limits of authority they possess. Thus, Muslims internationally must demonstrate their empathy with oppressed brethren of Myanmar through prayer and encouragement else more to contribute the oppressed community. We must use our legal rights to free speech to publicize the oppressors and shame them. The Myanmar Government similar to India v has a long history of indirect Anti-Islamic resistances. And some Muslims too, have supported resistance movements with words and, in some cases, with money. What is of primary importance is that we ensure that our “help” does not in fact increase oppression.
Your friend is only Allah and His Messenger and those who believe: those who perform prayer and give the alms, and bow. (Surah al-Maidah 5)
Further, Allah in many verses of the Holly Quran states that believers are guardians of each other. The word “guardian” means friend, protector, helper and supporter. According to this, fellow Muslims are obligated to acquire each other as friends, defend each other and support each other, because this is a command of Allah to them.
At the end I give message of sympathy to the Muslims of Myanmar and all the oppressed Muslims of the world.
“OH! My dear beloved oppressed people remember whenever the feeling of grave oppression arises, remember the journey of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to where and how he had spread Islam today. Remember the journeys of all the Prophets before him, how some of them nearly died. Remember that some of them never had followers.
By: Saif Ali Budgami
Can be contacted at: Saifaly100@gmail.com
