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« on: February 13, 2008, 10:38:39 AM »
Despite our opposition to the attitudes of the Isreali's against our palestinian brethren, I think its completely wrong to support Hitler or any mass murderer under any circumstance at all, and I sincerely hope that Malam Muhsin you didnt mean what you said. Regardless of what Hitler thought of us (Africans, about whom he remarked "let the animals graze"), we dont support him, simply because he was a transgressor and as Muslims, a life is sacred regardless of who's life it is..
When people are killed around the world, regardless of where they stand, as a Muslim, you feel sad. If they were Muslims, you feel sad to have lost a brother, If they were not Muslims, you feel sad for what might have been, i.e. a lost opportunity to give them the sweetness of faith and for them to taste what it is we greatly enjoy, and hence gain eternal bliss. From the mindset of those who truly understand the beauty of Islam, Wars are fought as an inevitability, not as a craving. We never yearn to dominate, or to kill, or to fight for the fun of it or to amass power and rule over a dominion. If we did that, then what makes us any different from the imperialist powers we condemn? As Muslims, our yearnings are first and foremost to practice our religion in tranquility, to advocate fairness, truth and justice everywhere and to give to others the beautiful teachings we hold dear. We fight merely to defend this, and as the prophet once remarked to his companions when standing in ranks and preparing for a crucial battle, "Never yearn to meet your enemies on the field of battle, but if you do, then do not turn back and remember, in the shade of the sword lies paradise" (aw kama Qala rasulullah).
About Obama's comments, I have to say, I sincerely doubt the authenticity of those remarks, not because I am a supporter, (Frankly May the best man or woman win), but because it would be tantamount to political suicide and every politician with an iota of political flair knows it. As a rule in politics, you appeal to your core supporters and never alienate anyone, because the difference between winning and loosing, could be just one vote, hence every vote counts. Please confirm you sources, and be very wary of such "claims". It is as authentic as the first letter that said he was a Muslim, it's fairly obvious, that they're both fake.
I cant say I know why America cares for Isreal, but I will be the first to point out that in theory that is not a wrong thing to do, after all, we all have people and countries we care about more than others, (and as some of my very good friends have similarly argued, why do we care for Palestinians?). It however becomes wrong when the love for a certain beloved blinds you from being fair and just to all others, and hence upholding a "universal truth" and implementing a "golden mean". What we find fault in, and believe makes America wrong, is that it lets its allegiances to a certain country deviates it from establishing truth and fairness in its dealing with others, allowing its loved one, i.e. Isreal, to commit wrong doings against others, while it conveniently turns a blind eye and hence allows it to live "above the law" (as its floundering of international laws and countless legitimate UN resolutions attests to). That is America's crime, and why it builds enemies for itself. As a parent, you surely love your child, but will it be right if you turned a blind eye to your child's wrong actions? Is that love? is that fair on other children? Is that in the best interest of your child? Surely, it will make the neighbour dislike you and stop them from allowing their children play with you? Logic dictates, does it not?
Similarly, this raises a lesson for us to learn Malam Muhsin, that as Muslims, by justifying every wrong doing or crime committed by our brethren (or in the case of Hitler, any person) against Israel and its supporters, we risk becoming exactly like the nations we have grown to criticise. We should remember that as Muslims, our responsibility is to be fair and just at all times, even if it be against ourselves and those whom we love. This may in some cases, mean saying the unpalatable truth, i.e. that we are wrong and the opposition is right, and hence, giving them their due rights at all times. Hence my statement on Hitler and my similar sentiments about Milosovic and Muscilini. That was the way of the prophet and the rightly guided Khalifs (including Umar ibn Abdulaziz). If we dont act in such a fair and just manner in defining our convictions, then sadly, the difference between us and those whom we criticise, will simply be our names.
P.s. King, Just a thought, please tone down your words, and know that we are all here to discuss, learn from each other, and to find solutions to seemingly complex issues, in our region, country and in the wider world. It is in everyone's interest if we can do so, in a mature manner and not in ways that offend others. I'm sure, that you are more than capable of doing so. Thank you.