I have been thinking a lot about what to do as a Muslim since
Paris . . . then San Bernardino. A lot
of Muslims have. Across the country Muslims are having discussions. And meetings.
And more meetings.
In person and on conference calls.
Not just Muslim leaders. Not just Muslims who attend
Mosques (less than 20%). Every Muslim.
Everyone is scared.
Will there be broad backlash against non-suspecting and
innocent Muslims randomly going about their daily lives?
Will Trump’s ideas catch on?
Killing family members of terrorists
Closing all
Mosques
Institutionalizing torture
Requiring Muslim
IDs or badges
Establishing
internment camps for Muslims
What to do?
Conversations among
Muslims are all over the place:
·
We need to get out there and show our charity
work
·
We need to organize more Muslim-lead
demonstrations against terrorism
·
We cannot sound defensive in our responses
·
We must defend ourselves in our responses, even
if it sounds defensive
·
We must be strong
·
We must be humble and remorseful
·
We should remove our head scarves so we are not
targets
·
We should stay home so we are not targets
·
We should only travel in groups
·
We need to do more interfaith work
·
Mosques should have more open houses so people
can come in and see our houses of worship and meet real Muslims
·
Mosques should hire more security
·
Mosques should ask local law enforcement for
police presence
·
We need to teach people about Islam so they know
terrorism is not part of Islam
·
We need to be our normal selves and people will
see it
·
We should stop going to the Mosque
·
We should invite local law enforcement and the
FBI into our Mosques, again
·
Will anything we do ever be enough?
And the conspiracy theories do not help.
Why were media allowed to enter and record the shooter's home so soon after the shooting? How come only one “source” has been able to “recover”
deleted Facebook posts? Where is the third reported shooter?
Why are only Muslim shooters terrorists regardless of the number of deaths or
circumstances?
Some Muslim leaders and individuals are doing everything
they can to get media attention for their condemnations of San Bernardino,
terrorism, ISIS, and anything else possible.
Some Muslim leaders are trying to explain the systems in
place at Mosques and Muslim organizations to prevent fueling and funding
terrorists.
Some Muslim leaders and individuals are saying what they
think others want to hear – that there is a virus in the Mosques that must be
rooted out. Always just innuendo, nothing ever concrete or actionable.
It does not matter that turning on others for
self-preservation provides no real protection. No “good Muslim” standard has
been set, and even if it were, those prone to vigilante violence are not likely
to request credentials first.
It does not matter that the FBI has had a pulse on the
Mosques and Muslim leaders for years through informants and wiretaps.
It does not matter that every Muslim terrorist in the United
States has been identified as a loner, member of a small group, or connected
only via social media – most recently estranged from their family, friends, and
the larger Muslim community.
It does not matter that people moved to commit crimes or violence always hide their intentions and activities from others.
It does not matter that many Muslims have stood with the United States as soldiers, law enforcement, and informants.
It does not matter that the majority of Muslims are employed, pay taxes, have had no brush with the law, volunteer, and are good neighbors.
It does not matter how often Muslims have rallied for peace or issued condemnations.
It does not matter that Muslims are diverse individuals made up of almost every ethnicity in the world - over 1.57 billion humans with separate brains.
It does not matter that many Muslims have stood with the United States as soldiers, law enforcement, and informants.
It does not matter that the majority of Muslims are employed, pay taxes, have had no brush with the law, volunteer, and are good neighbors.
It does not matter how often Muslims have rallied for peace or issued condemnations.
It does not matter that Muslims are diverse individuals made up of almost every ethnicity in the world - over 1.57 billion humans with separate brains.
It does not matter that those left behind by the terrorists
have shattered lives – even members of communities that have never even met them.
As everyone scrambles to figure out “what to do,” more
Muslims are feeling marginalized . . . isolated . . . hated . . . fearful . . . hopeless.
And that is the perfect combination for psychotic breaks
as well as self-radicalization – no recruitment required.
What to do? That is quite the conundrum.
1- I ask Allah first to make all of you safe and calm because I lived the same during 9/11.
ReplyDelete2- ISIS as asserted by muslim leaders are made by Iran and all incidents confirm this ... I hope US gov. wake up and know its enemy (Iran)
3- It is not easy to say what to do because you are faced by double standards during such case.
4- Stay away from people especially the coming 6 months because Media effects will start influence 2 weeks from now.
5- Working in Asian countries or gulf countries as suitable can be good choice during upcoming year.