Toward an Understanding of Muslims and Islam
Adel Abadeer
November 2011
- Introduction: The Need for Genuine Understanding
Religions play significant roles in shaping the historical, political, and economical spheres of life. They have long-lasting impact on traditions, norms, attitudes that are deeply rooted in the social, political, legal, and governmental systems, which in turn, have significant impact on personal, local, national, and international relationships. They should be explored, studied, analyzed, and discussed, to understand what could be a significant missing link in comprehending the recent events since September 11, 2001, among others.
It is important to understand that Islam as ‘revealed’, taught, preached, and practiced in Muslim dominated countries is not the same as the one preached or taught in non-Muslim countries like the U.S. Understanding of Islam requires deep analysis and study of the holy book of Islam “The Qur’an” and other supporting Islamic references that are used by Muslims to support their practices and standings according to their beliefs and convictions. To understand Islam, one should also understand the embedded culture, traditions, and norms of Muslims and of Islamic systems where Islam is the dominant religion, and Muslims are the majority population such as in Afghanistan, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
The objective of this article is to stimulate an honest and genuine understanding of Islam, and enhance the public awareness of important issues that affect the Muslims and non-Muslims and the impact of religions and religious practices on them. The path to just and long lasting relationship for all, non-Muslims and Muslims, is the true understanding (and policies based on such understanding) based on genuine knowledge of the different faces and practices of religions, in this article, Islam and Muslims.
- The Multifaceted Dimensions of Muslims and Islam
One should seek true understanding of Islam as ‘revealed’, taught, preached, and practiced in Islamic dominant countries, not the one preached (or marketed) in non-Muslim societies, like the U.S.
We should observe and explore the different sides of Islam and Muslims in terms of the Islamic thoughts, philosophies, and practices. The practice of Islam in both its most moderate version or its radical fundamentalist version can be argued to be pure Islamic based on the primary source of Islam, “the Qur’an”, where according to the Islamic faith, all verses of the Qur’an were directly revealed form God, through Angel Gabriel, to Mohammed (the prophet of Islam).
Islam, as preached and practices in dominantly Muslim countries, is complex and multifaceted. There are different Islamic beliefs and practices regarding the treatment of non-Muslims, the treatment of Islam as a mere religion or as a non-separable religion and state, and the application of Islamic Shari’a as the supreme law in Islamic countries that apply to all Muslim and non-Muslim in Islamic societies. This section attempts to identify the different groups of Muslims according to one of the above aspects, the treatment of non-Muslim minorities in Islamic societies (or countries).
The three major sides (or faces) of Islam respond to the chronological pattern and sequence of revealed verses of the Qur’an (the holy book of Islam) to Mohammed (the prophet of Islam) that evolved during the very early phases of Islam, which in turn, corresponded to the expansion and the increased power of Islam during that period.
Relevant verses, form the Qur’an (the holy book of Islam), are used for illustrative purpose.
Liberal/Moderate Muslims: believe that Islam can reconcile with other monotheist religions, especially Christianity (and to a lesser degree the Judaism). The moderate Muslims seek to modernize their faith and resolve the contradicting Qur’anic verses such that they can tolerate the existence of the Christians (and Jews!) among them.
According to the earlier verses of the Qur’an, the Prophet was told to seek the knowledge and the wisdom of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), and to accept them, as was revealed in the following verses:
- Surat Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:62 “Those who believe (in the Qur’an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”
- Surat Yunus (Jonah) 10:94 “But if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed to you, ask those who read the Book before you; certainly the truth has come to you from your Lord, therefore you should not be of the disputers.”
- Surat Al-Nahl (the Bee) 16:125 “Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance”.
- Surat Al –Ankaboot (The Spider) 29:46 “And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury): but say, “We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam).””
- Surat Al-Muzzammil (The Enshrouded One, Bundled Up) 73:10 “ And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity).”
- Surat Al-Ma’idah (The Dinner Table) 5:82 “Certainly you will find the most violent of people in enmity for those who believe (to be) the Jews and those who are polytheists, and you will certainly find the nearest in friendship to those who believe (to be) those who say: We are Christians; this is because there are priests and monks among them and because they do not behave proudly.”
The last verse (5:82) deviates from the peaceful tone of respecting people of the Book (Jews and Christians). It inform Muhammad and Muslims that Christians still the nearest in friendship to Muslims; however, it warns against the Jews; the most violent people in enmity to Mohammad and Muslims. This verse contradict another verse in the Qur’an( Al-Tawba 9:30) that shuns Christians as polytheists. this verse is an example of many versus that contradict other verses in the Qur’an. It contradicts the above verses (2:262 and 10:94) for treading the Jews, and verses (9:30, 2:120, and 5:51 cited below)
Separatist Muslims: live in separate groups with the least contacts or friendship with non-Muslims, e.g., Christians and Jews, or having inter-religion communities. Historically, as Islam started to gain more followers, Mohammed and his followers were commanded, according to newly revealed Qur’anic verses, to not befriend the Christians and the Jews, and to not trust in them, due to rejection by some of the Christians and Jews of Mohammed’s new religion, Islam. During this stage, the tone and the trend of the Qur’anic verses had changed to reflect the increasing number of the followers of Islam and the growing sense of hostility between Mohammed and his followers on one side and the Christians and Jews on the other side, as the flowing Qur’anic verses reveal:
- Surat Al-Ma’idah (The Dinner Table) 5:82 “Certainly you will find the most violent of people in enmity for those who believe (to be) the Jews and those who are polytheists, and you will certainly find the nearest in friendship to those who believe (to be) those who say: We are Christians; this is because there are priests and monks among them and because they do not behave proudly.”
This verse represents a deviation from the peaceful tone of respecting people of the Book (Jews and Christians) and treating them equally. It informs separate the enemy (Jews and polytheists) from friends (Christians). It informs Muhammad and Muslims that Christians still the nearest in friendship to Muslims; however, it warns against the Jews; the most violent people in enmity to Mohammad and Muslims. This verse contradict another verse in the Qur’an (Al-Tawba 9:30) that shuns Christians as polytheists. This verse is an example of many versus that contradict other verses in the Qur’an. It contradicts the above verses (2:262 and 10:94) for treating the Jews and verses (9:30, 2:120, and 5:51 cited below) for treating both the Jews and Christians.
- Surat Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:120 “And the Jews will not be pleased with you, nor the Christians until you follow their religion. Say: Surely Allah’s guidance, that is the (true) guidance. And if you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have no guardian from Allah, nor any helper”.
- Surat AI-Ma’idah (The Dining Table) 5:51 “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people”
- Surat Al-Nisa’ (Women) 4:144 “O ye who believe! Take not for friends unbelievers rather than believers: Do ye wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves”?
- Al-Nisa’ (Women) 4:150-51 “Those who deny Allah and His messengers, and (those who) wish to separate Allah from His messengers, saying: “We believe in some but reject others”: And (those who) wish to take a course midway,- They are in truth (equally) unbelievers; and we have prepared for unbelievers a humiliating punishment.”
Fundamentalist Muslims: believe in enforcing Islam and Islamic laws, according to the Qur’anic verses, in Muslim dominant societies, and in imposing Islam and Islamic law “Shari’a”, by force if needed, on other Muslims and non-Muslims too. Furthermore, they believe in spreading Islam into other societies, first by invitation, and last by force. Historically, as the number of Islamic followers increased and they expanded their power, the tone of some newly revealed Qur’anic verses became less peaceful and more aggressive. Muslims were called to impose, enforce, and spread the beliefs of their new religion, Islam, even by force. In many instances the Qur’anic verses commanded Mohammed, the Prophet of Islam, and his followers to fight, subdue, and even kill non-Muslims if they resist. Such commands needed not to be provoked by any action, such as threats or declaration of war by the non-Muslims against Muslims or Islam. The rewards for Muslims, who die or are killed seeking God’s way and Islam, are total forgiveness of sins and eternal life in paradise:
- Surat Al-Imran (The Family of ‘Imran, The House of Imran) 3:83 “Do they seek for other than the Religion of Allah?-while all creatures in the heavens and on earth have, willing or unwilling, bowed to His Will (Accepted Islam), and to Him shall they all be brought back.”
- Surat Al-Nisa’ (Women) 4:89 “They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks;”
- Surat Al-Nisa’ (Women) 4-95 “Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,”
- Surat Al-Anfaal (Spoils of War; Booty) 8:12-13 “ When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them. This is because they acted adversely to Allah and His Apostle; and whoever acts adversely to Allah and His Apostle– then surely Allah is severe in requiting (evil).”
- Surat Al-Anfaal (Spoils of War; Booty) 8:60 “Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.”
- Surat Al-Anfaal (Spoils of War; Booty) 8:65“O Prophet! urge the believers to war; if there are twenty patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a hundred of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand.”
- Surat Al-Tawba (The Repentance) 9:5 “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”
- Surat Al-Tawba (The Repentance) 9:14 “Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers,”
- Surat Al-Tawba (The Repentance) 9:29-30 “29. Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. The Jews call ‘Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah’s curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!”
- Surat Al-Tawba (The Repentance) 9:73 “O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination.”
- Surat Al-Tawba (the Repentance) 9:111 “Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties for (the price) that theirs shall be the Paradise. They fight in Allah’s Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him.”
- Surat Muhammad (Muhammad) 47:4 “Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah’s Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,- He will never let their deeds be lost.”
- Surat Al-Tahrim (The Banning, The Prohibition) 66:12 “O Prophet! Strive hard against the Unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)”
The above verses refer to Allah’s command and instructions to Muhammad and Muslims, to execute Allah’s order to Muslims to fight non Muslims if they reject Islam (9:29); lie in wait for Pagans, seize them, beleaguer them, and fight and slay them (9:5); urge Muslims to war (8:65), not just to defend themselves in case of attacks on them; subdue non-Muslims (9:29); impose Jizya on non-Muslims (9:29); force non-Muslim to convert to Islam (3:83); order Muslims to strive hard against nonbelievers (9:73); order Muslims to kill of get killed in Allah’s cause (9:111); reward Muslim martyrs with Paradise (9:111); strive hard against the Unbelievers and the Hypocrites and be firm against them (66:12); cast terror in the hearts of the enemies of Allah and Muslims, and to strike off their heads and smite at their necks (8:12, 8:60, and 47:4); and, slay people who turn renegades after accepting Islam (4:89).
These are just few examples of God’s direct commands in Qur’anic verses to spread Islam and to rule over nations even through violent acts, invasions, and to subdue non-Muslims.
In addition, many Hadith (sayings of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam) urges violence and aggression against non-Muslims who reject Islam, or reject the submission to Islam. The following examples illustrate how Muslims are urged to use violence:
- Sahih Muslim (book 19, number 4294) “When you meet your enemies who are polytheists [Christians...], invite them to three courses of action. If they respond to any one of these, you also accept it and withhold yourself from doing them any harm. Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them … If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizya. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah’s help and fight them.” [1]
- Sahih Bukhari (volume 1, book 2, number 25) “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘I have been ordered to fight the people till they say: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.’ And if they say so, pray like our prayers, face our Qibla and slaughter as we slaughter, then their blood and property will be sacred to us and we will not interfere with them except legally and their reckoning will be with Allah.’”[2]
- Sahih Bukhari (book 61, number 87) It is mentioned from Ibn ‘Umar from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, “My provision has been placed under the shadow of my spear, and abasement and humility have been placed on the one who disobeys my command.”[3]
Recognizing these three major forms/groups of Islam and Muslims should help understand the diverse and sometimes conflicting views and practices of Muslims, and Islam. (Note: the position of secularist Muslims is not considered in this section due to its lack of impact on the analysis, even though it is mentioned later, wherever appropriate).
A good application that illustrates the different aspects of Muslims and Islam and the treatment of non-Muslims in Islamic societies is the Islamic concept of Jihad. Jihad as a concept and practice can be noble, and can be oppressive, depending on the purpose of Jihad, who practices Jihad, and against whom Jihad is targeted.
- Do Some Qur’anic Verses Contradict Others?
The notion of abrogation is clearly mentioned in the Qur’an, in way that Allah may bring better verses (instructions or revelations) that previously revealed one, in what is known among Muslim scholars as Al-Nasikh wa Al-Mansoukh, meaning the abrogating and the abrogated verses, respectively, in the Qur’an. Regrettably, the later abrogating (Al-Nasikh) verses were more violent and anti-Muslims than the earlier abrogated (Al-Mansoukh) verses. The following Qur’anic verses illustrate the Allah may change, abrogate, and/or delete other verses/commands:
- Surat Al-Baqara (Cow) 2:106 “None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: Knowest thou not that Allah Hath power over all things?”
- Surat Al-Ra’d (Thunders) 12:39 “Allah doth blot out or confirm what He pleaseth: with Him is the Mother of the Book.”
- Surat Al-Nahl (The Bee) 16:101 “When We substitute one revelation for another,- and Allah knows best what He reveals (in stages),- they say, “Thou art but a forger”: but most of them understand not.”
- Surat Al-Hajj (Pilgrimage) 22:52 “Never did We send an apostle or a prophet before thee, but, when he framed a desire, Satan threw some (vanity) into his desire: but Allah will cancel anything (vain) that Satan throws in, and Allah will confirm (and establish) His Signs: for Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom”
Regrettably, the later abrogating (Al-Nasikh) verses are more violent and more anti-Muslims than the earlier abrogated (Al-Mansoukh) ones.
Ø Islamic Jihad: Is It Noble or Oppressive?
Jihad refers to the endeavor and effort (or struggle) made by Muslims to obey and satisfy both God’s and Muhammad’s (the Prophet of Islam) commands, seek their way, and resist temptations and sins. The two major categories of Jihad are the self, or intra-personal, jihad, and the collective, or inter-personal (that ranges from personal, to national) jihad.
The intra-personal jihad, spoken of frequently in the Qur’an, can be noble in terms of resisting temptations, purifying the self, and submitting to God. This concept is built-in in most religions and beliefs, including Judaism and Christianity. The inter-personal jihad can be practiced through helping oppressed members of the same community, supporting other Islamic communities, and for self-defense against external attacks.
However, jihad at the collective level, also spoken of frequently in the Qur’an, can be oppressive and unjust. For example, the Qur’anic verses form Surat Al-Tawba (The Repentance) 9:29-30 mentioned above are used to illustrate this point. According to these verses, God commands Muslims to fight those who do not acknowledge the religion of truth (Islam, according to the Qur’an), force the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) to pay the Jizya (tax on non-Muslims; a poll tax), and subdue them. Such commands are not provoked by any action (attacks or declaration of war) by Christians or Jews. The commands are just for the mere fact that Christians believe in Jesus as son of Allah (God), and Jews believe that Uzair is a son of Allah (Surat Al-Tawba 9:30) . Christians in Egypt (and other Islamic countries) know the above verses, not just because they read the Qur’an, but because they are constantly reminded of them in schools, workplace, religious programs on TV and radio, and the weekly public sermons preached by Muslim clerics (Sheikhs) over mosques’ loud speakers. Non-Muslim minorities are told to submit to Islam, be subdued, and not to resist such practices. Severe punishments (in many cases, killing) occur when Christians publicly oppose such unjust and oppressive treatments. Many non-Muslim are persecuted based on recent laws in some Islamic societies to severely punish any person who dare to criticize certain Islamic teachings, including certain Qur’anic teachings that discriminate against and oppress non-Muslim population in these societies (such severe punishments are also imposed on Muslims who dare to criticize some of the Qur’anic teaching or Hadith and Sunna (the Sayings and deeds of Mohammad, respectively). Typically, Christians and other minorities know how to behave in a submissive and subdued manner. Non-Muslim minorities in many Islamic countries remember these verses are so often used to justify the practice of forced conversion to Islam (based on physical, political, and economic hardships as well as temptations), and to justify oppressing and subduing non-Muslims. Such practice of “oppressive” jihad is mostly practice by the radical fundamentalists, sometimes with the implicit (and sometimes explicit) blessing and approval of many other Muslims, who call themselves moderates.
Other practices of jihad are used to oppress and violate basic human rights of Muslim women, and secularist and moderate Muslims.
In summary, jihad is a concept that has been used in different ways in the Qur’an, other Islamic references, and Islamic communities. The actual use of the term jihad depends on the need to reach certain ends. It can be noble, but it also can be unjust and oppressive.
I believe that Islam as preached in America is very unlikely to cite or use verses that show the oppressive and unjust side of jihad, but I also believe that non-Muslim minorities (and other secular and moderate Muslims, and women) in many Islamic countries are constantly reminded of them.
- The Effective Representation of Muslims:
The effective representation of each of the Muslim groups (secularists, moderates, separatists, and fundamentalists) should not be based on membership in each group. Rather, it is based on the effective influence of each group. The fundamentalists gain more effective power and presentation due to their strong drive to force their Islamic beliefs on the on-Muslims, and on the secularist and liberal/moderate Muslims too. This explains why the fundamentalists have significant power and influence in many Islamic countries, above and beyond their statistical representation. They already have the drive to fight and subdue the non-Muslims, and kill them if they fight back. They have the religious ammunition that makes them dominant and effective.
Accordingly, governments’ structures and policies in Islamic countries reflect the different effective weights of the above groups. The governing laws and traditions also reflect the relative power and effective representation of each group. Consequently, the existing laws in many Islamic countries are based, in part or in full, on the Sahri’a (the Islamic Law). Such law violates certain basic human rights of non-Muslims, Secularists, and Liberal/moderate Muslims.
Furthermore, opposition to government policies and practices in many Islamic countries is generally influenced and driven by religious groups, mostly the radical fundamentalists.
- The Distortion/Beautification of Islam:
Islam is preached and practiced differently depending on how large or how small the Muslim population relative to total population in the country/community. Beautified Islam, the use of certain Qur’anic verses and peaceful interpretations of the ‘Qur’an’ are typically used where Muslim population is minority. Where Muslims are minority, or Islam is relatively new to society, Muslims leaders and clerics tend to use the Qur’anic verses that are kind to the non-Muslims (especially Christians). Islam is portrayed as the religion for peace, goodwill, modesty, morality, self-discipline, and family values. Such Islam is beautified and is very different from the Islam practiced and preached in the Arab world and other Islamic societies where Muslim population is the majority.
To understand Islam, one must also read the Qur’an (the holy book of Islam), and other primary Islamic books that mainstream Muslims read in the Islamic countries (not only the ones published in the USA). Furthermore, one should listen the Muslims’ Friday sermons in the Islamic societies form Mosques’ loud speakers, and the Islamic programs on the TV and other media in Islamic Countries. There is huge gap in the language, tone, and violence, with more of them in the writings and practices in the Islamic societies.
Verses that call on Muslim to fight the infidels (including Christians and Jews who are described later in the Qur’an as Polytheists), subdue them, and spread Islam as the true religion are rarely used where Muslims are minority, such as in the U.S. However, where Muslim population is the majority population, the verses that are most preached and practiced are the ones that call on Muslims to not befriend Christians and Jews, to fight them, and to subdue them. The non-Muslim minorities in Islamic countries are constantly reminded of these aggressive and violent verses, just to stay submissive and subdued; otherwise, these non-Muslim minorities will be punished severely.
Ø The Victims’ Blight: The False Sense of Submissive and Unjust ‘Peace’
The victims of the Islamic fundamentalists’ practices in Islamic countries are primarily the non-Muslim minorities (mostly Christians), women, and certain seculars and moderate Muslim scholars who have the courage to write about, discuss, or criticize the unjust and excessive authority of the fundamentalists, and the unjust practices by the fundamentalists, or in Islam generally.
- Non-Muslim Minorities: they generally know how to behave carefully through acting submissive and subdued. Severe punishments (including burning of houses, churches, or temples, severe physical harm, and killing) are the standard response to any resistance to such unjust and oppressive practices by the government (at different level form local to national) or indirectly by Islamic fundamentalist groups. Some of oppressive practices need not to be provoked; they serve as firm reminders to the non-Muslim minorities to be submissive and subdued.
Islamic laws in many Islamic countries violate many of the basic human rights of the non-Muslims. In Egypt, as well as many others Islamic countries, Christian students are forced to read and memorize Qur’anic verses in the Arabic language classes. The church leadership in Egypt must get a presidential decree before rebuilding an existing old church or remodeling a church bathroom (meanwhile, Muslims are encouraged to build mosques through tax concessions, without any decrees or permits). Christians are excluded from many major positions in government regardless of their qualifications, especially in the top positions in the army, police, governors, and university professors, etc. (with the exceptions in one or two cosmetic positions, for cosmetic and political purposes). Muslim men can legally marry Christian women, but it is illegal for a Christian man to marry a Muslim woman. Mosques’ daily and weekly sermons, using loud speakers, are constant reminder for the non-Muslims to be submissive and subdued, and to convert to the “True Religion”, Islam.
Furthermore, Muslims are prohibited from converting to other religions; those who convert expose themselves to severe penalty of apostasy (in many Islamic countries, the punishment for apostasy is death), meanwhile converting non-Muslims (mostly Christians) to Islam is welcomed and usually rewarded.
- Women: they are forced to abide by repressive practices include “forcing” the Islamic dress code on women, treating them as second class (inferior to men), and violating many of their basic human rights. Such discrimination against women in many Islamic societies is supported by certain codes in the Islamic laws based on Qur’anic verses, Hadith, and Sunna (the sayings and the deeds of Muhammad). The blight of voiceless women in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, etc., should be of concern to all human rights organizations and supporters, including moderate Muslims, international communities, civil societies, and human right organizations. Women in many Islamic countries can be punished severely for violating dress codes, showing their faces, communicating or having relation with non-Muslims.
- Secular and Liberal/Moderate Muslim Scholars: they are the ones who have the courage and moral commitment to write on behalf of the secular and moderate Muslims and/or on behalf of non-Muslims. They usually pay heavy prices for defending the rights of the silenced victims. Examples of such punishments include personal harassment, loss of jobs, and imprisonment of scholars and human rights activists. Moreover, they include the assassination of some of these scholars, journalists, and moderate Islamic clerics by the Islamic fundamentalists. The purpose is to silence any moderate voice that may disagree with the oppressive and violent practices of fundamentalist Muslims under the name of Islam. The government authorities (supported by Islamic authority councils or boards) review, edit, and confiscate any writing that may disagree with, or diverge from, Islamic laws, and traditions.
International extension of religious terrorism includes the known case of Salman Rushdie’s “Satanic Verses”, and the Danish cartoonist (who’s newspaper published several cartoons of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam), to intimidate scholars and artists from depicting or criticizing certain Islamic practices or Islamic figures. Iran’s late Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of an Islamic country, offered $5 million bounty on Salman Rushdie’s head. The bounty is still effective until this day – in addition to other bounties on similar authors, writers, artist, and activists. The purpose is to deter anyone from taking the same scholarly road. So far, it has been working.
- Reaching out to the silenced victims of religious oppression/terrorism:
We need to engage in research and discussions with the non-Muslims minorities in Islamic countries and truly understand the immense fear that make these minorities reluctant or hesitant to speak their minds, since they are trapped in a very high walls of fear of further future punishment. Such fear is based on long history of severe punishments in the past, and the fear from a payback effect for telling the truth to international agencies or human right organizations. We should have real access to the victims free of fear, backlashes, and further punishments of such human rights violations.
When asking the victims of oppression and human right violations, most likely they will give answers that correspond and agree, in large, with the oppressive rules and the perpetrators. The victims know that they have to live in these oppressive systems; they just want to deter further punishments and violations. This explains why governments and officials in some Islamic countries claim that their countries respect and apply human right laws and conventions.
We should explore the behaviors of these victims. On the one hand, there is a significant fear and intimidation effect that are embedded in their minds based on record of credible threats and oppression, and, on the other hand, there is certain degree of mistrust and doubt about the effectiveness of international intervention. Victims know that the international inspectors and human rights’ agents will leave sooner or later. It is a very delicate matter that should be approached and addressed very carefully.
- Conclusion:
In our earth journeys, we long for justice and lasting peace, where no one is victimized; no one is silenced; no one is subdued; everyone is safe and protected equally; every voice is heard equally; and everyone’s freedom is protected and respected equally. This includes Muslims and non-Muslims, men and women, majority and minority groups in each community, province, and state in our global community. We long for a genuinely peaceful world that rejects and stands against all forms of oppressive and hostile practices everywhere. Such a just and peaceful world must be protected and sustained by genuine understanding and honest and open (un-restricted) dialogues of the different beliefs and forces that influences people behaviors and interactions.
