Salaam (Peace) to all...
Recently, a propaganda DVD was distributed, en masse, by the “Clarion Group” with the title, “OBSESSION: Radical Islam’s War Against the West.” (2005)
After reading one man’s reaction to this movie, I decided to go to the movie’s website…to see what I could see. I was not surprised. However, what I did find interesting was the fact that, even though there were several current and former Muslims who participated in making the film, out of the 24 persons whose reviews of the film were posted on the site, NOT ONE of them were Muslim! Not even the current/former Muslims who participated were asked or allowed to comment.
Why not? ...After watching an "abridged version" of the film, and reading an article by Ali Gharib, the possible reasons began to materialize, and it then occurred to me that the title of the DVD is all wrong. It SHOULD have been titled…
“OBSESSION: The West’s War Against Islam”
It was troubling to me that there was no clear definition given in the film for the term "radical Islam", nor was there any clear delineation between the admitted "majority of peaceful Muslims" and the "radical" element. The potency and forcefulness employed in creating the mental association between "Islam" and "terrorism" is such that the average viewer or listener will find it all but impossible to even hear the word "Islam" without thinking "terrorism". Is this simply incidental, or accidental?
I am not suggesting that there are not "extremists" among those who call themselves Muslims. There are zealots and extremists in every ideology, whether "religious" or political. But what is/are the "cause(s)" of extremism in this case? Is "Islam" an inherently "violent" religion? Are those who are attracted to the Message of Islam inherently violent and/or evil people? Personally, as a Muslim, I reject both such notions as absurd, since the Teachings of Islam emphasize repeatedly Man's potential for Divinity and inclination toward peaceful relations among His fellows.
Could it be that the "radical" elements being portrayed to the world as the "threat to world peace" are actually "reactionaries", responding to an even Greater threat to world peace?
Consider these words from the Hon. Louis Farrakhan, in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001:
"Those who perpetrated this horrendous act have lost their humanity and had become like wild beasts with only one thought in mind, to devour their prey. These persons, so depraved, only wanted to bring death and destruction because of their hatred for the United States of America. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad taught me that our universe is constructed on what the Qur’an calls the mizan, or a balance. That balance is justice. That is why the symbol of justice is a woman blindfolded with a scale in one hand and a sword in the other. Justice is what balances the human mind. Whenever any human being is deprived of justice, the mind becomes imbalanced. The greater the injustice, the greater the imbalance. In a democratic society and in a civilized nation, institutions are established for the redress of grievances, and it is the success of granting to those who seek the redress of their grievance and having it done that returns balance to the human mind.
"The Palestinians believe they have sustained injustice since 1948. Whether you agree or disagree, from their point of view, they have not had justice. They have cried out in every forum for the redress of their grievances and justice has not come. They live in refugee camps, are scattered throughout the world and every day they live with the horror of what they suffer. So more and more minds become imbalanced to the degree that life has no more meaning, for there is no joy in being free if there is no justice. Joy is the result of justice. Out of despair and hopelesness and waking up everyday without the joy of justice, this is what causes children to strap themselves with bombs. They care nothing for their lives, and they care nothing for the lives of others. They want others to feel the pain of what they live with everyday."
http://www.noi.org/statements/transcript_010916.htm
Former (Late) President Richard M. Nixon is quoted as saying:
“…the real enemy of democracy is not communism, it is fundamentalist Islam.”
Why does the “western” mind consider “fundamentalist Islam” to be “the real enemy of democracy”?
What is the nature of “democracy”?
What is the nature of “fundamentalist Islam”? We can get an idea of the answer to this question by answering a similar question: “What are the ‘fundamentals’ of Islam?”
Prayer – Recognition of a Higher Power, from Whom we derive our Purpose for being, and to whom we are accountable.
Charity – serving the well being of humanity with our time, our talent and what we can spare of our finance.
Fasting – Discipline, Modesty, Abstinence.
Hajj (Pilgrimage) – Sacred Journey to the “House of God”.
Jihad – struggle against the obstacles (primarily within) to our growth and development.
Why would the west see these principles as an “enemy” to “democracy”?
Again, what is the nature of “democracy” that cause its adherents to view “fundamentalist Islam” as an “enemy”.
Is “democracy” against recognition of a Higher Power, from Whom we derive our Purpose for being, and to Whom we are accountable?
Is “democracy” against serving the well-being of Humanity with one’s time, talent and finances?
Is “democracy” against the right of all people to exercise Discipline, Modesty and Abstenance?
Is “democracy” against the right of all people to make the Sacred Journey (of Life) to meet with God?
Is “democracy” against the need and right of all people to struggle to overcome the impediments to their self-development and self-improvement?
When we look at the moral degeneration of the “democracy” that we live in, in America, where every vice and corruptor of the human spirit is not only visible, but “glorified” and perpetuated, it is clear to me why the West has an “Obsession” with opposing “fundamentalist Islam”.
“Babylon, the Great, is fallen, is fallen; and is become a habitation of devils, and a hold for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hateful bird.”
–Revelation, Bible
The argument could easily be made that the entire prophecy of the Dragon, in the Book of Revelation, that makes war with the Woman and the Remnant of Her Seed, is referring to the West’s current war against God and those who Believe in Him, regardless of what they call themselves.
We have entered a very dark hour. Let all who would see the Dawn of a New Day, Give ear to the Guidance of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, that we may have Light to guide us through the Night.
God Bless and Keep us all.
RM
Bismillah
ReplyDeleteAs-Salaam Alaikum
Very good observation of this obvious attack against Islam. We must understand that a ideological war is going on, which goal is the capture of our mind.
I pray ALLAH that some believers would unite create an informative DVD and distribute it among our people like the devil does. I am creating informative products to spread truth among our people in this idelogical war.
Peace
Brother Mustafaa
Http://brothermustafaa.com
Http://walkwithfarrakhan.com