A Soapbox Moment and Questions
About 5 1/2 years ago I got a job where my immediate supervisor was a guy named Majid. He was Turkish. And he was Muslim.
Majid was a really intelligent nice, patient guy. Sometimes a bit naive about American culture, particularly pop culture. And his grammar was lacking - he often had me proofread letters that he needed to send out to customers of our company. But he was a really cool guy. And it wasn't long before he and I developed enough of a relationship that we could sit and chat during down times about various topics, including religion.
He and I had some interesting conversations about our different religious views, but we were always able to laugh and remain friends.
After 9/11, I thought a lot about Majid. I wondered if what he presented to me as his brand of faith was in line with real Islam belief, or if he was simply humoring me... I wondered if he sypathized with the terrorists who flew those planes into those buildings.
In the time that has passed since then, most Muslims like to say that what those terrorists believed was a radical element that did not represent true Islam. Since that time, I myself have read portions of the Koran, and I have studied books about the people of the middle east. I wanted to understand if that "radical" branch was really so radical, or if it in fact comprised the true face of Islam.
My views have wavered between total hatred (I have to admit) and cautious understanding... But lately I have to think that if what I saw in Majid was true Islam, then why don't these people speak out more? Islam is such a large religion - I mean, its HUGE. And if the terrorists are a radical fringe that is only about 10% of the total sum of Muslims around the world -- why don't they, the larger 90%, speak out more? Why don't they condemn those who have hijacked their faith in the name of some misguided, sick, twisted form of Islam? I think part of it could be fear. But if that is true, then it only shows that the people in charge - the political leaders, who are also the religious leaders in some cases - use fear, threats, violence, to achieve their goals. Or maybe I am way off here.
There was the Danish political cartoon that sent the Muslims into a frenzy; now recently we have the Pope being threatened for comments he made about (ironically enough) the violent, bent found in Islam. When these darker, violent elements are pointed out, how do they react? With threats and violence! And you don't hear leaders within that community speaking out. I know when Christian cults rise up and make headlines, Christian leaders denounce these groups. Why can't the leaders of Islam do the same? It only feeds the doubts of those who wonder if the nice Muslim guy at the office or in their class isn't really sitting their secretly loathing them. It causes a person sitting in a fast food restaraunt to question in their minds if the middle eastern woman across the way isn't about to set off a bomb she has strapped to her.
It might be unfair - but what can these people expect? If violence is not the core of Islam, then say so - loudly and proudly. Make the average Joe in the McDonald's believe you. Reclaim your faith. Denounce these radical groups. Don't give into repression and fear. Stand up and fight. Then, maybe, the West wouldn't have to do it for them.
I wonder what Majid is doing now. I like to think he is simply trying to make the best of what must be a daily hell - knowing that people eye him with suspicious gazes. But if the silent majority would stop their silence and speak up - the world could be a better place, where ideas are freely exchanged, without worrying if someone is going to kill you for having a different point of view. I feel blessed that I got to know Majid before 9/11. ANd I pray there are more like him than like the 9/11 hijackers.
Majid was a really intelligent nice, patient guy. Sometimes a bit naive about American culture, particularly pop culture. And his grammar was lacking - he often had me proofread letters that he needed to send out to customers of our company. But he was a really cool guy. And it wasn't long before he and I developed enough of a relationship that we could sit and chat during down times about various topics, including religion.
He and I had some interesting conversations about our different religious views, but we were always able to laugh and remain friends.
After 9/11, I thought a lot about Majid. I wondered if what he presented to me as his brand of faith was in line with real Islam belief, or if he was simply humoring me... I wondered if he sypathized with the terrorists who flew those planes into those buildings.
In the time that has passed since then, most Muslims like to say that what those terrorists believed was a radical element that did not represent true Islam. Since that time, I myself have read portions of the Koran, and I have studied books about the people of the middle east. I wanted to understand if that "radical" branch was really so radical, or if it in fact comprised the true face of Islam.
My views have wavered between total hatred (I have to admit) and cautious understanding... But lately I have to think that if what I saw in Majid was true Islam, then why don't these people speak out more? Islam is such a large religion - I mean, its HUGE. And if the terrorists are a radical fringe that is only about 10% of the total sum of Muslims around the world -- why don't they, the larger 90%, speak out more? Why don't they condemn those who have hijacked their faith in the name of some misguided, sick, twisted form of Islam? I think part of it could be fear. But if that is true, then it only shows that the people in charge - the political leaders, who are also the religious leaders in some cases - use fear, threats, violence, to achieve their goals. Or maybe I am way off here.
There was the Danish political cartoon that sent the Muslims into a frenzy; now recently we have the Pope being threatened for comments he made about (ironically enough) the violent, bent found in Islam. When these darker, violent elements are pointed out, how do they react? With threats and violence! And you don't hear leaders within that community speaking out. I know when Christian cults rise up and make headlines, Christian leaders denounce these groups. Why can't the leaders of Islam do the same? It only feeds the doubts of those who wonder if the nice Muslim guy at the office or in their class isn't really sitting their secretly loathing them. It causes a person sitting in a fast food restaraunt to question in their minds if the middle eastern woman across the way isn't about to set off a bomb she has strapped to her.
It might be unfair - but what can these people expect? If violence is not the core of Islam, then say so - loudly and proudly. Make the average Joe in the McDonald's believe you. Reclaim your faith. Denounce these radical groups. Don't give into repression and fear. Stand up and fight. Then, maybe, the West wouldn't have to do it for them.
I wonder what Majid is doing now. I like to think he is simply trying to make the best of what must be a daily hell - knowing that people eye him with suspicious gazes. But if the silent majority would stop their silence and speak up - the world could be a better place, where ideas are freely exchanged, without worrying if someone is going to kill you for having a different point of view. I feel blessed that I got to know Majid before 9/11. ANd I pray there are more like him than like the 9/11 hijackers.
posted by Wil at 4:28 PM
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