Bush Teaches Muslims Political Correctness

(Written in Fall, 2001)

     Americans are asking, "Why do they hate us?" They hate what they see right here in this chamber: a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms: our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other. They want to overthrow existing governments in many Muslim countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. They want to drive Israel out of the Middle East. They want to drive Christians and Jews out of vast regions of Asia and Africa.”                   [G.W. Bush, 9-21-01]

The morning of September 11^th 2001 began a new phase for everything. The horrific memories will last the rest of our lives. The picture of fellow human beings jumping out of the burning tower is just one of the images playing like a loop in this writer’s mind. Anticipating the bad stuff coming out of this was all too easy. The possibility of some good unfolding from this tragic event is not yet certain.

The days go on, and Muslims in the USA live through them as best they know how: many light candles, apologize, place flags outside of their homes and masjid; and some even submit résumés to the FBI and CIA. Some of their “scholars” join in interfaith prayers with the world’s leaders, and a few even sing The Star Spangled Banner.

Panic also pushes many of our organizations for Muslims to go out of their way to condemn the attacks and show solidarity with the Government. In fact, many of their statements give open support for Washington to do “whatever has to be done” to accomplish its task—even putting more forces on Muslim soil. For these organizations, the bombing of the Muslims of Iraq seems to be a dim memory. They also forget about the $6 billion that Washington sends Israel each year for dishing out terrorism to Muslims in Palestine. Tragically, as we Muslims keep falling into disarray, we find ourselves making deadly concessions of our Deen, as anyone who has attended the interfaith prayers or candlelight vigils can affirm.

Among these compromises is the imposition of a special political correctness upon Muslims. During his address to the joint session of Congress, Mr. Bush demonized the political ideas of Islam. He made no bones about using the brush of terrorism to tar anyone who doesn’t agree with his secular conservative vision for a world under the “management” of big corporations.

In fact, the President in his speech also told Muslims what is and is not “good” Islam. Despite the sugar coating, the message was clear: the coming war was not on those who only want to pray, fast, and give charity. Instead, it was against anyone who has a global Islamic vision for a world under the protection of Islamic laws upheld by the Islamic State (even if they reject physical struggle against current governments to achieve their aim).

Mr. Bush also said, “Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists;” and he went on to fix the meaning of “terrorism.” Basically, anyone who wants the Israeli, the Saudi, and the Assadi mafia put out of business in the Middle East, or wants the Islamic State in their stead, or wants a way of life based on Islamic law, is a terrorist by definition. However, anyone who drops an a-bomb on Nagasaki or starves entire nations with sanctions can be a caller for justice, if done in the name of “democracy!”

Well, if that were the “justice” of the present world order, one should dread seeing the “injustice.”

Sadly, the only reservation some Muslim “scholars” had about the President’s speech was the code name given to the operation planned to impose Mr. Bush’s will on Afghanistan—“Infinite Justice.” They were afraid that it would “offend” Muslims.  The coming unjust loss of Muslim (and non-Muslim) life did not seem to bother the “scholars” very much, nor the Ummah’s loss of freedom. No! The only problem was the name. Shame on all of us for allowing ourselves to be bought so cheap!

The first advice this writer has for himself, and the Ummah, is not to panic, but remain strong and patient. Living in the grasp of kufr has never been comfortable, even in a relatively nice part of the world: it isn’t supposed to be (And if you are comfortable, you have probably given up too much already).

Even so, the President’s challenge remains, “What bag are we Muslims in?” The answer is this: we aren’t terrorists. But we aren’t slaves either, to any master—except Allah. We mustn’t, for example, twist Islamic texts out of fear in a misguided attempt to force Islam into compliance with the meter stick of George W. Bush.  Instead, we need to be in the camp that knows it is the honorable Ummah of Muhammad (SAAW), even in the face of other’s threats.

Do you believe that the world would be a safer and better place to live if Allah’s laws were applied properly? Do you believe that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala called upon us to rule by his Deen over Mankind so that we would be witnesses over its affairs? If you answered yes to the above, no man—certainly not Mr. Bush—has the right to think any less of you. And you owe it to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, and your neighbors, not to hide what you know, but to share with all who will listen.