Terror is often a weapon of those who lack other weapons, who believe their voices are not heard and whose desires go unrealized. It is a brutal and often counterproductive weapon to be sure, but a weapon of the weak nonetheless. To insist that terror stop prior to serious political engagement – as, for example, the Israelis often ask of the Palestinians – is to request the weaker party disarm in the face of the strong, when it is precisely the taking up of arms that drew attention and perhaps support to its cause.
For three decades 1970s - 1990s, The Palestinians' plea to the UN Security Council against Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity; the illegal deportation of Palestinian civilians, especially activists and protesters into Israeli prisons, the annexation of Palestinian territories via mass execution of total Palestinian townships, including hospitals, schools and demolition of factories, businesses and markets and illegal expansion of Israeli settlement on Palestinian territories, was met with utter callosity and disdain. After exhausting all legal avenues the Palestinians availed a resistance movement to secure their human rights and defend their country against an increasing occupation. The Palestinians want peace but the US allows the Israelis repress, persecute, plunder and murder Palestinians. Americans need only imagine how they would react if their country were subject to informal control from abroad – no doubt much as they reacted in 1776.
Despite being the most democratic and educated people on earth, the Palestinian people are unable to pursue a happy and peaceful live at home. Its not just Palestine, the entire Arab and the Muslim world is suffering a complex and an intense despotism and injustice.
Osama bin Laden date the beginning of hostilities differently from either the Americans or the Europeans. In a videotaped statement released on October 7, 2001, he declared that for over eighty years Islam had been tasting humiliation and contempt its sons killed, its blood shed, its holy places attacked. Eighty years has little resonance in the West , but it’s a references to the breakup of the Ottoman Empire and the ceding of the territories of the of caliphate to the control of the Western mandates and thereafter , in many cases, to regimes friendly to the West.
Middle Eastern countries are carved out by the US, the British, and the French in the interest of oil and global domination. So with the assistance of periphery leaders in the Muslim world and secret police they maintain an international hegemony. Take for example Iran, to reverse the nationalization of Iranian oil, the US derailed a republican and nationalist experiment in Iran by helping to overthrew the Mosaddeq government in a CIA-supported coup. The US then armed and supported the increasingly brutal rule of the shah of Iran as its policeman in the Persian Gulf. The Karzi government in Afghanistan is no different. Puppet President Karzi was hand picked by the United States and given a foreign bodyguard supplied by the US private military firm Dyncorp. US periphery regimes exist in all majority Muslim countries. Rulers from Kuwait, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt Iran, Bahrain, Yemen and Pakistan are all crowned by the US.
Muslims everywhere are unable to pursue an independent and free life because of US hostility to Islamic values. US believes that Islam will impede its reign over the world and so it wants to, with the help of the EU, control Muslim societies and politics at home and abroad.
Why is the US, and the rest of the world, so scared of Islam? From the 8th century, Islam produced the best of technology. architecture, classical scholarship, mathematics, chemistry, medicine, agriculture, philosophy, political, science, travel and literature. In fact, the West emerged as a civilization by interacting and assimilating crucially important Muslim sciences and inventions till the 1800s. Even today, Islam can help the US overcome its spiritual famine and moral degeneration. Most importantly Islam is a peaceful religion, medieval Islam allowed the Bamiyan Buddhas to survive at a time when the Christian world was burning people of all colours and religions on the stake. The Ottoman Empire and the Muslim kingdom of Spain were exemplars of toleration of diverse cultures and religions. Islam and US can coexist together. More US politicians and lobby groups should sit and think together about Islam, reading the Qur'an and cooperating with Muslims.
Sources: Globalization and War on Terror
Dedring, Jergen. The United Nations Security Council in the 1990s: Resurgence and Renewal. State University of New York Press, pg 35-59
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Scientific culture and God-centric culture
Culture of science is cold, calculating, self-assured and arrogant. Science supporters think that to be scientific, is to be authoritative and controverted to the existence of God. But science is about being inquisitive and discovering the possibilities. Science recognizes the limits of our logic, methods and evidence when understanding the world around us without lapsing into irresponsible cynicism and skepticism about the Creator of our world. Science acknowledges that human knowledge and experience is tentative, it can be expanded or falsified when exposed to new information. This reality resonates an acute awareness of our ignorance not enlightenment.
The "law of nature" is foremost only our "assumption" of how the universe functions, the theory is neither definitive nor does it address the question of Who operates the universe and Why. For example, understanding the stages of embryonic development from 0.6 mm leech like blood clot that obtains nourishment from the blood of its mother, suspended in the uterus during the first stages of conception into a 4 mm chewed up gum-like substance with a mandibular and hyoid arch, prominent forebrain and tail is just a detailed observation of an occurrence but not the real cause of the occurrence. Illustrating what exists is not the same as anwering why it exists? and Who brings it into existence?
Modern scientific technology sure increases precision with which events are observed but it does not clarify why events take place and continue to happen systematically in sophisticated configurations. For example, science tells us that the colour of blood is red because blood contains millions of red discs called red corpuscles. Corpuscles are made in the spleen; they contain hemoglobin which absorbs oxygen from the lungs, giving a scarlet colour in arteries. As it flows through the body, the blood gives up its oxygen to organs of the body and the hemoglobin becomes brownish colour in the veins. Why do red discs, red corpuscles, the spleen, hemoglobin and lungs and oxygen organize coherently to create a living, breathing human person, or a flying bird or a fish that swims? Who interplays the physical and chemical forces that create and sustain intelligent life and order on Earth?
Quantum of science actually leaves us in awe of a supreme and sublime Creator who vested profound planning and meaning in wonderfully balancing and directing all activities on Earth. We take science for granted, becoming adrift in the design and detail of nature and miss the whole point that every design is devised by a genius inventor, all details are engineered by a brilliant and insightful maker. So the rational and high-order in this universe is scientific proof for God.
The "law of nature" is foremost only our "assumption" of how the universe functions, the theory is neither definitive nor does it address the question of Who operates the universe and Why. For example, understanding the stages of embryonic development from 0.6 mm leech like blood clot that obtains nourishment from the blood of its mother, suspended in the uterus during the first stages of conception into a 4 mm chewed up gum-like substance with a mandibular and hyoid arch, prominent forebrain and tail is just a detailed observation of an occurrence but not the real cause of the occurrence. Illustrating what exists is not the same as anwering why it exists? and Who brings it into existence?
Modern scientific technology sure increases precision with which events are observed but it does not clarify why events take place and continue to happen systematically in sophisticated configurations. For example, science tells us that the colour of blood is red because blood contains millions of red discs called red corpuscles. Corpuscles are made in the spleen; they contain hemoglobin which absorbs oxygen from the lungs, giving a scarlet colour in arteries. As it flows through the body, the blood gives up its oxygen to organs of the body and the hemoglobin becomes brownish colour in the veins. Why do red discs, red corpuscles, the spleen, hemoglobin and lungs and oxygen organize coherently to create a living, breathing human person, or a flying bird or a fish that swims? Who interplays the physical and chemical forces that create and sustain intelligent life and order on Earth?
Quantum of science actually leaves us in awe of a supreme and sublime Creator who vested profound planning and meaning in wonderfully balancing and directing all activities on Earth. We take science for granted, becoming adrift in the design and detail of nature and miss the whole point that every design is devised by a genius inventor, all details are engineered by a brilliant and insightful maker. So the rational and high-order in this universe is scientific proof for God.
Solutions to the aversion and discord in Muslim organizations
The purpose of the following 12 solutions is to initiate rumination and discussion amongst the administration and staff members of Muslim organizations so they can overcome the aversion and discord stumbling their Islamic Da'wah and altruism. The solutions are stipulated from the Qur'an, 4:26-37. Chapter 4 of the Qur'an primarily discusses matters regarding marital life, however, the same lessons can be applied to understand and improve communal life in general and cooperative organizations.
1) Establish a good practice, reflecting the moral and work ethics of the Companions (r.a) Closely study the manners of the Companions and plan of action before building any strategy. Following personal passions will digress purpose into great deviation.
2) A good practice is one, which will not put the staff members and volunteers in difficulty. Administration must assign only that work which its staff can complete with proficiency. Do not entrust them with a duty for which they are unskilled or uninterested. If the organization lacks an efficient workforce for a certain project, be realistic and do not initiate that project. Only take responsibility of the work that can be managed with competence.
3) Administration must audit all revenue generated and donations collected by the organization. Publish an annual report of the organization. Make financial matters of the organization as simple and as transparent as possible. Do not solicit or squander wealth unjustly. Greed and jealousy over money creates a cynical atmosphere detrimental to creative, cooperative and productive work.
4) Staff and volunteers should not compare with other members. Do not compete with others to prove your or your team's superiority. Administration and all staff must cooperate with each other to meet the organization's mission and vision. Exploitation or manipulation of any member or volunteer, i.e. scheme to discredit or dispose a member, or snatch his/her position unfairly may deracinate the entire organization.
5) When seeking a promotion, ask Allah for for His bounty and favour to select you for the best work of Deen.
6) Administration should not be aggressive or unfair. Treat all members with equal respect and give them equal time in meetings. Welcome constructive criticism and pitch in positive feedback. Involve the staff in making decisions which directly effect their work and pay.
7) Avoid all major and minor sins, backbiting, covetousness, greed, lying and stealing etc.
8) Pay the staff members fair due for their share of work, on time.
9) The administration is incharge of the organization so long as it possess the knowledge and the skill or run the organization, pay the staff members and provide facilities and services to the community.
10) Staff members and volunteers must be devouted to the organization and obedient to the organization's protocol and guard the organization's trusts and responsibilities sincerely.
11) Arrogance and/or inadequacy to work demonstrated from the administration and the staff/volunteers must be addressed candidly. Advise the malefactor, issue a fine, issue a temporary suspension from work, and finally, permanently discharge the malefactor.
12) Give the rights of Allah and people with humbleness.
1) Establish a good practice, reflecting the moral and work ethics of the Companions (r.a) Closely study the manners of the Companions and plan of action before building any strategy. Following personal passions will digress purpose into great deviation.
2) A good practice is one, which will not put the staff members and volunteers in difficulty. Administration must assign only that work which its staff can complete with proficiency. Do not entrust them with a duty for which they are unskilled or uninterested. If the organization lacks an efficient workforce for a certain project, be realistic and do not initiate that project. Only take responsibility of the work that can be managed with competence.
3) Administration must audit all revenue generated and donations collected by the organization. Publish an annual report of the organization. Make financial matters of the organization as simple and as transparent as possible. Do not solicit or squander wealth unjustly. Greed and jealousy over money creates a cynical atmosphere detrimental to creative, cooperative and productive work.
4) Staff and volunteers should not compare with other members. Do not compete with others to prove your or your team's superiority. Administration and all staff must cooperate with each other to meet the organization's mission and vision. Exploitation or manipulation of any member or volunteer, i.e. scheme to discredit or dispose a member, or snatch his/her position unfairly may deracinate the entire organization.
5) When seeking a promotion, ask Allah for for His bounty and favour to select you for the best work of Deen.
6) Administration should not be aggressive or unfair. Treat all members with equal respect and give them equal time in meetings. Welcome constructive criticism and pitch in positive feedback. Involve the staff in making decisions which directly effect their work and pay.
7) Avoid all major and minor sins, backbiting, covetousness, greed, lying and stealing etc.
8) Pay the staff members fair due for their share of work, on time.
9) The administration is incharge of the organization so long as it possess the knowledge and the skill or run the organization, pay the staff members and provide facilities and services to the community.
10) Staff members and volunteers must be devouted to the organization and obedient to the organization's protocol and guard the organization's trusts and responsibilities sincerely.
11) Arrogance and/or inadequacy to work demonstrated from the administration and the staff/volunteers must be addressed candidly. Advise the malefactor, issue a fine, issue a temporary suspension from work, and finally, permanently discharge the malefactor.
12) Give the rights of Allah and people with humbleness.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)