Jamaat al-Muslimeen International Press Release
assalamu alaikum
Dear Muslims
The messages appearing on nyc-net on the Diallo case about the need to do more are very encouraging. Muslims are concerned.
Please think of the following:
1.
It's not true that Muslims are not involved in the protests. Our organization Jamaat al-Muslimeen is involved. Our representatives were in New York, especially on February 26 (among them Sis. Nadrat Siddique)
2.
It's true that major Muslim organizations are not involved. They have never been involved in any issue which would disturb the U.S. power structure. No wonder all they did in New York was make du'a for Br. Diallo. That's also because of public pressure. Otherwise in the case of Shaikh Omar 'Abdel Rahman, they didn't even do that.
3.
It is true that politicians take advantage of protests. The bitterness in New York will probably remove one devil (Guiliani) and replace him by another (Hillary).
We should protest in such a way that the message of Islam remains uppermost: that we are with the oppressed (muzloom) and against the oppressors (zalimun)
Those who think that protests are futile should think again. Protests are part of our awareness as Muslims. A person who protests in the street for three hours is definitely a better person and Muslim than one who sits comfortably in front of the TV watching the ZULM going on.
The Prophet (peace be on him) has taught us to stop evil with our hands (if we can), to speak out against it (if we cannot stop it), and if we can't even speak out, then to condemn the evil in our hearts.
I don't think we are so weak in America as not even to speak out.
Protesting leads to mobilization and experience of opposition. In the Shaikh Omar case we learned a lot by standing against the Jewish judge and Jewish opponents of Islam.
Sometimes we are lazy or have other things to do. We should seek Allah's help (through du'a) to become more focussed. But if we think, there is no need to protest the murder of a Muslim, our very faith is doubtful. We should investigate our own inner NAFS.
Finally, the underlying issue is race. If Muslims do not stand up for a brother from Africa, it implies that the "white" of this society has rubbed off on them. It is safe and easy to protest in America about Kosova, Chechnya, Kashmir. (We should do all that if that actually helps the mujahideen, not blankets and clothes....) In America, the witnessing is connected with standing up for the oppressed who are poor and (usually) of African origin.
Our silence about Africans reinforces the stereotype (which has some truth in it as far as the rich Muslims are concerned), that many of us are mentally with the oppressors.
Alhamdulillah, yesterday Muslims protested in Washington for Br. Amadou Diallo. Alhaj Mauri Saalakhan was the key person in this protest. Jamaat al-Muslimeen was represented and Sis. Ashira Na'im spoke during the rally.
2000-03-26 Sun 19:50ct