01.01.09
Always Remember….
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
I’ve been very engaged in the whole situation in Ghazzah, as I hope the entire Muslim world is. The entire world should be, for that matter, as this is enough to make any person with a concept of justice shake to his/her core when they hear about these atrocities.
When I listen to people talk about trivial issues, I have a desire to shake them - to tell them that there are much bigger things to talk about. I wonder how they can go on about their lives as if everything is just peachy throughout the world. Then I realize that I do the same thing, as I watch my toddler-aged niece dart from place to place in the house. My thoughts are consumed by her and the joy she brings to us (Alhumdulillah). But the next second, my mood dampens as I remember that the Palestinian people are suffering as I relax comfortably in my home, without worry of a missile hitting my house or a potential invasion. I wonder why the Palestinian mother must be in constant fear of a glass shard from the shattered window piercing the soft flesh of her baby while most mothers are more concerned about their babies tumbling down the stairs.
I laugh with my friend, but abruptly stop as I wonder how I can laugh while there are families huddled together as their masaajid, houses, universities are bombarded. Of course, these people have been given this test by Allaah because they are able to handle it. But this does not excuse the rest of us from doing something about it. I should be making du3aa as desperately as the oppressed, for we are one nation, we are one ummah. What affects them should affect all of us. What hurts them should hurt us.
I am scared, though, that soon I will forget the plight of our brothers and sisters in Ghazzah (and all the others throughout the world). I am afraid that this will soon become a distant memory and the rage that this has incurred will disappear. The Western media (that of the U.S., at least) has been downplaying the situation since the beginning - worse, they’re making the Israelis seem like the righteous ones once more. How many people will, once again, buy into their scheme? Alhumdulillah, I noticed people (Muslim AND non-Muslim) are very fired up about this instance of inhumanity, but how long will it last? How long will we Muslims care so passionately about the condition of the ummah?
More importantly, when will we ACT upon our passion? Have we cried while sincerely making du3aa to Allaah? Have we done everything that is in our power (whether it’s having fundraising events to provide money for those who are in dire need of it, writing letters of condemnation to the leaders of the countries not helping, having protests to give da3wah and show solidarity, raising awareness of the situation to those who have been brainwashed by the media, etc.)? Of course, the best thing would be to defend the ummah in person but most of us have to help them indirectly.
And remember that the people in Ghazzah are not the only ones oppressed, rather they are just the most recent reminders. So please make sure you remember to make du3aa for the Muslims everywhere inshaAllaah.
I think I’ve been posting too many articles (though I’ve only posted 2 here), so I’ll just link you to the articles themselves (most of which I first read through forums):
Israel’s onslaught on Gaza is a crime that cannot succed - http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/dec/30/israel-and-the-palestinians-middle-east
What have the Palestinians got to complain about? - http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/mark-steel/mark-steel-so-what-have-the-palestinians-got-to-complain-about-1218135.html
Israel’s warped self-justification for murder - http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article21575.htm
Gaza: the logic of colonial power - http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/dec/29/gaza-hamas-israel
Why bombing Ashkelon is the most tragic irony - http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-why-bombing-ashkelon-is-the-most-tragic-irony-1216228.html
Maybe it’s just that I’m more aware of what is going on in the world, but it seems like even the non-Muslims are more riled up about this than usual. I hope Israel has dug its own grave because now people are starting to see it for what it is (a self-imposed tyrant/invader/occupier of the indigenous people), though the world is very late in noticing and condemning. Khair, better late than never. For once, perhaps this will not be brushed under the carpet as all oppression regarding the Muslims has been in the past.
