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First, it was the Indigenous Americans. They were forced
off their own land in an unimaginable genocide, their way of life altered
forever. Then came the turn of the African Americans. Forced into slavery,
they became part of an enduring cycle of social oppression, which continues
to this day. The Japanese became the target of choice during World War
II. Their internment was merely another log in the burning fire of racial
discrimination practiced by the government. As thousands of Muslims sit
behind bars without due process, we come to the painful realization that
now, it’s the Muslims’ turn…
With the aftermath of September 11, the spotlight has landed squarely
on the Muslim community in America. We have become like the “communists”
during the McCarthy era, the clear victims of an unceasing witch-hunt.
Government violations of individual liberties and freedoms have not been
experienced to this degree since the illegal internment of Japanese Americans.
The curtailing of civil liberties, the abuse of governmental power and
the blatant acceptance of racial profiling all serve as proof to the reincarnation
of an ever-present threat.
In the days following the Sep. 11 tragedy, Congress enacted several laws
jeopardizing the civil rights of individuals in this country. Measures
such as the USA Patriot Act not only affect those unjustly targeted in
the short run, but also have managed to risk everyone’s freedom and
liberty as citizens of this country. The foundation of equality and justice
that America is supposed to represent is nowhere in sight.
Unknown to most Americans, hundreds of their fellow citizens are being
held without reason in jails for indefinite periods of time. Families
of these individuals do not know where their loved ones are, what charges
they are being held for and whether or not they can receive counsel to
represent them. Even when a trial does take place, the hearings are closed
to the public. Such secrecy in the holdings of so many individuals and
the use of “secret evidence” against them should appall even
the most apathetic amongst us.
From now on, every phone call made or e-mail sent can be monitored by
law enforcement agencies. Next time one is in private counsel with a lawyer,
the attorney-client privilege can be thrown out the window because someone
else is listening. Such invading policies leave no room for a sense of
personal privacy. The reality of today is that Big Brother, cloaked as
Uncle Sam, is watching, whether we like it or not.
The current onslaught of dehumanizing legislation and government proposals
are all packaged as necessary security measures to the post-9-11 American
public. For government agencies such as the Department of Justice, this
is a golden opportunity to sneak unconstitutional acts to be passed blindly
by Congress, which passed the Patriot Act before even reading the complete
measures. It’s during hysteria-filled times like these that the government
has historically been able to capitalize on a panic-stricken public and
pass proposals that would not see the light of day in any other era. Was
it not Benjamin Franklin who said, “They that can give up essential
liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
safety?”
Muslim charities have become the newest “fad” under government
and media scrutiny. This past December, three of the largest Muslim charities
were shut down by executive order. By shutting down these groups during
the holy month of Ramadan, the entire Muslim community was dealt a slap
to the face. At a time when religious obligation required donations to
go to the orphaned and needy, it was instead being held by the US government
for undisclosed reasons. The charities, who have all along denied any
wrongdoing, have not even been give the opportunity to prove their innocence.
Despite all these damages and injustices taking place, the depth of the
problem has not reached the attention of the public. We must ask why the
media prevents the public from learning the dark realities of our society?
Serving the corporate and ruling class, TV, newspapers and radio programs
feed us false or useless information that keep the general public inactive.
By keeping people ever-gripped with the fear of an unseen danger, individuals
within the government can more easily see their personal objectives met.
Whether these goals be greater military spending, increased monitoring
of citizens’ lives or extending the country’s global sphere
of influence to secure access to new oil fields, the political climate
of fear and suspicion is allowing these objectives to become reality.
Islam is under attack, whether intentionally or not. When the Attorney
General of the US said, “Islam is a religion in which God requires
you to send your son to die for Him. Christianity is a faith in which
God sends His son to die for you,” in whom can we place our confidence
and trust?
This is the time for Muslims to take an active role in making their voices
heard more than ever before. If Muslims are to be saved from the attacks
by government policies and hate-mongering commentators, it is the responsibility
of the believers to be the moral voice of this country. A voice that must
rise above the clamor of negativity in order to enjoin that which is right,
cry out against that which is wrong and never waver in the face of repression.
We must learn from the history of other groups and their struggles in
this country, drawing parallels from their experiences and acting to make
change. As our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught us,
“If one of you witnesses oppression, then he shall change it with
his hands, if he is not able to, then he shall change it with his tongue,
if he is not able to, then he must despise it in his heart, and that is
the weakest level of faith.” May Allah Most High make us amongst
the strongest in faith. Amin. •
Jazakum Allahu khayran,
(May Allah reward you well)
-The Al-Talib staff
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