Read Online Progressive Muslims: On Justice, Gender and Pluralism by Omid Safi - Free Book Online
Authors: Omid Safi
Tags: Religión, General, Social Science, Islam, Political Science, Ethnic Studies, Islamic Studies, Islam and Politics, Islamic Law, Islamic Renewal, Religious Pluralism, Women in Islam, Comparative Politics
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some reason, I – speaking not on behalf of any other progressive Muslims, just myself – am less and less satisfied with this mantra. Let me be clear here: at a fundamental level, I believe that the Islamic tradition offers a path to peace, both in the heart of the individual and in the world at large, when the Islamic imperatives for social justice are followed. Yet there is something pathetically apologetic about turning the phrase “Islam is a religion of peace” into a mantra. It is bad enough to hear Muslim spokespersons repeat it so often while lacking the courage to face the forces of extremism in our own midst. It is just as bad to hear a United States President reassure us that he respects Islam as a “religion of peace” as he prepares to bomb Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq, or support the brutal oppression of Palestinians. In both of the above senses, “Islam is a religion of peace” has become to my ears a hollow
phrase, full of apologism and hypocrisy.
As Muslims, we owe it to ourselves to come to terms with the problems inside our own communities. All societies have their beautiful and noble citizens, along with their share of hateful and extremist ones. Muslims are human, not an ounce less and not an ounce more than any other people. We too have our saints and sinners, our fanatical zealots and compassionate exemplars. At this stage of history our primary responsibility is to come to terms with the
oppressive tyrants and fanatics inside our own communities, our own families, and our own hearts. Hiding behind the simple assertion that “Islam is a religion of peace” does not solve our problems.
There is another reason that I have come to detest this slogan. It seems to me that we have lost sight of the real meaning of “peace,” just as we have lost a real sense of “war.” Many have come to think of peace as simply the absence of war, or at least the absence of violent conflict. Yet, as progressives, we must preserve the possibility of upholding resistance to well-entrenched systems of inequality and injustice through non-violent conflict. This is one of the great challenges of our time: affirming the right of a people who have been dehumanized and oppressed to resist, while encouraging them to do so non-violently. This is a great challenge indeed.
The very concept of “peace” can be and has been co-opted and adopted by hegemonic powers to preserve the unjust status quo , as we have seen in both Israel and apartheid-era South Africa. At times like this, a progressive can and perhaps must reject the superficial appeals of an unjust peace, and insist instead on a peace that is rooted in justice. This is precisely the sentiment echoed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In his Nobel Peace Prize lecture, he stated, “Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold . . . Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.” 28 Similarly, Bob Marley’s former partner in reggae, Peter Tosh, sang, “We don’t want no peace – we want equal rights and justice!” Marley himself sang a powerful song called “War,” which captures this sense well. In the lyrics below, “war” is seen as more than a violent military conflict. It is, rather, a declaration that one will fight systems of prejudice, injustice, and inequality.
Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior
is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned – Everywhere is war –
Me say war.
That until there is no longer
first class and second class citizens of any nation until the colour of a man’s skin
is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes – Me say war.
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without regard to race –
Dis a war.
That until that day
the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship
rule of international
phrase, full of apologism and hypocrisy.
As Muslims, we owe it to ourselves to come to terms with the problems inside our own communities. All societies have their beautiful and noble citizens, along with their share of hateful and extremist ones. Muslims are human, not an ounce less and not an ounce more than any other people. We too have our saints and sinners, our fanatical zealots and compassionate exemplars. At this stage of history our primary responsibility is to come to terms with the
oppressive tyrants and fanatics inside our own communities, our own families, and our own hearts. Hiding behind the simple assertion that “Islam is a religion of peace” does not solve our problems.
There is another reason that I have come to detest this slogan. It seems to me that we have lost sight of the real meaning of “peace,” just as we have lost a real sense of “war.” Many have come to think of peace as simply the absence of war, or at least the absence of violent conflict. Yet, as progressives, we must preserve the possibility of upholding resistance to well-entrenched systems of inequality and injustice through non-violent conflict. This is one of the great challenges of our time: affirming the right of a people who have been dehumanized and oppressed to resist, while encouraging them to do so non-violently. This is a great challenge indeed.
The very concept of “peace” can be and has been co-opted and adopted by hegemonic powers to preserve the unjust status quo , as we have seen in both Israel and apartheid-era South Africa. At times like this, a progressive can and perhaps must reject the superficial appeals of an unjust peace, and insist instead on a peace that is rooted in justice. This is precisely the sentiment echoed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In his Nobel Peace Prize lecture, he stated, “Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold . . . Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.” 28 Similarly, Bob Marley’s former partner in reggae, Peter Tosh, sang, “We don’t want no peace – we want equal rights and justice!” Marley himself sang a powerful song called “War,” which captures this sense well. In the lyrics below, “war” is seen as more than a violent military conflict. It is, rather, a declaration that one will fight systems of prejudice, injustice, and inequality.
Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior
is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned – Everywhere is war –
Me say war.
That until there is no longer
first class and second class citizens of any nation until the colour of a man’s skin
is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes – Me say war.
That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without regard to race –
Dis a war.
That until that day
the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship
rule of international
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