Blindspot!
Awakening Conscience
To attack innocents, diplomats and to kill indiscriminately is
anti-Islamic by its very nature; Muslims cannot respond to insults to
their religion in this way. On this principle there can be no
compromise.
In the light of the contemporary Muslim conscience, while
deploring and regretting the emotive reactions of the populations of
the Muslim-majority societies of the Global South we must take into
account their social and historical reality. Economically and
culturally disadvantaged, their political and cultural sensitivities
are sorely tried by deliberate insults to the sacred symbols that give
meaning to their perseverance and their lives—the very symbols invoked
by leaders or Islamist tendencies to nurture resentment and to give
voice to anger. This reality in no way justifies violence, but
helps us to understand its source and seek out possible solutions. It
is the task of the elites, the leaders, of Muslim religious scholars
and intellectuals to play a leading role in order to head off
explosions of anger and mob violence. They bear three kinds of
responsibility.
1. First, they must turn their attention to education, and work toward a deeper understanding of Islam,
one that focuses on meaning and ultimate goals, and not simply on
rituals and prohibitions. The task at hand is enormous, and requires
the full participation of all schools of thought.
2. Second, Islam’s extraordinary diversity must be accepted and celebrated.
Islam is one, but its interpretations are many. The existence of
literalist, traditionalist, reformist, mystic, rationalist and other
currents is a fact, a reality that must be treated positively and
qualitatively, for each of them has its own legitimacy and should
(must!) contribute a multifaceted debate among Muslims. Whenever
considerations of belonging threaten to replace principles, religious
scholars, intellectuals and leaders must return to shared principles,
must find common ground between these considerations, in full respect of
legitimate diversity.
3. Third, scholars and intellectuals must have the courage to expose themselves further.
Instead of encouraging popular feelings, or to use those feelings to
further their own religious identity (Sunni, Shi’a, Salafi, reformist,
Sufi, etc.) or their political ideology they must face the issue
squarely, dare to be self-critical, commit themselves to dialogue
and—more often than not—tell Muslims what they may not like to hear
about their own failings, their lack of coherence, their propensity to
play the victim, failure to understand and to accept responsibility.
Far from the feverish rhetoric of the populists, they must put their
credibility on the line to awaken consciences in an attempt to counter
emotionalism and mass blindness. The educated elites, students,
intellectuals and professionals also have a major responsibility. The
way they follow their leaders, as does their status as intermediaries
makes their active and critical presence imperative: holding the
scholars and the leaders accountable, simplifying and participating in
grassroots dynamics is an absolute imperative. The passivity of
the educated elites, looking down upon inflamed and uncontrolled
populations far below them, is a grievous fault.
Ultimately we end up with the leaders—and the peoples—we
deserve. Without committed and determined religious scholars,
intellectuals and business people aware of the critical nature of the
issues, there can be little doubt that we will be heading for an
upsurge of religious populism among the leadership, and the emotional
blindness of the masses. The words and the commitment of the leaders
must set the highest standards: beginning with knowledge,
understanding, coherence and self-criticism. They must abandon the
notion of victimization by appealing to responsibility, by freeing
themselves from the illusion that opposition to the “other” can lead to
reconciliation with one’s self. Make no mistake: the violent reactions
to the insults uttered against the Prophet have driven many Muslims to
behaviors far removed from the principles of Islam. We become
ourselves not in opposition to someone else, but in accord and at peace
with our conscience, our principles and our aspirations. In the serene mastery of ourselves, and not in the aggressive rejection of the Other.
Compiled From:
"An appeal to contemporary Muslim conscience" - Tariq Ramadan |
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