Muslims of Turkistan Sharqia, Arakan and African Countries
By SYYED MANSOOR AGHA
[World Muslim League (WML) organised second International Conference on “Islamic World – Problems and Solutions” in Makkah on 2-4 March. Muslim intellectuals from all over the world attended the conference. In all 27 papers were listed for five working sessions. The paper contributed by Syyed Mansoor Agha, titled “Muslim Minorities and Islamic Solidarity – A Case Study of Turkistan Sharqia (Xinjiang), Arakan (in Myanmar/Burma) and African Countries” was included in the 4th session. We are reproducing it here for the benefit of our readers _Ed.]
Minorities face problems of various dimensions all over the world. The history of persecution of Muslims goes back to pre-Hijra period when the last Prophet of Allah Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) first called upon his fellow citizens of Makkah and adjoining areas, including Taif, to recognise the truth of Tauheed – oneness of Allah – obey the will of Allah, the Master and Sustainer of the worlds, and come under the shadow of Islam. Though they believed him the most honest and truthful person – Sadiq o Ameen – among themselves, his message of truth was not taken kindly. Innumerable insults and sufferings were heaped upon him and on his followers. A miniscule minority, who heeded to his Dawah and embraced Islam, was subjected to most cruel and inhuman torture. We believe, Allah the Exalted wanted his true Muslims to learn a lesson from this part of Islamic history. The divine lesson inherent in the conduct of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) and his Companions is a beacon for us to tread in all situations. Allah ordains:
“Call unto the way of the Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way.” (An-Nah’l 16-125)
The need of the hour is to grasp the essence of “Hikmah” – the wisdom – in our efforts. Violent reaction is not the way-out.
As we know, World Muslims Population is estimated around 1.62-63 billion. There are 49 Muslim-majority countries. The Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has 57 countries as members, home to 1.3 billion people. Around 61 million Muslims are scattered as minority communities in other countries of the world. There is hardly a place in the world, from North Pole to South, where Muslims are not found. In several countries, like India, the population of Muslim minority is sizable. India is home to over 176 million Muslims which constitute 10.09 per cent of world Muslim population. Indian Muslims are about 18% of total population, rank the second largest community in the country and also holds the second largest population in the world too. Within India, Muslims are in the overwhelming majority in regions like Kashmir and Lakshadweep. In many districts they are more than 30%. In India, we have our own problems, but we have platforms to raise our issues indigenously.
In the contemporary world, Muslims are facing huge human and civil rights violations in certain countries. In many areas they are facing direct or indirect threat of ethnic cleansing. In many other areas they are struggling to protect their lives, their religious places, their dress code and religious symbols like minarets, etc. This is being done in the “most civilized countries” too. To some extent Muslims in modern democracies, like India are also subjected to such crimes.
The most “civilized” and “liberal” Europe has a long history of intellectually and physically hurting Islam and Muslims. Even today, the epicentre of anti-Islam movements exists in Europe and America. But recently we noted some positive indications of change in thinking. For example, Pope Francis gave an advice to the Catholic world on relations with Muslims. He said good ties with Muslims are of “great importance” to the Catholic Church. Christians should embrace Muslim immigrants “with affection and respect” as Christians would expect to receive in predominantly Muslim countries. (Agencies, 26 Nov, 2013)
In an environment, full of hatred, mistrust, misconceptions and clashes with Muslims, Pope’s massage to Christians is significant. We can only hope that the Catholic world will lend an ear to the wisdom of Pope. The idea to treat minorities well is not new at all. Some 1400 years ago, our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) ordained the believers to safeguard life, honour and property of minorities, like their own brothers. The just and exemplary treatment in the early era of Islam is a golden chapter of human history. The world needs to re-visit the history.
Indications of re-thinking in Europe’s political leadership have also emerged. For example, Interior Minister of Germany, on March 8, 2011 remarked, “Islam is not a way of Life in Germany.” (New York Times) After one year and a half, Angela Markel admitted: “Islam is a part of Germany”(http://www.indianexpress.com/news/angela-merkel-says-islam-is-part-of-germany/1008622/) and in January 2014, Germany decided to introduce lessons in Islam in schools to integrate local population with migrant Muslims. (New York Times, Frankfurt, January Jan 8, 2014)
French President Hollande’s observation is also remarkable. He said that Islam is “perfectly compatible with the values of France.” His comment came during a visit to Grand Mosque in Paris. (Agencies Feb 18, 2014)
On economic front, after recent crises, the U.K. and some other countries are inclined to benefit from Islamic Economic System. Addressing the World Islamic Economic Forum, British P.M. David Cameroon wished, “I want London to stand alongside Dubai and Kuala Lumpur as one of the great capitals of Islamic finance anywhere in the world.”
“Britain is already the leading Western centre for Islamic financial and related professional services. It is a leading provider of Shari’ah-compliant finance, with reported assets of $19 billion, according to Islamic Finance 2013, a new report published by The City, UK, a financial sector lobby group.”
There are certain other reports too that Islam is being recognised as “a boon and not a curse” in parts of Europe. Muslim intellectuals and NGOs are doing a lot of good service. But at this point I have a word of caution. The Ahmadi or Qadiani sect is spreading its wings more in the name of Islam than the true followers of Islam. This is more unfortunate that sartorial clashes among Muslims are wide spread in Europe too, as we see in India and Pakistan.
Our experience in India and abroad suggests that mistrust, suspicion, hatred and discrimination are common problems of Muslim minorities. There is a huge gap of communication between Islam and non-Muslims. Miss-information by way of mis-representation of our faith, and misconduct with other minorities, where we are in the majority, are widespread. Misconception and misinformation about Islamic Laws of Qisas and Hudood is more damaging. Though illicit heterosexuality is a widely accepted phenomenon in “liberal” societies, Muslims are cursed for (limited) polygamy. We need to take concrete steps at the intellectual level on this front as well as reforms in our societies. Neglecting women’s rights given in Islam, and advocating deceptive concepts of women’s rights also need immediate attention.
Our own understanding of Islamic and un-Islamic behaviour has also compounded the problem of Muslim minorities. There is a lack of dedication for the work of Dawah in the right perspective. It is an irony that in most cases we do call people to Islam but stress on our mazhab or maslak only. Infighting in Muslims on the bases of masalik takes many a time a heinous turn. Even in the societies where Muslims are in the majority, over enthusiasm and stress on particular “mazhab” is creating problems. This is one cause of concern we should address. (to be continued)
[The writer is Gen.Sec. Forum for Civil Rights. Email: syyedagha@hotmail.com]