(31) What Can I Do?
By Fazeel Azeez Chauhan
5-3-97
Practitioners of
prejudice commit psychological genocide against other human beings. Frequently,
the individuals who are targets of discrimination belong to a poorer and
"weaker" group. Over a period of time, the oppressed group of people
can become very discouraged if the odds against them are too big. Muslims in
America are very aware of the injustices committed against them. Sometimes we
may become disappointed, but taking action to solve the problems our community
faces is extremely important. We should never say "there is nothing I can
do," because that's accepting defeat. Therefore, a list at the end
provides a few suggestions as to What we CAN do.
Many Muslims are aware
of how misrepresented and oppressed they are in the world. Individuals often
talk about how Muslims are slaughtered in Bosnia, Chechnya, Iraq and Palestine.
We wait in vain for our local and world leaders to provide proper guidance or
to save the day. But no one seems to care. Muslims are shown in an evil manner
in the media as violent terrorists. The same movies and tv programs we see in
America are exported all over the world. Through these, our "native"
people's minds are confused and conquered by creating a schizophrenia of
contradictory materialistic values. People in Pakistan know that a Prime
Minister can't get elected without American support. Yet, they romanticize
American movies, women and way of life. We line up by the thousands at the U.S.
embassy. Pakistanis are proud of their relatives living in America.
At times, the situation seems very confusing, overwhelming and discouraging.
But we must not let our spirits be conquered.
In America, Pakistan and
in the world, the one with the biggest gun wins. President Reagan branded Libya
as a "terrorist" state, and killed as many Muslims as he pleased.
When the hostage crisis occurred in Iran, "Americans" blamed everyone
who looked like the Persian "enemy". Yet, the U.S. illegally sold
weapons to both sides in the Iraq Iran war. Saddam Hussain was armed and built
up as the hero against the "enemy" Iran. Then in the Gulf War, the
"enemy" label switched to Iraq. How was it possible that the American
government could gather so many "Muslim" countries to join them? Who
made Pakistanis and other Muslims kill their Iraqi brothers and sisters? How
could Saudi Arabia allow the U.S. to establish one of the largest military
bases in the world? A large foreign military presence in the country of Makkah
and Madina signifies a degree of conquest. Similarly, the Israelis feel that
they can get away with digging a "tunnel" under Masjid Aqsa. So what
can we do to make the situation better for Muslims in the world? We must unite
and begin with small groups, working at the grassroots.
At the Mosques and
Islamic conventions, these same issues are discussed every week. Talking about
the problem is very important. But that is only the first step toward the
solution. The second step is a debate of alternative solutions. The third step
is taking action to solve the problems. Generally, Muslims in America are at
step one, just talking about the problem. One of the most common traits of
Pakistanis is criticizing each other. We are too busy attacking each other,
rather than addressing the solutions. If we sit down together as a support
group to sincerely and objectively discuss our personal and global problems, we
can help each other to come up with good solutions. Otherwise, we'll continue
to fight and lose our individual battles, on our individual islands. And
Muslims will continue to be marketed as the "enemy" which was the
former label for the Soviet Union. Here are a few things Muslims CAN do:
1) Never believe that
there is nothing you can do
2) Create and strengthen
support groups, which can also meet and organize at Mosques
3) Don't lose your hope,
spirit and pride. Remember what the truth is.
4) Support each other with an open heart, rather
than trying to be right through criticizing others
5) Teach the children to
be leaders in government, media & community. Don't only become rich
doctors.
6) Take responsibility and be a leader who is not
selfish
7) To fight against the
misinformation, make copies of the Introduction to Islam flyer and distribute
it to educate people. It's available at the Islamic Center of Southern
California.
8) Resistance is the
secret of joy. Holding on to your values and identity is a source of power.
9) Express your feelings to people in a practical
manner. Unexpressed feelings turn into physical, mental and social illnesses.
10) Demand from the
media that Muslims should be presented in a positive light.
11) Don't allow us to be divided and conquered by
external forces or by internal back biting
12) Demand a change from
your Congressman, Senator, President, Governor, state &local reps.
13) Don't believe the
lies
14) Drink deep from your religion, language,
culture and literature
15) Organize FREE events
to inspire Pride and Unity in Muslims
16) Join forces with other minorities
17) Listen to KPFK
radio, 90.7 FM
18) Subscribe to
"Nation" magazine
