Page 234 - The Winter of Islam and the Spring to Come

THE WINTER OF ISLAM AND THE SPRING TO COME
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As on other subjects, the policies of Bashar Assad, who took over
the running of the state after the death of his father, maintain a positive
attitude to religious communities in the country. We hope these posi-
tive results grow day by day and that Syria becomes a free, peaceful
and just country where nobody is oppressed because of his beliefs or
ethnic origins.
We must not forget, however, that none of the social problems in
the Middle East and in other regions of the Islamic world are insoluble.
At first sight, the problems in these regions may appear so complex as
to be completely intractable. However, the solution has been sought for
hundreds of years in the wrong places. The solution lies in living by the
values of the Qur'an which Allah has revealed to humanity. Being help-
less in the face of events is an unacceptable situation for any Muslim.
That is because Allah, the Creator of all, has created a system wherein
humanity can live in peace, well-being and security, and has revealed
this to humankind by means of the Qur'an. In the Qur'an Allah shows
us the true way in all matters, as is revealed in this verse, "... We have
sent down the Book to you making all things clear and as
guidance and mercy and good news for the
Muslims." (Surat an-Nahl: 89)
If the superior morality described in the
Qur'an is understood and followed, then all
the problems currently facing the world
can begin to be solved with great ease.
Since the solution lies in living by
Qur'anic morality, then all people of
good conscience have a large and im-
portant responsibility to explain the
Qur'an to others. In the Qur'an, the
ambassadors sent down by Allah
speak of their own responsibility in this
manner:
We are only responsible for clear transmis-
sion. (Surah Ya Sin: 17)