Page 358 - A Helping Hand for Refugees

Muslims. Therefore, there should be no obstacle in the path to unity.
At the moment, the world is in a state of great turmoil. Millions of inno-
cent Muslims are facing oppression. Just as people try to save lives
instead of protecting the furniture during a fire, similarly Muslims
should avoid all other issues and make it their priority to strive for and
establish this unity in the face of difficulties and oppression the world
faces today.

Under these conditions, the following question comes to mind: "But

how will Muslims achieve solidarity?" By no means will this unity be
a formal, nonfunctional one. In fact, similar attempts were made many
times in the past and such organizations were unable accomplish any-
thing useful, except that they were for a show. For example, during a
solidarity conference held in Iran, Shiites and Sunnis performed prayers
separately, behind the imams of their respective
sects. This clearly shows their discrepancies in
an environment where they were supposed
to come together for so-called solidarity.

It should be understood that Muslims

can only unite in an environment
that is sincere, warm, far
removed from formalities or
ceremonies. Under these cir-
cumstances, the only

356 A Helping Hand for Refugees