Page 109 - Non-violence and peace-building

Non-violence and Peace-building in Islam

when it comes to the practical application or expression
of Islam, they do just the opposite—they begin to think
and act in terms of communal interests and prejudices.
This indicates that Islam is now no longer a religion to
be followed for Muslims, but, rather, simply something
for stressing and boosting their communal pride. When
it comes to their actions, they are guided by their own
desires. But if it is an occasion for expressing their pride,
they will sing the praises of Islam, and in this way seek
to satisfy their urge to claim superiority over others.
The fact is that there is really no difference between
Muslim and other leaders. Many of the latter routinely
invoke and sing the praises of the country’s Constitution.
“Our Constitution has this! Our Constitution says
that! Our Constitution is so great!” they proclaim with
enormous pride. But their own actions are just the
opposite. Muslim leaders behave in exactly the same
way. They sing the praises of the Quran and the practice
of the Prophet, and in this way fulfil their urge to express
their pride. But when the time comes for them to act,
they are guided simply by their personal interests and
communal prejudices and desires.

Our Muslim leaders may not engage in inter-
communal violence themselves. But when, because
of the foolishness of some ignorant members of their
community, communal riots are triggered off, they
always lend them their support. They never hold
their own people responsible for this, as the case of
the Muslim paper quoted above clearly demonstrates.
And so, even though they may not physically engage in
rioting, they are also to be counted among the guilty.

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