TELL PERKASA-ISMA-UMNO: Islam does not draw strength from acts of violence

RECENT reports on the trend among some of our young citizens who join militant organisations are a cause for concern.

This illustrates how social networks can play both positive and negative roles.

First, it is important to understand current world affairs. The world is undoubtedly more peaceful than during the world wars. But there are regional and internal conflicts which inflict no fewer casualties than past wars.

Without a clear grasp of the historical, cultural and political context of ongoing conflicts, one can easily be influenced into reacting irrationally when the culprits, whoever they may be, tend to use religion to motivate participation in their cause.

The ideas presented that it is always a fight against an enemy of Islam are just tactics to enrol voluntary recruits.

The fact is, in almost all of the conflicts, it is violence among Muslims themselves. Rather than defending against an enemy, these extremists end up propagating violence against Muslim brothers and sisters.

It is sad fact that our youngsters are among those who are easily influenced to join a calling that propagates violence and destruction.

If the reports are true, it is an indicator of how some of our young minds are being fed with inaccurate information.

Whatever the argument of proof may be, Islam is never about violence.

Muslims who see violence as a way out are dangerously treading the path that Islam clearly abhors.

Islam does not draw its strength from acts or thoughts of violence.

In 1924, Mahatma Gandhi once commented, “I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the prophet, the scrupulous regards for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and his own mission. These, and not the sword, carried everything before them and surmounted every trouble.”

Gandhi was not a Muslim, but he was devoted to the quest of peace.

Having said that, in the Malaysian context, the increased trend for such violent tendency is proof that the government’s efforts to promote moderation and positive approaches in all aspects of the Malaysian psyche should be intensified.

Religious authorities which administer and propagate, and individuals who are acknowledged as “ulama”, should play a more proactive role to change the way society is engaged, in order to shape their understanding of Islam to be more holistic, balanced and peaceful for all mankind.

Islam is a way of life and it should be presented as such without unnecessary exaggeration. It should not be portrayed as a religion that prefers the hereafter against worldly matters, or vice versa, full with exaggerations and insufficient reference to the application on the reality of daily lives.

The beauty of Islam lies in the quest for a balanced view of the hereafter and worldly pursuits that ultimately defines the individual submission to the one Almighty God.

It would be a gross injustice if what is presented to the society are skewed and narrow views of Islam which will result in a wrong understanding of what Islam represents and expects from its followers.

Sadly, Islam will bear the brunt of the negative connotations that will take decades to be corrected. -NST