AS Muslims, it is high time we invested some time and energy in cleaning up our own closets before pointing fingers at foreign nations. We have too often blamed them for "not doing enough" — whether it is the plight of Afghanistan, the Israeli-Palestinian issue, or the Iraqi crisis. Yes, these are grave problems which need to be dealt with in a fair and secure manner, but politics, as most of us know by now, is a dirty game. The West has a superiority complex while we have an inferiority one. But who said we can have it all? Power means dominance which leads to mishaps here and there. Reality bites. After all, don’t we want to secure our national interest? Sadly though, it is often at the expense of other, weaker nations.
Perhaps our new world order is part and parcel of "globalization"; that very term has often caused more trouble in the last few years than ever before. It has left the developing world in a battle, with poor nations trying to accommodate modernity with what is often their own strange cultural practices. Take Afghanistan as a common example. During the last 20 years or so, ethnic and tribal rivalries have ravaged the war-torn nation, with Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras and Uzbeks — among others — struggling for power. Even now, with the war at its end, warlords are unsatisfied with Afghanistan’s new leader Hamid Karzai, a peaceful man with no links to a specific group. Yet all eyes are on this very man who must bring about the promised peace and stability to a wary and skeptical nation. If the new interim government does not deliver material sustenance, the population will find other means of sustaining itself; usually through using — and abusing — religion for political or even emotional gains.
The example of Afghanistan is the evident proof that we must face up to the challenge and educate the developing community — with the assistance of the United Nations. This does not entail that traditional teaching methods be used, for it brings about a mimicking puppet with only an intact memory retention. But by honing skills and preparing our citizens to cope with modern times and technological development. We will, therefore, become ready to face the new world. Developing nations must get their acts together and clear up the messes which have already spiraled out of control. People should cleanse their souls from such thoughts as "wars," "guns" and "weapons." Let us stop demonizing people, for in the end, the developing world has but one true, meaningful weapon in its hands — that of the mind.
Two extremist views have sprouted up since the Sept. 11 atrocities. One is the Western view of the Muslim world. This view sees the Muslims as intolerant of other religions and a safe-haven for terrorists. Then there are those extremists who call the West "The Big Satan" which has done little — if anything — to promote good standards of living for mankind. One little mistake in politics can blow right up in one’s face... so who’s at fault? Who cares? Like it matters to sit and worry about who our next enemy will be. Haven’t we made enough of those already in the world? Peace is what we crave and peace we shall have. Let us unite and put the past behind us. Move on, help and let others live.