JEDDAH, 10 September 2003 - Muslims must adopt a positive approach in their handling of anti-Islamic smear campaigns. They must use them as opportunity to take the message of Islam to more people, says M.M. Akbar, a prominent Islamic dawa worker and an expert in comparative religion.
"We should not take a negative approach toward these provocative campaigns by reacting emotionally. Instead, we should make use of public attention to correct their wrong notions about Islam," Akbar, director of Niche of Truth, a dawa-oriented organization in Kerala, told Arab News. Akbar's remarks come against the backdrop of a strident smear campaign against Islam and Muslims following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.
There were also calls by such Hindu zealots as Dr. Praveen Togadia, secretary-general of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council - VHP) to remove certain verses from the Qur'an saying they instigated terrorists.
"The VHP tries to provoke Muslims into resorting to communal violence in their bid to grab Hindu votes. But many Muslims do not understand this and fall victim to the provocations," said Akbar, author of 38 books including 20 on comparative religion.
To counter the VHP campaign, the Niche of Truth organized a statewide awareness campaign highlighting the message of the Qur'an. "Our campaign was a big success and we enjoyed good results," he said.
"We have to counter the opponents on the ideological level instead of simply attacking them," he added. Similar approaches taken by some Islamic organizations in the United States also reported good results, Akbar said. According to one published report, more than 50,000 Americans embraced Islam in the year after 9/11.
Akbar's organization has launched another campaign entitled, "Islam: A
Religion of Peace and Justice" to counter a smear campaign aimed at linking Islam and Muslims with terrorism. "Open forums were held with participation by non-Muslim intellectuals, scholars of other faiths and representatives from the media," he said.
"By the grace of God, we gave the impression that Muslims can face criticism without reacting emotionally," he said.
Akbar has written a two-volume reference, "Authenticity of the Holy Qur'an." The first volume is now available in English. "It's a reply to critics of the Qur'an and a guide for dawa workers."
