A peep into the past will make it clear to many that unity has always laid the foundations of ideological triumphs. People believing in a particular idea join hands for a common cause, draw strength from one another and find a way forward.
History tells us that sometimes people followed superstitions — ideas that are dangerous and toxic — and emerged triumphant. The key factor in the success of those skewed ideas was unity. With the spirit of togetherness people can achieve great feats and beat all odds.
So what is wrong with us, the Muslims? Why aren’t we united in the same manner? We are the adherents to a true and powerful ideology then what is the cause of our decadence. Is it because we are a fragmented nation? Is it because we have abandoned the true ideology that calls on us to think as one?
The true path requires strength and wants us to act like a single body; that is the only way to fight superstitious and false ideologies. That is the only way to rid the world of threats, fears and wars. Without forging unity among believers and good people, it will not be possible to save the world. Does anybody have any idea about the consequences of this fragmentation or division among Muslims? It is due to this division that instead of people spreading love, we are seen as hatemongers. We are no longer a nation but an unruly crowd with no sense of direction. As long as Muslims remain fragmented, they will never gain the strength to wage an intellectual campaign against materialism and irreligious ideologies. Unfortunately, we are busy fighting each other. Take out a map of the world and point your finger at any Muslim country, you will find that country up in flames — Muslims fighting Muslims.
It is very much due to this fragmentation that we as a nation are slowly and gradually losing the zeal to contribute anything positive to the world. Our creativity has nosedived. Taking the advantage of the situation, fanatics are trying to hijack this beautiful religion and trying to replace their illogical ideas, which even they can never back by any part of the Qur’an. As long as Muslims will remain divided, they will always find themselves at the receiving end of cluster bombs, missiles launched by drones and guns of the western powers.
Currently, Turkey needs to display the spirit of togetherness. Elements within Turkey are on the move to pitch Muslims against each other. Efforts are on to weaken a country that has made efforts to protect Muslims in various parts of the world, such as Syria, Rakhine and Somalia, and that has placed thousands of refugees under protection in its own territory. Those elements are using the formula: Divide and rule. Syria is a glaring example of the current situation of Muslims as a nation. The once beautiful country is in ruins. It is left to rot at the mercy of a brutal dictator and has become a toy in the hands of radicals. And we await a solution from the West instead of Muslim countries. This will continue to happen as long as we are fragmented.
If Muslims remain fragmented, stability in Muslim countries will be compromised. The growth of arts and science will be hindered. The economy will continue to shrink. Unstable Muslim countries will always be exploited by foreign powers; they will be condemned to coups and uprisings.
If Muslims remain fragmented, then the enemies of Islam who say, “Let them fight and destroy one another while we relax” will get their way. It is due to these divisions that the lives of Muslims have become literally worthless. The western world — that swings into action to save a seal — takes no interest in the mass slaughter of Muslims. (Rescuing animals is a noble act and that is not what is under criticism here.)
As the Qur’an says, “The deniers are always one another’s guardians, protectors and friends.”
But what about Muslims? Muslims should not stand divided when the world is in such turmoil. Muslims have no right to be in dispute with one another when Muslims are being carelessly slaughtered, the innocent are being forced from their homes and refugee camps in Myanmar are being burned. Muslims have no right to fight among themselves when sinister forces are making terrifying plans for the Middle East. Muslims are not solely responsible for only themselves as individuals: They have a responsibility for all Muslims, all the weak and indeed, the entire world. If they think only of themselves, worry only about their own petty problems and engage in their own conflicts, then the responsibility for the suffering of the weak and oppressed will be on their heads. Those who wish to avoid that must be pacifiers, speak kind words, spread friendship and remind people we are brothers in faith. They must forge unity among their ranks. If only we fully understood the price of fragmentation or disunity among Muslims, we will not fall into the traps of such elements. We will instead realize the value of responding to evil with good, and we will grow stronger. The strengthening of rational and enlightened Muslims is the solution to all the troubles in the world.
- The writer is a commentator on Turkish TV & a columnist.
