Saman Hamid
As Muslim Ummah we are in a fragile situation and must tread with caution as the ill wishers are doing everything in their power to damage the name of Muslims. Groups like DAESH and Taliban are portrayed as “Mulsims”. Needless to say that all over the world no other group in the world spreading terrorism has a religion save the ones in the Middle East and South Asia. As a nation we must proactively take steps to dispel the rumors. The secretariat General of Saudi Arabia has set an important precedent in this regard. They have issued an edict according to which assault on lives of diplomats and ambassadors is divinely prohibited and is one of the highest sins. Under no justification whatsoever is a sanctified life to be targeted and the privilege of this sanctity covers anyone who comes to Muslims land under covenant. It is therefore prohibited to mistreat a covenanted member let alone killing him. Therefore, Al-Qaeda and Daish’s killing of diplomats and ambassadors is a deviation from Islamic teachings. While the peaceful expression of outrage is legitimate but attacks on ambassadors and diplomats is against Islamic law. In Islam, the safety, security and respect for ambassadors and diplomats is of utmost importance and violating these rules carries serious penalties.
Needless to say Islam is a religion of peace. The manner in which the conquest of Makkah, 20 Ramadan 8AH took place is one of the best examples of how Muslims conduct themselves in war. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) granted general pardon to everyone save 4 criminals, no one was robbed; women, children and elderly were all given amnesty. Similarly history is inundated with examples of the ideals Muslims have set, included the UN charter of human rights taking cue from the “last Sermon” of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The latest edict is another vindication of the Islamic ideology only meant to dispel the false propaganda aimed at damaging the image of the Muslims. According to this edict Al-Qaeda and Daish’s killing of diplomats and ambassadors is against Islamic law, the safety, security and respect for ambassadors and diplomats is of utmost importance and violating these rules carries serious penalties deviation from Islamic teachings.
A few incidents are important to consider if one has to fully realize the weight of this edict. On January 10 this year one of the most disturbing incidents took place in Afghanistan. Five diplomats including UAE’s ambassador to Afghanistan Juma-al-Kabi were killed in a bombing incident. The mission was carrying out humanitarian work. This event was unique due to the nationality of the targets. A diplomat from UAE had not been targeted before that too in Afghanistan. Although no one outright came forward to accept responsibility but the authorities blamed Taliban. This attack came on the eve of one of the most brutal attacks on the institution when on December 19, 2016, Russian ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, was shot dead by a Turkish policeman crying “Aleppo” and “revenge” at an art exhibition in Ankara on live television. These incidents and many others are used by forces to paint a bad picture of Islam and Muslims. In the two incidents mentioned above The Afghans were quick to drag Pakistan and Indians jumped on the opportunity to try and damage Pak-UAE relations, in the latter the Turk, Russian and Iranian diplomatic efforts. It is also important to note that all such incidents are painted with Islam and Muslims when we as a nation are as innocent as Christians in the case of Hitler and his Nazis.
In this age of confusion and false information it is very important for Muslims internally to guard themselves against imposters. The case of the university students, around 12 including Noreen Jabbar Laghari who after getting inspired by DAESH went on her own to join the organization. The penetration in educational institutions is alarming and can only be prevented with proper awareness and monitoring and control mechanism both at home and at the institution. Any practicing Muslim with adequate exposure can never fall prey to such a menace but as the case of Noreen, Saad Aziz (former IBAen) proves that more measures need to be proven. Killing and murder of the innocent in Islam is prohibited and those who mange to go astray need right guidance. Peaceful demonstration and expressions of disinterests are allowed. The people of Kashmir when protesting for their right to freedom are not doing anything bad. This also indicates the right way to make one’s self heard which in no way involves violence in Islam.
We are fighting a war on many fronts and the biggest one is on our identity and ideology. Ostracizing our Ummah on the basis of actions of a distinct few who are in no way affiliated with us is out right unjust. Unfortunately we have to become more proactive when it comes to the these attacks and the step by KSA’s senior scholars seems to be in the right direction. As a whole we need to unite and become more aware of such assaults and our defenses because the world is increasingly not spinning in a direction of our liking.
