Giving Islam a bad name

Dipa Ghosh

 I recently spoke to my Pakistani friend. She and I were discussing the state of Muslims in America after 9/11. She kept saying how because of some conservative irrational bigots, all other Muslims are being misunderstood. I agree with her. But I cannot help but ask this. When the attack happened in India in November, all my Muslim friends asked me if I and my family were fine. But this friend told me, “Oh I hope Muslims in India are not put through trouble because of this.” I could not believe her. People died. People were injured. And the number included Muslims as well. But why was she thinking of how Muslims would be treated in future as opposed to thinking about what is happening to the people hurt in that scenario. How is it that when people were dying, she was thinking of what the repercussions would be for Muslims in India? I also asked her this: If she is so angry with the fanatics who are giving Islam a bad name, what is she personally doing about it? She had no answer. I asked her why is she not focusing her attention on trying to show if not the rest of the world at least her own friends that she is different. That she cares and is not just obsessed with how Muslims are being viewed around the world. I am not talking about this on a political government basis, but I do believe even on a small scale if people would stop thinking like my friend and actually do as much as they can to show their friends what Islam is really about, the situation can change. If every Muslim who is rational and liberal and respectful (I have tones of friends who are like this) actually showed their near and dear ones how they are different it would really make the situation much better. Pointless anger and obsession with the ‘image’ of Islam in the world will not achieve anything constructive. To make sure the world sees them differently they have to take the first step themselves. Many already do so, its time the others started as well. How many times have we seen Muslims protest against others Muslims perpetrating terrorist activities? Bin Laden does not have a single fatwa in his name. All this is because they do something awful in the name of religion and no one wants to go against religion. Passively arguing for the positives of Islam is not going to achieve anything. It has to come from within the community. Muslims themselves should fight against those who are bringing down their name. Only then will it make a difference.