Sudan

Asalamu Alaikum,

I am an African American. I converted to islam about 2 years ago. During this time my studies have shown me that islam is supposed to be a religion of peace. There is supposed to be no difference as to who is better than another except in ones deeds. So why can anyone explain why the crisis in sudan with ethnic arab muslims killing and raping africans in the southern region. Yes I know that it is a predominately christian and animist area but african muslims have also been murdered. I understand war on political reasons and in self defense but does that justify the raping of african women to make their children lighter. The systematic murder of a peoples (people of the book) and animist because they believe in something different. Is not Allah subhanna wa ta ahla the judge of man and not us. Someone please explain what is going on in this region without referencing to israel or the palestineans. I want a real and honest explanation about the situation in sudan and why the arabs there think that it is okay to murder hundreds of thousands of africans.

Wa'alaikumu Salaam,

Brother Jamal, you seem to be putting much emphasis on racial differences where it is completely unnecessary. When it comes to race  - Islam is colorblind. In his final sermon the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has clearly stated:

"...All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood...."

Just because some arabs are ignorant enough to think they are superior to non-arabs, or because there are blacks assuming most non-blacks feeling superior to them, we don't go and denounce the existence of God and the Prophetic teachings by rejecting Islaam.

To better understand the situation in Darfour you have to travel to Darfour and spend some time there. Unfortunately, I am not in the position to answer your question as I have not had a chance to visit the area, yet. Switching channels with a bag of popcorn in hand and "downloading" world updates is not always the best way to gather facts. Although i would also very much appreciate if someone knowledgeable could shed some light on the actual situation there.

The bottomline is that Islam detests any notion of racial, ethnic or any other physical superiority of one over the other. I am Muslim, Alhamdulillah. "My people", my brothers and sisters, are of all complexions, provided that they submit to Allah and follow His Final Messenger - Muhammad (peace be upon him). And if someone feels him/herself superior or inferior on the basis of his physique and tries to fragment Ummah on a color basis - it is because of ignorance of Allah, and that is a major sin.

I want to thank Allah for brothers and sisters like you (assuming I correctly gender id your names). Nevertheless you are correct and I would have been in grave error to give up my faith because of other people. I still have some issues with the situation in Sudan but I must be wise and not let anyone, politics or any other material thing to come between myself and Allah. Thanks for reminding me of the straight path.

As Salaam Alaikum,

I am not an Arab, still, I don't feel any repulsion towards the Arabs just because of what the Arab militiamen did to the Africans in Darfur. Muslims, in general, don't discriminte on the basis of race/skin color. Some of them do, but they are only exceptions. They are as much a exception amongst the Muslims, as a girl who does not loses her virginity before marriage, is amongst the women in WEstern society. You normally don't notice the all-pervasive air, but whenever there is a little smoke it always catches your attention. Historically, Muslims have always given equal status to those who have converted to Islam. For example, 2 dozen Grand Viziers (that is similar the post of Prime Minister) of the Ottoman empire were Albanians. That is the reason, Muslims in Egypt, Turkey, Persia and India identify themselves more with the Islamic civilisation than with the pre-islamic civilization that existed before the advent of Islam in their countries. I am an Indian, still, I associate myself more with Muslims foreigners than with Indian non-Muslims. Arabs have provided considerable employment to the Indian Muslims while they face discrimination while searching for job in their own country. Also, Arab help was immense in the Tsunami relief of Muslims in South East Asia.