Desecration of the Quran

Who among Muslims would not be upset reading news about the desecration of their scriptures, the Quran? Who among American Muslims would not feel betrayed by their own government that used their tax dollars to humiliate some terror suspects by flushing in the toilet the Book they take as guidance for their entire life? Who among American citizens would not feel sad at the desecration of American values of decency and dignity in Gunatanamo bay by those who claimed to protect American interests and American way of life?

Regardless of the Investigations going on at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo about the flushing of a copy of the Quran down a toilet, the damage to American spirit has already been done. An official probe might hold a few individuals responsible for this behavior and may engineer some disciplinary action against the perpetrators, yet law enforcement agencies cannot claim that they have done enough to sensitize their officers about a community that is part of the American social fabric. 

The desecration of the Quran points to a serious problem that exists among public officials at different echelons of our administration. They reveal the hatred and prejudices that exist against Islam and Muslims despite the rhetorical statements issued by prominent national leaders.

Hatred against Islam is coming from four main centers of power and influence in America. Within the American Christian community are churches and religious clergy that upholds a theological belief that Islam is antichrist and everything related with it is evil. Statements of prominent leaders such as Franklin Graham, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Vines hold testimony to this. All of them have described Islam as an evil religion and all of them have condemned Islam as anti-American. Through their churches, the followers of these leaders are engaged in propagating a message of hatred. Many of our civil servants and military personnel are part of their religious empire. Many in our Administration are the disciples of such leaders. One cannot argue that such people are the fringe of American society. They are now part of the mainstream and their propaganda is effective. 

The second source of hatred is politically motivated Zionist extremists. In order to justify the cause of Israel for its perpetual occupation, they have also engaged in anti-Islamic propaganda veiled in their political jargons. They view everything Muslim, detrimental to the security interests of Israel. In the United States, they occupy positions of importance, as they are part of various think tanks and policy institutes. Our law enforcement agencies have often relied on their analysis and information. 

The third source of hatred is rooted in the liberal politics of our country. Liberalism view religion as a major impediment to social progress. Coupled with the interests of multinational corporations, it has developed a worldview that project Islam as an anti-modern force. It intends to force an understanding of religion that limits the faith only in matters of personal life. They view Islam as the only religion that has put resistance to the culture of material progress. Hence, they view Islam as a dangerous faith that can create a direct conflict to their ideas of development. The presence of these ideas in certain sections of administration cannot be ruled out. 

The fourth center of influence comprises of agnostics and atheists who view religion in general and Islam in particular a useless institution. For them, religion is not a sacrosanct entity. The more it is ridiculed the quicker its influence would fade away, they argue. They too have significant presence in our policy circles. 

How can the Muslim community effectively counter these centers of influence? A conventional way to show displeasure over incidents such as the desecration of the Quran is to take out demonstrations and issue statements condemning it and demanding some remedial measures on the part of law enforcement agencies. However, this may not be and effective or long term solution. 

The better solution is to develop a grass roots movement in America to seek better representation of Muslims in local bodies that influence our every day life. The beginning could be made through working with elementary and junior high and high schools. Through participation in parent-teacher meetings, Muslims can certainly seek a better exposure of their religion in classrooms. In order to develop links with schools, a group of Muslims has to take a leading role in putting in place a simple organizational structure. Through this structure, Muslims in each school district can be identified and parents can be educated about their responsibilities in presenting Islam to others. 

This is not a difficult task. The existing mosques and Islamic centers can be engaged in developing comprehensive data about Muslims in their localities. In some states, such an effort is in the works and the results are encouraging. These efforts need to be multiplied. 

Unfortunately, much of our Muslim work in the country is being organized by a select few. Perhaps, there is a notion among the existing Muslim leadership, however wrong it may be, that policy regarding Islam can be changed by changing the minds of a few public officials or introducing some legislative provisions to remedy the situation. In democracies, such exercise often prove futile because the public officials represent a wide variety of interests and in their priorities, Islam many not be a top agenda item. It is through grass roots work; an effective change can be brought out in the prevalent attitude of people towards Islam. Most Muslim American groups feel shy of this task because of the hard work it involves. However, this seems to be the only way to deal the situation now and in the future.

Dr. Aslam Abdullah is editor of the Muslim Observer, director of the Islamic Society of Nevada and the director of the Muslim Electorates' Council of America. He can be reached at [email protected]

5.16.2005

Newsweek is now saying that it is not sure if the the story of the desecration of the Quran was true. The Muslim Observer, a Detroit based English language Muslim weekly has learned that the magazine's editor was under pressure to deny the story.

It is also disclosed by sources close to Pentagon and State Departments that the original source that revealed the incidents, was also put under pressure to deny the event.

However, what has not been denied so far are several news items that appeared on Al Jazeera television and other news sources that disclosed that the desecration of the Quran was a regular affair in the prison as was reported by many prisoners. 

Amongst all the accusations and denials, what cannot be denied is the presence of individuals and groups hostile to Islam and Muslims within various structures of the Federal government.

In some of the emails I have received in response to this article, I was asked if I had taken any position over the desecration of Buddha statue in Afghanistan or the denial of equal citizenship to Hindus in Afghanistan as well.

In fact, I have my position covered in the Los Angeles Times, in which I took a stand against these two actions as well as many others committed by various governments against religious minorities.

The Quran demands from it's followers not to be unjust to people of other faiths and not to to insult their scriptures. I believe in that. I protested when Hollywood made the movie Last Temptations of the Christ. I protested when some artists in New York put the statue of Jesus in a jar of urine.

What is abhorrent in the current incident where the Quran is said to have been flushed down a toilet or the other reports where the Quran was trampled, it was done by those who are federal employees and whose job is to serve all people including Muslim citizens of their country. No one should be allowed to use the badge of authority to insult people of other faiths.

The best thing for Pentagon and the State Departments is not to cover up mistakes of a few, and name those who are accused of the incident.

The Bush Administration has allowed religious bigots to demonize Islam. Mr. Bush and his administration must back up their words with action.

Aslam Abdullah-