The shock of unexpected violence and death can bring about trauma in the lives of the living that is difficult to make sense of, let alone bear. Muslim families are uniquely placed to empathize with the families of victims, as this has been their own daily reality in a region of the world plagued by uninvited violence for more than six decades now.
So it is with great sorrow and sympathy that we respond to the grief of the families connected to the tragic event at Fort Hood in Texas. The actions that led to the deaths of 13 people and the wounding of more than 30 warrant condemnation.
So it is with great sorrow and sympathy that we respond to the grief of the families connected to the tragic event at Fort Hood in Texas. The actions that led to the deaths of 13 people and the wounding of more than 30 warrant condemnation.
The killing of unarmed civilians is unconditionally prohibited in the sacred law of Islam. As an American citizen and a soldier in the US army, Major Nidal Malik Hasan had a covenant with the people of the United States, who were his neighbors.
This relationship is sacrosanct. Neighbors have no choice but to rely on one another, and to violate that trust is to undermine society itself.
In addition to this, soldiers who are unarmed and outside a combat zone are not actively engaged in harming others. In such circumstances, they may be tempted to reconsider their own involvement in violence. Violating this assumption of safety in the environment of civil society undermines the principles of trust and reliability that are held so dearly by the followers of the Prophet Mohammed. The traits he was known most for, even by his enemies, were truthfulness and trustworthiness.
This relationship is sacrosanct. Neighbors have no choice but to rely on one another, and to violate that trust is to undermine society itself.
In addition to this, soldiers who are unarmed and outside a combat zone are not actively engaged in harming others. In such circumstances, they may be tempted to reconsider their own involvement in violence. Violating this assumption of safety in the environment of civil society undermines the principles of trust and reliability that are held so dearly by the followers of the Prophet Mohammed. The traits he was known most for, even by his enemies, were truthfulness and trustworthiness.
If anyone, soldier or citizen, finds himself unable to continue in the covenant or obligation into which he has entered, he should seek to extricate himself publicly through the official and recognized means provided in the terms of the obligation. Conscientious objector status, honorable discharge or, if need be, the direct refusal to be involved in harming innocent human beings are all correct courses of action. Taking people’s lives, even if not civilian, outside a recognized combat zone, is not acceptable.
At this time, however, it is important that we call on everyone to reflect on the continuing tragic state of affairs in our combined lives, domestically and globally. It is not correct to continue to treat each of these painful ruptures in our routine lives as isolated moments without having responsibility for, and consciousness of, a wider state of affairs.
We seek sympathy in the moments of our own discomfort. But let us recognize that we seek that sympathy from people when we are prepared to be indifferent to the discomfort that is so often visited upon them.
The point I am making is that globalization should have thoroughly driven home to us by now that we are all in this together. Just as Gandhi said that an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind, the Prophet Mohammed considered the entire world to be his community. He said about that community: “It is as one body, when one limb is in pain, the rest of the body lies awake in fever and sleeplessness.” Empathy has to complete the full circle.
We are the sum of our choices and as such bear responsibility for them before God. The continuing wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan were born in ethical controversy. And when violence is born out of ambiguity it will inevitably lead to circumstances of moral confusion.
Violence begets only more violence. Leadership and courage are required to stop the vicious circle. The global public has yet to see that leadership or courage on any side of these conflicts, yet it is they who continue to suffer the consequences, as disproportionate as that suffering may be.
Violence begets only more violence. Leadership and courage are required to stop the vicious circle. The global public has yet to see that leadership or courage on any side of these conflicts, yet it is they who continue to suffer the consequences, as disproportionate as that suffering may be.
There continue to be American citizens, both Muslim and otherwise, who feel just as strongly about the illegitimacy of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as did Nidal Malik Hasan, but have found other ways of expressing that dissent than more violence. If we have learnt anything from the great men of history – the Prophet Mohammed foremost among them – it is that compassion always wins in the end.
Hurt is hurt. And a Muslim family that has experienced the bitterness of tragic loss would never wish that upon another. Muslim community leaders continue to implore their respective constituencies to stand by their principles, to be balanced and responsible citizens, and to renounce wanton violence.
Hurt is hurt. And a Muslim family that has experienced the bitterness of tragic loss would never wish that upon another. Muslim community leaders continue to implore their respective constituencies to stand by their principles, to be balanced and responsible citizens, and to renounce wanton violence.
Let us hope that other leaders will likewise hold up their end of responsibility. Now is the time for healing. And just as healing is a historical trait of Muslims, resilience is the proven trait of Americans. Would that the two could come together.
About the author: Jihad Hashim Brown grew up in the southern United States. He is director of research at the Tabah Foundation, and delivers the Friday sermon at the Maryam bint Sultan Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Read the article at http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091110/OPINION/711099915/1006
Fort Hood has enough victims already
In the aftermath of an American soldier's tragic outburst of violence at Fort Hood, Texas — the army's largest US post, with some 40,000 troops — a fear-mongering hysteria concerning his supposed religious motivations is taking priority over questions regarding his mental health.
Although the facts and clues about motive are still being uncovered, we know that the alleged shooter, 39-year-old Major Nidal Malek Hassan, is an American-born medical doctor and licensed psychiatrist, who also happens to be a Muslim born to Palestinian immigrant parents.
When Hassan was revealed as the alleged shooter, the blogosphere and message boards lit up with the predictable assortment of anonymous bigoted bile vilifying Islam, blaming Muslims as harbingers of violence and questioning the loyalty of American Muslims.
Thankfully, most mainstream voices, such as Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas, urged caution and moderation, stating, "It is imperative that we take the time to gather all the facts, as it would be irresponsible to be the source of rumours or inaccurate information regarding such a horrific event".
But some, such as Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Austin, Texas, alarmingly responded with inflammatory histrionics: "Whether it was domestic or foreign, clearly when a US military base is attacked in this fashion, that is an act of terror in my book".
If it is discovered that this lethal rampage was motivated by an inexcusable and misplaced sense of religiosity, it would provide ammunition to those extreme right-wing, minority voices in America who are convinced their Muslim neighbours are stealth extremists. These proponents of modern-day McCarthyism find their allies in members of the ‘Birther movement', who remain convinced US President Barack Obama is not an American citizen. Their esteemed colleagues include those who pontificate idiotically about Obama being a closet Muslim and an agent of socialism.
It should comfort most Americans that mainstream Muslim American organisations, which often espouse a sense of victimhood and unnecessary rationalisations, unequivocally denounced Hassan's alleged actions as "heinous" and incompatible with Islam. The Council of American Islamic Relations issued a statement saying, "No political or religious ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence".
Ultimately, this use — or misuse — of fear and rumour over Hassan's Islamic faith should be moot in light of the record of the thousands of Muslim American soldiers who have served and made sacrifices. There are currently 20,000 Muslims serving with honour in the US military, according to the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council.
Sadly, although Thursday's violent outburst against fellow soldiers was the most deadly in US history, it was not the first of its kind. In May this year, five soldiers were shot dead at Camp Liberty in Baghdad by Sergeant John Russell. In February 2008, an Air Force sergeant diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) upon returning from Iraq fatally shot his son and daughter after a domestic argument with his ex-wife. Religion was not the common link between these soldiers; it was mental instability. Even if such individuals purported to be religious, their wanton acts of barbarism reflect rather their tenuous grasp on sanity.
A cousin of Hassan, interviewed by reporters, has suggested an alternative motivation, not necessarily influenced by religious conviction. "He was mortified by the idea of having to deploy", said Nader Hassan. "He had people telling him on a daily basis the horrors they saw over there [in Iraq and Afghanistan]".
From the evidence thus far, it seems tragic and ironic that Hassan, a psychiatrist who helped heal soldiers suffering from PTSD, would allegedly turn against them upon learning of his deployment to Iraq. In the interview with Fox News, his cousin described going to Iraq as Hassan's "worst nightmare". He went on: "[Hassan] was doing everything he could to avoid that — He wanted to do whatever he could within the rules to make sure he wouldn't go over". Hassan's aunt told the Washington Post that her nephew had consulted an attorney to see if he could leave the army before his contract expired due to harassment he had received from colleagues because he was Muslim.
Whatever the FBI investigation and any subsequent prosecution following the terrible shootings at Fort Hood may finally reveal, incidents such as these warrant a re-examination of how to treat and discharge or excuse those soldiers who are troubled or conflicted psychologically, politically or religiously over US foreign policy and, in particular, the current war in Afghanistan and occupation of Iraq.
No mere factual, evidential explanation could ever justify or excuse in any way Hassan's alleged actions. But it ought to broaden the horizon of those in the media who seem infatuated with the need to pin the blame for this perverse tragedy solely on a man's religious faith and Arabic last name, rather than exploring the possibility of a more complicated truth involving some combination of mental state, divided loyalty or conscientious objection, and prior experience of harassment and discrimination.
Although the facts and clues about motive are still being uncovered, we know that the alleged shooter, 39-year-old Major Nidal Malek Hassan, is an American-born medical doctor and licensed psychiatrist, who also happens to be a Muslim born to Palestinian immigrant parents.
When Hassan was revealed as the alleged shooter, the blogosphere and message boards lit up with the predictable assortment of anonymous bigoted bile vilifying Islam, blaming Muslims as harbingers of violence and questioning the loyalty of American Muslims.
Thankfully, most mainstream voices, such as Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas, urged caution and moderation, stating, "It is imperative that we take the time to gather all the facts, as it would be irresponsible to be the source of rumours or inaccurate information regarding such a horrific event".
But some, such as Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Austin, Texas, alarmingly responded with inflammatory histrionics: "Whether it was domestic or foreign, clearly when a US military base is attacked in this fashion, that is an act of terror in my book".
If it is discovered that this lethal rampage was motivated by an inexcusable and misplaced sense of religiosity, it would provide ammunition to those extreme right-wing, minority voices in America who are convinced their Muslim neighbours are stealth extremists. These proponents of modern-day McCarthyism find their allies in members of the ‘Birther movement', who remain convinced US President Barack Obama is not an American citizen. Their esteemed colleagues include those who pontificate idiotically about Obama being a closet Muslim and an agent of socialism.
It should comfort most Americans that mainstream Muslim American organisations, which often espouse a sense of victimhood and unnecessary rationalisations, unequivocally denounced Hassan's alleged actions as "heinous" and incompatible with Islam. The Council of American Islamic Relations issued a statement saying, "No political or religious ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence".
Ultimately, this use — or misuse — of fear and rumour over Hassan's Islamic faith should be moot in light of the record of the thousands of Muslim American soldiers who have served and made sacrifices. There are currently 20,000 Muslims serving with honour in the US military, according to the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council.
Sadly, although Thursday's violent outburst against fellow soldiers was the most deadly in US history, it was not the first of its kind. In May this year, five soldiers were shot dead at Camp Liberty in Baghdad by Sergeant John Russell. In February 2008, an Air Force sergeant diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) upon returning from Iraq fatally shot his son and daughter after a domestic argument with his ex-wife. Religion was not the common link between these soldiers; it was mental instability. Even if such individuals purported to be religious, their wanton acts of barbarism reflect rather their tenuous grasp on sanity.
A cousin of Hassan, interviewed by reporters, has suggested an alternative motivation, not necessarily influenced by religious conviction. "He was mortified by the idea of having to deploy", said Nader Hassan. "He had people telling him on a daily basis the horrors they saw over there [in Iraq and Afghanistan]".
From the evidence thus far, it seems tragic and ironic that Hassan, a psychiatrist who helped heal soldiers suffering from PTSD, would allegedly turn against them upon learning of his deployment to Iraq. In the interview with Fox News, his cousin described going to Iraq as Hassan's "worst nightmare". He went on: "[Hassan] was doing everything he could to avoid that — He wanted to do whatever he could within the rules to make sure he wouldn't go over". Hassan's aunt told the Washington Post that her nephew had consulted an attorney to see if he could leave the army before his contract expired due to harassment he had received from colleagues because he was Muslim.
Whatever the FBI investigation and any subsequent prosecution following the terrible shootings at Fort Hood may finally reveal, incidents such as these warrant a re-examination of how to treat and discharge or excuse those soldiers who are troubled or conflicted psychologically, politically or religiously over US foreign policy and, in particular, the current war in Afghanistan and occupation of Iraq.
No mere factual, evidential explanation could ever justify or excuse in any way Hassan's alleged actions. But it ought to broaden the horizon of those in the media who seem infatuated with the need to pin the blame for this perverse tragedy solely on a man's religious faith and Arabic last name, rather than exploring the possibility of a more complicated truth involving some combination of mental state, divided loyalty or conscientious objection, and prior experience of harassment and discrimination.
By Wajahat Ali, Guardian News & Media Ltd, Published in the Gulf News, UAE
Read the article at http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/fort-hood-has-enough-victims-already-1.524542
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