Where is American Muslim Leadership in Cordoba House/Park 51 Controversy?

Sheila Musaji

Posted Aug 31, 2010      •Permalink      • Printer-Friendly Version
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Where is American Muslim Leadership in Cordoba House/Park 51 Controversy?

by Sheila Musaji

The Cordoba House/Park 51 controversy continues to grow.  It is no longer a local issue, or even a national issue, but has become an International issue.

America’s ideals are being challenged.  Interfaith efforts are being undermined.  Islamophobes are using the cover of citizens with genuine questions and concerns to spew more and more poisonous venom.  Opportunists are using this as a wedge issue for political gain.  Ordinary Americans of different faiths are looking at each other with suspicion. 

As I pointed out in a previous article At this point, there is no win-win scenario possible, only a lose-lose.  Whether the Cordoba House project continues as planned at this location, or whether Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and Daisy Khan agree to some compromise by changing the location - either way, the firestorm of anti-Muslim hatred has already done its damage.  The animosity towards Islam and Muslims that was simmering under the surface of American society has now been openly and even enthusiastically accepted as a reasonable and acceptable part of the American worldview.  The plan for the Cordoba House did not cause this anti-Muslim firestorm, it simply brought the smoldering embers out into the open, and allowed a few individuals to fan the flames.  Although the extent of this anti-Muslim sentiment is alarming, it is perhaps a good thing that it has been brought out into the open where it can be exposed.

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and Daisy Khan hoped to build a center that would build bridges and heal wounds.  Their project was a local effort on behalf of their local community and their organization.  At this point in time - the entire Muslim community is being affected.  This is a time for shura/consultation with as many national leaders and community activists as possible in an effort to find a solution that might somehow restore their original bridge-building intentions.

Solomon (pbuh) was asked to intervene in an impossible dispute over who had the legal right to a baby.

Jesus (pbuh) was asked to give an answer to a question of whether primary loyalty was owed to God or the ruler.

Muhammad (pbuh) was asked to intervene in a tribal dispute over who would have the honor of moving the black stone.

In each case, the judgement they gave defused the tension and created a win-win scenario out of what seemed to most to be an insoluble problem.  Justice was achieved by applying compassion and wisdom to the law.

In this current controversy we need leadership who can reassess and reflect, and find such a just solution before things get any worse.  At this point in time, even after months of contention that leadership has not been visible in this crisis.  In fact, even Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf who is at the center of this controversy has been silent.

If the leadership of the American Muslim community is working on any resolution to this crisis, they are doing so behind the scenes.  Now would be a good time to let the rest of us know what their thoughts are!  To date, the silence is deafening from those who claim leadership roles. 

Who speaks for American Muslims?  So far, the bravest and strongest and most regularly heard voices on behalf of Muslims in this crisis have been Mayor Bloomberg and Jon Stewart who are both Jewish.

A few Islamic principles that might guide decision making:

Asghar Ali Engineer has pointed out There are certain key words in the Qur’an which are greatly stressed of which four are very often repeated i.e. rahmah, ihsan ‘adl, and hikmah (compassion, benevolence, justice and wisdom). Rahmah (compassion, mercy) and its roots abound in the Holy Qur’an. Among Allah’s own names are Rahman and Rahim (compassionate and Merciful). A Muslim begins everything by reciting Bi Ism-i- Allah al-Rahman al-Rahim (i.e. begin in the name of Allah Who is Compassionate and Merciful). Thus a Muslim is supposed to invoke Allah the Compassionate and Merciful at every step. He does not invoke Allah’s other names (Allah has 99 names according to the Islamic belief) as he invokes Him as Merciful and Compassionate.

“It may well be that God will bring about mutual affection between you and some of those whom you now face as enemies: for, God is all-powerful - and God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.” (Qur’an 60:7)

O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor; for God can best protect both.  Follow not the lust (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well acquainted with all that ye do.  (Quran 4:135)

“Hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Qur’an 7: 199)

“… They should rather pardon and overlook. Would you not love Allah to forgive you? Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 24:22)

And do not dispute with the followers of the Book except by what is best, except those of them who act unjustly, and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him do we submit. (Qur’an 29:46)

Yahya related to me from Malik that Yahya ibn Said said that he heard Said ibn al-Musayyab say, “Shall I tell you what is better than much prayer and sadaqa?” They said, “Yes.” He said, “Mending discord. And beware of hatred - it strips you (of your deen).”  (Sahih Muslim - Book 47, Number 47.1.7)

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:  If a man gives up contention when he is in the wrong, a house will be built for him within the Garden of Paradise; but if a man gives up contention even when he is in the right, a house will be built for him in the loftiest part of the Garden.” While it is his duty to give it up if he is in the wrong, the reward for what is above duty is made greater. For to remain silent when one is right is harder on the soul than keeping quiet when one is wrong. Recompense is in proportion to the effort.

“None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” (Number 13 of Imam “Al-Nawawi’s Forty Hadiths)


SEE ALSO:

The Leadership Failure of Park51 Post, Hussein Rashid http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/husseinrashid/3184/the_leadership_failure_of_park51__

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