Canadian Muslims - Time to Act!
In the wake of the news of the past few days that the RCMP and CSIS have brought an investigation into the activities of a suspect group of young men to a conclusion, much is being written and reported upon in the media. We need to know all of this information, every last little bit of it. We need to examine it minutely, think deeply about the details, try to understand the whys and wherefores.All of us need to acquire a deep understanding of what is happening now in Canada to undermine our national security. We'd all very much appreciate the comfort of not having to think about these things, for who likes to admit these things will happen? If they happen, and they do, and they will continue to, our very comfortable existence becomes an unsettled one, and no one likes to live in unsettling times.
To be sure, it's unsettling to contemplate worst-case scenarios. As, for example, some extremely disaffected groups of hostile men planning and executing the bombing of public places within this country. Even if you and I are not personally affected, we are still personally affected. We may not have been the unfortunate ones in the wrong place at the wrong time, but we could have been. And, if insufficiently apprehended, we may be.
What then happens to peaceful, peace-loving, comfortable Canada? If we even think about the total chaos that exists in many parts of the world battling home-grown and introduced terrorist activity, then think of Canada by comparison, we draw a blank.
There's lots to think about. Above all, those Canadians who are also Muslims should be doing a lot of thinking. It's their brand of religion that is being highjacked in the name of terror. It is their supreme deity in whose name murder is being committed. It is also their view of peace and prosperity, the ability to live amicably with their neighbours that is being threatened.
In fact, it could very well be said and with complete honesty that Canadian Muslims have more to gain by becoming actively involved in denying the kind of corrupted version of Islam that those Muslims who claim they are doing Allah's will by murdering unbelievers than non-Muslims. To keep their outrage over this misappropriation of Islam to themselves benefits no one. Canadian Muslims should be demanding public rejection by their Imams, repeatedly, through each and every venue possible. In the mosques, in the news media, in every public square.
Canadian Muslims need to completely disavow the murderous intent of those Muslims who bring such dread disrepute upon their religion. It's no secret that the vast majority of Canadian Muslims have contempt for the societally-destabling intent of a few among them. It takes courage, but the conviction of their belief in the peaceful nature of their religion, should provide the impetus. Regard for their own personal safety should be another powerful impetus to act.
There are as many goons and hateful idiots among the general population at large that are non-Muslim racists only too happy to wreak their own kind of havoc given half a chance. The Muslim population needs to stand as one, make their collective voice heard, decry the insult to Islam, and at the same time defy the bigots and fools in the general population.
Other Canadians will stand beside you, encourage and congratulate you. Other Canadians have no more love for the home-grown racists among us than Muslims have for theirs. We do, after all, need one another.
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, June 04, 2006
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