by Aamir Nasir Quraishy
The event of the Charlottsville attack left many of us stunned and surprised, and mourning the loss of one of our fellow Americans Heather Heyer. The whole event left many people distraught. However one ill-formed statement was from AZ district 1’s supervisor Amy Miller.
“I’m sick and tired of being hit for being white. It is all about making us feel like we need to apologize. I am WHITE — and proud of it! No apologies necessary.”
No group should have to be represented by the actions of a few transgressors. But those digressers should be called out and condemned for their attacks. As a Muslim, I do the same for those who defile the name of Islam to commit horrible acts.
Last year I wrote this about ISIS: “As a Muslim that loves the sanctity of American freedom and safety, it truly tears my hearts to see so many people around the world who do not have the certainty they will be alive tomorrow. It is even more deplorable that the people who violate this sanctity call themselves Muslims. It is clear that the ‘I’ in ‘ISIS’ stands for nothing but ignorance.”
To denounce evil, done in the name of your race, religion or Identity, IS NOT an apology. But perhaps one of the most important things one can do. It creates some distance from those who compel and hurt others, and sends a message of, “You don’t get to this! You don’t get to use my skin color, nor my religion, to commit barbarity, and disorder!”
When the Prophet Muhammad(Peace be upon him) saw the funeral procession of a man he stood up and offered his condolences. Upon seeing this a man blurted to him, “This man is a jew.” The Prophet turned to him and said “Is he not a human being!”
Islam teaches when one group from among you transgresses, that all others should unite to stop them, and make peace. “And if two parties of believers fight against each other, make peace between them; then if after that one of them transgresses against the other, fight the party that transgresses until it returns to the command of Allah. [49:10]”
Beyond the shadow of a doubt we should stand together when any group transgresses, hold them accountable and say, “this is not what we stand for!” regardless of what group that may, whether they are white or Muslim.
The strongest statement of pride you can give as human being is: We are better than this!
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