The Rant of a Disenchanted Observer
(disclaimer - it’s long and…well…disenchanted and rant-y)
Velasco’s Peru, 1968: A pro-worker military coup against an oppressive oligarchic regime. Problem: sure of what it didn’t want but not exactly sure of what it did want and how to go about getting it. Result: Some social and economic reforms but internal opposition and division that led to a counter-coup by conservative military elements allied with the same oligarchs that were overthrown the first time (who are also pissed now because of land reforms threatening their power base)
Sandanistas’ Nicaragua, 1979: Guerillas take over after the US (under Carter) stops supporting cruel and unprofessional Somoza dynasty. Problem: Because of reformist leanings in new government, US gets scared (Cold War politics) and sends US-trained and equipped contras to subvert the government. Result: New government dies in fighting off attacks from the outside, can’t spend enough time or money on internal development. Gets voted out and peacefully transfers power to the incoming powers.
Fidel’s Cuba, 1959: A guerilla group takes over the formerly US-supported Batista regime. Huge social reforms, modest economic advantages (reduced absolute poverty), very successful political and social control towards support of the revolution. Result: Rather successful as revolutions go. Still going, despite some 400 assassination attempts and constant sabotage and subversion tactics from the US. Problem: How long can this go on? The economy has always been weak and is faltering, the political regime is personalistic and there is a weak line of succession. All in all, it’s unsure and unstable.
OUR REVOLUTION: US Muslims of the immigrant nature and their offspring VS
…..(overwhelming Christian society?)…..(Media?)…..(Jews?)…..
US MUSLIMS VS. OURSELVES (and we’re losing)
The Muslim community in the US facing a severe crisis: How do we sustain our achievements? How do we maintain the priorities our offensives have earned us thusfar? To be sure, we have produced miracles: a crew (motley) of Muslims of all races, mathahib, etc. often united under the same Islamic centers (at least in a recognized ideal if not an actuality). Youth, on their way to public and community excellence. Conferences, huffadh, itikaafs, hijaabs. We’re doing well, indeed. But how long can we keep it up?
We are rapidly being hit by a sad reality, to wit: we’re disintegrating from the inside.
The Ummah, if we even deserve to call ourselves that, for we exhibit almost none of its defining Prophetically-defined characteristics, is seeing parallel pockets of improvement and backward, retrograde motion. We are simultaneously progressing outside in our abilities to reach out and establish ourselves, fight for our rights, explain our faith to non-Muslims and to each other…. and degenerating inside, in our relationships with each other.
We’re diseased from the inside, like a worm that has infiltrated our systems and is slowly eating up the hearts of Muslims. We’ve developed a hard exoskeleton, like a secure crust outside, skillfully adapted to press-release, editorialize, lawsuit, and concerted action our way out of subversive contra attacks. But inside, we’re empty, disintegrating, crumbling. Racial and ethnic tensions (“hidden,” of course, because we’re “united”) are only the beginning and don’t even begin to scratch the surface. (That issue isn’t as new in my mind so I won’t go into it in detail here, except to say that it only feeds into the larger furnace).
(1) We (like)…(love)…thrive upon passing judgments on each other, people/groups inside and outside our community
How many sentences start with “Those kaalay” or “Those Indians” or “Those Arabs” (sidenote, what’s with the anti-Black sentiments? I swear, a desi girl could bring home an Arab or a White man but if he was a Black man…whoooo boy). SO MUSLIMS SUPPORT RACIAL PROFILING – BREAKING NEWS MR. ASHCROFT – YOU WIN!! We do it to each other, we do it to people as groups, so why the heck do we get so pissed off when people do it to us?
Furthermore, we love to give our opinion on predicaments that befall our brothers and sisters immediately, before knowing the whole story (of course, it’s always the woman’s fault that they got divorced, until somehow proven otherwise). We also like to make examples out of other people’s misfortunes in the manner of “Allah gives us parables such that we may understand.” True. But not every bad thing that happens to a Muslim is an athaab on them that needs to be examined, discussed, analyzed by every member of the community in private and as a topic of conversation at dinner parties. Can we find nothing else to talk about but each other? We go to Jummah and hear lectures and khutbas about slander & backbiting & gossip and yet partake of it ourselves almost as if it were a spectator sport. If I was a betting girl, I’d bet that the Prophet (S) never passed judgment like that (without good reason which we most certainly cannot have for all Judgment belongs to Allah) & never grouped and stereotyped people into huge amalgamous masses.
What is your problem? Can’t you find anything else to talk about? And God forbid I should be allowed to correct you (badtameez larki). It’s not like you’re perfect either. Which brings me to my next point.
(2) The biggest people can have the biggest secrets. And everyone has a secret.
Stop judging. Allah knows all and you know that you have no right to be talking. (Also, see entry on pedestals) We have a strong shell outside, but even our heroes are (sorry to burst your bubble) only human & they sometimes have the biggest secrets to hide from communities for which they’re expected to perform. And on that note, why can’t we keep each other’s secrets secret? Cover their faults. “Protecting from their evil” doesn’t apply when you just want to give your opinion. (The bigger they are the harder they fall because once someone finds out it spreads like wildfire…people pay in gold to hear gossip about the stars).
So anyway
(1) We judge each other, which only creates pain & division & arrogance and leads to hatred
(2) We install figureheads (all due respect to them; they deserve respect for carrying such heavy weights on their shoulders) and even the ones who deserve it get tired and have their own issues to handle
(3) We’re losing…nay…killing our hope
We are all too often, through various methods, turning away the people who could help. The youth are becoming disenchanted, especially when their opinion is not solicited or turned away because of “inexperience.” We’re not raising leaders who can take over, take charge once it’s their turn. We are not preparing to sustain our revolution.
So, our motto, perhaps, for the time being:
Faking When You’re Shaking
or perhaps
A Tornado Inside a Vacuum
We’re good at it now. But how much longer can we keep it up?