Christchurch Vigils, Opportunities For Some

In the aftermath of the brutal shootings in which 50 Muslims were murdered in Christchurch, New Zealand, vigils were held all over the world. People gathered, generally at Mosques to show support and fellowship, people left flowers at entrances to Mosques. The upsurge of sympathy and support was almost overwhelming for most Muslims including myself. It was disappointing that our local imams could not gather their wits enough to tailor their sermons around the murders and help their congregations try to figure out what to do about all this Islamophobia. Even today, over a week after the murders, Imams do not have the nerve or the wits to talk about the murders.

Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) did organize a gathering  for people of all faiths and persuasions, to mark their support with their presence. I got there a little early and even so, was confronted by crowds of people coming into the auditorium. To my surprise, there were some snacks also available. On such gatherings, I am always delighted to meet some friends I have not met in ages; people I love but Life does not permit an intersection of our paths. This was such an event as well but it was so well-attended that I could not meet as many people as I had hoped, some I saw from a distance only.

The evening began with recitation of passages from the Quran followed by words of support and sympathy from some faith-leaders and politicians. I saw many I knew including some with whom I had cordial relations, almost every faith was represented. It was a fine demonstration of support.

I noted a few politicians who were very clear about condemning what had happened in New Zealand but were absent and silent when Muslims were being persecuted right here in Washington State.

Planting Prejudice In Our Defenders

For the story behind this commentary, please  read from this link.

 

 

Prejudice goes a long way. After it infects the primary person, it is passed on the others at the same level, to juniors and to other impressionable people, until very soon, its effects can be seen across the board

 

Prejudice is corrosive at all levels, it is bad when parents share their prejudice with their children who make it their own, it is bad when friends share their prejudice with each other and exercise it against others, but it is especially bad when it is shared in training of people who have the power of freedom or prison; life or death.

 

Prejudice travels best when it is unopposed and when it is disguised as beneficial to neighbors or, to society, thus causing irretrievable damage.

This is how genocidal movements get their energy and how they succeed; just ask Hitler, Milosevic, Habyarimana…ask anybody who is in the hate-business and they will share their prejudice, cloaked as a blessing to humanity. The justifications for spreading prejudice, almost always include the protection of the innocence of a society against an inexorable evil.

 

One unintended consequence of promoting prejudice is, that once unleashed, it becomes uncontrollable and attacks the originators and the spectators, just as easily as the targets.

The Germans who watched silently as Jews were marched off to death camps, soon found themselves rubbing shoulders with the same Jews in the same camps; the Sunni Muslims who stayed on the sidelines as extremist Sunnis bombed Shia gatherings, soon found themselves and their own loved ones also being targeted and victimized by the same fanatics.

 

There has always been a latent prejudice against Muslims in the West and