Long live the OIC! [Archives:2006/940/Letters to the Editor]
Barkatullah Marwat
[email protected]
Is it not surprising to see that the U.S. has not yet disposed of what is going on in Afghanistan and Iraq and now it has determined to open a third front in Iran? To be honest, it has been an OIC tradition always to awaken when the storm of wrath nearly has passed – an indication of how courageous and bold the organization is.
Most people call the OIC a maid to the U.S., like those Arabs keep in their homes. Yes, it appears to be a maid to the U.S., as a maid has no say in domestic affairs except to keep cleaning and looking after the children.
The same is the case with the OIC. It is unable even to hold a meeting on time to say something unanimously about any issue. Our leaders now are heard talking about reorganizing this spiritually dead body. What for? Only to preserve our identity so Muslims will have an organization? That's also a part of democratic norms, but perhaps we lost our democratic norms when we put true Islamic democratic norms behind.
Islam is a complete code for life. We all know it, but despite that. we are running after Western democracy, culture, traditions and lifestyle. Everyone feels proud of being well versant in English, no matter if he has not seen the inside of a school. He feels jubilant by wearing a three-piece suit, no matter if his bank balance is zero. But has he ever thought about the fact that even by adopting such a way of life, he cannot become a Westerner?
We claim to be Muslims. We claim to have faith in almighty Allah and his prophets [peace be upon them]. We also have the holy Qur'an but despite all that, we are doing what we're not supposed to do and that's our weak point being exploited by others.
Let's not forget the saying of the holy prophet Mohammed [pbuh], “The wise among you is the one who always keeps him/herself prepared for death.” But nowadays, the situation is totally different as we consider a wise person only the one who is 'wealthy' and knows how to make money, though none of those who died ever could take a single penny with them, could they?
Everyone is talking of combating cruelty and injustice. For example, U.S. President Bush says he is fighting terrorism while his arch rival, Osama bin Laden, also has a version that he is curbing injustice and atrocities. Other leaders also have the same kind of statements. So tell me who is a cruel and who is a justice provider? Is it not a confusing situation? I don't know about you, but it is for me.
Last but not least, acts of suicide bombing are increasing daily against the U.S. simply because of the fact that our leaders seem to have failed to settle the issues. When a family elder fails to sort out a problem, then the youngsters tend to take a step, no matter whether it is positive or negative.
A question arises: Is the OIC purely an Islamic body? If so, let it prove itself in the case of Iran. It's their responsibility to convince the U.S. that all Muslims are not terrorists or extremists; otherwise, no non-Muslim would be in Islamic countries.
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[archive-e:940-v:14-y:2006-d:2006-04-24-p:letters]
