Wajeeha Bilal
When we hear or watch news, there is a piece of our lives that feels
disconnected and helpless. Maybe it is the harsh reality of human against human
or the dog-eat-dog verity of the world leaders. Something that separates us from
all this cruelty also tends to kill a part of our humanness.But we seek ways to
come back to our human existence and connect with the reality of this world till
something starts to fill the void within. There is a sense of satisfaction and
peace that happens when you can search for ways to be connected.
When you take that journey, there is no better place to realize the mutual
connection with humanity than your history. Asyou walk through your emotions you
can understand that this world has been evoking the vigor of the past. Our lives
rest on a stagnant pool of ancient ways that tell us where we had come from and
where we seem to be going. Human behavior through history has shown major
tyrannous acts against the oppressed but it has also proved that humans can
always find ways to stand against the tyrant as well.
Unfortunately, due to the fear of being shunned by the powerful authorities,
most media influencers and networks do not take the risk of naming the
oppressors and the tyrants, rather they use passive tones to address the crimes.
Even if someone calls out these heinous crimes of massacre and apartheid, the
bullies find ways to even them out by shifting the blame through anti-Semitic
label. The atrocities committed by the colonial era and the shift of the blame
is not for the East to bear. Just like slavery and racism were not generated by
the East or the Muslim countries, similarly the Muslims cannot be blamed for the
horrors of holocaust. In fact, history is a proof that Jews have been well
tolerated during the Muslim rule, after centuries of institutionalized Western
anti-Semitism. The Muslims do not carry the blame of historical cruelty and
racist labels that the West tries to shift upon them from time to time.
Having an open discussion about the global affairs gives us the true sense of
where we stand. As we start to learn about our history and become more open to
discussing our present, we realize that our connection as humans is very
powerful. We are not even aware of it though it is right there and has always
been. These borders that have been defined for communities as countries exist
because of years and years of struggle and sacrifice by our ancestors. People
who have been working for generations have made it possible for our identities.
You cannot be humbled by that kind of sacrifice nor be forged into living under
a rule that bereaves you of that very identity.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s recent appearance at an interview on CNN
resulted in the sloppy rendition of his comments that invited anti-Semitic
label. The main problem is that the conversation deviated from the real issue of
discussing the Palestinian persecution to be scapegoated with Semitism card
propelled with tired tropes. While the West must refrain from using such
tiresome labels to lighten their own guilt of past mistakes, the Muslims need to
understand their role in being more careful while addressing sensitive issues.
The fault lies with both sides, when instead of calling out the tyrant, people
are busy playing East vs West. Equating the standing of the whole religious
community with the atrocities of the Israeli government merely destroys the
reality of the Middle East conflict by shifting the tone to a Jews vs Muslims
propaganda. Such off the cuff remarks by prominent world leaders provide the
licence to countries like Israel to get away with their atrocious tyrannies.
Whether it is the Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir, Myanmar or Burma, the solution
to discussing their situation lies in acknowledging their identities not
pitching one religious community against the other.People who struggle for their
freedom in these countries are not only oppressed but have been ripped apart
from their loved ones and made to live under a rule that they have no say in.
After living under coercion for so long people seek solutions and openness to
their suffocating frustrations. Through media and social networks, we are also
soaking in part of that suffocation and there is a sadness that comes along with
it. At the same time there is a sense of pleasure as you realize the beauty of
human survival, the richness of human hope and fruit of human endeavor through
time. Learning about the truth and speaking it out loud is so empowering that
you start to see a sense of purposefulness in life. It boosts the confidence of
not only those who endure but also awakens the minds of silent observers. We
seek knowledge about the past to move forward with better solutions with our
words and thoughts.
When we decide to discuss with open minds and hearts, in that moment our
memories, our beliefs and our purpose all come together to provide better
solutions. Once there is no pointing of fingers or shifting of blames, then
there is no doubt to the truth. We will soon be on our way to find better
solutions with a focus on reality through our knowledge of history and our
courage to stand up against the tyrant. Standing up against the cruel leaders is
a clear way of showing how we are going to make it to a better future. When
those in power open about an atrocity, they share the light of an idea with many
who do not have the guts or the chance to speak up. An impossible change may
happen, only because some brave leader had the power to address an issue openly.
(Wajeeha is author of "The Conscious Ego", "The Beautiful Present")