Two weeks onto the Marawi siege both news and conspiracy theories poured in adding to the drama of these already tumultuous times right in the middle of the holy month of Ramadhan. We were expecting a swift settling of dust but we are now being warned of a protracted battle which will mean the destruction of our beloved Marawi City
But sifting through the information and misinformation, there are lessons to learn from these events. Realizations from the past and warning signs in the long road ahead for us as Filipinos in general and as Filipinos Muslims in particular. Questions you may want to ask a Muslim.
WHAT IS THE ROOT OF MUSLIM RADICALIZATION?
The Marawi siege is rooted in one word. Radicalism.
For centuries now, since the time of the crusades, Muslims all over the world have been colonized, mass murdered, raped, kicked out of their homes and are generally oppressed by colonizing countries such as Britain, Germany, France, Italy and others. I don’t need to put data in this short article to prove a point here. Just Google or Wikipedia Palestine, North Africa, Chechnya, Bosnia, Burma etc. Muslims have been oppressed and nobody seemed to care in our modern world.Decades if not centuries of frustration has been fueling radicalism everywhere.
Truth be told, radicalization is not the monopoly of Islam. Anywhere where there is injustice there will be rebellion, there will be radicalization. But the radicalization of Muslims has become a direct result of these injustices, Islamophobia and contempt against Muslims making the hate mutual.
DOES ISLAM CONDONE RADICALISM?
Truth be told, if Non-Muslims see the actions of such groups as radical, Muslims themselves see ISIS and other groups similar to them as radical or deviant from the morals and methodology of Islam. Murdering of non-combatants, destruction of places of worship, spreading terror and causing mischief in the land is never accepted in Islam.
WHY ARE RADICAL GROUPS BECOMING POPULAR
When ISIS showed up about a decade ago, they are easily admired and loved by most Muslims and are seen as the long-awaited Muslim knights who will rescue the Muslims. But they really got the most out of a well-orchestrated propaganda campaign by utilizing social media and the creation of highly graphic and creative media content in the booming internet-age. ISIS is almost easily seen as the righteous hand of God to impose justice on Earth. Their Propaganda even rivals war-time era public relations stunts done by Nazi Germany or the Allies in WWII.
HOW ARE MUSLIMS REACTING TO RADICALISM?
Muslim scholars around the world have easily noticed after some time of observation from which they issued the verdict that radicalism is not from Islam. The murder of the innocent and disrespect for other religions was never a teaching of Islam and in fact anti-Islam. Muslim scholars everywhere are quick to point this out so it is a big lie to believe that Islam promotes hate and terrorism specially against people of other faith.
When the Maute group came to Marawi, the people simply fled the city. They did not flee because of the gunshots. Rather, they fled because they did not want any part of it. As reports go, the first thing the Maute did in Marawi City is to recruit the people of Marawi into their cause. In their rally cry, they even invoke tribal relations with the people to attract them to their cause. The Maranaos have a long proud history of defending the Muslim lands for centuries but they did not see the Maute, their fellow tribesmen as heroes or liberators. Maranaos did not want to have anything to do with their murderous plots in eliminating anyone who is not of their blood or creed.
ARE THE MARANAOS TO BE BLAMED?
Just as the Maute group are clearly seen as the villains in these recent events other Maranaos stood their ground opposing them are real heroes in their own rights. They are heroes because they stood for what Islam stood for. To be at peace with their Lord and to be at peace with others who are at peace with them. Stories of heroism are about Maranaos defending their Non-muslim employees and not leaving them in the city even if they had their chance to flee. They did all these, putting their lives on the line of fire in order to safeguard the lives of these people who may not be their brothers in faith but are brothers in humanity. They did all these because they follow Allah’s teachings in the Quran and the example of the the Prophet Muhammad.
Before we lift a finger to blame the whole Maranao people due to the actions of the Maute, let’s understand that they are also the victims and heroes of these events, the same way how most of the victims of ISIS have been Muslims themselves.
HOW DO MUSLIMS SEE THE CONDUCT OF THE GOVERNMENT?
We have not seen such a large scale urban fighting in the Philippines such as what is happening now in Marawi. The overall sentiment from the civilians is that they only wanted peace and wanted this to be gotten over with. Most are OK with the Martial Law but not with the rape joke. Everyone wanted the airstrikes to stop and for aid to be given to them promptly. Many have the sentiments that the government is using Marawi City as target practice for their newly acquired military air assets. But in spite all these, most of the Muslims remain trusting the government nonetheless and are even in close cooperation with it in relief efforts and rescue attempts of those trapped in the conflict areas of the city.
LAST MESSAGE
You prayed for France. You prayed for the whole world. Please pray for Marawi City.
I hope that this column made your day. If you need clarifications you may send your questions, comments, and suggestions to mensahetv@gmail.com.
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