For the past 29 days, if I wasn’t working late I would head over to my parents’ local mosque for the nightly taraweeh prayer. Held only during the month of Ramadan and performed after the last of five prescribed prayers, taraweeh takes worshipers through all the suras in the entire Quran from start to finish throughout the holy month. Unfortunately, Muslims in swing states do not have the freedom of praying freely this year.
On Friday, September 26, the end of a week in which thousands of copies of Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West — the fear-mongering, anti-Muslim documentary being distributed by (sic) the millions in swing states via DVDs inserted in major newspapers and through the U.S. mail — were distributed by mail in Ohio, a “chemical irritant” was sprayed through a window of the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton, where 300 people were gathered for a Ramadan prayer service. The room that the chemical was sprayed into was the room where babies and children were being kept while their mothers were engaged in prayers.[DailyKos]
This is a cause and effect story. The cause is their cause; promote fear and paranoia of Muslims by mass distribuion of this video (which I am intentionally not linking to).
This week, 28 million copies of a right-wing, terror propaganda DVD are being mailed and bundled in newspaper deliveries to voters in swing states. The 60-minute DVDs, titled Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West, are landing on doorsteps in a campaign coinciding with the 7th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Funding is coming from a New York-based group called the Clarion Fund, a shadowy outfit whose financial backers are unclear…the DVDs were distributed last weekend in national editions of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal within selected swing states. These included Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado, Iowa, Florida, Wisconsin, Nevada, New Hampshire and Virginia.[HuffingtonPost]
The effect of the fear-mongering — and keep this in mind, as you hear what conservatives are bound to say regarding how this DVD is only meant to call out ‘radical’ Islamists and not ‘moderate’ Muslims — has been tragic for Americans here at home. The following is a quote about a woman who was at the mosque, praying.
“She told me that the gas was sprayed into the room where the babies and children were being kept while their mothers prayed together their Ramadan prayers. Panicked mothers ran for their babies, crying for their children so they could flee from the gas that was burning their eyes and throats and lungs. She grabbed her youngest in her arms and grabbed the hand of her other daughter, moving with the others to exit the building and the irritating substance there…The paramedic said the young one was in shock, and gave her oxygen to help her breathe.” [DailyKos]
And of course, to add another layer of absurdity to the story, Dayton Ohio Police decided that the event was NOT a hate crime. Politics is a dirty game. There’s name-calling during the debates, mockery on SNL and ludicrous television ads, but I’m sure we can all agree that playing politics this dirty is divisive and does nothing to promote ‘Country First’ or ‘Change.’ The poisoning of little children during such a sacred month, while their parents are praying is about as low as I’ve seen politics get this election cycle.
“This isn’t political – Clarion Fund is a 501(c)3 and nowhere do they say they are pro-McCain,” some of you may say. But if it was not political, why would they send the videos out only in swing states? Associated Content elaborates:
Campaign tactics like those used by the Clarion Fund are meant to appeal to fears of the voters. It is meant to appeal to an emotional level. In psychological terms, this might precipitate a fight or flight response. With no direct threat of immediate personal harm, the fight response will most likely prevail. Add to this the public perception that the Republican Party handles defense issues better than Democrats, it is not too difficult to understand how the Republicans win elections… Fear is the strongest motivator of human action…The Clarion Fund is employing that motivator in swing states to potentially bring those states into the Republican fold and deliver to John McCain the electoral votes needed to become the next president.[AssociatedContent]
The Council on American Islamic Relations is calling for the Federal Election Commission to launch a probe into the Clarion Fund, who, if found to be electioneering will be in clear violation of their tax-deductible status. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation is filing a lawsuit against the Department of Defense, for using the name and authority of an official U.S. military institution not only to validate an attack the religion of Islam, but to influence a political campaign.
So what can you do? If you are in one of the swing states and your newspaper sent you this DVD, let them know that you are unhappy about it. You can visit The American Muslim for more resources and information on the Obsession video. And finally, the next few days mark the end of Ramadan – you can tell a Muslim “Eid Mubarak”, today.
Question to the Mutiny: Are you in a swing state? Did you receive a DVD in your newspaper?
I am disgusted by the news that children were attacked, whether as a direct result of this DVD or not. But has the Clarion Fund done anything illegal? Reprehensible, yes. But illegal? I will reserve judgment until we get more information about their anonymous backers. I think the best way of dealing with this would be to ask the candidates to address the DVD – if it’s as bad as it appears to be, they will both have to denounce it. But the way they denounce it may be elucidating.
How horrifying. How did this domestic terrorism not make headlines? CNN has nothing at all on their site, not even a text article.
Did America not learn anything from when Black churches were attacked?
McCain won’t denounce it. He’s railed against “islamic terrorists” since the primaries and this fearmongering helps his cause, apparently. Obama doesn’t want to open himself up to criticism that he’s naive on terrorism etc.
yes, live in a swing state. no, did not receive a copy. however, it’s not hard to convince some virginians that BO is a scary muslimofascist. Aish HaTorah should lose their tax-exempt status. Just for sheer stupidity. All the addresses match up.
I’m sure razib will be along shortly to discuss the truthiness level of this film.
You would think. But one of the articles I stumbled across in doing research said that both candidates had not heard about the distribution of the videos in the newspapers. This of course is not unusual – in the 2004 elections 527 and PACs were the big organizations that were running parallel progressive/conservative campaigns that the presidential candidates knew nothing of.
At the same time, this has been getting a lot of recent coverage, and the videos haven’t fully been shipped out. I think that neither candidate is going to denounce the video until it’s too late. I mean, I think this crime at the mosque is signal that it’s already too late. But I agree, both candidates need to denounce the video distribution ASAP. I just don’t think either of them will with five weeks until Election Day.
Unfortunately, Muslims in swing states do not have the freedom of praying freely this year.
Such a sweeping declaration based on the following stray incident:,
a “chemical irritant†was sprayed through a window of the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton…
which hasn’t even been proved to be a hate crime yet. No wonder your political affiliation disguised as ‘ cry wolf ‘ hysteria fatigues people from noticing real hate crimes.
Perhaps. They’ve admitted that they’re targeting the DVD in swing states, but they say it isn’t to sway the election (which would lose them their tax exemption) but instead to get more press coverage because the media only cares about things in swing states.
I saw the first part of this documentary on YouTube and I know someone involved in the roll-out. While I don’t agree with the documentary’s point of view, I think the statement above is problematic to say the least. What evidence is there exactly that this horrific attack on the mosque is inspired by the DVD? Taz, I understand you are outraged, but your claim is completely unsubstantiated. You can’t just claim an organization is inciting hate crimes without some sort of backing. Just because Daily Kos does it doesn’t mean SM should blindly accept that conclusion without investigation.
And this is coming from someone utterly disgusted with both the crime as well as the documentary.
Bada Bing said:
Yes, Taz pointed that out in her post:
Legal definition of hate crime aside, do you think that somebody used a noxious chemical as a lark, and perhaps really likes Muslims? Is there another plausible explanation that fits the action?
Nearly everyone I know has been flooded with this DVD here in FLA. It arrived last week. The local independent radio stations have been discussing it (suggesting listeners return the DVDs to their local newspapers). And with B.O. having just been in this area all last week, I am surprised to hear that he isn’t aware of it. It would have been in his morning paper.
Has anyone actually seen this video ? Any details of what it contains ?
8 · SpottieOttieDopaliscious said
good for you man, gotta keep those strawmen in line. You know, when she wrote “to promote mass fear and paranoia” and you thought, “direct attribution of attack to the documentary, must save reputation of friend involved in roll-out and then claim neutrality as a hater of both docu and crime”
And this is coming from someone utterly disgusted with both the crime as well as the documentary.
What is in the documentary? And what’s disgusting or factless about it?
13 · Bada Bing said
http://www.obsessionwithhate.com/
Highlights from a St. Pete Times article: 1.In the film, men in traditional Middle Eastern dress burn an American flag. The planes fly into the twin towers. Peaceful scenes of Muslims at market and prayer are interspersed with violent scenes and commentators critical of Islam. 2.”…A Clarion Web site linked the film to the presidential candidates…”McCain’s policies seek to confront radical Islamic extremism and terrorism and roll it back while Obama’s, although intending to do the same, could make it worse,” said the site. This statement was later removed.
3.There are a number of connections between the Clarion Fund and a well-known organization called Aish HaTorah, an international charity founded in Israel in the 1970s.
For all we know the irritant could have been sprayed into the Mosque by a peeved Muslim teen ager who would rather be vandalizing property and drinking beer than praying to an imaginary god.
Are you in a swing state? Did you receive a DVD in your newspaper?
Haven’t received the DVD with my WSJ and NYTimes (Michigan).
there is a certain irony here. a film that links incediary comments by muslims to islamic terrorism is itself accused of causing anti-islamic terrorism b/c its incediary.
the deeper question is to what extent must a society look at itself when radicals within that society commit terrorist acts? was mcveigh a lone wacko? or was he part of a radical militia movement that radicalized him. to what extent is this movement a product of greater American society, to American racism and anti-semitism in particular? is it fair to call rush Limbaugh into question as some did after the oklahoma city bombing b/c his view appear to // McVeigh’s? To what degree if any can we blame society for the actions of an individual?
Nayagan,
Actually, I don’t see any strawmen. She wrote that this is a cause and effect story, then linked to the Documentary’s sponsor as the cause. I’m not that concerned about the guy involved in the roll-out and I’m not trying to “save his reputation”. But hey, if you want to accuse me of things personally, you can do it on my own blog. My views and who I support are documented there pretty thoroughly.
Actually, I think this attack is horrific enough that it merits its own post, without conflating it with an extremely controversial DVD which is sure to bring out the trolls. The attack is absolutely terrible, illegal and will (and should) be universally condemned. There is not a lot of wiggle room there.
The DVD on the other hand, is disgusting and fear-mongering. But it is not illegal (except for the possible political angle Ennis mentions) and like it or not, it reflects the views of a sizable minority of the American population (the same people who think Obama is a closet muslim). Fear of islamic radicalism has dominated the political discourse in this country for the past seven years. It is a topic worthy of discussion, I’m not trying to “claim neautrality”. I’m against it. But pardon me for believing in that old-fashioned idea that when you accuse people of something so heinous, you should have some sort of validation to back it up.
The incident is sickening, whatever is in the film it does not take much to scare up a mob, it’s going to take a lot more years understanding and respect to enter the minds of the scared USA.
Eid Mubarak.
I’m in North Carolina and received this DVD the week previous. It’s my understanding this ran in McClatchy newspapers.
Attacking children with chemical spray, sick stuff. Can we imagine what the reaction would be if kids in Sunday school at a Christian church were gassed?
I’ve seen this film and I think people are rushing to judgment. It’s extremely even-handed – even goes as far as to make a note at the beginning that the film is not attempting to characterize the entire Muslim faith as “terrorists” – and only focuses on those radical extremists who commit these acts of terror against the West (and their own), while giving this entirely peaceful religion a bad name. It’s an important topic and film that deserves to be part of the debate.
Can we imagine what the reaction would be if kids in Sunday school at a Christian church were gassed?
In Michigan this bombing is still talked about after 80 years.
22 · Ed Makeel said
Ok, Ed. Content of video aside – what are the chances that people are ALL actually going to put the video in the DVD player and watch the whole thing? I think that the people perpetuating fear against Muslims are the ones that won’t watch the video fully, or even worse, get the DVD, look at the image of brown people on the cover and say, “Those damned Muslims…” without even watching the video. Let’s say the content is decent – I really think the irresponsible distribution of material that looks like anti-Muslim propaganda is enough for the fear-mongering.
19 · SpottieOttieDopaliscious said
I was trying to understand your thought process–apologies for extrapolation but your conclusion is poorly supported and snark filled the void.
Taz is attributing the attack to a general state of paranoia and fear, which as you have written, is an understandable effect reasonably attributed to the viewing of this movie (not that this movie caused all the paranoia, but what was the motivation behind the attack? Hard intelligence on tanks steered by muslim infants? Paranoia and ignorance supply the motivation). You accused Taz of attributing the attack to the the movie itself (which could only be considered a proximate cause), but what I see is only a connection made to the paranoia effect.
Curiously, and contary to your own convictions, you chose to call Taz out on SM, which is not her blog.
Nayagan
I don’t want to derail this thread so this will be my last response to you.
The manner in which Taz wrote this post conflates the attack with the DVD in my opinion. She talks about the the attack, then mentions the DVD, then goes back to describe the effects of the attack in detail. Her point seems to be that the two are linked; that the distribution of the DVD somehow incites people to commit hate crimes.
Call me crazy but I don’t believe that the “general state of paranoia and fear” that some Americans feel is due to this documentary, or even any right-wing propoganda. I think it’s more likely due to the increasing number of terrorist attacks conducted by, yes, Islamic militants throughout the globe, not just in the West but countries like India, Indonesia and Thailand that people see in the news. And even if I accept your point that Americans are easily seduced and all it takes is some nationalistic rhetoric to get them to gas mosques, I still would rather the focus be on the villains who perpetrated the event rather than some clearly political fear-mongering taking place. It’s sort of like invading Iraq when you should be trying to capture Bin laden.
So if the point is that we are all so helpless in the face of an onslaught of propoganda, where does personal responsibility for our actions come in? The next time a cop beats the crap out of a protester, are you going to blame Rush Limbaugh for engendering hatred of liberals?
And as for “calling Taz out”, I took issue with her post and the manner in which she framed the two subjects. SM might not be Taz’s blog, but I can find at least 5 instances without a problem of her referring to it using “we” and I was under the impression that she was in fact a regular contributor. My comment to you was only to avoid doing exactly this, taking the thread off topic.
18 · Manju said
Totally, dude. That’s why I say let’s take a good look at ourselves in the context of all our warmongering. You do know that we’re killing innocent people every day, right? Bombing wedding parties from on high and whatnot. Those are people, too.
How did we let these JESUS CAMP mofos take the reigns?
A twelve-minute excerpt of the video is up at Google. I don’t think it’s giving the filmmakers or distributors anything to link to it — the video has gotten so much press already that the “don’t pay attention to them” argument no longer applies.
From the parts I’ve seen, the video is exactly as bad as has been said. I feel bad for the Arabs in particular whose statements were used in the video — like Nonie Darwish — since it’s their voices that make this anything other than an amateur collage video, with white people with no particular credentials or knowledge mouthing off about Islam. The Arabs they interviewed give it (a bit) more credibility.
To amend my previous comment — I feel sympathy for Khaleel Mohammed, more than Nonie Darwish. Prof. Khaleel Mohammed now says the filmmakers misstated the credentials of the other interviewees in the film when they invited him to be interviewed.
“But the material from some of the speakers gives the lie to the disclaimer: many of them are not experts, or have used the mantle of academic qualifications to purvey hate. That their alarmist drivel should be mixed with my whittled down interview proves that the intent of the film is not to educate, but to mislead. The free distribution of the film to voters in particular districts shows the political chicanery that is the motive, and the secrecy about the financing of the distribution only underlines the evil intent in circulating this vile piece of propaganda.
Manju, please, give us the bill cosby version ; )
I doubt the subscribers of either of these would be the target demography. Buy the local far right dumb tosh, maybe you’ll get it then.
30 · bess said
all you bums are responsible for you own actions. stop blaming others. get a life!
Hmmm… guess he never saw that technique utilized to great effect in that Borat film.
26 · SpottieOttieDopaliscious said
well, i severely doubt the perps would be regular consumers of the hated “MSM.” Obsession was previewed on Glen Beck’s radio show (yes, i know he’s on cnn headline) and fox news, in addition to the pajamas media-affiliated blogosphere.
there is no case to be made for criminalizing the film makers or trashing the 1st amendment–but there is a moral component and there’s no shame in calling the film makers out
Now if you wish to outline a rational basis for paranoia, since there have been so many terrorist attacks within the US, post 9/11, I heartily invite you to do so (or snootily avoid me out of respect for the integrity of the thread). It’s clear, at least to me, that recent domestic events dominating the news cycle bear no relation to this attack and that the perps likely don’t give a hoot about what happens in Pakistan, India, Thailand or wherever terrorism actually happens on a semi-regular basis. they do, however, care about whatever propaganda Limbaugh/Savage/Beck/LGF/AOS/Malkin etc are peddling.
I doubt the subscribers of either of these would be the target demography. Buy the local far right dumb tosh, maybe you’ll get it then.
Even if I got it, I wouldn’t pop it into the player. Taz asked if folks in swing states got it. She also referenced the WSJ & NYT. I responded.
Question to the Mutiny: Are you in a swing state? Did you receive a DVD in your newspaper?
the DVDs were distributed last weekend in national editions of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal within selected swing states.
Nayagan and SpottieOttieDopaliscious. You have a principled disagreement, and I respect that. But you’ve both made your points, so could we please let it rest for now? I know both of you are capable of having a civil debate, but I’d rather this didn’t spill out of control when other people pile on. Danke.
a hoagie for you!
It was in the Sunday newspapers of WSJ/NYT affiliates and it was sent with the junkmail along with the soap samples. Most households were sent more than one. Here’s one comment sent to my local newspaper by a Rev.: “Our household received in your Sunday newspaper a DVD that easily can create hateful responses to people of one religion. Extremist groups in all major religions have done terrible things in the name of religion. Would you have included it with the paper if the religion targeted was Christian or Jewish? I wonder. Sorry, but you have the right to not distribute in your newspaper materials that could easily incite hate crimes against innocent and good people. As a respected presence, you can only hope that this does not contribute to hate crimes right here in your subscription area.”
Very sad and a bit unsettling. Hope this is the last time something like this happens but who knows.
Didn’t Pres. Bush declare that Islam is a peaceful religion? I would think conservatives who voted for him would listen to him on this issue. Democrats and liberals usually don’t commit these sorts of crimes to religious minorities. As my conservative relatives (and other random conservatives have stated) say, the bleeding heart libs are “too busy collecting welfare checks”, or strumming their acoustic guitars and protesting against the Iraq war or just being “gay”. So busy liberals don’t have time to do mischief like this against minorities.
I don’t see how they are wrong, Radical Islam is in a war against the West, blind freddy can see that and it din’t start on 9/11.
Sorry for not answering the question. In West Hartford Connecticut we never received any DVD or offer to buy the DVD in the newspapers. This is the first time I have ever heard of it (after reading this Sepia Mutiny posting).
If I do receive it, the DVD will make a good coaster to protect the finish on my new wooden end table. (Pet owners can line the bottom of bird cages, litter boxes, etc with the DVD and its packaging. It’s a great way to recycle. Oh, there’s another thing that liberals are too busy doing – recycling to save the planet and environment.)
Spraying the Ramadan service = unacceptable and should be denounced by anyone and everyone! Without question.
Using an objectionable practice (i.e. using religion indirectly to candidates) = Not too good, but definitely not illegal. US is not like India where the Election Commission bans religious campaigning at times. This is a shrewd tactic and many such things taken together might actually make a difference in this election.
However, to use the objectionable points above to dismiss the DVD as crapola = not acceptable either. It is certainly inflammatory, but I would like to ask the critics if it has any valid points. After the Islamic terrorism (even if it is a smaller sub-segment of Islam) has hit so many countries with everything from airplanes to suicide bombs, do you honestly think that one such “documentary” is unacceptable?
Now the fact that a small minority of power seeking clerics use the jihad calls to stay in power, and the fact that the little girl spewing venom in that video is totally incongruous is just one side of the argument. The other side of the argument is that these clerics are not being kept in check by lot of authorities, who ought to come down hard on them, no matter what the short term costs. Characters like Abu Hamza need to be put away much earlier than they are right now.
Racial hatred is like snow, this is the season for it, nothing much you can do other than cover up in layers. I personally don’t believe in trying to change the thought processes of rednecks, better to stay away from them.
Having said that, I also think that the Muslim community shares some of the blame for their current plight. If the average Muslim had come out against the radicals as they started their business, and stayed with that criticism and opposition, people would’ve had a more nuanced view of Muslims. For a clear and current comparison, look at the way different sections of Hindus are responding to the VHP’s latest adventures in Orissa and Karnataka.
What you are seeing is another instance of First they Came…, it is a little late for the outrage.
Thank you Weather. 100% agreed. Better to focus on the youth through education. And this should be a hate crime, btw.
The attack on the prayer hall is condemnable. It is a hate crime.
Am watching the documentary now on you tube. contrary to what some have said before, it does have some credibility. The clippings from Arab television shows, the interviews of Hamza and other such folk in UK and else where, if they are genuine, do give some cause for concern. the documentary makes it amply clear from the beginning that it is about radical Muslims who are a minority within the community and have hijacked the religion. So it seems to make an effort at even handedness.
Weather said, “Having said that, I also think that the Muslim community shares some of the blame for their current plight. If the average Muslim had come out against the radicals as they started their business, and stayed with that criticism and opposition, people would’ve had a more nuanced view of Muslims.
All due respect, that’s unfair. IMHO, Western media has generally diminished coverage of Muslims who vocally criticize either radical Islam or even those who seek to revisit the gray areas of human rights within Islam as it is generally practiced. When these moderates do criticize more fundamental aspects of the religion, they are always presented within the context of persecution. God forbid that a journalist cover a Muslim advocating women’s rights or a Shariah revision without the reading of a fatwah issued by some little known tribal goofball in who cares where.
A subtext exists within many of the comments that is disturbing. It appears that some of you hold Islam accountable for its radical elements.
I’ve attended numerous kutbahs led by Saudi, Syrian and Palestinian Imams (notoriously conservative) who have censured terrorism, violence and suicide bombing. Many of these took place years before 9/11. I ask you, again, with respect, how many of you who agree with the comment above have actually attended a Jumah prayer and listened to what our Imams have to say? Or conducted a rigorous search of books and articles by Muslims which predate 9/11? You read dilutions of what we believe, of how we feel, what we write and of what we say. And then the dilution serves as ammunition.
This accusation against non-radical (I find the need to even use that descriptor offensive) Muslims and Islam with respect to radical terrorism is hefty, so I hope that you can substantiate it with more than “Well, I didn’t see anything on TV/read it on the front page/or see it in Google News.” I hope you have some direct experience with a Muslim going, “Aww, gee, another suicide bomber? Oh, whatever.”
All ideologies, religious or not, intrinsically carry seeds of fundamentalism, violence and radicalism. PETA, anyone? Some of you, and you know who you are, should revisit your own perceptions about Muslims, radical or not, and ask yourselves if you are being fair. Or if you’re being prejudicial. Dig deep.
As a human being, I express outrage over terrorism in any form. My duty to humanity, irrespective of my religion, dictates that I express outrage. And I do, often.
But, here are some articles for those of you who question the dedication of us “moderates” (sigh, eye roll, another annoying descriptor) to censuring terrorism. Too little, too late? No, you haven’t been listening until now.
I live in swing state and am glad they sent it out. What do find so objectionable about it? They made a point of distinguishing between moderates and radicals. Now CAIR wants to prevent a private organization from distributing a DVD? Free speech in this country will go the way of Europe if CAIR has its way. Hell they wanted to ban Rushdie in 1987 because he was “offensive” to Islam. If Obama is as opposed to militant Islam as the left says he is why are you so afraid a video like this will affect his chances in swing states?
Also they haven’t even arrested someone and you want to presume this a hate crime? The police shouldn’t rule it out, but neither should you automatically assume it to be the case.
I bet this message stays for a few minutes before the sepia thought police come charging in.
seriously, who orders print newspapers anymore? it has to be targeted towards luddite mccainiacs.
I don’t believe that Muslims have done enough to condemn the nut cases within their community. Indeed, if anything, at least in my experience, my co religionists in the States are increasingly developing the nasty habit of blaming it all on the United States, Israel and India [in the latter’s case, only if you are South Asian Muslims].
If anything, we have actively tried to stifle any voice, which has dared highlight our flaws from within. Ask Irshad Manji and Wafa Sultan.
I hope the American Left is not fooled by the current Muslim support for Barack Obama. This temporary support is primarily driven by Bush’s seriously idiotic “War on terror” and the equally idiotic belief amongst some Muslims that, deep, deep, down Obama has a soft spot for his father and grand father’s faith. In case my Liberal friends need any reminders, on social issues [like prayer in school, abortion and gay marriage], most Muslims in America have more in common with Rush Limbaugh than even with the Right wing of the Democratic Party.
equivalent to being beaten up and thrown in jail, when a group of non-muslims are found worshipping in private in saudi arabia?….. if you think this country is not tolerant enough, you could relocate to saudi arabia….. just a suggestion.
Sure, I do believe that there is disagreement within the Muslim community about terrorism, and that the community is not a single monolith like the western media makes it out to be. However, if the disagreement stays as academic exercises in theology, it doesn’t help the poor Malini and Ramesh on the street, who faces the bombs.
Consider this: there was a shootout in Delhi the other day, and the Delhi police claimed to have killed two Muslim terrorists in that incident. Couple of days later, a fact-finding mission, comprising mostly of Hindus, went to that location, and came out with the finding that the shootout was staged. Even though a highly respected police inspector, a Hindu, died in the shootout. Now, in the hundreds of bombings all over India, how many times have Muslims formed a similar congregation to come out and criticize the bombers? Or help catch them? Or ostricize the organizations and imams who spread hate? To identify them and their front organisations, as Hindus in America have done in the case of VHP activists here? How many such congregations were formed to protect Kashmiri Hindus?
The principle is simple: if you don’t stand up for your fellow men, don’t expect anyone to stand up for you. Of course, standing up doesn’t necessarily mean that someone will be there for you, but it gives you the right to expect help, and be outraged if it is not forthcoming. It is only now, when the lack of action all these years has ossified into a terrorist image, that the Muslim community leaders have started issuing half-hearted statements denouncing terrorism. But that’s not going to help.
Because only actions matter, words wither away, especially when uttered within seminaries.