Op-ed Muslim survival in the age of Trump

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Op-ed Muslim survival in the age of Trump

ABDUL CADER ASMAL

“The advent of Donald Trump ( celebrated almost as a second coming of Christ by some Christian fundamentalists) has been a deeply disturbing episode in the lives of Muslims in this country. Sandwiched between the evil of Isis on the one side, and the malevolence of Trump toward Islam on the other, they feel suffocated by the indefensible actions of both. This is reflected in the time and resources squandered by the Muslim communities in such invidious activities as having to repudiate both these sources of anti-Islamism! In the face of such a bleak prospect, what can Muslims do to improve their condition? Firstly pray and trust in God because nothing happens without his knowledge, “In God do Believers place their trust”, 3:122. Secondly repeat the true message of Islam so that the deviants on both sides learn the truth and as the Bile says ‘the the truth shall set you free’. Thirdly, respect the highest office in the country but do not cow down to a leader unworthy of respect. According to Peter Beinart,” For Donald Trump, Muslim barbarism is a political strategy. It inspires the fear and hatred that binds him to his base. Muslim barbarism is so politically useful, in fact, that, when necessary, Trump creates it,”
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/12/trump-announcement-jerusalem-israel-capital-muslim-violence/547652/ Fourthly, place your personal predicament within the context of more significant issues that threaten humanity as a whole: the ever-present risk of nuclear annihilation, the developing danger of global warming, unbridled capitalism with exploitation of natural resources and oppression of ‘third world countries’, asynchronous wealth distribution, global famine, wars, educational and healthcare discrepancies, and racism within this country with the native Americans being treated as outcasts in their own lands, the African Americans having been freed of the yoke of slavery are still viewed as second class citizens, and the Latino population treated with contempt. Thus the Islamophobia that Muslims are so crushed by falls into an insignificant sector when viewed in the scheme of larger civilizational inequities. Thus instead of bemoaning our misfortune, we should form coalitions with like-minded individuals in order to protect our societies and our common humanity.
Fifthly, The American the Constitution is protective of all people, and as the recent rejection of Moore as Senator for Alabama just showed, Mr. Trump’s bigotry and bullying do not always work. Muslims can take heart in the strength of the US Constitution to be a firewall against fascists and hatemongers. Finally, for a Muslim, regardless as to how insurmountable a problem seems, it should always be viewed as a test from God, and as the following Quranic injunctions state:’Verily, in the remembrance of God, do hearts find rest.” (13:28) ; “Seek help in patience and prayer”(2:45): “God is with those who have patience” (2:153); and finally,” If God is your helper none can overcome you”.
However as Abraham Lincoln reminded us, ‘Rather than presuming that God is on our side, we must make certain that we are on God’s side.” And God’s answer is readily available, ” Remember me and I will remember you.” (2:152). We ( and that includes the two opposing forces against us) should never forget our common humanity as God stated with unambiguous clarity.”O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you.”(49:13) Abdul Cader Asmal MD Chairman of Communications ( The views expressed above are personal and do not signify an endorsement by the Council)”

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