The real issue is not about who is a Muslim, but it is about how the majorities treat their minorities.
Should the bad decisions of a few in the name of Islam reflect on the Muslim community at large? Now, Indonesia is planning to ban the "heretical" Muslim sect, should that reflect on Islam? The least we can do is to speak up against the tyranny of one group of people against the other.
The easy option is to do nothing and let the world believe that it is Islam, and if we did that, we would lose our right to complain that it is not us. Well, it is us. The actions are not the work of a looney brigade or some fringe groups; it is the government of Indonesia succumbing to please the few among them.
God is about justice and he wants us to live in peace and harmony, after all, each of us is his creation, and he will not discriminate any one of us. God (Koran: 49:13) says "Behold, we have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him."
A majority of Muslims understand that Islam is a religion of peace, a religion of freedom and justice, and a religion that does not force people to behave. Indeed, if we start looking at ourselves, Alhamdu Lillah, Praise the Lord, the majority of us get along with all and live a life of peace and co-existence.
When Hazrat Bakr was agreed upon to be the caliph, the consensus was with him and the few who disagreed dropped their opposition and followed the leader in the same manner as Republicans and Democrats who fight among themselves until a candidate is nominated, then every one rallies around the selected one.
The problem with us or any majority of people is we do not give our consensus; we do not exercise our rights and by default give others, the right to govern us.
It is time for Muslims to stand up and speak out.
Remember the Good Samaritan American women during 9/11? They wore hijab to show solidarity with Muslim women. The time is coming when a whole mass of population will declare themselves Muslim to show solidarity with the Ahmadiyah, what are you going to do? What prevents one from incorporating their group with the name Muslim or Islam? There are a lot of websites with the words Muslim and Islam, but they are actually anti-Islam. What are you going to do about it?
It is time for Muslims to wake up and act righteous and speak out.
MIKE GHOUSE
Dallas
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