A R C H I V E S
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| From the mouth of the horse |
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| Kashif |
| 09/24/02 at 10:25:51 |
| assalaamu alaikum I don't find any better words to describe this press release other than that its an unveiling of MPAC's true colours, and shows how far their allegiance has swayed from Allah & His Messenger & the believers, to rest at the feet of the men in Washington. -------------------------------------------------------------- Statement on the Role of Muslims in the American Citizenry September 23, 2002 MPAC firmly supports the view that being a Muslim is fully compatible with being a loyal and patriotic American. American Muslims should find no contradiction between Islamic values and the American tradition of liberty and democracy enshrined in the Constitution. In fact, the basic legal principles of the Constitution can all be found in the Sharia. Given that, we find that it is fully consistent with our religion for Muslims to be loyal to our country and its Constitutional principles. There is ample historical justification in the Islamic past for this stand. Certain Muslim groups have argued that the only legitimate political authority is the Khilafa (Caliphate), and the American democratic system is un-Islamic and should be changed. MPAC takes the position that the institution of Khilafa, in which power was vested in a single individual, is not the only way to implement Islamic political principles. The Khilafa was a valid solution to a time and place, but other solutions can also be valid. Representative democracy is the closest system in the modern world to the true realization of the Islamic principle of Shura (consultive) in which decisions are taken through consultation of the community. Muslims in America should oppose those who purvey ideologies and approaches that lead to blind hatred of the United States. There is a difference between criticism of the policies of the government and hatred of the nation itself. American Muslims believe that by providing a different perspective on policy issues, we contribute to the debate and allow for more informed decision-making. This enriches and strengthens our country, and we therefore support and encourage American Muslims to participate in the process by which decisions are made, and to provide wise criticism of policies that stray from our nation’s principles. In this context, free discourse and participation can only occur when civil liberties and freedom of speech are fully protected. A frightened and besieged minority will lose its voice and be shut out of the political process. Criticism of policy is not the same as criminal behavior. We must be extremely careful to avoid using the war on terrorism as a means to shut off debate. We cannot tolerate a system that practices guilt by association, for that is a travesty of true justice. We must fully maintain constitutional protections against abuse of state power. Criminal laws should only be applied to activities after the law was written, and not be used to penalize an individual whose actions were legal when they happened (i.e. ex post facto). We at MPAC believe American Muslims should stand with our fellow Americans in a united quest to maintain a secure and free society. In these times, there is a natural shift in favor of those who wish to emphasize security. But we cannot let the pendulum swing to the point that freedom is diminished. --------------------------------------------- Kashif Wa Salaam |
| NS |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |