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Random violence, shared responsibility
The tragedy at Fort Hood yesterday was heart-wrenching and horrific; but it was mind-numbingly familiar. Another spasm of violence at a base that had suffered random killings before. The irony multiplied as we heard of our bravest soldiers falling victim to bullets at home as they were to be deployed, that the killer was a psychiatrist with fellowship training in the very field of stress management and echoes of the horror at Virginia Tech--the killer also happened to be an alumnus.
But while I held my breath with worry after the Oklahoma federal building was bombed, and after airplanes became weapons on September 11, wondering if the perpetrators were Islamic terrorists -- yesterday I expected to hear of a combat veteran suffering from PTSD, boiling over from new stressors at home. The Muslim name came later, and it took me by surprise. Here we go again...
Muslims have a real problem in this country, and so do all of us with names that sound Muslim, and look as we if we are from the Middle East. And this is a challenge to all who hope that we can transcend an age of distrust, hate and intolerance. Nidal Malik Hasan was a devout Muslim, was angry and spoke out about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq--but evinced no history of violence that has yet been unearthed--and was a decorated soldier with an unblemished record of service to the soldiers in his care.
If the American public very wrongly holds American Muslims responsible for the tragedy in Fort Hood, a major problem in my mind is the narrative that Muslims as a community and many well-meaning Americans, including President Obama, have promoted. That is, the concept of the "Muslim world." The idea reached its climax during the President's much vaunted speech to the Muslim world from Cairo earlier in the year. I argued then, that the appellation of a "Muslim world" is facile.
Muslims are as ethnically, socially, ideologically and politically as diverse as any religious group in the world. Of course they share a religious tradition, and will advocate for human rights abuses affecting co-religionists globally. And, of course, as a minority, Muslims in America must work to present a unified voice.
But when we give in to the conception of a monolithic Muslim world crossing national boundaries, then the equation changes quickly. When 56 countries join together as the Organization of the Islamic Conferece, they are actually foisting an artificial construct of sameness and global unity, An us versus them mentality is fostered, and a problem with one country becomes a problem for them all.
In reality, a Muslim in Indonesia, where President Obama spent some of his childhood, has completely different experiences and shares completely different aspirations than the 150 million Muslims in India, the suffering masses in Iraq, or the prospering followers of Islam in the United States. The internecine Shia and Sunni conflicts are as bloody as any. Terrorists in the Afghan theater are killing other Muslims more than anyone else. Islam is not in danger from an external bogeyman.
I see this same concept of the global Ummah or Dar-al-Islam or world under Islam or Muslim world promoted by the jihadi Taliban, al-Qaeda and other Islamist elements. They fight on in the name of Islam and appeal to a chauvinistic call of a Muslim world. They direct their calls directly to the "Muslim world" in their deranged cry for global jihadism and a return of the Caliphate.
Many Americans, Muslim Americans amongst them, may oppose the war against terror in Afghanistan and Pakistan on strong grounds of conscience. But if American Muslims and Muslims globally oppose that war as a war against Islam, and speak or act out accordingly, then they will be trapped sharing in collective responsibility if a lunatic amongst them takes the cowardly step that Hasan took.
So if we believe, or more importantly, Muslims were to ascribe to the supposition that they are a part of a monolithic Muslim world first -- happening to reside for now in the United States -- then every insane act of a person happening to be named a Hasan or Mohamed will reflect on this imagined monolithic entity. But if Muslims see themselves as Americans that find their spiritual aspirations--not nationalistic fervor--fulfilled in Islam, then they will raise their voice with all Americans in condemnation and repudiation of a violent act that cannot reflect on them. Muslim leaders will surely do so as the news sinks in today.
We grieve today as Americans, and we have added to our national debt gratitude to the brave American soldiers of Fort Hood and everywhere. Our sorrow is boundless. But fighting a just war in Afghanistan will entail more sacrifice; we can only pray that the madness of collateral damage measured in stress, grieving families, separated families, broken homes and senseless murder will soon end.
Views expressed here are the personal views of Dr. Aseem Shukla, and do not necessarily represent those of the University of Minnesota or Hindu American Foundation.
By
Aseem Shukla
|
November 6, 2009; 1:15 AM ET
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Posted by: clearthinking1 | November 7, 2009 12:12 AM
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With foot soldiers like Major Hasan, Islam can't sustain. And, with literal interpretation of quran verse like 9.5 and a biography (filled with violence like muhammad) to follow, I say good riddance of such a religion. Anytime, Hinduism takes such a dangerous and violent turn like Islam today, I will be the first to get out of it. After all, religion is for man, man is not for religion.
Posted by: Swami_Vivekananda | November 6, 2009 11:21 PM
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It's amazing someone could manage bold text in comments but make no sense whatsoever.
All the killers religious blatherings ever do is prove they have no faith.
Posted by: Nymous | November 6, 2009 8:35 PM
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No doubt that Muslims around the world share a transcending scriptural connection. And no doubt that much of the Quran may be interpreted as deeply troubling if read literally. But the point Dr. Shukla makes is important for us to understand. The world must invite willing Muslims to become part of their local societal fabric. If we paint all Muslims with the same broad brush stained by the blood of the few terrorists, and then announce that a Muslim world exists, what incentive are we giving otherwise law-abiding citizens to feel pride as a US citizen or as a citizen of any other nation, as opposed to merely towards their faith? And by marginalizing them, are we also feeding animosity and hatred? I am extremely worried in this current climate that right-wing extremists will seek to use the Ft Hood shooting to create division. I hope and pray that the greatness of the United States prevails and allows this diverse nation to stay unified.
Posted by: nikhil1 | November 6, 2009 4:12 PM
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It is true that there is no Muslim monolith and that Muslims from different places have unique experiences. However, it is also true that they have many things in common which make them part of the global Muslim community. That which unites them is the Quran and the Hadith. If one reads these scriptures, it is clear that killing non-Muslims is often condoned and even encouraged. If one wants to be honest and look at the problems we are experiencing we must look at the common variables. Violence is being committed in the Phillippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Dagestan, Chechnya, Somalia, Nigeria, Spain, the UK, the USA, Germany, Denmark, Holland, Australia, and on and on. I didn't even mention the Middle East. But what do the attacks in all of these different countries on different continents from Asia to Africa to Europe to America have in common? Islam. No, Islam is not a monolith but it is not what makes Muslims different that is in question but rather that which unites them.
Posted by: rentianxiang | November 6, 2009 1:30 PM
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Muslims should really try to do something about all the randomly violent weapons that keep getting into their hands.
Posted by: WmarkW | November 6, 2009 12:12 PM
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Almost all muslims have relatively recent ancestors whow were either coerced or were cowards. They converted down to islam from a better religon.
So, the only solution is for intelligent and good people who find themselves "muslim" to convert to any other religion or give up religion. You and the world will be much better off.