Reflections on New Zealand
By Azher Quader
Chicago, IL
Terror struck once again. This time claiming the lives of fifty innocent Muslims in peaceful New Zealand. This time the terrorist was not killed. So, they will get to listen to him. But his 'manifesto' of hate was already posted for all to read and to recognize the inspiration for his heinous act. Not surprisingly it named those who hold the purse strings of power in the world we live in today, where hate speech and so much else has been normalized. Where death and destruction have become a prime time spectacle. Where the plight of refugees and the sufferings of millions no longer disturb the busy routines of our daily lives.
‘Calling out’ the folks who peddle in the ‘ideology of hate’ either because of profits or political gains is the logical first step for us to take. Many routinely do that. But where do we go if that does not work? And innocent lives continue to be lost.
Dalia Magahed (ISPU scholar) had made a very thought-provoking presentation once in Chicago, on how the curve of Islamophobia follows electoral cycles and not actual hate crimes. https://youtu.be/3pu56Hryrk0
If we accept the reality that Islamophobia can only be defeated through political engagement, we have to do some serious rethinking about our strategies for the future. Vigils and rallies notwithstanding, what that would mean is a deliberate effort to build coalitions and networks beyond interfaith alliances, that would eventually win us political power at the ballot boxes, defeating those who choose to win cheap votes through promoting fear and hate among the ignorant, who are inspired by such rhetoric to vote.
It is a tall order for a community that has not yet faced the rigors of the road, but a necessary journey to take, that may take years to succeed. So it seems to me, the sooner we embark upon this journey, employing all the resources we possess, the quicker we will reach the goal we desire.
Every generation of immigrants who came to America had to embrace the challenges of their times. It will not be any different for our generation. History plays no favorites. If the story of racism in America teaches us anything, we can only anticipate that this effort will be trans-generational and not for the faint in heart.
America today exercises enormous influence globally. Without changing the politics of our country, nothing else would change either at home or abroad. The sooner we realize this challenge we face, and recognize that our feel good gatherings we so ardently celebrate, will certainly not be enough, if we are serious about making a difference, to better our future well-being and that of our country.
Voter registration, voter education and voter mobilization is hard work, but necessary work. Even as we speak of the tragedy from extremist rage that causes hundreds to die, we cannot ignore the existential threat to millions from the arrogant denial of climate change. Neither can we remain indifferent to the problems that plague our society, of homelessness, of healthcare, of immigration, of poverty, of education, just to name a few.
Some of us may have the capacity to speak up, some to write op-eds and ‘call out’ those who orchestrate this tyranny of hate and fear in the country. But each and every one of us can and must vote.
There is a time to hold hands and light candles. A time to pray and praise the fallen. That is good for our souls and good for our emotions. But if we then retreat to the comfort of our sacred spaces and continue to do what we love to do, to memorize and meditate, to just pray and play, to dialogue and debate and hope the miracle of Divine intervention will save us some day, we may be in for an unpleasant awakening. For without a commitment to act, without a recognition to organize, without a willingness to sacrifice, history will no doubt repeat itself, leaving us to wonder once more, when it was our time to act, did we give it our all?
That is why the voices of trail blazers like Bernie, Ilhan and Alexandria, in the political life of our nation today, are not only so gutsy and important to hear, but so demanding of our engagement and our involvement.
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