I’ve posted before on the hollowness of Obama and his campaign for ‘change’. Pigs will fly before he confronts the three-headed dragon of racism, materialism, and militarism that has wreaked havoc across the American landscape.
However, in this post I wanted to focus on another argument peddled by Muslims supporting Obama – namely, he’s the lesser of two evils.
Sorry folks, but that is such a defeatist attitude.
Instead of arguing about the need to change the crooked system that insanely refers to itself as a democracy and claims to stand for freedom and justice, American Muslims are justifying participation with this weak-minded logic of ‘lesser of two evils’.
Muslims must stand for their principles, as exemplified by our most perfect teacher (saw).
Have we forgotten how the Prophet (saw) rejected participation in the crooked Meccan political system? Did he not out-rightly reject their power-sharing deal, later responding with the famous words: Even if they (Quraish leaders of Mecca) were to place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, I will never join them nor will I ever desist from my message?
Then how come we are so quick to partake in an American political system that puts to shame the shenanigans of the Meccans?
I’m not arguing whether its halal or haram to partake in the political process. I’m simply talking about good ‘ol common sense.
Listen, even if the Prophet (saw) himself were standing for the President of the US, I wouldn’t vote for him. No one man can ever make a difference from within a crooked system. The Prophet understood that and that’s why he rejected participation. His struggle was to replace the rotten core - lock, stock, and barrel, instead of trying to reform it from within.
Those Muslims who are intent on exercising their right to vote by choosing the lesser of two evils would be better off focusing their energies on exposing this corporatocracy, as John Perkins of ‘Confessions of an Economic Hitman’-fame so aptly refers to it.
Simply choosing to ‘live in dignity’ as an American Muslim is burying your head in the sand ostrich-style. Simply declaring that we are ‘free’ to worship our Lord is not sufficient. Simply washing our hands of the crimes perpetrated by our adopted homeland is not sufficient.
I’m not calling for the shariah. I’m merely calling for basic justice.
The truth of the matter is that justice will be never be implemented by the current system of governance in the US. The powers-that-be will never allow for true justice to prevail. True justice has a price tag they are not willing to pay and requires a sacrifice they are not willing to make.
This is about decades of underhanded oppression that have strangled the peoples of South America, Africa, and Asia.
This is about pushing consumerism to the max, ignoring all social, economical, and environmental ramifications.
This is about supporting (and even installing) despotic regimes all over the world.
This is about the economical hamstringing of the entire Third World by the G8 countries (ingeniously using the IMF and World Bank).
This is about supporting anti-democratic forces against the democratically elected governments of Bolivia, Palestine, and Venezuela (to name a few).
This is about the cancerous banking system that has spread all over the world.
This is about a military-industry juggernaut that has wreaked global chaos with power and greed fuelling its ambitions.
This is about continuously expanding the gulf between the haves and the have-nots, within America and throughout the world.
(BTW, these injustices have taken place under the watch of both parties alike, Democrats and Republicans, so what kind of change are you expecting with Obama again?)
Confronting and ending these injustices is the change we REALLY need.
And sadly, all we American Muslims are concerned with is our ability to build Islamic schools, freely attend the local masjid, wear the hijab unharassed, and vote for Obama.
Fine, ignore the real struggle. Go ahead and claim that you’re doing your part by voting for the lesser of two evils - Just lemme know how the sand tastes down there.
WAW
3 days ago
13 comments:
Assalaamu a'laikum,
Re: Those Muslims who are intent on exercising their right to vote by choosing the lesser of two evils would be better off focusing their energies on exposing this corporatocracy, as John Perkins of ‘Confessions of an Economic Hitman’-fame so aptly refers to it.
An excellent observation, and one often unconsidered by even the "intelligentsia" amongst the Muslims.
Can I get an Ameen ? :-)
Man, I really missed your blog.
Nice to have you back!
Meh.. this is pretty impractical advice.
What Muslims should be doing in USA (and which they seem to be doing) is getting involved politically, showing their voting power has real bite so politicians can accommodate their beliefs, and run for political office themselves. If they hold themselves to high standards, with time, they can reform the system.
Salaam Naeem
I think it isn't the American Muslims who, choosing to participate in the political process, are sticking their heads in the sand.
Rather, I think it is the Muslims who refuse to lend their voices to the call for reform by staying home who are more representative of the proverbial ostrich.
There are two Muslim Congressmen. Two members of the US Congress are Muslim. Members of state legislatures, local judges, and city councils are other positions held by Muslims. That is worthwhile, having Muslims in leadership positions. Also, through effective lobbying Muslims have been able to in some districts get a school holiday for Eid.
I'm not one who chooses a candidate who is the "lesser of two evils," but I don't think it's fair to paint Obama that way. (Or McCain.)
It's true that the country is overwhelmingly run by a small elite group--and they aren't called Republicans or Democrats. And they have for the most part been able to stay in control for the last 30 years. That precisely is what needs to change.
So when I hear Obama calling for change, I understand that very little is actually going to change. But changing that key role to someone who is not a part of that elite, nor who is under their hand (as I think McCain is), does offer a chance for Americans to see a real change in American POSTURE towards the world.
Instead of assuming the aggressive belligerant bully posture which it has maintained for decades now, I think that Obama has just enough strength in his ideals to allow America to open its arms and begin truly interacting with the rest of the world on an even playing field.
People like to bash Bush. Here's a question to consider--if one man really cannot make a difference, just imagine how different the world would look today if Gore had won.
Just one question...what alternative are you proposing? It's easy to talk about all the things that are wrong with the American political system and there are many.
An ostrich sticks its head in the sand and is not aware of what is happening around it.
The prophet (PBUH) proposed a realistic alternative. I didn't see that in your 'analysis.'
AA-
@Abu Dharr, I could be naughty and ask 'which intelligentsia??', but instead I'll simply agree with your comment. :-)
@Gess, thanks for the nice thoughts.
@Mezba, impractical? That's relative my friend. Was it impractical for the Prophet (saw) to take on the entire Quraish aristocracy? Was Mandela's struggle for change impractical? How about Simon Bolivar? And the list of 'impractical' reformers and revolutionaries goes on...
IMO, it is *your* suggestion that is most impractical. Running for political office may afford you greater rights to pray and celebrate Eid, but it will NEVER be a vehicle for real change, the type of change that will upend the current system of corportacracy.
For a small taste of this business-elite system, witness the $700b bailout package, that was supported by both candidates.
AA-
@Amy, I can appreciate your attempts at seeing the glass as half-full (while many may criticize me as being pessimistic in my outlook).
But seriously sis, you gotta be kidding me...
"That is worthwhile, having Muslims in leadership positions. Also, through effective lobbying Muslims have been able to in some districts get a school holiday for Eid."
And that's the 'change we need'? Those two congressmen and any other political positions that Muslims (and others who champion causes of justice and equality) may gain will be mere window dressing. Do you honestly believe they will be able to change the system from within?
You ever read the book 'They Dare to Speak Out' by Paul Findley about the Israeli lobby? Surely, you understand the weight thrown around by huge lobby groups like Big Drug, Big Tobacco, and the Gun Lobby.
Will these powers simply lay down and allow 'mavericks' to come in and change the system?
And this is not even talking about challenging the military-industry complex as well as the imperialistic capitalist machine (IMF/World Bank).
"But changing that key role to someone who is not a part of that elite"
Wait, did you just insinuate that Obama is NOT part of the elite?? Based on what? His actions have shown him to be just as much a puppy of the elite as McCain.
Also, look at who he's surrounded himself with? Biden, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Richard Holbrooke, and many other Clinton-era veterans.
Is he not an elite because he hasn't taken money from big donors? Read this Amy Goodman article on the reality of Obama's 'grasroots' campaign financing.
"I think that Obama has just enough strength in his ideals to allow America to open its arms and begin truly interacting with the rest of the world on an even playing field."
Yeah, even playing field... uh-huh. Like when he emphatically declared Jerusalem as the *undivided* capital of Israel. Like when he called for going into Pakistan with or without Pakistani permission. Like when he condemned Russia for the Georgia conflict, when in reality Georgia initiated the confrontation.
"just imagine how different the world would look today if Gore had won."
Don't forget how Clinton supported the Balkans war, cruise missile attacks on both Sudan and Afghanistan, as well as the genocidal embargo on Iraq. You think a post-9/11 Gore administration would have been busy focusing on the environment??
AA- Anon,
"what alternative are you proposing?"
There are many alternatives grassroots organizations and efforts. Big names like the Green Party, Nader, Cynthia McKinney are some examples. There are many more local orgs that are fighting to true change.
Education is the first step. People need to wake up and get out of their insulated bubbles where running for political office is seen as the source of change.
People need to educate themselves on the realities of the business elite that *really* governs America - not Dems or Repubs.
Or you can just do what I did - run away. ;-)
Assalam o Alaikum Naeem,
You summed it up very nicely. I share your views but I couldn't have said it as effectively as you did.
Stay blessed.
Salaam Naeem,
I see you complaining, bro, and I see you complaining. I'm not so sure it's pessimism or defeatism. Obama certainly qualifies as elite, and I wouldn't say otherwise, but he is not a member of the particular elite to which I was referring. Neither is Bush, for that matter, and neither is McCain. Sadly, McCain is the one I see wagging his tail, politely acquiescing (his running mate selection indicates as much, I think) to that particular group who don't wish to relinquish their control.
The Republicans have been managed by this particular elite for the last 30 years (even during the Clinton years.)
And no, I don't think a Gore presidency would have been all about the environment. But I absolutely think it would not be all about Iraq, as it is today.
And secondly, changing the system is a constant process. It is much easier to affect change from WITHIN than from WITHOUT--*always.* Now, the system has been changing, and changing for the worse. So absolutely there need to be some people "on the inside" like Muslim Congressmen and some other representatives who are able drive the current rather than float on it. They have to "change the tide," as it were, and usher Congress, even the country, in a new direction.
And it is 100% guaranteed that the consequence of not trying is failure.
As Salaamu Alaikum bro Naeem,
Great blog. First time here. But I have to disagree with you on voting in America. I'm not a Citizen yet but will vote inshallah once I become one.
We Muslims are today very busy matching our sofas with the curtains. We are in no way united or organised or have the zeal and resources to challenge the political system that already prevails. Our best bet is to participate in whatever is in place and take it from there. That would be more realistic and considered a good start.
Here's one interview with Dr. Jamal Badawi on the issue of whether or not Muslims should participate in the political process in North America.
Dr. Jamal Badawi is an Egyptian born Muslim Canadian professor in Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is a well-known author, activist, preacher and speaker on Islam and Muslims. He completed his undergraduate studies in Cairo, Egypt and his Masters and Ph. D. degrees at Indiana University in Bloomington, In.
http://soundvision.com/Info/politics/badawi.asp
Some excerpts from the interview:
".....electing or voting for someone who will do less harm to Muslims obviously would be much better than sitting on the sidelines and just criticizing both and doing nothing about it."
"Is it better to try to remove some of that harm than just sitting there and being totally apathetic to what is going on? So yes, in terms of our best judgment, if that is beneficial, yes we can vote, no problem."
"So the idea of weighing harms and benefits of any particular decision is a very legitimate rule of Shariah. To give a little bit more detail on that: what happened when one thing has to take place, in other words, you're given two choices. You have no third choice. One of them would bring more harm. The other would be harmful but the harm would be less.
Obviously, the sensible rules of Shariah here is to accept lesser harm to end a greater harm."
(Note: The third choice mentioned above (Ralph Nader, etc) is very insignificant at the moment)
Apologize for making this too long.
AA- Zakaria,
Welcome and thank you for the comment...
"Is it better to try to remove some of that harm than just sitting there and being totally apathetic to what is going on?"
But those aren't the only two options. Why are we limiting ourselves to vote or do nothing? Whatever happened to changing the system? Why not struggle to educate others on fighting two-party cronyism?
That's what we should be calling for...
well this is the first time that i'm visiting this blog. I completely agree to you Brother Naeem concerning ur opinion on voting.Someone asked for an alternative to voting. Well the alternative is to work for the khilafah. This is the alternative to capitalism. Indeed a khilafah cannot be set up in America. But we have to educate msulims around the world including America about the need to establish khilafah So that when it is back we can perform hijrah to the land of islam or work for it wherever we are.
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