Sheikh Salman, who is the General Director of IslamToday emphasized that current events internationally have contributed to the growing atmosphere of violence in Muslim lands, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine.
He sees that, more and more, people in Muslim countries are resorting to violence as a means to effect change, because of the impact that violent behavior has on people.
Therefore, he stressed that the problem of violence needs to be dealt with in a frank and unequivocal manner, complaining that “some people shy away from speaking out about violence, or think that doing so will play into the hands of certain interests. Some people are afraid to speak plainly about the problem of violence, because they want to avoid a backlash.”
He also said that it is not enough to just speak about those who are engaged in violent behavior. “What we say must be directed at all Muslims. They need to hear a decisive Islamic stance on this dangerous situation that affects the lives of everyone.”
He also criticized those who wish to capitalize on the violence in Muslim countries as a means to criticize Islamic trends in society by making sweeping accusations against all Islamic groups. “It is as if they found in these violent events a means to condemn all Islamic discourse.”
Sheikh Salman pointed out that most of the people who show sympathy for violent movements are not motivated by ideology as much as they are motivated by frustration. Anger at the deteriorating situation in their countries causes some people to sympathize with the perpetrators of violence. “Many people are angry with their circumstances, but have no clear aim or will to make a change.”
Sheikh Salman appealed to the governments of Arab states to do as much as possible to provide an environment for their citizens that is conducive to justice. This will bring greater security “because when violence occurs, it targets society as a whole.”
The Sheikh also believes that getting the people involved in projects of development and reform gives a sense of stability to individual members of society and provides an outlet for their aspirations. “It is a strategic solution that we need in order to confront the present ongoing strife.”
With respect to the role Islamic groups must play in combating violence, he stressed that “Islamic groups are a reality in our societies that we cannot get away from, and it is not possible to simply refuse to recognize them. In some cases, Islamic groups in Arab countries have more power than political parties. It provides greater transparency to acknowledge their existence and discuss them openly, to find out what these groups have going for them and what they have going against them.”
Sheikh Salman called upon Islamic groups to communicate a clear message to reassure society. “These groups must be held accountable and they must be brought to shoulder their responsibility. They must do away with any ambiguity about their activities, their outlook, and their ideas. They must be clear in their disavowal of violence.”
He added “Islamic groups need to have the courage to be frank and direct in clarifying their bad past track records so they can present themselves to the public in a more positive and clearer light.”
In turn, Sheikh Salman appealed to Muslim governments and society to deal normally with members of Islamic groups, affording them the same rights as any other citizens, because “experience has shown us that groups that integrate themselves in the political process or in society are open to the public purview and do not feel the need to act in a secretive manner. This keeps these groups away from making mistakes, just as sunlight kills germs.”
Sheikh Salman regards those groups that present themselves as an alternative to the government to be doing nothing other than “setting the stage for future conflict, because confining all change to political change is neither rationally sound nor Islamically correct. Any program of change has to be a cooperative effort to reconsider the values and opinions of the people. What good is it to get rid of a fascist regime with secular trappings only to replace it with a fascist regime with Islamic trappings?”
Sheikh Salman called for the need to address the issue of violence in Islamic terms and expose any act of violence perpetrated in Islam’s good name, adding that “the Islamic stance against violence must be delivered forcefully and consistently at all times, not just as a momentary reaction to violent acts when they take place.”
He concluded, saying “We need an Islamic discourse that is insightful, moderate, responsive, and independent. It needs to have credibility, and be given in a spirit that leaves the listener without any doubt that it is being spoken sincerely for the pleasure of Allah, and not to appease those in power whether politician or Mullah”
Mohammed Abbasi 