Muslims need to be careful about their perception

Story by  Atir Khan | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
Indian Muslim women
Indian Muslim women

 

Atir Khan

When the Taliban captured Kabul, there was a vindication or sorts among a section of the Muslim community that Muslim warriors prevailed over combined might of the world superpowers. 

These undercurrents of jubilation in the Muslim community were not only misplaced but also damaging. Any expression of joy over the Taliban victory would be misinterpreted as Muslims condoning a violent way of life.

Let’s put it this way- Would any Muslim like to send their children under the tutelage of Taliban? All sane people would say a big -No. So, this Khushfehmi (a false feeling of euphoria) that Taliban have taught world superpowers a lesson would do more damage than any good to the Indian Muslims.

Nobody can deny that the US had done excesses in Iraq and Afghanistan but celebrating what is being perceived as their defeat would mean that Muslim approve of the Taliban way of life. Horrific memories of the violence perpetrated by the Taliban of the 90s are unforgettable and nightmarish.

What we are seeing in Afghanistan today is the Taliban who claim that they are not the Taliban of the 90s. They say they are back – but in a new avatar. They are inclusive and progressive in their mindset. So, there is no need for any badgumani (misconception) either that Taliban could not change or should not be given a chance to mend their ways. We could only hope they would change and become civilised.

So, when the Taliban came around the second time the anti-US sentiments were so intense that the Muslims forgot that a large population of Afghan Muslims were miserably suffering and even scared for their lives if they stayed in Afghanistan any longer.

One could understand this primarily happened due to the sentiments, which had been brewing after what happened after the 9/11 attacks. Back then the US had carried out its anti-Islamist propaganda, and attacked Iraq and Afghanistan. Both the countries were heavily pounded with the scariest military hardware. The US created an anti-Islamist narrative, which went out of control and eventually started targeting Muslims in general. The US and NATO forces attacked Iraq and Afghanistan. Anti-Islamist propaganda assumed dangerous proportions and became an anti-Muslim propaganda and started adversely affecting the entire Muslim community. It turned into Islamophobia and gave rise to more terrorism.

The US propaganda may not have been aimed at Muslims in general, but the fallout was that most Muslims had to suffer in some way or the other. They were looked with suspicion at airports or other places where identity has to be checked. So, the feeling of vindication after Taliban victory is the manifestation of all the sufferings of the past.

While the US is being criticised for its past actions, Muslim community must learn from the US experience. By eulogising Taliban’s violence, Muslims inadvertently are creating another dangerous narrative, which could further damage their image. The jubilation of Taliban victory will only give fringe groups an opportunity to create a counter narrative that Muslims are pro-Taliban and are oblivious to the human sufferings in Afghanistan and that they approve of violence and therefore cannot be trusted.

India has been very kind to the Afghan refugees, as they arrive here using e-visa facilities. Irrespective of their religion they are being provided with shelter in India. India’s approach towards the Taliban should be left to the foreign policy makers to decide. It is not something which will be decided on the streets, drawing rooms or TV news channels.

Indian Muslims should unambiguously say their stand on Taliban would be nothing but the stand of the Indian Government. Heart-wrenching visuals of children, women and elderly persons desperately trying to get out of the clutches of the new regime have disturbed all Indians alike and not just the Muslims here. Nobody can remain insensitive to human suffering of that magnitude.

So, it’s better to hold your horses and let the Government decide the way forward. There are various options before it. First, wait and watch and see what’s happening there. Second, to accept the Taliban rule like other countries have started doing and the third one is not to have a relation with them. Foreign policies are decided the way things are and not the way we want them to be. So, let’s have some patience.