I RESPOND TO FIVE QUESTIONS posed to me in your Question Time section of your SATURDAY SUN newspaper of May 27, 2017, by “Peas and Rice”.
Question 1 asks if I accept that Islam has a negative image amongst many people in many parts of the world. The answer depends through which lens and under which microscope a person wishes to view Islam.
I think that for some people, their view of Islam and Muslims is largely shaped by what they read and see in the media, especially the Western media. Taking an opinion or view from these sources can lead one to have a very negative image. Researching what Islam truly is can ultimately lead one to the truth
of this faith, like thousands have done and embraced.
Question 2 asks if I appreciate the need to constantly condemn the brutality done in the name of Islam. The short answer is no. I don’t believe I need to condemn every act carried out by a lunatic, fanatic or misguided individual, whether he claims to be following Islam or not. Does every Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, Barbadian, American, Chinese, black, white, or red-skinned person need to condemn the horrific actions of persons of their kind?
Question 3 asks my opinion on leaders of my faith coming out to condemn violence against other people.
I believe everyone is entitled to respond as they see appropriate. If they feel comfortable coming publicly and speaking, then I am sure they would. If they feel that enough is being said by those speaking out, then perhaps they don’t see the need to also speak.
Question 4 asks whether I agree that condemnation of the bombing in Manchester should have been forthcoming from the local Muslim community. I do not agree. As outlined in my response to Question 2, I am not of the opinion that every time a misguided individual does a horrific act, I must link myself to him or her.
Closer scrutiny of the terrorist acts carried out in recent times in many Western cities and in the latest in Manchester shows that these individuals have left no rationale behind for their actions. The so-called experts immediately link these acts to so-called “Islamic fundamentalism”. And ISIS loves to stake claim to all these acts of barbarism.
Delve a little further and one will find that the bomber in Manchester was recruited at age 16 by the British to fight against Gaddafi and overthrow him. Where has these seeds of hate and militancy been sowed? Four days after the tragic events in Manchester, a Caucasian, Jeremy Christian, in Portland, United States, stabbed to death two men who attempted to prevent him from harassing two teenage girls, one a Muslim, on a train. Does “Peas and Rice” agree that condemnation of this horrendous act should have been forthcoming from the local Christian community?
Question 5 asks whether other members of my faith should interact more with Bajans. My answer: most other members of my faith in Barbados are Bajan.
– SULEIMAN BULBULIA
