The followinf article was written in response to, and as a leaflet that was handed out at, the talk ‘Can Muslims trust Obama?’ hosted by UK government funded – The Radical Middle Way organisation on the 16th April at Abrar House.
Can Muslims trust Obama?
“Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least.” Robert Byrne
“Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they’ve told you what it is you want to hear.”
-Alan Coren (English humourist and writer)
“Can Muslims Trust Barack Obama?” Can Muslims trust John McCain? Every election year, ‘American’ Muslims debate as to which electoral candidate will win the US presidential elections. And every election without fail, they mistakenly participate in elections based upon wishful thinking that somehow the next American President they choose will NOT champion aggressive foreign (and domestic) policy which results in Muslims being persecuted, bombed or killed.
During the Al Gore vs George Bush elections, ‘American’ Muslims, wary of Al Gore’s pro-Zionist running mate, decided that the wisest course was to vote for George Bush. Ironically (and sadly), George Bush proved to be the most pro-Zionist aggressive ‘war president’ that America has ever known, with hundreds of thousands of Muslim dead being the result of his presidency. The question arises, are the Muslims partly to blame for voting for George Bush?
Do those who voted bare the responsibility for the sin of a man who ‘represents’ the will of ALL his voters? Whether they should be accountable for using a system of ruling that is inimical to the Islamic belief is another question which many Muslims also try to avoid asking.
Undoubtedly, many Muslims who partook in George Bush’s rise to power will defend their actions saying ‘’we never knew, nor agreed with his actions”, but then they have to come to terms with the ugly reality of democracy – it is not representative.
Muslims need to refocus their attempts on influencing Western society with political activism NOT political participation- There is a difference. One takes a stand, the other condones and legitimises. Is it not the case that when a political party in a more blatantly sham democracy withdraws from elections under protest, this acts to de-legitimise not only the validity of the elections but also the subsequent incoming government?
Muslims should make a better contribution to the dawah to Islam and adopt a non-participation policy towards the democratic process. This will not only serve to distance ourselves, and absolve us of blame from the inevitable selfish driven bloodletting that almost every single American administration to date, has been involved in, it will also serve as a powerful statement as to who is the true sovereign over the affairs of man (Allah [swt]) – this is not disengagement, this is conscientious objection.
America, like every other capitalist nation, has permanent interests, no matter who is in charge; this is why the large corporations (with vested interests) FUND ALL parties. The only difference between one candidate and another is political acumen, but the major policies that pursue American interests internationally and domestically remain unchanged.
Muslims must demonstrate that Islam is a superior way of life, governed by the ideal that all human affairs revolve around the divine purpose of man – the worship of Allah (swt). We must show that only Islam can render a truly just system of law and political accountability, one which is motivated by purely altruistic interests that will have to be pursued no matter who is it’s Caliph.
This is the system of Khilafah, and upon this, let us strive and upon this let us put our trust in Allah (swt), the best resolver of affairs.
“And so judge among them by what Allah has revealed and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they turn you far away from some of that which Allah has sent down to you. And if they turn away, then know that Allah’s Will is to punish them for some sins of theirs. And truly, most of men are Faasiqoon (rebellious and disobedient to Allah). (Quran 5:49)
