- Aug 17, 2010
- 1,037
- 564
(May 7, 2014)
Boko Haram: and the Propaganda of War, Part 1
Assalaamu Alaikum (Greetings of Peace):
What is the professed religion of the rebels in Ukraine? What about the religion of the government forces opposing them? What are the religious creeds of violent protagonists in other hot spots around the world? Religious creed is never front and center in mainstream media's reporting on most of the global community's intractable conflicts. Why not? And why is it quite the opposite when the alleged criminals (or "terrorists") are believed to be from the Muslim world? Why must they always be identified in the media as "Muslim terrorists" or "islamist militants?"
The Rwandan genocide was carried out by Christians (at the time Rwanda was hailed as the most Christianized country on the African continent). The massive killings taking place right now in South Sudan are being perpetrated by Christians and animists, while the drug-related massacres in parts of Mexico and Colombia are perpetrated by criminals who also profess to be practicing Christians. But religious affiliations are never reported in mainstream media's coverage of these disturbing events. Why not?
The US Department of State, and a number of other government agencies, have reported that Boko Haram funds its criminality primarily by robbing banks, kidnappings for ransom, and various forms of extortion. It is also known to attack mosques and Muslims, as well as non-Muslim Nigerians. So with government intelligence agencies, and well-funded media organizations possessing this intel, why are repeated references being made to "Islam," "Shariah," and the like when discussing this criminal network operating in the shadows of Nigeria?
The kidnapping, trafficking and/or killing of innocents is haram (forbidden) in Islam. Furthermore, true Islam - based upon The Qur'an and Prophetic Sunnah (the authentic record of the sayings and practices of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him) - does not impose its practice or belief system on others.
These FACTS are well known to many of the people reporting on the Boko Haram phenomenon in Nigeria. So again, the public representations of this crime against humanity, to date, beg an answer to the question - why?
To be continued....
El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan
Boko Haram: and the Propaganda of War, Part 1
Assalaamu Alaikum (Greetings of Peace):
What is the professed religion of the rebels in Ukraine? What about the religion of the government forces opposing them? What are the religious creeds of violent protagonists in other hot spots around the world? Religious creed is never front and center in mainstream media's reporting on most of the global community's intractable conflicts. Why not? And why is it quite the opposite when the alleged criminals (or "terrorists") are believed to be from the Muslim world? Why must they always be identified in the media as "Muslim terrorists" or "islamist militants?"
The Rwandan genocide was carried out by Christians (at the time Rwanda was hailed as the most Christianized country on the African continent). The massive killings taking place right now in South Sudan are being perpetrated by Christians and animists, while the drug-related massacres in parts of Mexico and Colombia are perpetrated by criminals who also profess to be practicing Christians. But religious affiliations are never reported in mainstream media's coverage of these disturbing events. Why not?
The US Department of State, and a number of other government agencies, have reported that Boko Haram funds its criminality primarily by robbing banks, kidnappings for ransom, and various forms of extortion. It is also known to attack mosques and Muslims, as well as non-Muslim Nigerians. So with government intelligence agencies, and well-funded media organizations possessing this intel, why are repeated references being made to "Islam," "Shariah," and the like when discussing this criminal network operating in the shadows of Nigeria?
The kidnapping, trafficking and/or killing of innocents is haram (forbidden) in Islam. Furthermore, true Islam - based upon The Qur'an and Prophetic Sunnah (the authentic record of the sayings and practices of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him) - does not impose its practice or belief system on others.
These FACTS are well known to many of the people reporting on the Boko Haram phenomenon in Nigeria. So again, the public representations of this crime against humanity, to date, beg an answer to the question - why?
To be continued....
El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan