Islam cannot make sense of senseless violence

By Nafissa Assed

Sep 13, 2012

After God Almighty, the Libyan revolution would not have succeeded without the American aircraft radars and many significant efforts done by the American government. When America withdrew their forces from the coalition, Gaddafi easily attacked the city of Ajdabiya and almost broke Misurata. The American government took part and played a major role to save many Libyan civilians during February17th revolution. In a nutshell, unless the help of some of the countries, including the United States of America, to impose a no-fly zone over Libya to save Benghazi from a mass destruction and atrocities which were waiting to happen, thousands of lives in Benghazi wouldn’t have been saved.

Chris Stevens, who was murdered in Benghazi, was a friend of Libya and he tried to give a nice picture of the situation in Libya. He was really sincere in his directions to conduct cooperation between Libya and the United States and quickly opened the channels of communication to facilitate the process for Libyans who want visas to the United States. But sadly, some ignorant and fanatics have a different say, a say to smudge the image of Libya and Libyans in front of the world by such a vicious assault. The tragic attacks in Benghazi brought bitter tears and anger to me and many Libyans due to the loss of Chris Stevens and consequences that may lead Libya down a dark path. Today, not only the Americans, but also Libyans lost a freedom champion.

What was the guilt of Mr. Stevens and other innocent employees about issuing a film against Islam and Prophet Muhammad-peace upon him- that is happening in America? The idea behind the protest was unworthy and just drew unnecessary attention to this worthless film. The American government had nothing to do with it. Many people are still so primitive in their thinking, that instead of focusing on the injustice and intolerance happening in our Muslim countries, they prefer to give extra media hype to Dim-witted idiots overseas? Freedom of speech is everyone’s right and America allowed this film to be released because America is a country of democracy, not a country of autocracy and dictatorship. The answer is to argue against this filth, not to ban or kill.  Many of us think that governments should outlaw things we don’t like because a lot of us have been brought up in dictatorships and can't rid ourselves of this way of thinking.

Prophet Muhammad said: “Whoever has killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise.” Ambassador Chris Stevens was a peaceful person who held good intention for Muslims. Extremists are on fringes of the Libyan society. They are doing nothing but more harm to the country, they are a cancer to Libya and Libya may never go any step forward unless they are strictly stopped.

What happened in Libya yesterday was not a demonstration; it was an act of hate. I don’t believe that an act of hate should be allowed or protected, because if we defend someone's right to hate, then how are we going to protect the innocent people who are hurt or even killed because of a counterattack?

Demagoguery and aggressive demonstrations was never the answer to any wrong. Violent protests for the call to protect a religion neither increase someone’s faith nor enter them to paradise; such acts just keep all the good away and release all the harm from a Pandora’s box.

The prophet Muhammad, peace upon him died and life has gone on and on. Abu Bakr Siddiq, who ruled over the Rashidun Caliphate from 632–634 CE and was the first Muslim Caliph following Muhammad's death said: “Whoever worshiped Muhammad, Muhammad has died and those who worship God, God is alive and does not die”. Muslims can only show love and support to the Prophet by learning and applying the speeches of the Prophet, not by changing a Facebook profile picture or go on violent demonstrations and kill innocent people. Only hypocrites, who commit series of sins and assume they would reach atonement with their guiltiness by pressing the button and outrageously kill innocent people by the name of Islam. Nothing will touch Islam or the prophet Muhammad, not a book, not a movie, not a picture. What touched Islam and the prophet in Libya and in the world is the failure to remember and apply his speeches in our life.

My prayer and sorrow go to the families of the U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens and the three members of his staff.