In the post 9/11 world the rules of the game, called life, changed so suddenly and drastically that being and remaining a Muslim has become something close to an impossiblity. Those who have refused to submit find life unbearable. They are ridiculed and hounded evrywhere, even in their own so-called Muslim societies. Only because America wants them to be ridiculed and hounded. They are not with "US" but against "US". They cannot live with "US" in this world. In short, they cannot live.
Period.
They can be labeled 'terrorists, fundamentalists, extremists, militants' without any clear and logical proof and thus become a free game. They can be abducted, imprisoned, and tortured at whim. Governments in most of the Muslim countries stay alert to discern any stir or twitch in the facial expressions of American power. They remain poised to pounce like prey animals on those citizens of their own countries who have the hard luck of being pointed at. Those suspected to be "them" can be incinerated and obliterated and obliviated with impunity - and with some rewards too, for the perpetrator henchmen.
The new era has brought its own vocabulary and lingo with it. People have learned and are learning new terms daily. Enforced disappearance, extraordinary renditions, enemy combatants. Old terms are getting new shades of meaning and horrors and apprehensions associated with them.
World is watching helplessly as American power, directly or indirectly, is weilded with utter disregard for the international human, legal or moral norms. Those lilly hearted but otherwise Muslims find it expedient to draw a line between themselves and "those Muslim fanatics" by striking a safe distance suitably embracing and claiming the "enlightened moderation", secularism or liberalism.
They want to fight for the human rights of all the human race so long as they don't happen to fall into the pariah category: those who think Islam is a unique system of life in its own right with its own values, principles and teachings.
The whole world has either become an accomplice or a spectator. Even spectators are accomplices by default. I am one of them. I have not done enough.
I have found excuses in burying my head in the sand of a thing called work. The drudgery of life. Going through the routine daily chores of putting food on table for my family has become the quintessential duty and only important responsibility for me while thousands of innocent people like Moazzam Begg, Majid Khan and Saifullah Paracha are paying the ultimate price for being Muslims and getting caught in the ever widening net of America's peranoia. They are suffering in the grinders of CIA controlled prisons all over the world for years without any charges brought against them - for the lack of any proof.
What can I do?
I am finding out slowly that I can do some if not a lot. Speaking up is one way. Lately I have started talking to people who I believe are victims or their helpers.
I have also started speaking with those who I think can help in organizing a concerted effort here in USA and put some moral pressure on the main spigots and sources of power that enable the governments in Muslim countries to haunt their own citizens on behest of America.
So far the Pakistanis or Pakistani-Americans have been very reluctant to move in that direction. Friends close to home are busy in doing the same thing: living their normal lives. They may have some willingness but no time or energy to spare for this cause. They want a cause that does not ask for any sacrifice.
The other reason may be that my credentials are not the required sterling one. But I am ready to be led.
I tried the next big city after my home town. Met with some people. Tried to convince them. Called them, emailed them. Nothing. No answer. Lukewarm, at best.
Tried the organizations that are already working. CCR is one of them. Some encouragement there. All set for a meeting. Not until last week of February or the first week of March. Person concerned is on a visit to Guantanamo Bay.
Called ANAA. Spoke with couple of them. Sent them emails and a proposal. But somehow they think I am looking for some "individual service" or "funds". Tried to correct their perceptions. Let us see if anything moves. Long and hard journey ahead, looks like.
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