Spirit of Islam, October 2016

MUSLIM SEPARATISM IS UN-ISLAMIC I N many countries where Muslims form a minority, Muslim groups are fighting for independence in areas where Muslims are in a majority. Muslim groups living in these areas consider the nonMuslim states they are fighting against to be illegal occupying forces. Much blood has been spilt in the course of these conflicts, but there has been no positive fall-out at all. These conflicts have only made the situation worse for all concerned groups, including, and especially for these Muslim groups themselves. The justification given for these violent conflicts aiming at separation or independence is that non-Muslim majorities are allegedly destroying the Islamic identity or culture of these groups. Hence, they claim that, their demand for independence is legitimate in order to preserve their faith and Islamic identity. This politics of separation undertaken by Muslims in different countries is however, totally un-Islamic. It has nothing to do with Islamic teachings. Politics of this kind is derived from a modern concept called ‘selfdetermination’. Modern political theory says ‘self-determination’ is the right of a nation or people to determine its own form of government without influence from outside. In other words, the right of the people of a given area to determine their own political status. It is this political concept that Muslims have sought to induct into Islam. This politics of separation undertaken by Muslims in different countries is however, totally un-Islamic. It has nothing to do with Islamic teachings. TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE We often talk of peace in the context of war. But this is a very narrow and restricted notion of peace. Peace is deeply linked with the entirety of human life. Peace is a complete ideology in itself. Peace is the only religion for both—man and the universe. It is the master-key that opens the doors to every success. Peace creates a favourable atmosphere for success in every endeavour. Without peace, no positive action—small or big—is possible.