Corona Jihad. Seriously?
Corona Jihad
We share the global pain. Covid-19 is spreading in India, and in the last few days, the pace has picked up, despite the lock down we are under.
One reason for the sudden uptake, is a large gathering of Muslim clerics (I think) in the Nizammudin mosque. This gathering did have many people from outside India, who may have infected the others.
The timelines of the gathering, the notice to the people who attended this has now become foggy, with the various media outlets giving different versions of the situation.
The behavior of the people was inexcusable. You could call it criminal, especially since their behavior after that has not been civil. It has been hostile.
The media, in the meanwhile, has coined another term, “Corona Jihad”
Jihad
Jihad is one of the most misunderstood terms, by Muslims and non-Muslims. It actually refers to a “Holy War” to become a better person, and to find the divinity within you. RadioFreeEuropeFreeLiberty has a nice article on this
Islam means ‘submission’, and it refers to ‘submission to the will of God’. The enemy of Islam then, is one who does not submit to the will of God.
When these concepts are twisted — by Muslims and non-Muslims — chaos ensues, and this is what has happened over the centuries
Communalism in the time of Corona
Yet, India — my country — is one of the few countries that can take a health crisis like Covid-19, and create a communal issue around this.
We now have TV channels blathering about jihad, and the social media is full of nonsense about how the Muslims are conducting some strange jihad.
This toxic atmosphere has been built up because of the events in India over the last several years. People have been polarized, and this ridiculous.
Boundaries? Borders?
I have not yet known a virus that respects boundaries, be they national boundaries, or boundaries of religion, income, gender, age, caste, color or creed.
It is sad — more than sad — that people should allow themselves to fall into political traps, and wallow in the muck of hate.
Never let it be said that ours is the most intelligent species. We are not.
