General David Petraeus, US and NATO Commander in Afghanistan has expressed a genuine concern that burning of Koran might endanger American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Rev. Terry Jones of Dove World Outreach Center, Gainesville, Florida has ignored warnings of the commander and showed his determination to go ahead with the controversial act as planned.
Gen Petraeus knows quite well that the mission can't be accomplished without cooperation of Muslim allies. Church's action may escalate into serious tension between our troops and civilian populations. Radical elements maybe considering Rev. Jones's burning of Korans as a long-intended opportunity to get the attention of all Muslims.
Though Obama administration has supported Gen. Petraeus in his apprehension of a large-scale troubles for the troops, yet nothing has been done for the media to air correct image of America’s commitment to freedom of religion. No doubt, National Association of Evangelicals, and National Council of Churches have protested against the action of Florida Church, but in the international media Rev. Terry Jones seems to be allegedly speaking for America.
Reverend David Thompson of Interfaith Bureau addressing a Human rights conclave at West Sacramento Sikh Temple on Saturday appealed that everybody should stand behind American Muslims today as they are inappropriately targeted. As a few radical Islamists should not be allowed to represent the Islam in general and Koran in particular. In the similar vein Rev. Jones and his 50 members shouldn’t be allowed to damage what America stands for. It is a sheer abuse of religious freedom.
The controversy is dangerously pushing things too far. The design seems to be for inflaming never ending war between religions. It is appropriate to learn from history for a better and peaceful world. Read carefully the following verse (original in Punjabi):
“First God created Light
All men and women belong to Nature
When everything came forth from the Divine Light
How can we determine if some are good and others are bad?” Guru Nanak
Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion was born in 1469 when Muslims of Lodi dynasty ruled India. He was a witness to the Mughal Emperor Babar’s invasion of India in 1526. Guru Nanak recorded history relating to tyrannical persecution of Hindus and his other rivals in his verses. Guru boldly condemned Babar and his soldiers as a marriage party of sins, the purpose of which, he said, was to terrorize India. Babar arrested and jailed Guru Nanak. On coming to know about his saintliness, he sought his blessing and promised to follow equal justice for all regardless of race, religion, caste and creed. Verses concerning the definition of a true Muslim are included in Guru Granth Sahib:
"Let Mercy be your Mosque, Faith your prayer Mat
And honest living your Koran.
Make Modesty your circumcision, Good Conduct your fast
In this way, you shall be a true Muslim." Guru Nanak
In another hymn Guru Nanak exhorts as such:
"There are Five prayers, Five times
Let the First be Truthfulness,
the Second honest living, And Third charity in the Name of God
Let the Fourth be Goodwill to all, And Fifth the praise of Lord
Let true deeds be your prayers, and then you may call yourself a Muslim.
O Nanak, the False obtain falsehood, and only falsehood."
Babur’s son Hamanayu and Grandson Akbar continued to seek guidance from subsequent Gurus. Emperor Akbar consolidated Mughal Empire as one of the golden periods in Indian history. Akbar had repeatedly rejected proposals of radical Islamists to impose religious tax on non-Muslims. It was only after his (Akbar’s) death , hardliners succeeded in radicalizing the image of Islam and promoting intolerance for others. Jahangir and Aurangzeb made Mughal dynasty, a reign of terror for majority of Indians.
Within Islam, Aurangzeb made his brother Dara Shikoh, a scholar of Sufi bent of mind, his victim. Aurangzeb usurped Mughal throne from him. He ordered Dara Shikoh to be beheaded, and asked his soldier to present his head as a trophy. Aurangzeb had charged Dara Shikoh for interpreting Islam as a peaceful religion.
The turning point in Indian history came after Akbar’s death, because his son Emperor Jahangir started the regime of terror by torturing and killing Nanak V (Guru Arjan Dev) in 1606. Auranzeb repeated it by ordering beheading of Nanak IX (Guru Teg Bahudar) in 1675.
Sikhs suffered so much at the hands of radical Islamists, but Sikh Gurus never allowed it to become a battle between Sikhism and Islam. Many devout Muslims fought for Sikh Gurus and believed in the interfaith nature of Sikhism. The admission of Untouchables in Sikhism had also annoyed radical proponents in Hinduism.
Sikh Gurus honored saints of all denominations who strictly preached Oneness of God and oneness of mankind. Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs has verses of three dozens other saints belonging to Islam, Hinduism, and Untouchables.
Nanak V who compiled Sikh scriptures had requested a revered Muslim Sufi Saint Sain Mian Mir to lay the foundation of Sikhs’ famous shrine Golden Temple in Amritsar (India).
It has doors in four directions extending a welcome to people from the entire globe in recognition of Unity of Mankind.
Six Sikh Gurus’ verses not only highlight the unity of God preached by other saints, but also emphasize that we are good or bad not by being born in different religions and denominations, but by succeeding and failing in waging internal war on five vices of mind: Lust, Wrath, Greed, Attachment, and Ego. Guru Nanak asserts that no one can be a true follower of God while at the same time practicing and obeying authority of the five vices. Sikhs are no exception in this regard.
Rev Jones’s attempt to paint Koran as a book of the Devil is to please the Devil only. Devil isn’t the exclusive domain of any particular group, we all partner in his incarnation when we take guidance from our wayward mind engrossed fully in greed and grouse.
The poignant tragedy of September 11, 2001 can’t be diminished by projecting hatred from its 'hallowed grounds'. Thousands of valiant soldiers have laid their lives to stand for American values. The controversial decision of Florida church is to make desperadoes hijack the determination of those Muslims who want to live in peace with their neighbors as proud Americans.
A meaningful and timely intervention can only avert an ugly situation.
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