This is Your Wake-Up Call

A man in a wheelchair got off the bus at his intended stop. As the bus driver retracted the portable ramp, she noticed the gentleman was stuck on a broken edge of the pavement when he tried to turn the wheels of his chair. She immediately exited the vehicle, followed by another one of the passengers. They both pulled at the wheelchair and pushed it towards a smoother portion of the walkway, so that its’ occupant may have easier access to his destination. 

Such day-to-day situations exemplify the inherent nature of humans to unite and help one another in the face of adversity. Irrespective of race and religion we often see people around us assisting or standing up for others in need – simply on humanitarian grounds. Would you think twice before offering a helping hand to someone who is in visible distress? When you see another being treated unfairly, do you feel a twitch to stand up for them? Something to think about! 

Moving on to the larger scale – there is oppression and injustice prevalent in various parts of the world. Surely a more challenging front to address. There lie the usual hurdles of social structure, racism and intolerance. But we have it in us to stand up with justice, don’t we? Remember: A drop of water is often considered negligible – but combining these drops into an ocean allows the body of water to become a beautiful, majestic and powerful entity. 

Allah swt has created a wide range of people with contrasting cultures, languages, sizes and skin colours. However, in essentials, we are very similar. It is vital for us to recognize this and remove the alienating approach of US versus THEM from our system. Given the freedom of choice and an intelligent mind, humans are bound to differ in opinions and ideas. But despite our differences, it is tolerance that paves the way to a harmonious way of living.

Another thought – education is a revered quality. No doubt, formal academics are an important component of development. Often students complain about why they have to learn algebra and calculus, as these are not applicable in every field or even daily life. In actuality, the purpose is not simply to be accustomed to calculations but in effect, such exercises enhance our cognitive ability. Consequently, learned persons are expected to be progressive and make better decisions. Do we recognise that a good education does not only provide us with professional prospects – it gives us the opportunity to open our minds and think out of the box? Are we not empowered to fight stigma? 

Why is this relevant here? Because we, as today’s youth, have these assets – our focus now comes to the correct and timely application of them. It is well known that ignorance and intolerance are the root cause of division. People with negative intent and corrupt leaders use these factors to their benefit. Our defense is to develop good relations with diverse populations. Communicate. Engage. Spread awareness. Invite healthy discussions on controversies.  

One more facet to ponder upon – Unfortunately we often see segregations amongst our own muslim community. Needless to say, such disparity exhibits an incohesive attitude. In fact, it is not the minor variations of interpreting the Quran and Sunnah which are bothersome. Those who impress upon these subtle deviations often create walls in between. This is where we start – if we can connect as one Ummah, reaching out further will be a lot easier. 

Each era brings its own set of dispute and injustice. The important take home point is that unity has fared well in the test of times. If we learn to coexist and maintain solidarity with each other, nothing can tear us up!