Why Muslims should rethink Palestine

By Ramzy Baroud

Thousands of faithful assiduously listened as I outlined the challenges facing Palestine and its people. Cries of “Allahu Akbar” - God is Great - occasionally resounded from a corner of the giant South African mosque. Many whimpered as I described the tragedy that had befallen Gaza as a result of the Israeli siege. They cheered, smiled and nodded as I emphasised how the will of the Palestinian people would not be defeated. A few older people at the front simply wept throughout my talk, which preceded a Frid?y sermon in Durban a few months ago.

The result was most disappointing. There was no clear strategy, no attempt at relevance, and no tangible difference to be yielded from the support of hundreds of millions of Muslims worldwide.

In a way, such failure is symptomatic of a much greater ailment that has long befallen Muslims. After the demise of the Ottoman Empire, the concept of a Muslim Ummah (nation) - demarcated by real spatial and political lines - was replaced by references to a nation that existed within indefinable intellectual boundaries. This concept was shrewdly patronised by various Arab and Muslim leaders throughout history, who insisted that they - and they alone - represented the political centrality of that impalpable?Muslim body. Therefore, owing to the centrality of the Palestinian cause to Islam, these leaders also adopted the Palestinian cause as there own, even if that relationship remained confined to fiery speeches and heartrending Friday sermons.

In other words, Palestine, for many Muslims existed as part of a collective imagination, solidified with unifying symbols such as Al Aqsa Mosque, and references to specific verses in the Holy Koran. Such tactics worked wonders, as helpless but fervent Muslims donated generously, or chanted the name of whomever posed as the saviour of the “Islamic land of Palestine” and its holy mosque.

Unfortunately, some resorted to the same exclusivist language of the past, itself rich in religious positivism. This may not always be intentional, but it is likely to weaken international solidarity, or, at best, relegate Muslim relevance to a group of people whose link to Palestine is merely religious.

At this advanced stage of the solidarity, which shows Palestine once again at the top of international agenda, including in civil societies around the world, Muslims must redefine their link to Palestine, based on the values and principles reflected in Islam. But they must also present it in universally shared ideal, speaking a unified and unifying language. While they must proudly embrace their symbols, they should also understand that the fight is one for freedoms and rights, and not specific corporeal l?cations.

Muslims must stand, hand in hand, with people from all different backgrounds, not as exclusive owners of the Palestinian struggle, but as proud contributors to a global movement that wishes to ensure that justice is served, rights are attained and peace for all is realised.