Muslims in India are a significant minority. As of today, of a population of 1.3 billion every sixth person is a Muslim (which is a whopping 14.5%). It is estimated that in the next few decades India will be home to the largest number of Muslims any where in the world, however a cursory glance at the statistics show that Muslims make up less than 2% of the legislature and 2.5% of the bureaucracy (as per the Sachar committee report). The participation of Muslims in the armed forces is again a dismal 3% (according to unofficial sources). What is even more disappointing is the per capita income of the average Indian Muslim as he finds himself at the bottom of the social ladder even below the Dalits (who were marginalized for centuries).
Its high time we ask ourselves, how did we allow us to get into such a vulnerable position? Is the Indian Muslim a less patriotic, freeloading spectator who is happy to sit on the side-lines without any active interest in nation building or self-improvement? Or more importantly now that we have got ourselves into such an unfavourable situation, how do we intend to journey on from here?
As Muslims, we are no strangers to trials and hardships and in every time and age we have overcome these hardships by virtue of the guidance from the Quran and the prophet (PBUH). Even in these days it is the same glorious Quran that we turn to, for guidance. One of the most prominent verses that strikes me in the light of trials and hardships, is the verse from Surah Ash – Sharhh (94 – 5,6), For Indeed with hardship (will be) ease [ Fa inna ma’al ‘usri Yusra], Indeed with hardship (will be) ease [ inna ma’al ‘usri Yusra]. It calls upon Muslims to stand up and face the difficulties and to do your duty as Muslims. Again, it is here where we have to ask ourselves, if we have been faithful to our duties, to look into the mirror and be honest with ourselves.
We live in an age of science and technology, of entrepreneurship and enterprise. The world is changing rapidly and nations has been more interconnected with each other than before. If we continue to sit by without an active participation and contribution to the modern society, we will soon be left out, and left for scraps.
Many communities have been successful in their own right, however if there is one community whose success has been spectacular or even jealous worthy, is the Jewish community. Of the 900 Nobel laurates of great distinction more than 200 (20%) of them are Jews. Their contributions cut across every facet of human life from art and literature to cutting edge science and economics. In comparison the Muslim community that numbers 1.8 billion (150 times larger than the Jewish population) has contributed to merely 12 Nobel laurates (of which 7 of them were awarded peace prize).
The Jews were marginalized in Europe for centuries, banned from major universities and positions of power, however they invested in themselves only to come up on top and to become the “leaders of the free world”. It is of great interest and worth studying, how the Jews faced extreme hardships and eventually triumphed every obstacle. As we find ourselves in a precarious position, we can look up to them and identify the traits that are worth emulating.
A sense of belonging and kinship, is something that is deeply entrenched in the Jewish community and they leave no stone unturned in helping each other, or to strive towards a common goal. The Kibbutz is a prime example of such mutual cooperation and self-reliance. Though the earlier Kibbutz were centred around farming, today they have come a long way (however the central idea of self-reliance and enterprise remains the same). When you are able to take care of yourself without depending on others, it instils a sense of pride and confidence. And when you can extend your economic output outside the Kibbutz you have leverage over others. The modern-day Kibbutz are a melting pot of tech hubs, business enterprise and innovation. Can the Muslim community encourage such groups that will bring together educated minds and take on the challenges that the modern world throws at us? From combating climate change to technological innovations, to business enterprise, the possibilities when a group of sharp minds come together, are limitless.
Another notable Jewish tradition is the Bar Mitzwah, when boy/girl comes of age (usually 13), it is proclaimed that he or she is accountable for their actions and promises to be a responsible member of the community. This instils the child with sense of accountability and purpose. They are expected to be more independent, to chart their own course and grow up to become more responsible adults, with a fire in their belly to take on the world. Can we Muslims inculcate this sense of purpose and accountability to our Kids from an early age? A sense of direction and sense of purpose so that our youth do not go astray? So that a keen sense of contribution to the community and society at large is engrained in them from a young age?
Last but not the least, what is worth highlighting is the importance of service in the armed forces. Serving in the armed forces elevates an individual in many other facets of life. It instils tremendous self-discipline that turns individuals into natural leaders. Many who return to civilian life go on to achieve great distinctions in other fields owing to the natural tendency for leadership and organizational capabilities they have imbibed from the country’s armed forces. How many of our Muslim mothers are willing to send their sons in harms way for our country’s sake? At least the numbers so far are not encouraging.
We as a community are blessed with God’s guidance and we are commanded to stand up for good. As Muslims we are commanded to work for harmony and friendship across all communities and to be fair in all our interactions with everyone else. Our deen naturally protects us from the many vices in the society, and only if we could channel our energies in the right way, as a community we would be the indomitable face of tomorrow. It is our time to seize the narrative and not be a spectator anymore, to be a part of the mainstream and contribute to the benefit of every one (Muslim and Non Muslim alike) and to become the champions of Mankind. I would like to believe that this serves as a wakeup call, a clarion call, for the Muslim community to strive better and to become the leaders of tomorrow
