Justice for All --- The path to Peace

Many Muslim countries are in turmoil but in a world where extremist groups exist regardless of faith, to call terrorism a “Muslim problem” is unfair. Absence of peace is one indication of injustice and injustice leads to feelings of animosity, hate and frustration. And once these feelings go out of hand, it might force common people to take law into their own hands sometimes as individuals or sometimes under the umbrella of terrorist groups. Whatever the case, Islam condemns taking of innocent life and calls killing of one innocent as killing of the whole mankind (Quran 5:33). It commands believers to refrain from creating disorder (Quran 2:12) and to act with justice even when culprits may be relatives (Quran 4:136)

Just a few weeks ago Mr. Obama came out with a "transparent" policy about the use of drone attacks that revolved around limiting drone usage except in Pakistan. As a Pakistani immigrant, I feel deeply disturbed. I have a deep affection for America not only because it is my adopted homeland but, because it is a country built on principles of equality, freedom of speech, religion and justice for all. Nevertheless, I naturally feel sympathetic for what happens in Pakistan not because it is perfect but because my roots are there.

Do not get me wrong, we have every right to protect ourselves from all terrorist attacks and some might argue that we should thank the use of drones for this success in curbing terrorism but in a country where just this year, toddlers killed more Americans than terrorists, has the “War on terror” gone too far?

A commentator rightly compared this policy to a person going on diet except for the “extremely tasty” things. Data visualization released by an interactive design firm on May 25 in Berkeley this year reveals that in the last decade or so, more than three hundred drone attacks were done in Pakistan alone. But, it is shocking to note that less than 2% of the three thousand killed were high profile terrorists and rest were civilians including around 175 children.

For those who want Muslims to stand up and propose a solution to rid the world of extremism and violence, the worldwide Spiritual Leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad in his keynote address at the European Parliament in December last year emphasized that “Governments need to make policies that establish and protect mutual respect, through which hurting the sentiments of others or causing them any type of harm should be outlawed”.

And just this May, on a historic visit to the West Coast, he further added on the same topic, “The key to peace is to stop cruelty and oppression wherever it occurs with justice and equality. Only when this principle is followed will global peace develop.”

Therefore, hearing Mr. Obama’s policy made me wonder. What happened to the country built on “justice for all”? Are our policy makers giving value to life differently based on nationality, race or religion? Is the life of 20 children who were brutally killed in Sandy Hook massacre any way superior to those 69 who died in the drone attack of 2006 at a school in Pakistan?

As a mother, my heart cries for both. Sandy Hook victims or drone attack victims, all children are innocent and there is no justice in loss of innocent life.

Hence, one answer to eradicate terrorism is establishment of justice and equality among people and among nations alike. As citizens of a world leader that boats to stand for human rights, peace and justice, we have a great responsibility on our shoulders. After a decade, we should realize that it is not possible to win the “war on terror” by sheer force; we might have to win hearts by standing for absolute justice.