Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi
When Black American civil-right leader, Malcolm X, came for Haj in the early 1960s, he was impressed most with one phenomenon: Islam is truly a global religion. It is ethnic and color blind. Millions of people, from all over the world, came together to answer one call, and pray for one God. He talked in his “Autobiography of Malcolm X,” published shortly after his death, about his experience living in a tent with Muslims having different skin colors — yellow, dark, black … and yes, white!
In Makkah, Malcolm learned to make peace with his fellow humans, especially the “white man.” He returned to America a different man, changed his name to "Malik Shabazz,” established the Sunni “Muslim Mosque Inc,” and the Organization of Afro-American Unity.
No longer Malik believed that Elijah Mohammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam, is a prophet, and that the “white man” is inherently a devil. He disavowed racism, saying, "I realized racism isn't just a black and white problem. It has brought bloodbaths to about every nation on earth at one time or another.”
He admitted: “I did many things as a [Black] Muslim that I'm sorry for now. I was a zombie then—like all [Black] Muslims—I was hypnotized, pointed in a certain direction and told to march. Well, I guess a man's entitled to make a fool of himself if he's ready to pay the cost. It cost me 12 years.”
It cost him more! In a nation torn by racial conflicts, Malcolm eventually paid his life for this change of track! In February 1965, shortly after repudiating the Nation of Islam, he was assassinated by three of its members.
Every year, we have millions of potential Malcolm Xs looking for answers and seeking peace. They leave an earthly life for a heavenly one. In their most sensitive moments, when very much receptive to guidance and change, they need cool sheikhs — those who speak of love, peace and care. In such spiritual time, the last thing they need is a voice of division, hate and argumentation.
If there is a time in life where we should reflect, mediate and be closer to Allah and all His creations, it is there, where everything has started, when Abraham built the House of God in the most sacred place on Earth — Makkah. Let’s use this precious time to preach unity, tolerance and peace. The Muslim Ummah and humanity needs that, desperately. Ameen.
So what do you think, dear readers? Here’s your comments on my last article: “'Haia' cool sheikh!”:
Leniency
“Islam teaches us to be lenient and good mannered especially with those we believe have committed a wrong. Now, Haia members are supposed to enforce Islamic teachings. Get it! Heroic and movies-like actions are simply pitiful. Haia members should be obliged by Islamic teachings, norms, values, and traditions. There are good Haia members, but regretfully, one apple can spoil the whole bunch, and does.” T. Tawfiq
This is the right way to do it
“We need more of this kind of sheikh. Really! You can see that one can promote virtue by kindness. Please transfer this sheikh to a training center and make it compulsory that each and every member of the Haia is trained by him before being released to the field. Well done, cool sheik, well done.” Muhammed
No way!
“No, we do not need the Haia for anything. We have regular police for criminal acts.” Selima
Thumbs up!
“I m living in the Kingdom for more than 20 years and I was really surprised to read the news about "Haia or Mutawah" being polite and with sense of humor in approaching people. I am happy to hear this development. I hope that this story would serve as an eye opener to the rest of the religious police in the Kingdom.” Eli Sarmiento
Good behavior is the key
“It is awesome to reveal the other side of the coin. Role of Haia is as clear as day light for everyone but it must be fulfilled in a friendly way. Haia team must handle people in a polite way and for sure there will be some who will protest and don’t agree with them. This is the situation when attitude and experience matter.” FRK
The impression is that Haia is above law
“This Op-Ed appears to be in defense of Haia, however in effect it has some messages to discipline its members. Right or wrong there is a widely held impression among the expatriates that Haia men are above the law. I think there is a great need to dispel this impression. Unfortunately this will not go away unless its men are tried and punished for overstepping their authority. It is beyond doubt that they often indulge in transgression and get away.” Faiz Al-Najdi
– Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached at kbatarfi@gmail.com. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
