Sincerity and humanitarian democracy is the only remedy

What can be done in today's world where the balance of power disfavors Muslims? A review of the initial years of Islam and the subsequent eras during which Islam became a popular religion reveals that sincerity is what matters most. Reliance on coercive measures to promote Islam is in any case against its basic premises.

There is no legitimate balance of power in the world; in addition, Western hegemony is still decisive in dominating and colonizing the world through the globalization process. The Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks provided a great opportunity for the West to achieve its goals. Five days after the attacks, the then-US President George W. Bush, after a consultation meeting with his national security advisers in Camp David, addressed the American people and said, “This crusade, this war on terrorism is going to take a while. And the American people must be patient.” After this speech, Afghanistan and Iraq were invaded. The “clash of civilizations” thesis was converted into antagonism against Islam. But most importantly, bloody sectarian wars have become prevalent in the Middle East and the wider Islamic world. Muslims who are not supposed to fight each other developed hostility and hatred among themselves.

The replacement of George W. Bush by Barack Hussein Obama as president for two consecutive terms did not mean that the US gave up its crusade or offered an apology to the Islamic world. Bush invaded Afghanistan and Iraq, while a new page was opened in Libya, Syria and Egypt during Obama's term. The Arab Spring started in the Middle East. A military coup was tolerated in Egypt, but neither the US nor Europe recognized it as a proper coup. The West has been promoting democracy, human rights and freedoms in different parts of the world, but it remained silent on delicate issues that would undermine its interests. They still teach lessons on human rights and democracy to other countries just as if they had not remained silent about the coup in Egypt.

All domestic matters in the Islamic world and Turkey are closely followed and controlled by the West. A Muslim cannot abandon his or her religious duties and responsibilities as he or she asks for Allah's blessing. Muslims can never give up on preventing evil and promoting good. But what should be done in today's world where there is no legitimate balance of power and power is not used for the promotion of good?

My personal opinion is that Muslims should rely on the most influential method our dear Prophet Muhammad and his companions pursued in their lives: sincerity in action and speech. By reliance on this option, Muslims will deliver a strong message to the people who suffer from the lack of a proper ethical code in their lives, so that they will take an inner journey. By this, people will remember their humane ethical codes. Given that individual freedoms and universal humanitarian values are popular and freedom of expression and religion is being promoted, the most influential method and option for attainment of a global peace is reliance on sincerity in action and speech. This will eventually become influential; new generations will agree on humanitarian values and will create a humanitarian democracy. People who are sick of wars, polarization and terror will experience peace after the establishment of bridges of peace.

We can only serve as representatives and sponsors of sincere action, ethics and a humanitarian stance.

I will take a brief recess from my column for my annual leave of absence.