Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Women's Jihad Against Violence

A manifesto from W.I.S.E that is well worth reading:
http://www.wisemuslimwomen.org/about/shuracouncil/#jihad

Excerpt:

Why a Jihad Against Violence

“O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) God and seek means of nearness to Him and strive hard [jahidu] in His way, that you may be successful.” Surah 5, v 35.

Jihad means “striving or endeavoring in the way of God.” We are dedicated to combating all forms of violence – especially violence carried out in the name of Islam – across the spectrum of violent extremism to domestic violence. We, Muslim women, must reclaim the mantle of cultural,intellectual, and religious authority, declaring our opposition to violence with a powerful and unified voice.

We must announce our commitment to resisting injustice generally and violence specifically through peaceful means and from the unique perspective of women. We must speak comprehensively and holistically to a diversity of discourses to effectively oppose violence.

We must act upon our positions by preventing our children and members of our communities from subscribing to a deviant understanding of our faith and by creating institutions, mechanisms, and systems able to successfully combat violence. Already, thousands of organizations led by Muslim women courageously and effectively tackle violence on a daily basis. We must support these efforts, unifying our individual efforts to ‘command the good and forbid the evil,’ as decreed in the Qur’an.

Most importantly, we must affirm peace. We must think, speak, and act, both wisely and courageously, overflowing with a powerful spirit of mercy, justice, and peace.
This is our Jihad Against Violence. ... http://www.wisemuslimwomen.org/about/shuracouncil/#jihad

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