We live in a paradox. Ours is a funny society where we (as Muslims) by our own ignorance, mischief or inaction, are sometimes more biased against ourselves and our own interests than non-Muslims, This self marginalisation (excuse the cliche) aids the single-minded determination of the enemies of Islaam in their lost battle for the Muslim soul; so much so that we sometimes do more damage against ourselves than they ever can. The most obvious instance of this failing is in the mismanagement of information and education. Information and education are the two key concepts for living in any dynamic society.
These concepts are crucial for Muslims since ours is a way of life founded on knowledge. Yet, the interpretation of information and the presentation of education from the Muslim perspective have suffered terrible abuse, the result of which is that many Muslims will believe any lie about other Muslims or about the teachings of lslaam, once it is presented to them from the judeo-Christian western perspective. On the other extreme, many are so intellectually lazy that they are not bothered about the effects of what they imbibe. Either way, we are brainwashed to become willing tools in the hands of hidden manipulators. Can we even know the truth when we see it, talk less of following it?
Today, the print and electronic media remain the most easily accessible for a for information and education. But, if you consider the use to which the mass media has been put by our antagonists in recent times, you cannot but keep asking that irritating question over and over: What can we do about a mass media so desperate to misrepresent the Muslim viewpoint and so free to distort the Muslim position on issues? - they even insist on interpreting Islaam for us and presume to teach us not only what to believe, but how to believe.
Have you ever been bothered by the penchant of the media to almost always present pseudo-Muslims and non-Muslims to articulate the Muslim viewpoint? This is why the stereotypical Muslim face and voice worldwide is that of the "fanatic" and "fundamentalist". It is also why an Ahmadi can confidently impersonate Muslims and moderate one of the most popular Yoruba radio programmes for Muslims in the Lagos area (another writes the column for Muslims in one of Nigeria's major newspapers).
And, since the real Muslims have failed to do anything about these open insults, the impostors goon misleading Muslims on the core teachings of the Deen. We are then confronted with the task of helping to improve our outlook as Muslims; a mission to forge a unique means of presenting education and interpreting information from the Muslim perspective. Deen Digest was founded for the first leg of this challenge. In response to the second leg, this column made its debut in the Muharram 1422 (March/April 1001) edition of Deen Digest.
Our intention was to briefly examine the current issues of the day and their impact on Muslims. Having recognised that information and education are fundamental needs which require careful and responsible handling - particularly in view of the peculiar situation of today's Muslim - this column sought to help make a change. We are not under the illusion that this effort will work any drastic miracle; only that an effort must be made as part of the change process. Contemporary Issues has sought to see how current issues impact on us, and to articulate the Muslim viewpoint, as much as humanly possible without the bias of sentiment or the luxury of needless antagonism.
It is natural that you, the reader, might not agree with some of our views or interpretations, but you are nevertheless the better judge of how well we have met our challenge. We thank you for keeping faith, particularly those who have given us the benefit of your views on the issues we have raised. Over time however, we have discovered the limitations of this column and the challenge that arises for a definitely more incisive, detailed but no less clear-headed examination of contemporary issues from the Muslim perspective.
We note that Muslim owned media who attempt to provide an alternative view are forced to make a hard compromise; they have to sacrifice their founding principles on the altar of mass acceptability. An understandably hard choice to make in a society where principles hardly put food on anyone's table! We must however get out of the "victim" mindset and chart our own course. How is it that most Muslim voices you hear are defending this or that allegation? Compare Fridays on radio or television with Sundays (any other day, even). The fact that the "enemies without" (contrasted with the "enemies within") will fail in their stratagems (as Allaah has promised) does not excuse our inaction. We must therefore present viable alternatives to media that persist in reporting and interpreting events from a starkly jaundiced perspective.
To meet this wider challenge, we have started OASIS, a bi-weekly publication on contemporary issues. With OASIS, we are attempting what no other publication has done hitherto. A magazine entirely devoted to issues. OASIS is published every other week, which means that we are able to examine issues on a more immediate basis. It is distributed primarily by subscription, which means that we deliver to our readers wherever they are. Immediacy, flexibility, currency and accessibility are therefore primary features of OASIS which make it a worthwhile experience. The challenge has not been easy, but our readers make the difference, and with your support and encouragement, we are set to commence the transformation process. As we say in OASIS, it's a desert out there, you need the OASIS perspective!
Quasim Odunmbaku, Lagos.
Qilasim Odunmbaku is project co-ordinatcr of OASIS, a bi·weekly magazine of contemporary issues.