Why the silence over mosque attacks in Iraq?

Sean Augustin, The Rakyat Post

WHENEVER Islam is said to be insulted, under threat or challenged, there will be banner-carrying, rally-organising and fist-pumping defenders of the faith.

It is understandable. The sanctity of the religion is of great significance, even though I don’t agree to gatherings to express sentiments that also see baseless claims and fiery rhetoric enveloping the air.

These groups repeatedly warn non-Muslims against challenging or questioning the nation’s official religion, even though at times groups like Isma, Perkasa and individuals like Datuk Zulkifli Noordin can’t distinguish between fact and faction.

However, following reports of wanton destruction of religious sites in Iraq, I found something louder than angry rants made by such quarters.

Their deafening silence over the demolishing of mosques by the Islamic State (formerly Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or ISIL) terrorists.

Pictures on the Internet show that Sunni shrines were bulldozed and Shia mosques were destroyed with explosives.

Let’s get one thing straight. The destruction of a religious site or places of worship is detestable and unfathomable.

More so when such places are destroyed by adherents of a particular faith, albeit some theological differences are seen in the various denominations.

Religion, after all, preaches peace.

Therefore, I feel that Muslims destroying a mosque is very much an insult to Islam itself — as much as a paedophile priests are an affront to Christianity.

I also feel that I am not alone in this view.

Many Muslim leaders have also spoken out against such acts.

Which is why I feel that it is odd that these self-appointed defenders of the faith have not vented their anger at these incidents.

So, where are your gatherings and handing over of memorandums?

Where are the booming voices condemning such acts?

Why the silence?

While it would be harsh to equate their silence as condoning such violence, the word “hypocrite” does reverberate in my conscience, and loudly, I might add.

Maybe it’s time these groups reassessed their raison d’etre and changed it to “defenders of the faith, at our convenience”.