Islam & Europe - Peace, Identity & Integration — Page 58
58 ISLAM & EUROPE: PEACE, IDENTITY & INTEGRATION homes will be filled with despair. Their towns will be filled with grief. And their nations will be consumed by misery. They will be justified in cursing us for engaging in such selfish and senseless warfare that shattered their dreams even before they were born. Thus, no one should be under the illusion that this world crisis we are passing through is trivial or something that will heal itself without us changing our behaviour. Furthermore, the instability of the world will continue to increase if the blame for the world’s lack of peace and security continues to be laid at the door of Islam. Attacking a religion or its followers will only aggravate divisions. It will embolden extremists on all sides to rise above the surface and to further their efforts of stoking the flames of hatred between the people of different communities and beliefs. As I have made it clear, if Muslim countries or terrorist groups perpetrate atrocities or cruelties in the name of Islam, it is because they have disregarded their religious teachings and seek only to fulfil their vested interests. Today’s conflicts and wars have nothing to do with religion, rather they are all about attaining wealth, power and geo-political dominance. In light of this, I pray from the depths of my heart that may the people of the world join together for the common good and work with a spirit of unity and foster mutual trust and understanding. Instead of blaming religion or pointing the finger at one another, let us focus all our energies on ensuring peace and leaving behind a safer world for those who follow us. Let it be that our future generations come to remember us with love and affection,