Russia-Ukraine war. What happened to my friends?
6th March 2022
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
Insha’Allah, I hope you are well.
I stayed in Kiev with a brother and his wife the last time I visited Ukraine in 2013. Where are they now as Russia invades and bombs Ukraine? What has happened to them? He is a Muslim Tartar from the Crimea. She is a convert to Islam. May Allah (swt) keep them safe.
The brutality of Putin is clear as he bombs Ukraine’s towns and cities just as he bombs people in Syria. The hypocrisy of the western leaders’ response is also clear.
They condemn his invasion while claiming their invasion, and killing of people in Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan and other Muslim lands was somehow different and just.
In contrast to how Muslims are treated, we see the reaction to non-Muslim refugees from Ukraine, the sports boycotts which have suddenly become fashionable and the praise for people going to fight and defend the Ukrainians, while Muslims who went to defend Syrians were called terrorists. As we witness the hypocrisy and double standards, how do you feel?
We must not feel helpless but should feel empowered to create change. Islam and its values led Muslims to build an amazing civilization and will do so again, inshaAllah. Our role is to contribute to the work for that change wherever we are. As such, we will continue to convey the message of Islam, and continue to speak out against injustices and oppression, unlike those who only do so when it suits their nationalistic, secular or capitalist interests.
We must remind ourselves we are part of an ummah that is over a billion strong, has immense latent power because of the belief in the Qur’an, and we have the help of Allah (swt). Hence we continue to work to re-establish the Islamic civilization, the Khilafah, in a Muslim land so it becomes an example of harmony, justice and security for mankind, unlike the hypocrisy we see from Putin or Western leaders as they invade lands and oppress people for their interests.
وَلَا تَهِنُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers [Sura Ali-Imran 3:139]
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Love and salams,
Taji
🧔 What have I been up to?
Watch the livestream Dr Abdul Wahid and I did on Muslims and the Russia-Ukraine war. We covered a lot of ground, Alhamdulillah.
📖 Ayah and Hadith
وَوَجَدَكَ ضَآلًّا فَهَدَىٰ
And He found you lost and guided (you) [Sura Ad–Duha 93:7]
Quote of the Week
“If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will think it’s stupid.”
- Albert Einstein
❤ My Favourite Things
Podcast - ‘Fortress’ Russia put to the test– The U.S. is putting Russia's defence plan against sanctions to the test. Meanwhile, Russia's role as a huge exporter of oil and natural gas could cause ripple effects throughout the global economy. Great explanation of ongoing issues. US sanctioned some Russian banks but not oil sales? Hmm.