There are two dangers in this conclusion. The bigger one is the possibility that we cannot realize the fact that Allah is the intervener in history with all His power (the expression "intervener" should not remind you of an external effect as He is closer to us than our jugular vein!). This issue exceeds a single article and me. It is worth trying to solve such a problem if there is such a probability, and quitting anything that we are currently doing as a whole nation.
The smaller danger is the possibility that Muslims are unaware of globalization. Today we are saddened by the events in Samarra and Fallujah, and we pray for the children in Fallujah. But we do not appreciate the fact that the shower of bombs in Fallujah today is a reflection of the approval vote that George W. Bush received yesterday. We do not have the information that will help us think that Kerry is any better than Bush, but the votes that re-elected Bush as president were more like referendum votes than election votes. This referendum has approved the bombing strategy in Afghanistan, civilian deaths in Iraq, faithless plans played out in Darfur, Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib prison, and finally, all the policies that this government is applying all around the world. Fallujah cannot be the only reflection of this. It also affects Gaza and the West Bank, Darfur, Kabul, and Indonesia.
If you did not vote saying, "I vote for the sake of Allah's wide Mercy and want the most beneficial result from the election," first check your belief and heart, which is subject to the bigger danger, and then try to accept the reality that the world has become a global village. If there is a fight at the Sheriff's house, this fight affects all the houses in the village. The debates on Turkey's EU adventure, the Cyprus problem, whether Arafat is alive or dead, and who his successor will be are important in this global village concept. Jerusalem, alone, is already important, but its fate is more important because it affects the balance of war and peace in the world. Cyprus is a problem by itself, but its fate is more important because it affects the future of the world of Turks and Muslims.
The times when our ancestors governed the world on their prayer rugs have passed. If only we could at least use our praying to vote for the world's fate on the same prayer rug…
November 8, 2004
