What Westerners can do to help further Islamic causes by A.R.
In many areas while working for Islamic causes of justice and equality, we see many people from the West who desire to help Muslims for justice are eager to join us. The main struggle from Muslim freedom and empowerment must come from the grassroots level, however it will only help our cause if others help us with our desired goals. For this reason I have devoted a whole article to the brave champions of honesty and justice from the West, those who dedicate their lives and time to help others. In this article, I will present a few ways for Westerners to aid Muslims in the search for equality and freedom by starting from their respective grassroots activism.
Education:Our friends in the West must first understand the issues in the Muslim world which need dire attention and awareness among others who might not know. Therefore, my suggestion for this task to research the core issues. I state them at the end of this article, and will present a few of the issues in detail in following articles. Education is the first necessity before attempting any activism or political work, this refers to both Islamic and Western activists. It is necessary to understand both sides of an issue to decide where one stands. Through research, one will realize the justice and fairness of the views of Muslims which only for their own self-determination.
Grouping:After education, the most necessary thing is to form a group, consisting of activists, who together will join you in your activism. This can be decided by either joining a anti-war protest or freedom rally for oppressed people. Inevitably, you must establish a local or regional group of volunteers who will dedicate themselves to attend these events along with you. Protests are a good way to encourage others to join your cause and to strengthen wavering support from others. This is recommended, but is only one way which you can help.
Charity:Donating monetarily to support indigenous people is also a very active way to show support for suffering people around the world. By giving money through non-profit organizations, one can directly help these people in need. Religious activists will find this to be particulary rewarding as religions preach and honor those adherents to give charity to the needy. Various methods of sending aid are available for those interested in sending it.
Advocacy:Using your knowledge of the situation, you can teach people about the reality of affairs in other nations and encourage people to change their views to benefit the causes you wish to promote. Lectures, seminars, and open discussions can be organized in your respective schools, colleges, and community centers. One can start activism by first convincing their friends and families of the true events which are often unheard on western media and the plight of the suffering people in these areas.
Solidarity:Showing solidarity with Muslims is important as this is quite comforting to those Muslims who might feel under heat or pressure in the West due to constant targeting and abuse of them. If you see a Muslim while shopping, traveling, or in your neighborhood, it is important to show your support for them and your kindness as a human being. These feelings are necessary, especially from Westerners, because many Muslims in the West are subject to hate and maltreatment. Few speak up for their rights, and so it is necessary for all those who love true freedom and justice to make their voices heard and their hearts open.
To conclude with this article, I would like to thank those who have furthered Islamic causes or the freedoms of others any time in their life using the above methods. I wish to again show the solidarity of GAI-GI-O with all those who desire justice and support us.
Some Islamic Causes are as Follows:
End of Occupation of and Recognition of the Man-made Humanitarian Disasters in Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Iraq
Pressure on Governments in the Islamic world to preserve the Human Rights of its citizens (ex. Uzbekistan, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, etc.)
Humanitarian Aid to Islamic countries (ex. Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Indonesia, Pakistan, etc.)
End of Western support in continuing conflicts in Sudan, Lebanon, Cyprus, Bosnia, Chechnya, Palestine
End of Western policies such as Arbitrary Detention, Shoot-at-Sight policies, Enfringement of Human Rights, Hidden Evidence, Torture, Extra-Judicial Murder