Part 1
Ina'l Hamda l'Illah wa naHmaduhu wa nasta`eenuhu wa nastaghfiruh wa nu'minu bihi wa natawakkul `alayh
Na`udhu Billah min shururi an fusinah wa min sayyi'aati a`maalinaa Mayyahdihillah fa laa modillalah wa mayyudlil fa laa hadi'alah Wa nash-hadu an La ilaha il Allahu WaHdahu la sharika lah wa nash-hadu anna Sayyidinaa Habibinaa Mowlaanaa MuHammadin `abduhu wa Rasuluh Sala' Allahu `alayhi wa Salaam wa `ala Alihi wa Ahlihi wa SaHbihi Ajma`een Tabarakun Tasleemun kathirun kathiraa amma ba`d fi `ibad Allah:
A`udhu Billahi min ash-shaitaan ir-rajeem Bismillah ir-RaHmaan ir-RaHeem
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam:
Insha-Allah, today, I am going to talk about a situation that has surrounded all of us, not only the Muslims but
also each and every American or even people of other countries. This relates to the recent killings at Columbine
High which seems like a part of epidemic of school violence or work place violence. I believe, till now no Muslim
was involved in these shootings, either as the killer or as the victim. As the Muslim population increases, our
chances of getting involved in a violent act are just increasing. And this means that Muslims could be on either
side, as killer or as victims.
It might be worthwhile to point out that what we are observing as destruction and protest is merely "symptomatic".
To meaningfully explore why do these happen and how to address those, we first need to have a "systemic"
view of these symptoms in the perspective of a broader culture of violence. Destruction of property is symptomatic
of such a culture of violence.
To draw our attention to this "culture" of violence that generally become routine, normal or casual,
we need to be cognizant of various levels and/or modes of violence. Violent language is also a manifestation of
culture of violence. For example, recently in the United States we are discussing the issue of violence particularly
in connection with guns. Yes, gun and violence are now integral parts of modern TV/entertainment. Many of us are
against it. Yet, I myself did not realize that how casually even my verbal expressions have adapted to guns and
other graphic violence.
Consider the following English expressions that are often part of our casual conversation:
give it a shot
take your best shot
shot in the dark
overkill
son of a gun
bite the bullet
armed (with the facts)
go ahead, shoot (talk)
keep your powder dry
blew me off
he/she's dynamite
An example of this is the use of violent and war-related expressions -- which increasingly serve to make violence
an accepted part of our lives and language. How often do you use these phrases in your everyday speech? What other
terms could you use that would not rely on violent analogies to make your message clear?
We need to work together for a culture that is more harminous and free of violence. Let us start with what we say,
an dthen how we act.
Dear brothers and sisters, there are many other individual or groups who are exploring the same and many of them
are taking specific steps. For example, Center of Media Literacy has a program that identified and is now pursuing
20 things that may help promote a less-violent culture. These are in the context of the United States, but they
are illustrative of constructive, creative, and methodical approaches and can be used in any country. The Center
of Media Literacy are suggesting these approaches
1. (emphasize) Nonviolent Computer Game
2. (use celebrities to promote non-violence campaign) MTV "Rock The Violence"
3. (introduce) Nonviolent Student of the Month
4. (promote) Nonviolent Line of Video Games
5. (introduce) Nonviolent Video Projects for Kids
6. Ethics Training in Film Schools
7. (produce documentary) Video Comparing Real Violence to Media Violence
8. A School Play Promoting Non-Violence
9. A Slogan to Crystallize a Movement to Non-Violence
10. Kids' Advisory Panel to Media
11. Nonviolent Promotional Advertising on Products
12. TV Show in Which Character Roles are Switched (instead of demonizing, humanize the enemy)
13. Major Advertiser Endorsement (in support of non-violence)
14. Red Ribbon Week in School
15. A Violence "Tax" (similar to sin tax)
16. Peace Week on TV
17. Anti-Violence Fair/Convention
18. TV Series/Videos with Stories of NonViolent Heroes
19. Family to Family Media Event
20. Cabinet Secretary Post
Brothers and sisters in Islam, I am not suggesting that we should accept all these suggestions. These ideas are
simply illustrative of some people who are trying to solve some problems, as they find relevant and appropriate.
We have to do our part to determine what is relevant and appropriate in Islamic context.
Let us explore how and why our problems are different, bigger and/or more complex. Then, let us try to identify
what might be relevant and appropriate for us. And, last but not the least, let us come together to bring those
ideas to the field of action. What do you all think?
Messages of Wisdom: * A person asked, O Prophet of God 
, whose Islam is excellent or the best (afdal)? He replied: "From whose tongue and hands the people
(An-nas: irrespective of Muslims or non-Muslims) are safe." [Musnad-i-Ahmad, #6762; narrated by Abdullah ibn
Amr]
Part 2
Another aspect that I need to discuss, what if the gunmen in Columbine High were Muslims. We know that these two boys had a large amount of ammunition, bombs and other devices, which the police think that can not just be handiwork of two boys. How do you think the media would have reacted to know that if one or both of the gunmen were Muslims? How many foreign countries or "fundamentalist Islamic groups" would have been accused? How can we prevent such media persecutions?
Please ponder on this. Fortunately, these killers are not Muslims. If we do not take precautions and do not raise our children in Islamic way, then may be on one day one of our childern will come to the school with a gun. We have to find ways to stop gun violence or violence of any kind in the schools, streets, in the society. Also we have to stop stereotyping of the Muslims by the media.
Now I shall make dua and please say Amin.