Safar 01, 1431 A.H, Saturday January 16, 2010

Today we are again disturbed by the appearance of a blog that insults Islam. A blog like this is purposely made to provoke and raise the anger of the Islamic ummah. The more irate comments it gets, the happier the creator of that blog becomes.

Is this a systematic deliberateness? Perhaps. Assumptions that there is a network which is seriously behind all these Islam hating blogs is always possible. Though there is a fact that really could be not be ignored by the ummah. They are systematically working day and night to do one thing, distortion of Islam’s image.

The tricks used were also relatively the same i.e. attacking Prophet Muhammad with cartoons that insult Islam. Besides that, crude languages were also usually used, because by using tricks like these it would be easy for them to legitimize that Islam is a rough religion.

It is clear that blogs like these should be wiped out. If in the past, blogs used by people accused as terrorists could easily be tracked, then it should be that the blogs that blaspheme Islam could already be tracked by the authority and the players behind them immediately arrested and put on trial.

Therefore, what could be done by the Muslims?

We can do many things. Starting by having awareness that these things will always be happening, thus the Islamic ummah should take to serious da’wah online without delay. We cannot afford to be ignorant about this fact anymore. Teenagers, university students and Muslim activists must use blogs more as an arena of their da’wah. Introducing the beauty of Islam, the hospitality and blessings of Islam to the netters. How nice if the blogs are also managed in an extensive way. Not just creating a blog and then forgetting the password.

It would be very good if there is an initiative to form groups of Muslim youths who are experts in the cyberworld to work shoulder to shoulder in enhancing their expertise. To the point that they can conduct da’wah not only in an offensive way but also aggressively. Opinions should be counteracted with opinions. Blogs should be encountered with blogs. We should be prepared at all times to counteract their offensive commentaries on any websites with truth. Those who sincerely seeks information could find guidance from our da'wah, if Allah wills. Otherwise, at least we make the kafirs who blaspheme Islam angry. And that is enough to gain rewards from Allah SWT:

" …nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that it is registered for them as a righteous deed.." (At-Taubah : 120)

It is this spirit that should be inculcated to our Muslim teenagers. Arousing their jealousy for Islam. Strengthening their determination to become good Muslims, who care about Islam in the cyberworld.

This of course is a long term program, as the enemies of Islam are exerting their efforts of image distortion in a very systematic way. They conduct training, consolidation and mature planning to realize their evil intentions. With extraordinarily huge funds, it becomes much easier for them to execute all these distortions.

This is a very big challenge for us. There must be synergistic efforts amongst some elements in the Islamic ummah. The masses, organizations, Majelis of Ulamas and all other elements must start to peruse this arena. At the same time all parties must start to play their roles and contributions. By writing and spreading true information about Islam and being not hesitant to conduct da’wah for Islam to others. Because cursing and damning will never be enough, it is time to work objectively for the return of Islam’s glories.