With the peoples of Darfur and Islam suffering, at last Muslims are showing their religion in a positive light and helping the troubled African region at the same time.
British-based Muslims are planning a massive event similar to the Live 8 concerts to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. In doing so, they branded Muslims as “shameful” for not being as concerned about the disaster in Sudan as the one faced by Muslims in Iraq.
Darfur: the Humanitarian Crisis
Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians have been raped and murdered in Darfur since 2002.
Recently, the United Nations’ human rights office accused forces allied with Sudan’s government of mass abduction and rape of women and girls in Darfur and said that these acts may constitute war crimes. In its report, which is based on testimony from victims and witnesses, the UN called on Khartoum to investigate reports that about 50 women were forced into “sexual slavery” after an attack on the rebel-held town of Deribat in South Darfur’s Jebel Marra region last December.
Within the last few weeks, the UN Security Council approved a 26,000-strong peacekeeping force to expand the 7,000 African Union (AU) force struggling to protect civilians in Sudan's western province of Darfur.
This has come to too late to save the homes of more than 2 million people who are living in camps after fleeing more than four years of fighting in the region. The camps and their inhabitants are vulnerable without peacekeepers.
The Event
With a date set for 21st October at Wembley Arena in London, Muslims are hoping that their Live 8 will also mark the end of Ramadan and celebrate Eid. After seeing the success of the Live 8 events last summer, the organisation hopes to raise awareness for the African region and at last bring money, aid and stability to the troubled population.
And with any luck it will also help non-Muslims understand something about the world’s second largest religion and its followers. With so much negative press about Islam in the media, it’s about time Muslims began to stand up and be counted. And hopefully they will gain the full support of other religions as well as the political and secular backing needed for success.
The Win-Win Intention
With any luck, this event will have double the good effects it first seems. In a timely swoop, it is likely to raise the profile of religion and demonstrate that followers of a faith have a good heart, a practical mind and a God-led duty to help others in need.
It will also show the world that not all Muslims are focused on terrorism and destruction but actually live by the principles of their religion; and in doing so are willing to speak out about others who fail to live up to the same expectations set down for them, as some Muslims aren’t afraid to criticise other Muslims who appear to pick and choose who they want to help. God isn’t like that, so why should His followers be?
The question is, what took them so long?
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