Post Woolwich: WIN Statement: 'The Essential Need for an Islamic Nonviolence'

"Today's world is traveling in some strange direction. You see that the world is going toward destruction and violence. And the specialty of violence is to create hatred among people and to create fear. I am a believer in nonviolence and I say that no peace or tranquility will descend upon the people of the world until nonviolence is practiced, because nonviolence is love and it stirs courage in people."
Abdul Ghaffar Khan (a.k.a. Badshah Khan: 'Nonviolent Soldier of Islam')

"But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs."
(Qur' an 42:43)

As an organisation guided by core Islamic principles, we acknowledge that there have been disturbing acts of violence which have taken place, that have been voiced, explicitly or otherwise, to be under the umbrella of Islam. The recent killing in Woolwich, London is one such act.

While we believe these acts to be contrary to Islamic teachings, and planned and carried out by individuals or groups that do not represent the vast majority of Muslims - in our view nonetheless, it is clear that there is an essential need for a conscious, nonviolent movement in the Muslim world that captures dissatisfaction, frustration and anger that may be present. Such a movement would support the transformation of such feelings into energy  that can be channelled into actions that heal, rather than fracture - actions that are ultimately motivated by love for all, as opposed to, at the other extreme, by hatred and vengeance.

Simultaneously, real peace is built on the foundation of justice for all, and the healing of wounds. In this spirit, there is a collective responsibility, and qualities such as fairness, non-exploitation of humans and the wider natural order, coupled with self-determination, lie at its heart.

Wisdom In Nature condemns the attack that took place in Woolwich last week, and we keep Drummer Lee Rigby's family and loved ones in our heart and prayers.  Pain is never isolated, especially in a globalised world. Pain is ultimately shared, just as we ultimately are all as one.

In this spirit of unity and compassion, WIN is open to, and invites collaboration with other parties wishing to raise awareness of the tradition of nonviolence in Islam, and within our respective capacities, to co-learn and co-develop holistic programs in this key area.

Abdul Ghaffar Khan

With Islamic contemporary history having figures of nonviolence, perhaps most notably and best documented, being Abdul Ghaffar Khan (a.k.a. Badshah Khan: see photo) [1] who in the last century raised an 'army' of 100, 000 'soldiers' of active nonviolence, we thus have inspiration and material in our own tradition, as well as material and inspiration from that of others - indeed all authentic traditions point to the same essential Truth.

From near the beginnings of WIN, we have felt the need to give importance to 'process' i.e. the belief that how we achieve our goals is as important as the goal itself. Our process-oriented approach remains integral to our work, and an active nonviolence is central to our core strand of 'Engaged Surrender'[2], which underlies our activities.


Closely related to this is the need to create spaces that invite authentic listening to a diverse range of voices, including those of the marginalised who may not otherwise easily get heard. The current state of the world re-affirms to us the immense importance these principles hold, and the need to stay firmly and explicitly with them.  At its best, it is easier said than done. Yet, it is our prayer that we can develop and actualise this concept further, embodying it further ourselves, and with the wider community.

If you have any questions, please get in touch. 

Wisdom In Nature

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Tel. 0845 456 3960 (local rate)
Web: www.wisdominnature.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/wisdominnature
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wisdominnature

Notes: 

 

[1] Abdul Ghaffar Khan (a.k.a. Badshah Khan), a friend of Gandhi, was a Muslim Pathan who in the 20th century lived by principles of active non-violence, rooted in Islam. Badshah Khan raised a non-violent army of 100, 000 Khudai Khidmatgar ("Servants of God") that resisted British rule over India.

[2] Engaged Surrender is one of Wisdom In Nature's core strands. i.e. WIN's work is underpinned by a nonviolent, process-oriented activism, expressed through a contemplative dimension within the framework of Islam (Surrender to the Divine). More info about Engaged Surrender and WIN's core strands can be found by clicking here.

[3] Wisdom In Nature (WIN) was originally called LINE (London Islamic Network for the Environment). WIN offers workshops and training in Islamic ecology, Permaculture and Facilitation Skills, and engages in a transformative approach. It is open to people of all faiths and beliefs, and is based in the UK. More info: www.wisdominnature.org.uk

 

Follow WIN's 'Ramadan Bites' on Facebook

Ramadan Kareem!

 

Ramadan is an ideal time to reflect on our own internal state, as well as that of the world. 

 

As we enter Ramadan, at WIN, using facebook (yes, we know it's evil!) we will meditate on WIN's core strands (Earth & Comunity, Deep Democracy, Climate Justice, Whole Economics) to share reflections drawn out from each. 

 

We hope this exercise will offer something for us all, whatever form our relationship with Ramadan takes. We also hope you might share something of yourself as feels right for you.

 

To follow WIN on Facebook>> click here  

 

Concept Underpinning Four Strands: 'Engaged Surrender'

WIN's four core strands are underpinned by the concept of Engaged Surrender: a nonviolent, process-oriented activism, expressed through a contemplative dimension within the framework of Islam (Surrender to the Divine).

Surrender to the Divine

Islam is essentially surrender of the individual self to the Divine. Related to this is that pure, natural state in which all human beings have been created - the state of fitrah. Conditioning can pull us away from this natural state. Re-establishing ourselves in the fitrah requires conscious work. Engaging outwardly from this state is what this concept, Engaged Surrender refers to, which we have defined in a way that we have considered to be appropriate to our context.

Mirroring the World We Want

Wisdom In Nature is a 'process-oriented' group. The idea is simple. We believe that how we do things is as important as what we want. Indeed our intention is to mirror the world we want in the way, in 'how' we do things. if we want a peaceful world, we must resolve inner conflicts and discover the peace in ourselves. If we want a just world, we must learn to live justly. 

"If you want democracy, you must demonstrate its principles."
Aung San Suu Kyi

Some related aspects worth mentioning here are as follows:

At WIN we draw on a deep democratic approach within our own work...

Read Full Piece>>

WIN's Fourth Core Strand: 'Climate Justice'

The Climate Justice strand comprises an intention to move:
Away from dependence on fossil fuels;

towards non-polluting energy, needs above profit, and low impact living. 

More>>

 

Third Core Strand: 'Whole Economics'

Here's the third of WIN's four core strands. This strand is Whole Economics:

The Whole Economics strand comprises an intention to move: away from monetary systems disconnected from real value and embedded in usury;

towards just economic systems nurturing to life, soul and community.

Introduction: The System that Dysfunctions  

The recent and ongoing financial crisis is a manifestation of an economic system that is unsustainable, unjust and disconnected from the real world. We have witnessed a debt crisis leading to billions of pounds raised within a few weeks to bail out banks. Yet, simultaneously, we have witnessed a financial neglect of services such as the NHS and education along with a mindless neglect of ecological justice. Something is very clearly wrong.

Indeed, not only is there an upside down world of priorities, but the capitalist system is a key component responsible for ecological injustice. Rescuing such a system with billions of pounds means more of such injustice - more destablisation of human societies and the wider natural world. What is needed instead is a radical shift to economic sytems working in harmony with the natural order. This would mean less to spend on problems otherwise created and exacerbated by the dysfunctional capitalist system. WIN believes that we need to work together to implement a joined-up approach.

A Fictitious Cycle: The Creation of Money

"The process by which banks create money is so simple the mind is repelled." John Kenneth Galbraith, Economist,

"Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws." Mayer Amschel Rothschild, International Banker

As the New Economics Foundation (NEF) point out: "Many people would be surprised to learn that even among bankers, economists, and policymakers, there is no common understanding of how new money is created."

Read full piece>>

WIN's Second Core Strand: 'Deep Democracy'

The Deep Democracy strand comprises an intention to move:
Away from concentration of power amongst the rich and privileged;
towards more equalisation of power that honours diversity, draws out consensus and empowers all.

Democracy: Beyond the Superficial

Deep democracy aims to draw out the diverse voices and tap into the wisdom each brings. The protests of various social movements around the world are indicative of the failure of  superficial forms of democracy; the phrase “we are the 99 percent” is a voice representing the masses of people whose lives are exploited at the hands of the 1 percent.   

The concentration of power in the hands of a few leads to marginalization of voices that undermines the wholeness of individuals, communities, and ultimately, our world. Greater wisdom emerges when people actively listen to each other.   Putting the time into processes conducive to deeper dialogue often also saves time in the long run that may otherwise have to be spent on resolving conflicts and undoing damage to people and ecosystems.    

Can Process be Sacred?  

The Qur' an states:

"Far better and more lasting is what God will give to those who believe and trust in their Lord; who shun great sins and gross indecencies…..; conduct their affairs by mutual consultation…" (Qur' an: 42:19)

Read full piece>>

First Core Strand: Earth & Community

Here's the beginning of a web page we've put up outlining one of WIN's four core strands. We've called this strand "Earth & Community". (The others are Deep Democracy, Whole Economics, and Climate Justice, all underpinned by a contemplative dimension. The aim is to articulate a clearer framework for what WIN represents.) The development of this strand is ongoing as our ideas evolve and develop. Feedback is very welcome.

The Earth & Community strand comprises an intention to move: away from corporate domination and consumerism;
towards simplicity, sharing and a deeper connection to the earth & its diverse communities.

Introduction: What Do We Love?

The Qur'an succinctly draws attention to one of the trappings of the world:

"And you love wealth with boundless love!" (Qur' an: 89: 20)

One of the patterns of the human ego, or the self that needs transforming - is a compulsion for unbounded wealth and power. This can trap us into seeking the infinite from a finite outer world, resulting in a disturbance of the mizan or balance in both eco- and social systems.

And yet, this compulsion does not end at us humans. Indeed, the expression of this pattern, of this drive or love for power and wealth, can be magnified through corporations.

Corporations: Power, Profit, and Privileges

As corporations gain more wealth and power, their increasing influence on socio-political structures gives them privileges otherwise unavailable.

From the relationship of commercial banks with government, to yet another supermarket invading a local community, fossil fuel companies influencing climate politics, and pharmaceutical companies leveraging the medical profession, examples of corporate privilege are visible almost everywhere.

Read full piece>>

Update & WIN's 4 Core Strands coming up...

The last few months for WIN has been a time of reflection, processing, and considering next steps - within the changing landscape of activism, electronic media, and our local and global communities. The question has also been asked what extent is WIN still needed. Confusion has been present, and we have allowed it to be - allowing we pray for an authentic clarity to emerge - and which thanks to a Higher reality, seems to now be happening.

Also during this time, there have been various conversations taking place between WIN Reps and colleagues in other networks. The emerging Occupy movement has also had an invigorating effect, re-affirming to us the universal value of a process-oriented approach, something we have worked with and been delighted in staying with at a practical hands-on level (yet within a contemplative framework), for considerable time. It is clear that there is an emerging activism, which an organisation such as WIN - that has a policy of not accepting donations from corporations or government, and that knits issues together (we have often been hard to classify by those who like the word 'environmental'!), values 'process' and a bottom up democracy - shares something fundamental with. Recently, we announced our statement of official support for this emerging movement.

We've also been contemplating how to articulate a clearer framework for what WIN represents. Internally, we've cultivated a clear ethos - (important in an age in which principles can become diluted over time). Yet, there was a sense that more still needed to be done, including externally.

On the one hand it is possible to be too open yet lacking in focus; and on the other hand, it is possible to be too focussed to the point of being reductionist. We are beginning to find what seems like a healthy balance between focus and openness - and this has been supported by the moving 'away from' / moving 'towards' strands of Fast for the Planet, which we initiated a few years ago. We are adapting it to a form more specific for WIN's direction in today's world, also with an additional explicit statement pointing to an underpinning Islamic reference point. We'll be sharing the provisional version of this framework soon (and comments will be welcome), but to get a flavour, (and this is already on our main website) it outlines very simply: Earth & Community, Deep Democracy, Whole Economics, and Climate Justice.

Coupled with the above, in the near future, we intend to also put out a more formal process for volunteering within WIN - a clear notice, and an application form for those interested. We hope this will help draw more coherent and consistent energy to WIN's developing activities (although it will need time-input to coordinate).