The guilty verdict of the so-called “Irvine 11” is a sign of the duplicity and double standards of “freedom of speech” in the United States. The Muslim students bravely acted upon their Islamic duty to speak the truth against injustice and oppression, regardless of the consequences when they stood up against the Israeli ambassador Michael Oren’s speech last year at the University of California – Irvine. One by one, they stood and shouted as the ambassador tried to give a planned address on U.S.-Israeli relations. Ten of the eleven defendants are charged with two misdemeanors of conspiracy to willfully commit a crime and disrupt a public meeting, each facing up to six months in jail.
“Interfering with freedom of speech” is a flimsy accusation that holds no weight, especially in a university setting where free exchange of ideas is encouraged. What makes the case even more incredulous is the fact that even President Obama was heckled by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson during his 2009 keynote speech on health care reform. But now speaking out at a college setting about an impassioned and divisive issue is a crime. Clearly, one can sense Islamophobia has played a role in this verdict.
It’s ironic that Western leaders praise freedom of speech when it suits their policies and when young Muslims stand up against injustice, oppression and tyrants they are punished with draconian measures. There’s little wonder why Muslims around the world view the West’s overtures and “symbolic acts of support” as hollow and fake. People around the world see the hypocrisy of the West and understand that promises of freedom and democracy are the marketing campaign for colonialism.
Muslims in the West should continue to speak the truth against injustice and oppression, boldly and bravely without fearing the consequences. If they do this, they will reach the station of the martyrs as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم promised:
“The best of martyrs is Hamza. And the one who speaks a word of truth to an unjust ruler”
O brave youth of this Ummah, we admire you, who have dared to stand up against injustice, oppression, tyranny, boycott, bloodshed and humiliation. O brave youth, rejoice in the glad tidings of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when he صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“There will always be a group from my Ummah that will be steadfast on the order of Allah, they will not be harmed by those who oppose them or abandon them, until the order of Allah comes and they will be triumphant over humankind.”
May Allah سبحانه وتعالى forgive the sins of these brave young men and grant them Janat ul-Firdaus and grant them and their families patience through these difficult times, Ameen.
مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ ۖ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَضَىٰ نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَنْتَظِرُ ۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِيلًا
‘Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance]. And they did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration.’ (Surah Al-Ahzab:23)