For Sunday Scribblings, this week's prompt is hair. This poem was fueled by recent news events, as more and more young Muslims are persuaded by zealots to commit violent acts. Islam is being hijacked by extremists, while the true believers of the Islamic faith - including the guardians of Mecca - curiously remain silent. Why aren't they rising up in droves to protest these criminal acts, which clearly are forbidden in the Koran? Where are the strong, powerful voices defending Islam?
It's his twisted version of the hair shirt
that belt of explosives
strapped around his waist.
If it's detonated,
he's convinced he'll go straight to heaven
where young virgins await.
Why should he doubt it?
he's been told often enough:
his is a noble sacrifice.
At the madrassa, he recites his prayers
and waits for the chance
to prove his worthiness.
Martyr for a cause greater than himself,
unaware Islamic teachings manipulated
to serve beliefs of a few radicals.
The young recruit follows orders,
believing the mullah's assurance
a non-believer's blood doesn't count
and nothing else matters
but an Islamic state,
even if innocents must die
to realise this goal.
Such actions richly rewarded,
but where does it say this in the Koran?
Never mind if he can't find the passage;
the mullah promised and he's an educated man,
guiding him towards an early death
in the name of Allah.
Others must reclaim the true Islam
that's been hijacked by zealots.
A religion of tolerance and respect,
yet mosques over-run by bloodthirsty criminals
in an unholy alliance
charting their own sinister course,
inciting thousands of people
living in poverty, ignorance and oppression.
Address those three issues
and terrorism will be vanquished;
muezzins everywhere chanting prayers of peace.
Ever the didactic journalist, Tara. Thank you for teaching and sharing even through your poetry. Excellent use of this week's prompt.
Posted by: sundaycynce | 18 July 2007 at 15:44
Tara, I'm always amazed at the way you can provide us with such important information and food for thought by using poetry and art as your vehicle. Such powerful tools to reach people, and you do it so well.
Posted by: Becca | 17 July 2007 at 04:37
Always giving us food for thought, Tara. Those first lines suck you in.
Did you watch the series on PBS, "America at a Crossroad"? I recorded them on TiVo, and have now watched them all. But I had to take it in small bites, because it was so much info, and so depressing. But this same question was asked often...Why is it that the loudest voices are always the most dangerous ones? Seems so in all systems.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 17 July 2007 at 03:22
Powerful, thought-provoking. Those who commit these heinous acts in the name of their religion were once innocent children.
Posted by: Jone | 16 July 2007 at 15:05
This comment arrived via email, as Typepad is inadvertently blocking some IP addresses:
"I have followed along on all your posts, but still no luck commenting. So here I go, today’s post, very inspirational. I will be taking particular note of the mundane now! Sunday scribblings also very thought provoking. If there is only love and fear, I would imagine people are scared to stand up to the bullies. I have also noticed at times people are afraid to voice political opinion in a peaceful country such as America. I can’t imagine speaking out in a country of unrest. Poetry Thursday was profound, horrific to realize these important matters are being swept under the carpet. Sometimes I feel as though I’m in a Vietnam War time warp! Only no one is protesting! When they do it’s rarely heard of. Where is the American conscience? I wonder if they are fearfully burying their heads in the sand hoping when they emerge life will be as they once knew it? Where is the voice of America I wonder??? Michael Moore and Rosie can’t do it alone! The balance of protest doesn’t match the intensity of this war, the fiscal damage, and ignored rights of the people!
As always, thanks for making a difference!"
Take care
Hugs from Canada
Sherrie
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 16 July 2007 at 09:41
Your subject is fascinating and your writing of it superb. Thank you for it.
Posted by: Patois | 15 July 2007 at 22:52
Wow, what a powerful, unique and thought-provoking way to utilize this week's prompt. Eloquent and sad... I loved it.
Posted by: bonggamom | 15 July 2007 at 22:05
It is all very terrifying. There are groups of moderate Muslims who are trying to bring sensible balance to the debate and to the situation, but they're not considered news by some parts of the press. Also perhaps they don't shout loud enough to get enough attention from impressionable young Muslims.
Posted by: Crafty Green Poet | 15 July 2007 at 14:24
Wow, Tara....your take on the prompt is very powerful
The mindset and the depth of conviction is what numbs me because it is so frightening.
Posted by: awareness | 15 July 2007 at 11:59
As always, extremely powerful writing. I love how unflinchingly you look at the events of the world when so many of us would rather look away.
Posted by: Mardougrrl | 15 July 2007 at 07:42
What a powerful and thought-provoking take on the prompt, Tara.
It really is frightening to think that even well-educated DOCTORS are buying into the religious invective of these zealots. If even higher education and the Hippocratic oath don't act as a preventative against the terrorist mindset, what will?
This is the third time I've tried to leave this comment - I hope it takes this time!
Posted by: tinker | 15 July 2007 at 04:59
I think every religion has zealots but these fanatics are out to kill innocent human beings. Brainwashing is a powerful weapon.
UNRELATED:
FYI, We watched an interesting movie on France during the war. It showed the history of Algerian Muslim soldiers liberating France. "Days of Glory" in french. Thought you might be interested and it was a good film. XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 14 July 2007 at 19:03
If the common man understood it, how would the zealots survive?
I am saddened by the fact that more and more Indian Muslims are getting involved..
Posted by: gautami | 14 July 2007 at 18:57
Afterthought: All the ones who have died for Islam have presumably felt betrayed when their souls went into the ether and there were no virgins, no Allah congratulating them for their suicide and murders, etc. These spirits should gather together and put things right...maybe haunt these places where the young men are indoctrinated and do whatever spirits do to get through to them about what really lies on the other side....
Posted by: Colette | 14 July 2007 at 18:25
Yes, that's the 64-thousand-dollar question: Why are the Guardians of Mecca and all true believers silent?
Posted by: Colette | 14 July 2007 at 18:20
Tara,
And the pope said that the catholic churcdh is the one true church.
rel
Posted by: rel | 14 July 2007 at 18:09
Wow, Tara. What a powerful, thought provoking and unsettling piece of writing. I keep coming back to your line about "living in poverty, ignorance and oppression." It is eerie to note the similarities between Islamic fundamentalists and the rise of the "religious right" in the States. While their methods are certainly different, the ideology is pretty compatible.
Have you seen the documentary Jesus Camp? It is an alarming look at the attempt to indoctrinate and possibly radicalize grade school children to become "warriors for Christ".
Between the assaults on science, reason, civil liberties, a free press and transparency in government, and the waging of preemptive wars in the middle east, I often wonder if the Bush and Bin Laden families are not following the same script.
Posted by: Herb | 14 July 2007 at 17:52
But what about the highly educated medical people who were recently allegedly involved in British terror plots? Wouldn't they be less likely to blindly follow the mullahs' injunctions? What are the roots of their murderous behavior? The situation gets more hair-raising all the time.
Tara responds:
It is emerging that the doctors in Britain - most of them born in the Middle East - had diverse backgrounds; all were eventually taught by Pakistani-born mullahs preaching extremism in British mosques. They tell their followers that anything and everything is allowed until a Muslim state is obtained. Most ringleaders of terrorism are fairly-well educated. Why they choose to follow this path of violence probably depends upon a complex series of factors in their backgrounds.
Posted by: Laura | 14 July 2007 at 17:37
Wow Tara... riveting, and how very unsettling! Well written.
However, I have always been confused by the whole 'virgins in heaven' thing... I mean, if these chicks made it all the way to heaven, and they're still virgins... well, there's probably a damned good reason -- so what the hell kind of reward is that? ;)
Posted by: Rob Kistner | 14 July 2007 at 16:54
"living in poverty, ignorance and oppression.
Address those three issues
and terrorism will be vanquished;
muezzins everywhere chanting prayers of peace."
That boils it down, doesn't it?
Posted by: Annie | 14 July 2007 at 16:45
Hello Tara,
Very powerful piece of writing. Islam must be reformed from within, just as Christianity was. We forget in modern times, the religious wars that swept Europe for a thousand years. The murders and rapes and atrocities committed in the name of the Church. The difference being that back then WMD's were not available. Radical Islam wants Armageddon on their terms. I fear much of the world will be a radioactive wasteland if moderate Islam does not rise up and wrest control of their faith away from those bent on anihilation.
An a different note. I don't know if you read Pia's blog, "Courting Destiny", but she writes articles I think you would like.
http://www.courtingdestiny.com/
Posted by: Brian | 14 July 2007 at 14:31
This is powerful. It makes you wonder if they really wish for peace or if they just really glamorize dying to fall into the arms of waiting virgins. Which sounds better, to stay here and fight for real peace or sacrifice your life in a quick destructive end which will give the "ego" what it wants. I have always been disgusted by these thoughtless actions.
Posted by: Blue | 14 July 2007 at 13:54