“An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; nor is a white one to be preferred over a dark one, nor a dark one to a white one.”
Source/Credit: Author / Ahmadiyya Glen Ellyn
By Kashmala Ahmad | October 20, 2017
A big controversy that is dividing our nation today is about kneeling before the national anthem. While one side says it is for protesting cruelty against African Americans, the other says it is rude and unpatriotic.
The Star-Spangled Banner became the nation's official anthem in 1931. It was first played in the the 1918 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the Red Sox. During World War I, a brass band played it to lift everyone’s spirits, since so many people came to the next game. After that, they played it at every game, and soon other sports picked it up.
Controversies about the national anthem are not new and athletes have been suspended for such protest in the past. One such incident happened with Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the Summer Olympics at Mexico City in 1968. They gave a raised fist “black power” salute on the medal stand and were suspended for their action.
Many people say it is wrong to be kneeling during the national anthem. When the NFL players kneel during the anthem, the fans show their disapproval by jeering. President Trump condemned these protests and said in a tweet: “Sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their Country. NFL should change policy!”
Islam has given us the solution to the problem of racism fourteen hundred years ago. In his last address, the Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessings of God be upon him) stated, “An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; nor is a white one to be preferred over a dark one, nor a dark one to a white one.”
In this quote, he beautifully taught the concept of human equality without discrimination of race or color. He said that people are all equal, no matter the color of our skin. Prophet Muhammad also said, “All of you are equal. Even as the fingers of the two hands are equal, so are human beings equal to one another. You are as brothers.” By this statement he was point out that people should look past of how they look on the outside, for all are equal, no matter where they may come from, or their background. We are as equal as the fingers of the two hands, which are both the same in every way.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us long ago the right and correct way to treat one another, and it is time we stop overlooking and ignoring these beautiful teachings of Islam- they ring the truth. So let this beautiful teaching be our motto that will bring our divided nation together.
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Kashmala Ahmad is 13 years old and a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Glen Ellyn, IL.
--Perspective: Unity and Equality of Humanity | Kashmala Ahmad
This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Times of Ahmad. Times of Ahmad is not an organ of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, nor in any way associated with any of the community's official websites.
--Perspective: Unity and Equality of Humanity | Kashmala Ahmad
This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Times of Ahmad. Times of Ahmad is not an organ of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, nor in any way associated with any of the community's official websites.
Well done!
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