Racism and considerations of absolute justice and fairness

Racism has been and remains one of the most serious problems facing the human race. It is the idea that race, skin colour, ideology, social class or religion can give one group an innate superiority over another group, depriving them of rights they would otherwise have. If we look at genocide, ethnic cleansing or slavery in both their ancient and modern forms, the perpetrators always use racism to justify their actions. Racism, in its broadest sense, must be understood as a set of prejudices that are opposed to considerations of absolute justice and fairness.

Widespread protests and condemnation of police brutality against African-Americans are taking place in the United States and around the world following the murder of an African-American man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis on 25 May 2020 while in police custody. This is not the first time an African-American man has died in police custody in the U.S. (or been killed by police officers). However, it is the way in which Mr. Floyd was killed that has angered millions of people around the world. 

No one is surprised that the United States has not really come to terms with its past regarding the continued mistreatment of African Americans. Many have argued that the injustices committed against African Americans are the result of racism and/or white supremacy - the belief that whites are superior to other races and should therefore dominate them. This injustice is rooted in American history and has social, economic, institutional and political implications. Racism has caused (and continues to cause) immense suffering for African Americans (and other racial minorities) in the United States.

In his historic address to the European Parliament on February 28, 2013, Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad, the Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, reiterated the Islamic holy principle for achieving peace. He said: 
"We must not tolerate injustice against others, nor the rights of others being usurped. Just as we would not accept others usurping our own rights, we must not accept this for others".

True peace means that governments take, at all levels, and as soon as possible, the necessary measures to dismantle all structures of injustice in society. Right now, we are suffering from a global pandemic. African Americans (and other minorities) are suffering more from the impact of Covid-19 than the white population. We know that they are struggling more than white people to find work; and that they have more difficulty accessing housing credit, which research shows is a key factor in the wealth gap between whites and blacks.

Al'lah says in the Holy Koran: "O humans! We have created you from a male and a female; and we have made you into clans and tribes so that you may recognize each other. Verily, the most honourable among you, in the sight of Allah, is the most righteous among you. Verily Allah is All-Knowing, All-Knowing. (49:14)

"O you who believe! Be strict in the observance of justice, acting as witnesses for the cause of Al'lah, even if it is against yourselves, your parents and relatives. Whether you are rich or poor, Al'lah is more attentive to both than you. So do not follow lowly desires so that you may act justly. And if you hide the truth or avoid it, remember that Al'lah knows very well all that you do" (4:136)

The Holy Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (God's peace and blessings upon him) said in his "Farewell Sermon" in 632 AD: "An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, and a non-Arab has no superiority over an Arab; white has no superiority over black, nor black over white; except in piety and good deeds".

As long as there is no absolute justice, the world will not see true peace. Luther King said that "silence is treason. There can be no true peace when the justice system favors white Americans over black Americans (or anyone else for that matter), while most people stand idly by and wait for African Americans to fight this injustice alone. True peace, therefore, means that all people of good will must be prepared to ask for justice every time an injustice is committed. Racism is a poison that clashes head-on with spirituality. They can never live together.

Let me conclude by reaffirming that the measures Islam suggests to unite humanity is through a peaceful process aimed at establishing peace in the world by unifying human beings. It is worth noting the reminder of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, that we are all children of the same father. It has the obvious connotation that religions, races, colour or creeds must not be allowed to divide the universal brotherhood of mankind, which originated from a single kinship.