Rejection of racism

In view of the racist incidents that took place last weekend at the Valencia football stadium, as an Ahmadi Muslim living in Spain - and who also suffers racist attacks because of my skin colour - I would like to explain the Holy Quran's solution to this danger, which threatens world peace.

The Holy Quran reminds not only Muslims but all humanity:

"O humans! Fear your Lord Who created you from a single being from whom He created His mate and from the two He descended many men and women; and fear Al'lah, in Whose name ye resort to one another, and fear Him particularly by respecting the bonds of kinship. Verily, Al'lah watches over you". (Q. 4: Al-Nisa: 2)

No one is superior to others. 

Similarly, The Holy Quran states:

"O humans! We have created you from a male and a female; and We have formed you into clans and tribes so that you may recognise one another. Verily, the most righteous among you, in the sight of Al'lah, is the most pious among you. Verily Al'lah is Omniscient, Knower of all things". (Q. 49: Al-Huyurat: 14)

The essence of racism is class prejudice. When people begin to act with prejudice against another class, under the pretext of their own class interest, racism begins to uncover itself and to rear its dangerous and lethal head. No discretion is exercised in the expression of its hatred; no individual merit is taken into account, and generalisation becomes the law.

I firmly believe that discrimination and any other effort to divide humanity on any plane may pay some short-term dividends for some; however, in the long run, the consequences are dire for all concerned. In this contemporary scenario, Islam has a very positive message and an effective role to play.

As far as the attitude of the Holy Founder of Islam (peace be upon him) is concerned, the following extract from the Last Sermon (known as "the Farewell Sermon") which he delivered before his demise before the largest human gathering he had ever addressed, is significant enough:

"O human beings, your God is One and your origin is one! An Arab is not superior to a non-Arab, nor is a non-Arab superior to an Arab. The white man is in no way superior to the black man, nor is the black man better than the white man, except in so far as both fulfil their responsibility before God and man. The most honourable among you in the sight of God is the most pious....".

This passage is very intense and patent. It is worth noting the reminder of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him, that we are all children of the same Father. It has the obvious connotation that neither races, nor religions, nor nationalities should be allowed to divide the universal brotherhood of mankind, which originated in a single kinship.