When going through bereavement it is hard enough to deal with, but when one’s life is taken unlawfully how can one make sense of it.

Much sadness and turmoil is enveloped around the world today. Much anger and hatred. Children growing up seeing their family members slaughtered by war. Is it surprising that they grow up with hatred and seeing nothing but revenge. Parents that witness their children being shot and blown away by military. War brings no answer and seems lessons have still not been learnt. End one war and another will start in retaliation. As I have always maintained, to resolve the conflict is to deal with the root of the problem.

How many of you have read the story of The Sleepers of the Cave? A story told within many faiths, but some centuries ago the story has since been forgotten amongst the Christians and Catholics. There is a lesson within that story and every Friday many Muslims read the chapter within the Quran that makes reference to The Sleepers of the Cave. Many, many centuries ago when many were under persecution for believing in Allah just like in The Sleepers of the Cave, so too were the Prophets like Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) escaping from Pharaoh, Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) under Roman rule, and during the times of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as he escaped persecution in Mecca and took refuge in Medina – it is revealed in the Quran and made clear that no one has any right to torture another because of their belief. In the Quran it states where there is a threat and one is not allowed to follow their belief, one has the right to fight back. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fought back with his army. Many battles were fought against the non believers that would not allow the believers to follow their religion. Many believers died fighting for their religion. That was Jihad then. Fighting for peace and to be able to live freely to follow their religion. But today – this war from ISIL is not Jihad. The translations of the Quran have been manipulated to justify for those that carry out suicide attacks. Killing one self is a grave sin. But in today’s modern world, one should stand up and fight back with knowledge and words, not bombs.

What I find most heartbreaking is the lack of knowledge amongst people, instead they are fuelled with hatred and anger by the manipulation of the Media and Western Governments. How is it when a white American non Muslim goes on a shooting spree in schools and colleges is labelled as mentally insane, a white British non Muslim attacking a Sikh with a machete in a supermarket is labelled mentally insane, yet a Muslim that shoots and kills is labelled an Islamic Terrorist? How is it Saddam Hussein and Colonel Gaddafi were targeted and overthrown and labelled as corrupt and accused of war crimes, yet it is ok for the Israeli Prime Minister to allow his military men to slaughter over 2000 Palestinian civilians in 2014? How is it young boys playing football on the beach like any other day end up being blown up by Israeli missiles? Is it any wonder that this generation is growing up with much hatred towards Western Governments for allowing such war crimes to continue. And what actions has the United Nations taken?

This is why the next generation is growing up with hatred against the West. This must end now. Those of you that believe will know right from wrong. One should stand up and challenge their Government’s foreign policies. Western nations that talk of democracy, equality, diversity – yet they have their own agenda and manipulate people to thinking Muslims are terrorists. It is not Muslims that are terrorists, but individuals that do not believe and hearts filled with greed. Israeli, American and British Governments are no different from ISIL. Just as Al Quada was created by Americans to destroy the Soviet Union, ISIL too has been created to destroy Syria and gain control towards Russia and Iran all because of greed and wanting superiority – whilst they let Israel rampage and continue to wipe out many innocent Palestinians civilians. It is truly heartbreaking and saddening to see many innocent deaths around the world. There is only so much grief and tears a heart can carry.

My message to the Western World Leaders is for once put your greed to be superior over other nations aside – you will never win a war that is unjustified no matter how many times you bomb it. The people of Afghanistan have not forgotten the innocent civilians that were bombed at a wedding party by the American military, and it was not just once that they targeted innocent civilians at a wedding party. Most recently innocent people were killed at a hospital in Kunduz – again deliberately bombed by American military. This is violation of human rights. Wherever you go, you always leave chaos. Sixty eight years on and the people of Kashmir are still suffering because of what the British Government did. The real historians that have studied in depth know that it was not Hitler alone that started World War 2, Britain was not so innocent in its part that destroyed many lives. Iraq and Libya have been destroyed and left in pieces – and in place created monsters for your own greed. Reality is – until Gaza is resolved for the Palestinians, will there be stability and peace in the world – until then do not be surprised when your own cities are attacked as it is yourselves that continue to supply weapons and ammunition to the so called groups created by yourselves and Israel. This hatred and anger needs to stop now. It is time for change. Time for peace and most importantly treat each nation fairly and equally. To gain respect, one most show respect to others. My words may be harsh, but they are the truth. Many Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jews, Catholics and all those that believe echo my words – we all stand together for peace and harmony for our brothers and sisters around the world.

And my Dearest Readers, we all have a choice. So all I ask is for you all to stand up and challenge your Government’s policies. Question their actions. Do not be fooled by the Government’s and Media’s interpretations. Understand your neighbours. Stop those that are in the wrong. Learn and teach others the way of life as it is set out in the law. Protect the vulnerable that are brainwashed in destroying lives. Bombs are not the answer and they never will be. One that truly believes will know how sacred life is and would never hurt another. Speak out with your words – for words of wisdom and knowledge will go a long way to bring peace and understanding.

As many will be celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend – remember Thanksgiving is to being grateful, kind and generous every single day of the year. With the celebrations continuing into December of the birth of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and the year coming to an end – say a prayer for all those whose lives have been taken by wars of violence. Pray for your brothers and sisters around the world that have innocently lost their lives. Pray for the good hearted aid workers that travelled to war torn places to offer their charity and support, only to lose their lives and never return home. Pray for the honest journalists that reported the truth for the people,  only to lose their lives too in conflicts of war. Pray for those that left their homes to start a new life abroad, only to be caught up in war and never getting the chance to return to their loved ones. Pray for each of them, for prayers will bring much peace to their souls and know that they will never be forgotten. Let the New Year be full of promise. Give this generation hope to live for. It is written that until the Last Day there will always be an enemy amongst us – but together we can fight off evil and those that cause destruction.

My Dearest Readers, look after yourselves, hold patience in your hearts, never give up on hope and never stop believing in your Creator. My prayers to all of you and may Allah shower you all with a thousand blessings, may our hearts be eased from the burdens of heartache and sorrow. Ameen.

BR x