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Woodland Democrat - March 14, 2013
What is planted in each person's soul will sprout?
By Khalid Saeed, Director Woodland Mosque & Islamic Center
The purpose of a Religion is to teach Morals and guidelines to follow through in areas of life and among them is love thy neighbor. Islam and all religions try to bring order to society and eradicate evil.
On life Rumi said, “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."
When I read above wisdom from Rumi, I was thinking if Jeff Reisig Yolo County District attorney really is a ‘Rumi’s whirling Derwaish’. The thought came to me because his office has worked hard, spent many months to form MCCC ( ‘Multi Culture Community Council’ ) with a mission to ,enrich understanding of Yolo County’s diverse population, develop historical and demographic knowledge and Celebrate how cultural knowledge expands our ability to accept and appreciate differences.
Using Rumi’s words his ‘task’ as a DA is not necessarily to seek love on the job, but he is a public official who represents the government in the prosecution of ‘alleged criminals’. In civilized world and in our criminal justice system a person is innocent until proven guilty. The ‘alleged criminals’ are still innocent while the DA’s office is investigating and putting the case together. My hope is that investigation is fair when the ‘criminal is still alleged’ and charge is fair as the investigation completes.
Many may have complaints and I do hear stories where people feel they were not dealt justly, but if DA’s office is trying to eliminate ‘barriers within’ the system, barriers like prejudices, hate, discrimination and lives up to the mission of MCCC, his office is practicing best of any religion, best of any civilized society and best of humanity. DA’s office should be commended for it.
MCCC has planned several different community forums and recently had its first ‘Muslim and Sikh ‘forum at Woodland community college in which among others the audience included police officers from Woodland, Davis, winters and West Sacramento, the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol.
In a media interview Jeff Reisig said that each police chief agreed that it would be essential for law enforcement to be present the discussion. He attested to their — and his own — commitment to remaining sensitive to the issues introduced:
“It will matter when they’re making a car stop, or when they’re out in the community contacting people. It was the group’s decision to get as many cops out here as we can, because the more they understand, the better it will be for all of us.”
“I learned a lot tonight too, and that’s good,” Reisig continued. “I mean, issues come up all the time in the D.A.’s Office where distinctions between cultures, religions and ethnic groups are important.”
In my holy book Quran, Almighty the creator of heaven and earth says to humanity, “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah , witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (Quran 5:8)
Quoting Rumi again, “What is planted in each person's soul will sprout”. There are many among us who are planting hate, bigotry, prejudice which plants fear and causes discrimination, creates fear and hate in the communities, which then gets in the way of justice.
I think all of us as a society need to be true to our American ideals; we should all stand up, voice our opinions for justice and against hate for all in a true American way. I will conclude with Rumi , “Lovely days don't come to you, you should walk to them.”
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