The Rising Religion
By Ali Mohamed Mori
About 18 years ago, I was in Manchuria where Japan was still wielding power. It was in a desert near Pieching that I first came across a group of Muslims. They were leading a pious life and I was deeply impressed by their way of living and by their attitude on life. This impression became deeper and deeper as I traveled into the interior of Manchuria.
I returned to Japan, a defeated country, in summer of 1946 and I found that the situation in Japan had changed altogether. There was tremendous change in the realm of thinking of the people. Buddhism which was the faith of the majority of Japanese, was thoroughly corrupted and instead of providing salvation it was exerting an evil influence upon society.
Christianity, after the war had made rapid strides in Japan although it existed there for the last 90 years, but it had remained as a formal religion only. At first, Christianity seemed to be accepted by the innocent, pure and simple young people who in a way had ‘ killed’ their love for Buddhism, but to their great disappointment they soon found out that behind the cover of Christianity there existed the network of British and American capitalist interest. Christianity, which has been given up in Christian countries is now being used for export, to serve their capitalistic interest.
Japan is geographically located between Russia on the one hand and America on the other and both wish to exert their influence on the Japanese people. None can offer a lasting and happy solution to the spiritually disturbed Japanese people.
To my mind it will be the doctrine of Islam and none other that undoubtedly offers the much sought solution. Particularly, I am appreciative for the fraternity in Islam. All Muslims are brethren unto one another and God has enjoined that they should live in peace and harmony with each other. I believe that it is this type of ‘Brotherhood’ which is so vital and needed most by the world today.
Last summer three Muslims visited Tokushima. They had come from Pakistan and it was from them that I learned a great deal about Islam and what it stands for. Mr. Motiwala in Kobe and Mr. Mita in Tokyo came to my help and I embraced Islam. Last but not least, I eagerly hope that one day the bonds of Islam will infuse new spirit among Muslims from every nook and corner of the world and this great message of God will resound once again with full glory from every land, so that the Earth becomes a Heaven to live in and God's creatures be really happy— both materially and spiritually elevated as God does intend.
1 comment:
[About 18 years ago, I was in Manchuria where Japan was still wielding power. It was in a desert near Pieching that I first came across a group of Muslims. They were leading a pious life and I was deeply impressed by their way of living and by their attitude on life. This impression became deeper and deeper as I traveled into the interior of Manchuria.]
It is an accepted fact that people living in remote areas tend to be peaceful. Villagers do lead a simple life. In China, there are Buddhists who even commit themselves not to harm nature, much less other humans. You could also find peaceful Christians in remote areas in any nation around the world.
I notice that the writer mentioned that he met Chinese Muslims. Chinese are by and large a peaceful people. They are pragmatic, unlike the violent Arabs. I think the writer mistook their cultural piety for a religion.
A point to compare; deeply-religious Islamic rural areas in Pakistan often implement a culture of honor killings for those who shame their families. You would not find such a culture in China.
A Chinese will forever be Chinese first, and their religion second.
[I returned to Japan, a defeated country, in summer of 1946 and I found that the situation in Japan had changed altogether. There was tremendous change in the realm of thinking of the people. Buddhism which was the faith of the majority of Japanese, was thoroughly corrupted and instead of providing salvation it was exerting an evil influence upon society.]
I am not Buddhist but to say that Buddhism exert an evil influence upon society is too much even for a lie. Buddhism is all about self-control, appreciating fellow humans, even animals. Buddhists even take care that they only interfere in nature at the minimum. They believe in harmony. The writer has not given any example about the evil influence that Buddhism has brought upon Japanese society. Today, Buddhism and its sister Shintoism are still the two major religions in Japan.
[Christianity, after the war had made rapid strides in Japan although it existed there for the last 90 years, but it had remained as a formal religion only. At first, Christianity seemed to be accepted by the innocent, pure and simple young people who in a way had ‘ killed’ their love for Buddhism, but to their great disappointment they soon found out that behind the cover of Christianity there existed the network of British and American capitalist interest. Christianity, which has been given up in Christian countries is now being used for export, to serve their capitalistic interest.]
Perhaps it is Islam that has vested Arab’s interest. Islam is the only religion that makes pilgrimage to Mecca an obligatory practice. Millions of its followers travel to Arabia every year, pouring money for the Arabs. The Arabs literally just wait for the money to fall into their laps. It is granted that hotel, transport, souvenir and catering businesses will never go bust in Mecca.
[Japan is geographically located between Russia on the one hand and America on the other and both wish to exert their influence on the Japanese people. None can offer a lasting and happy solution to the spiritually disturbed Japanese people.]
Japanese are spiritually disturbed? We all know that spiritually disturbed people cannot be productive in life. But the fact is Japanese are rich and happy. They have a socio-politically stable society, hardly a disturbed people.
[To my mind it will be the doctrine of Islam and none other that undoubtedly offers the much sought solution. Particularly, I am appreciative for the fraternity in Islam. All Muslims are brethren unto one another and God has enjoined that they should live in peace and harmony with each other. I believe that it is this type of ‘Brotherhood’ which is so vital and needed most by the world today.]
The Japanese work hard. If they are required to pause five times a day, their national productivity will go down dramatically. It is bad for the economy. And Japanese may be stressed out because of it. Haven’t you know – too much rest for hardworking people could bring about stress?
Yes, you are right. Muslim brotherhood is very much needed and very vital now. Muslims should live in peace and harmony. Why don’t you lecture this to Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq? Those Muslims really need it – dearly.
As for non-Muslims like me, I think we all have already shared the common values of brotherhood – humanity and freedom. We need not others. We are already at peace.
[Last summer three Muslims visited Tokushima. They had come from Pakistan and it was from them that I learned a great deal about Islam and what it stands for. Mr. Motiwala in Kobe and Mr. Mita in Tokyo came to my help and I embraced Islam. Last but not least, I eagerly hope that one day the bonds of Islam will infuse new spirit among Muslims from every nook and corner of the world and this great message of God will resound once again with full glory from every land, so that the Earth becomes a Heaven to live in and God's creatures be really happy— both materially and spiritually elevated as God does intend.]
It is the eternal wish of all non-Muslims that Islam could live up to the expectations above. We hope that Muslims everywhere (especially Iraq) could live in peace and harmony. We really do.
When you guys have already achieved such a brotherhood, the world is surely a better and hopeful place for both Muslims and Non-Muslims alike.
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