As a former member of the
Islamic Liberation Party (Hizb-ut-Tahrir, HT), I can really sympathise with my
former colleagues and other groups in their struggle to build a genuine Islamic
State that would be a source of security, justice and prosperity for all. In
the past, the Islamic State was exactly that, a system built on the actual
teachings of Islam, where people fled to seeking sanctuary. During the Medieval
Inquisition in Europe, the Jews fled to the Islamic State seeking protection. They
were offered that and they prospered for centuries. The Muslim Spain is another
example of where the society flourished at all levels with Jews, Muslims and
Christians living side by side.
I can hardly believe my
eyes, as the events have unfolded this year in various parts of the Muslims
world. It seems the notion of the Islamic State (The Khilafah or the Caliphate)
has been completely hijacked by wild extremists acting in the name of Islam,
and their actions are far removed from the action of Prophet Mohammed (SAW),
and the actions of the early companions and the generation of Muslims rulers
that followed.
