Silence in The Time of Chaos and Cries

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 19 August 2024 Rajmohan Gandhi's 'The Deafening Silence Of A Noisy Nation' makes one think. It's the calculated and most opportunistic silence (of a powerful nation or group) that hurts the most. This reminds me of Dr Martin Luther King Jr's two epochal quotes on the shrewd silence: " Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter " AND the immortal, " In the end, we'll remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter," serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of remaining passive in the face of injustice and inequality. King understood that complacency and silence only serve to perpetuate societal problems and hinder progress. He encouraged individuals to actively speak out against injustice, discrimination, and the issues that truly matter. By taking a stand and advocating for change, we not only fulfil our moral responsibilities but also preserve the vitality and meaning of our own lives. This quote serves as a call to action, urging us to use our voices to make a difference and create a world that values equity, compassion, and justice. "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends," encapsulates the significance of standing up against injustice and the power of passive complicity. King understood that the true measure of friendship lies not in words of support but in the willingness to confront and challenge oppression in unity. By highlighting the consequences of remaining silent when witnessing wrongdoing, he inspires individuals to re-evaluate their roles as allies. King's words serve as a potent reminder that we must strive to eradicate complacency and actively support causes that promote equality and justice for all. A powerful nation, group or people's silence is utter insouciance. It's cold- shouldering despite being able to offer one's shoulder to a distressed one to lean and cry on. Political silence kills empathy and a sense of universalism. 'Let them suffer for, they don't belong to us' is (undesirable) political astuteness. It belies your love for the neighbour(s). To be silent is to be indifferent. Nothing hurts more than indifference because throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph. Looking askance when your neighbour or friend expects just a word of consolation and nothing more is anything but humanity. Silence in the time of chaos and cries is not just individual indifference, it's collective insensitivity and institutionalized ruthlessness. Sadly, we're all witness to it and are equally responsible. ------ A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/silence-chaos-cries/d/132976 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism