Message of Equality

Every year the month of January reminds us of the remarkable work done by Martin Luther King Jr. to end racial discrimination in America. I think it is also a time of self reflection and to ensure that we continue to move forward with the message of human equality and racial equality. Human equality stems from the principle of justice.

As a Muslim, I believe that the principle of equality extends beyond all boundaries and divisions. The first chapter of the Holy Qur’an makes it clear for all times to come that God is the Lord of all worlds. So, this world belongs to us all equally. We as humans do not have any right to discriminate between His creation which are created equal by Him. Any notion of inherent superiority is unjust and goes against the teachings of Islam. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) during his Farewell Sermon said, “All of you are equal. All men, whatever nation or tribe they belong to, and whatever station in life they may hold, are equal...an Arab possesses no superiority over the non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab over an Arab.” I hope and pray we all may adopt the message of equality wholeheartedly to end all forms of discriminations.