Creating Acceptability First? NO.

Had a chance to converse with a leader of one of the important Muslim organizations in India who was on a visit to the UAE a couple of months ago. Got an opportunity to listen to the firsthand account of the policies and developments as well as future programs. Also, shared some of my concerns especially with regards to the fact that its literature says one thing and the current policies of the Organization ‘say’ something different.

Tried to highlight the self-contradiction which must be causing confusion among its (sincere and devoted – and in many cases highly educated) members and sympathisers which is tantamount to undoing one’s own efforts. The respectable gentleman listened to the observations patiently and shared his feedback.

He agreed to the basic concerns and said that he is trying to bring a change in the perception of the members of his Organization for the past few years and he is doing so in a somehow discreet manner. He observed that one has to create his acceptability first in order to be listened to before highlighting any gross changes which are required.

It is rationally not tenable. Because it means that you say things similar to what others are saying for a while in order to create and maintain your acceptability – despite knowing that you actually hold different views. And after sometime i.e. after having ‘achieved’ acceptability, you start airing different views – thus contradicting yourself and others.

I reflected on this strategy and found out that it was contrary to the strategy of the one whom we are supposed to follow (pbuh). He did not try to create acceptability first. Truth (as best as we can perceive it) is a victim – most of the times, I have noticed. We pray for it quite frequently. But we don’t really seek it. It is a paradox.