Salamun alaykum,
Disclosed : Worst kept secret of the year:
Britain's prime minister, Gordon Brown, has announced parliamentary elections to be held on 6th May,2010. Brown, who made the announcement outside Downing Street, said the election date had been "probably the worst-kept secret of recent years".
The election candidates are putting to use all forms of campaign methods such as bill boards, telephone calls, door step canvassing, print and electronic media coverage including social networking sites to seek our votes. As the general election approaches it is tempting to be bored by angry debates and glossy campaigns and many develop an attitude of ‘I have nothing to do with it!”
Participation is vital:
In Ruling 223 of the book : A Code of Practice for Muslims in the West, our Marja Taqlid Ayatullah Al Udhama Seyyid Ali Husayn As Sestani states: “At times the higher interests of the Muslims in non-Muslim countries demand that Muslims seek membership of political parties, enter parliaments, and representative assemblies. In such cases, it is permissible for Muslims to engage in such activities as much as is demanded by the interest [of the Muslim community] that must be identified by consulting the trustworthy experts.”
Do I have anything to do with elections?
Yes. As Muslims, we have a duty to advance the image of Islam and contribute towards creating a better society. One of the ways we can be able to achieve this is by political involvement and participating in the democratic process.
Voting is the first part of the process. As citizens, the ability to vote gives us a right to choose the people who will represent us, to determine who gets to affect our daily lives and to say what we want the government to do.
It won’t make a difference:
The common argument repeatedly heard from many people is that,” my single vote won’t make any difference.”
If everyone thinks along these lines then only the minority who vote has the power to rule over the majority who chose to ignore their right of voting.
Let us participate:
"Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (within their own souls)." Sura Ar-Ra’d 13:11
This process of elections provides us with an occasion to be involved in making a decision of the condition we wish to be in. Let us use this opportunity to join hands with fellow Britons to participate in the elections. Let us vote for candidates who will discharge their duty in a spirit of serving the public and seeking the common good for all.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat