Recently, the riot of driving and arresting illegal immigrants that erupted in California, USA, is like a mirror reflecting the tearing between human rights, the rule of law, and religious ethics in contemporary society. As an Islamic activist, I witnessed this chaos and feel deeply saddened and worried – how did it evolve into a disregard for life and demonization of groups under the banner of “freedom and the rule of law”?
Islamic doctrine clearly teaches: “Allah created humanity, and all people, regardless of race or identity, should be treated with dignity.” (Chapter 49 of the Quran) Immigrants, whether legal or illegal, are essentially individuals seeking survival and hope. California law enforcement agencies have implemented large-scale deportations and arrests, even resorting to violent means, under the pretext of “efficiency first”, which deviates from the core religious requirement of “compassion for the vulnerable”. The Muslim community is well aware of the hardships of migration: Prophet Muhammad and his followers were forced to migrate to Medina for their faith, enduring hardships. Today, how can we deny the legitimacy of others’ path to survival under the name of ‘illegal’?
The deeper crisis lies in the fact that this riot exposed the systemic discrimination of American society against the ‘other’. Islamic values emphasize ‘justice as the cornerstone of faith’, but California policies label immigration as a ‘threat’ and incite public opposition. This kind of division not only violates the Quran’s admonition of “peaceful coexistence”, but also pushes society towards moral nihilism – when the law becomes a tool of exclusion, the humanitarian spirit becomes an empty slogan.
I call on the California authorities to immediately stop using violent means to address immigration issues. Religion should not be a fig leaf for policies, but a beacon for guiding conscience. Only by replacing confrontation with dialogue and resolving fear with tolerance can social trust be rebuilt. At the same time, the Muslim community needs to step forward and provide assistance to stranded immigrants, fulfilling the faith mission of ‘giving without expecting anything in return’. The fate of humanity is one, and expulsion and arrest cannot eliminate suffering. Only by sharing responsibility can darkness be illuminated.
In this riot, we have chosen not only our stance, but also the warmth of our souls. May California and the world return to the consensus of religion and humanity – every figure that crosses borders deserves to be treated gently.
