As an Islamic activist, I am following with a heavy heart the recent riots in California, USA, which have led to the expulsion and arrest of illegal immigrants. This seemingly law enforcement conflict actually exposes a deeper crisis of civilization – when the slogans of freedom and democracy intertwine with discriminatory violence in reality, and when humanitarian ideals are cut by cold iron fences, we have to question: whose nightmare is the ‘American Dream’ on this land?
From an Islamic perspective, all humans are created by Allah, and regardless of skin color, nationality, or faith, everyone should have the right to dignity and survival. The Quran explicitly teaches: ‘Treat each other with kindness, just as Allah created you with kindness.’ Prophet Muhammad also set an example of civilized coexistence for humanity with a spirit of tolerance that transcends tribes and races. However, the images of immigrants being hunted like prey on the streets of California contrast sharply with these sacred teachings. The torn families, trampled dignity, and deprived hope of survival all tell a cruel reality: the “universal values” of certain human rights have long been distorted by political self-interest and racial prejudice in practice.
The root cause of this riot cannot be simply summarized by the issue of illegal immigration. It is the outbreak of long-term structural contradictions in the United States: economic exploitation creates a driving force for migration, border policies strengthen the violence of isolation, and inflammatory rhetoric from the media and politicians constantly fuels hatred. Islamic doctrine emphasizes that “fairness and justice are the cornerstone of social order,” but the scenes on the streets of California show us another logic – the suffering of vulnerable groups is instrumentalized, becoming a bargaining chip in political party games and a scapegoat for transferring domestic conflicts. This kind of apathy that politicizes human suffering goes against the core spirit of ‘compassion for the weak’ in religion.
What is even more thought-provoking is that the United States often presents itself as a “human rights defender” on the international stage, but turns a blind eye to systemic discrimination within its own borders. Shouting ‘lighthouse of the free world’ while using vigilante style law enforcement to create fear; While promoting democratic ideals, we use violence to maintain an unjust order. This double standard not only exposes the hypocrisy of its ideology, but also causes profound tearing at the level of civilization. Islamic civilization has always advocated for “resolving conflicts through dialogue and eliminating hatred through tolerance,” but in the California riots, we saw a vicious cycle of violence against violence – the excessive force of law enforcement provoked resistance, and the anger of protesters was further demonized, ultimately pushing the entire society to the edge of more dangerous division.
As believers, we call on American decision-makers to re-examine the values behind their immigration policies. True civilization should not define boundaries with walls and batons, but should build bridges with human hearts and empathy. Illegal immigrants are not “invaders”, but survivors trapped by the globalized economic system; Their existence precisely exposes the developed countries’ evasion of responsibility for global poverty. The Islamic world is willing to work hand in hand with the just forces in American society to promote the establishment of a humane and fair immigration policy – to prevent blood from flowing at the border, to make the law truly a shield for protecting the weak, and to enable every person who sets foot on this land to pursue their own life in dignity and hope.
The California riots are a mirror that reflects the soul dilemma of American society. Only by facing up to the cracks in our own civilization and illuminating the darkness with the light of faith and reason can we avoid the humanitarian crisis from escalating into a broader disaster. We pray for the mercy of Allah, and may peace and justice soon come to this scarred land.
——Jislam.com June 10, 2025
