“Freedom” gone crazy

A few months ago, the municipality of Amsterdam announced that it will implement a gender-neutral communication policy, swapping 'ladies and gentlemen' in speeches and 'dear sir/madam' in letters to 'best attendees', or 'dear resident'. The London underground also recently changed 'ladies and gentlemen' to 'hello everyone' in its announcements. The reason for this change is so that everyone should feel included by the terms used and feel respected.

We can all agree that the term “ladies and gentlemen” not so long ago was seen as a respectful way to address a crowd of people. That using this term could cause people to feel disrespected or excluded would have actually been an absurd notion. We need to examine the fact that these words could change from being a “right” way to address a crowd in to a “wrong” way and that the municipality felt the need to intervene by making changes in how they would address their citizens.

When keeping in mind that Western governments claim that they don’t involve themselves in the private affairs of its citizens or that they preach what should be seen as morally right or wrong, how can they now interfere in this matter of gender neutrality and push the narrative of the LGBT lobby on to society and demand that century old respectful terms are changed in order to “guarantee” that anybody who might actually take offence of being either called a gentlemen or lady would feel excluded.

Even more worrying is the fact that governments, with their so-called freedoms, are becoming so deluded that actual truths, which are based on facts, such as the biological makeup by which one can conclude that a human is either a male or a female, are actually being subjected to debate based on the troubles and misconceptions of a very small minority in the society.

This minority wants to have the freedom to decide whether they feel like a male, female or anything in between and to be also addressed by others in a manner they see fitting. Consequently, they made gender some kind of a filthy term for society at whole and something that by definition should be questioned. Can they still uphold the notion that everyone has the freedom to do as they wish as long as their freedom doesn’t interfere with another man’s freedom?

Instead of offering this small minority group help and advice on dealing with these confusing feelings, we actually see that governments are willing to prioritise these distorted thoughts over facts in an attempt not to make anybody feel excluded. This is a clear example of the flawed system of liberalism where absurd laws are passed by Western governments which enable individuals to realize their optimal level of sensual fulfilment but not making any consideration about the effect it will have on the whole society.

Whilst Western societies make up man made laws which often lead to a new wave of additional problems on top of existing ones, Islam will bring a comprehensive system which will encourage the Islamic way of thinking in all matters. This thinking is actually based on reaching the truth on matters. Reaching the truth is what will be the sole motive behind any study or research, and once the truth is reached and proven conclusively, Muslims will abide by it and adopt it as part of their thinking. So, when we encounter issues in our daily lives, whether they are political, economic, intellectual or cultural, we will seek for evidences within our reality and link these to Islamic texts as to come to a conclusion on the matter. Therefore, no idea, opinion, rule or thought will be taken on without a daleel (Islamic evidence). On top of this, we will see that with every action/decision, the individual is encouraged through taqwa to think and behave in an Islamic way and the public will be motivated through this same taqwa and its concerns on safeguarding society, and the state will act in agreement to ensure that Islam with its laws is implemented. This is what will safeguard society as a whole and provide clear answers on every matter we will deal with.

(يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ)

"O mankind! There has come unto you an exhortation from your Lord, a cure for that which is in the breasts." [TMQ 10:57]

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Yasmin Malik
Member of the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir