American political activist and former executive director of the Arab American Association of New York, Linda Sarsour while speaking at an event explained how she was threatened just to translate the Arabic word ‘Jihad’ in English.
“The actual word of Jihad is in Arabic that translates to ‘struggle’ in English. I think, as an Arabic speaker I should be the one to define what Jihad means not Google,” says Linda, whose family had immigrated to America from Palestine. She says, during a big Muslim Convention that she attended last year, she had given a keynote speech. Where she had narrated a story of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (May Peace Be Upon Him) when he (PBUH) was asked about the best form of Jihad. To which he (PBUH) had replied ‘The best form of Jihad is a word of truth to a tyrannical ruler’.
“Everybody clapped, it was great. I chatted with some folks and went home. The next day I woke up and I was trending on Twitter. The son of US president, Donald Trump Jr was calling for my arrest for treason and for calling for a Holy war against the President,” says Linda after her speech was twisted and fabricated by people.
“We as Muslims do not tell other communities how to follow their religion and I refuse to choose how others want me to follow my religion, as long as I am not engaging in violence or inciting violence against other communities,” she says. Linda did not take all the things and again explained the term Jihad through Washington Post.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5_vXtAd4pY
She writes “I refuse to be intimidated. I will not walk away from the people and communities whom I love deeply. I will continue to raise my voice for justice and equality for all, organize communities who want to defend the rights of black people, stand against policies that target and marginalize Muslims, and advocate for health care for all people. Dissent is the highest form of patriotism, and I intend to continue to push my country to respect the rights of all its citizens. I will not be silenced.”