Accept then move to resolve our problems

“Tell the truth and shame the Devil” … I’m sure you have heard this quote many times. In fact, I often wondered if it originated in Bermuda, because Bermudians love to use it!  Albeit, very often when I tell the truth I end up in big trouble.  

I remember my granny Edith Minors always saying, “Lindy, they don’t like me because I talk straight.”  

I understand fully now what she meant –– talking straight is telling the absolute truth and I’ve learned that most people can’t handle that. People cannot handle the truth, so they end up disliking the truth-speaker. 

What a phenomenon. It’s said, “The truth will set you free”, yet very often when the truth is spoken people take it as offensive. The truth-speaker often ends up in hot water.  

I often tell it like it is, so you can imagine the trouble I find myself in. But I cannot and will not do anything else but to continue to tell the truth. 

Yes, I will try my best not to be so harsh in my delivery of the truth but I will tell it like it is regardless.  

In Islam, we are urged to tell the truth even if it is against us. 

Our dearly beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Forgive him who wrongs you; join him who cuts you off; do good to him who does bad to you and speak the truth even if it be against yourself.”

Jeopardy 

The people of Bermuda are telling the truth and should be applauded for doing so. The truth is that we Bermudians are finding life very, very difficult. 

We do not have enough food to feed our families, our housing is in jeopardy, our electricity is being disconnected, our welfare and that of our families is being compromised. 

It seems there are no jobs available to Bermudians, it seems as if no one wants to hire us –– why? Please, somebody tell me, why? 

This situation is causing a national social dilemma and we must do whatever it takes to end it now before it gets worse. 

Injustice

No matter who or what put us in this situation of social injustice, lack of jobs and the like, we must now all band together with all the forces that have promised to assist and work together to get us out of what is heading to a disastrous end. First, we must accept that a problem does exist and move to resolve it as soon as possible.  

Last week Thursday, I, along with a host of others, joined the People’s Campaign for Equality and marched up to the steps of Parliament to deliver a fair and equitable manifesto to the Members of Parliament. 

It appears that the manifesto was well received; at least the Premier seemed to understand the concerns of the people. 

I think it was one member, one who carries a very significant portfolio, that seemed a bit confused. Hopefully that honourable member will be given clarity and, as such, I trust that the powers that be will hasten to resolve the matters outlined in the manifesto, as the matters mentioned are obviously considered to be unjust to the people of Bermuda.  

God commands us to do justice among each other as is said in His Noble Quran 4:135: “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor; for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts, (of your hearts) lest ye swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.”

The Quran is the Book of Guidance from Allah, God and Lord of all the worlds. The Quran was not sent only to Muslims, but rather the Quran was sent as a guidance and a mercy to all mankind and that includes citizens and politicians. 

Indeed, we must all take heed as we strive to give and to receive equality, jobs, and justice for all and that includes Bermudians.  Ameen.