Adversity is often a catalyst in strengthening the solidarity of a community. Unfortunately, the current hardships we face may be having the opposite effect. Rather than rally Australia’s Muslims, shocks like the arrest of several Muslims under new anti-terrorism laws and the vilification of Islam by media personalities may instead be exposing a divided and disorganised community.

Australia’s Muslims do not speak with one voice, nor do we have any unifying body. To speak of the Muslim lobby is to speak of many different groups that do not necessarily share the same interests.

The divisions primarily run along ethnic lines: Arab Muslims, Turkish Muslims, and South Asian Muslims. Instead of speaking with a unified voice, each group promotes their own agenda and ethnic-specific interests.

There are unfortunately also feelings of resentment and bitterness between some groups.

With little consensus on issues and limited cooperation between groups, the Muslim community is left in an extremely vulnerable position.

Unity — or at least a greater degree of harmony — within the Muslim community would make it easier to consolidate each group’s strengths and put them to better use. Our various individual capabilities would be more effective under a co-operative front. For instance, greater unity would allow Muslims to gain more clout in the political arena.

The current adversity we face has given us common ground on which to cooperate. The challenge is to take full advantage of this opportunity while avoiding the pitfalls of creating further divisions.

How do we do this?

Firstly, we need to be, as the Quran demands – guardians of one another: "The believers, men and women, are guardians of one another. They command what is right and forbid what is wrong." (Quran, 9:71)

The word "guardian" means protector, helper and supporter. The believers, honest, and sincere with high moral values, should support each other, and be helpers and protectors of one another.

Our Beloved Prophet (s) said: "A Muslim is a brother to another Muslim. He does not forsake him. He defends him in his absence."

The Quran presents the story of Musa (as) as an example of this practice of guardianship. Musa unfortunately killed a man by mistake when he sided with another who was in trouble. Then, he had to run away from the city to save himself from the cruelty of Pharaoh. He managed to leave the city with the help of another man. He reached a watering place in the land of Madyan and helped two women who kept back their flock because they did not want to mix with the shepherds near the water. When they returned home, the women told their father, Prophet Shu’ayb (as), about Musa’s help. Prophet Shu’ayb (as) invited Musa to his home.

Because Prophet Shu’ayb (as) recognised the goodness and trustworthiness of Prophet Musa (as), he helped him in his time of difficulty and allowed him to stay and work for him.

Shu’ayb protected and guarded a good man who encountered difficulty. Unless the good offer help and support to one another in times of adversity, then they will not be able to defend themselves against injustice.

Unity, cooperation, solidarity, friendship, self-sacrifice, support, and similar qualities are some of the beautiful attributes of our Quranic morality. This is stated in many sayings of our beloved Prophet (s): "Believers are like the different parts of a building, each one supporting the other." Then he demonstrated what he meant by interlocking his fingers.

The second thing we need to do is stop the in-fighting. We must stop the bickering and finger-pointing. We must stop the childishness and grow up. In particular, public dummy-spits and airing of dirty laundry must be avoided. Our scholars especially must lead by example.

Yes, there will continue to be differences — disagreements on issues such as to vote or not to vote, to see or not to see the moon, and so on. But these issues should not stop us from cooperating on the one, single, most important issue today — the injustice that we as a community are suffering. We must unite in the face of adversity!

The War on Terrorism targets Muslims. It does not ask whether you are Shafi‘ or Hanafi; it does not check whether you have a beard or not; it does not care if you pray at home or in a particular masjid. It is not concerned whether your name is Bilal or Jack. If you are Muslim, no matter of what kind, it is targeting you. And who is going to help when it comes knocking on your door?

Finally, we are desperately in need or reformers who are sincere and ethical, who are able to put aside their egos and self-righteousness; and who can rise above their own narrow perspectives and selfish interests to serve the greater good of the Muslim community. May Allah (swt) allow such men and women to arise from amongst us. Ameen.