ANOTHER VIEW
“LIGHT IN THE SHADOW OF JIHAD”
Last week in Turkey a new light started shining in the shadow of Jihad. In response to the torture and murders of their husbands at the hands of young Turkish men who said they were defending Turkey and Islam against Christianity, Susanne Geske and Semse Aydin both said they would follow the example of Jesus and forgive them. It brought back memories of Pope John Paul II in 1983 who took the hand that fired a gun at him and said, “I forgive you.” All of these people point out that while hanging upon the cross, gazing upon a murderous mob, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Such forgiveness is extraordinary; we could almost say it is unnatural, or supernatural. Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth seem much more just. But some deeper purposes are at work here, some purposes that look beyond the normal human desire for vengeance. Somehow, the people who yield up their right to feel hatred, bitterness, anger and the desire for revenge must be doing so with a view to redemption, the hope that even these guilty might someday find genuine remorse and change.
Few stories communicate this like Les Miserables. After beating a kindly priest and stealing his silver candlesticks, Jean Valjean receives forgiveness and a second chance. He goes on to become an honest businessman, mayor, and philanthropist. His archenemy however, the Inspector Javert finds it impossible to believe that a person can be redeemed and pursues him relentlessly.
Some people like to paint such forgiveness as the path of weakness. I think not. For these two widows to squarely face the brutal way their husbands died at the hands of Jihadists and say, “We forgive,” takes amazing strength. Where does such strength come from? May more of us be strong like them as we all face hurts and hardships.
Forgiveness from the victims’ families will not get these men off the hook from paying their due to society. They will be tried and punished with a heavy sentence. The state does not guard the law for nothing.
In trying to strike a blow against their perceived enemies, these men have actually given an opportunity for the power of forgiveness to outshine the power of hatred and violence. Turkey needs a dose of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not a concept easily found in Islam. Defending one’s honor and hiding one’s shame are the way things work. The power of honor and shame work at every level of society, from the greatest to the least. But the events of the last week have interjected the hitherto unknown act of forgiveness into the system. What effect will this have upon those who want to advance their agenda with violent means? What effect will it have on the general Turkish psyche?
Susanne Geske has refused to return to Germany with her three children, saying that Turkey is now her home. The other widow, Semse, says she doesn’t feel worthy to have such a crown placed upon her head. Their light shines in the shadow of Jihad, and it seems unlikely that it will be diminished anytime soon.
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