In the ideal world, the rights of minorities should be protected by the State, and when that is not taking place, at least by the majority in the community.
Given that, often, the State *and* the majority fail to protect the rights of minorities, does this mean that the burden to fight for one's rights falls upon the minority? Is it fair for the State/the majority to expect lobbying/education from the minority?
On a related note, is it the responsibility of the majority in a nation to be fairly educated about minority communities? Or is it more of a responsibility of the minority to inform the majority of its values/belief systems/desires?
.m said
My view is that fighting injustice is something that is an obligation on a community as a whole – a bit like a ‘fard kifaya’, such as burying the dead. Once one person buries a dead body, (s)he discharges the obligation for everyone, but until then, each person in the community has an obligation to do so. And I would apply this to all forms of injustice, that against minorities being just one of them…
As for who’s responsibility it is to inform, that’s a tricky one I guess. If you’re part of a persecuted minority, you may feel a lot safer keeping a low profile than raising your head above the parapet…