As horrible as the last century was for the Ummah, the 21st century is rapidly becoming even more devastating. The reason: Muslims are killing fellow Muslims by the thousands.

In Pakistan, political violence peaked in the run-up to last month’s parliamentary elections. In Afghanistan, pro-government forces and Taliban fighters continue to battle. In Sudan, tens of thousands of Muslims have been slaughtered, raped, or forced to flee at the hands of the Muslim janjaweed. In Iraq, sectarian violence continues to exact a heavy toll on civilians daily. Kurdish fighters and the Turkish military are currently engaged in fierce fighting. And on and on it goes.

Where is the moral outrage amongst Muslims? Why doesn’t the Ummah protest the killing of Muslims by Muslims with the same fervor that they protest the hideous and ugly caricatures of our holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? Why is the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) so impotent in creating policy statements, let alone mobilizing the Muslim Ummah to demand an end to inter-Muslim bloodshed?

American Muslims, while segregated geographically, have been mostly spared from the sectarian and ethnic schisms that divide the Muslim world. Our masajid and national organizations are melting pots of Muslims from all corners of the globe. It is more common than not to see Sunni and Shia mixed together at Islamic gatherings, conventions, and educational forums. Marriage between Muslims from vastly different ethnic backgrounds are becoming more commonplace.

The divisive factors that plague the Muslim world are almost non-existent amongst American Muslims. Thus, it is incumbent upon American Muslims to take a more active role in helping resolve conflicts between Muslims throughout the world. Perhaps what the Muslim world needs is inspiration and guidance from American Muslim organizations and institutions that have been successful in bridging the differences between Muslims. Our institutions have been successful in establishing Islam in America, participating in local and national elections, providing educational and career opportunities to our youth, while continuing to adhere to the basic principles of our religion.

One may ask if it is possible for American Muslims to have influence beyond our nation’s borders, when we still have so much work to do to combat the negative perceptions of Islam amongst our fellow Americans. As Presidential hopeful Barack Obama stated in his speech to supporters following the New Hampshire primary, "We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can withstand the power of millions of voices calling for change."

By becoming involved in our mosques, youth groups, and national Islamic organizations, American Muslims can be the power that calls for change – within our nation’s borders, and outside of them. We should not neglect our duty as Americans to work for a better America for ourselves and our children, nor should we forget that we belong to an Ummah that is in dire need of our assistance.