The American Muslim (TAM)

There is no such thing as a moderate Muslim?

Sheila Musaji

Posted Oct 27, 2007 • Permalink • Printer-Friendly Version

There is no such thing as a moderate Muslim

by Sheila Musaji

As Editor of The American Muslim I have written articles defending free speech, academic freedom, encouraging interfaith - intrafaith - and civilizational dialogue, responding to Islamophobia, speaking out against terrorism and extremism, encouraging Ijtihad, exposing extremist Qur’an translations. I have encouraged my fellow American Muslims to sign on in support of the Amman Statement, in support of Sunni Shia unity, to support Tariq Ramadan’s call for a moratorium on corporal (hudud) punishment, and to get involved to solve the Darfur crisis.

I have signed on to numerous statements including those against terrorism, against punishment for apostasy and affirming freedom of faith, against torture, against land mines, against nuclear weapons, an appeal to release Christian peacemakers taken hostage in Iraq, etc. (The texts of many of these statements are listed below).

I completed the training for the Department of Justice, Community Relations Service ARAB, MUSLIM AND SIKH CULTURAL AWARENESS TRAINING, and participated in two training programs.

For the past several years I have collected and publicized information about Muslim Voices Against Extremism and Terrorism - fatwas, individual and organizational statements, quotations, etc. This resource is on the front page of the American Muslim site with a logo we developed that says “Muslims Denounce Terrorism”, and we made the logo available as a bumper sticker for Muslims to put on their cars to make this message visible. This resource has been noted locally, nationally and internationally, and many Muslim and non-Muslim sites have also put this logo and information on their sites, for example [1], [2], [3]. This effort received a positive mention in the Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI) Report on Countering Internet Radicalization (Report by The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute, and The University of Virginia, Critical Incident Analysis Group). According to a press release from HSPI:

“The report suggests the U.S. needs to catch up in this electronic war of words and add non extremist voices from the grassroots. Recommendations emphasize the importance not only of the message but the messenger in delivering the counter narrative. Engagement of the Muslim community in this will be essential according to the findings. “Unless elements of the counter-narrative emanate from within the Muslim community and are conveyed by voices that are trusted and credible within those communities, the opportunity to achieve impact will be limited at best.”

Page 11 of the report states:

“To generate a sense of context, a sampling (albeit unscientific) of noteworthy and creative initiatives—many of which are not very well known—are highlighted below. Admittedly, some of these measures may be limited in their ability to counteract the impact of the extremist narrative, which is being accepted and adopted by an important minority around the world. It is also important to recognize that certain countries and institutions may be sending mixed messages by simultaneously engaging or acquiescing in other activities that would seem to undercut the efforts referenced.”

The report then lists a series of organizations and efforts in a number of countries around the world that represent positive attempts to counteract the extremist narrative. In the United States the report lists 7 such efforts and The American Muslim is one of them.

And yet, according to some of those who have made it their life’s work to “educate” Americans about the “reality” of Islam and Muslims, I am not only not a “moderate” Muslim, I am judged to be an Islamist (Daniel Pipes); misinforming Infidels as to the true nature of Islam (Hugh Fitzgerald - Dhimmi Watch); an Islamofascist (Northeast Intelligence Network); a contemporary Islamic apologist (Religion of Peace?); a defender of the Muslim Brotherhood (Weasel Zippers); a quiet jihadist, Fifth Columnist and terrorist apologist. And, The American Muslim is accused of being a fundamentalist American Muslim magazine.

Who might be judged by these pundits to be a moderate Muslim? Daniel Pipes has a test and I’m proud to say, that I like Hamza Yusuf would fail. David Horowitz has a petition for Muslim students to sign to prove their “moderation” as part of his recent “Islamo Fascism Awareness Week” whose four key principals any Muslim could agree with, but which would require any Muslim signing the petition to agree with the mischaracterization of terrorists and extremists as “Islamo Fascists” thus blaming the religion of Islam for their criminal acts. But Hugh Fitzgerald’s suggestion that “Sheila Musaji needs to read Ali Sina, Ibn Warraq, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Wafa Sultan. They were all born into Islam. They were all raised in Muslim milieus. They have all testified as to what Muslims say in front of Infidels, and what they say when they think they are among only fellow Muslims.” really shows up what they are after - the bottom line for these folks is that in order to be a “good Muslim” or a “moderate Muslim” you must be an ex-Muslim. If that is what it takes to be a “moderate” then count me out.

All of these folks claim that they have no problem with “moderate Muslims” only with extremists, but their definition of moderation requires nothing less than becoming a non-Muslim. And, their tactics and rhetoric stirs up those who are much more extreme including the “Muslims are not real Americans”, the “intern Muslims” and “the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim” crowd.

And, if these Islamophobes succeed in alienating and degrading all American Muslims, including those who are working to change the hearts and minds of the extremists, then they are only helping bin Laden.

NOTES:

As the Editor of The American Muslim, I have personally been a signatory to the following:

Statement on Apostasy and Islam

We the undersigned Muslims from diverse backgrounds affirm: The freedom of faith and the freedom of changing one’s faith. In light of the Qur’anic guidance and the Prophetic legacy, the principle of freedom of faith does not lend itself to impose in this world any punishment or retribution solely for apostasy; thus there ought not to be any punishment in the name of Islam or fatwa calling for the same.

CAIR Not In the Name of Islam Petition

“We, the undersigned Muslims, wish to state clearly that those who commit acts of terror, murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but are also betraying the values of the faith they claim to represent. No injustice done to Muslims can ever justify the massacre of innocent people, and no act of terror will ever serve the cause of Islam. We repudiate and dissociate ourselves from any Muslim group or individual who commits such brutal and un-Islamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.”

Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID) Statement Rejecting Terrorism

“As American Muslims and scholars of Islam, we wish to restate our conviction that peace and justice constitute the basic principles of the Muslim faith. We wish again to state unequivocally that neither the al-Qaeda organization nor Usama bin Laden represents Islam or reflects Muslim beliefs and practice. Rather, groups like al-Qaeda have misused and abused Islam in order to fit their own radical and indeed anti-Islamic agenda. Usama bin Laden and al-Qaeda’s actions are criminal, misguided and counter to the true teachings of Islam. We call on people of all faiths not to judge Islam by the actions of a few.

We believe in justice and peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. We are convinced that security for Israel can only be achieved by justice for Palestinians. Today, a modicum of justice requires the establishment of an independent Palestinian state through the exercise of Palestinian self-determination. We believe that the continued occupation of Palestinian territories, and Israel’s repeated disregard of international law, have made life in the occupied territories unbearable. We say most clearly, however, that the killing of innocent civilians, whether Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, is always wrong and is forbidden in Islamic law and ethics. Illegitimate means can never be justified by a desirable or noble goal.

On this first anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, we call on all people of conscience to denounce violence and to work peacefully for the creation of a better world. We also urge our government leaders to work for peace, justice, liberty, and democracy around the globe.”

Resolution of the Shia-Sunni Dialogue to Save Lives

“Whereas, the Quran mandates Muslim unity in the verse: “And hold fast, all together, by the Rope of God, and be not divided among yourselves; And remember with gratitude God’s favor on you when you were enemies, and He united your hearts so by His favor you became brothers; and you were on the brink of a pit of fire, then He saved you from it; thus does God make clear to you His signs that you may follow the right way.” (Quran 3:103)

Whereas, the Quran makes an unequivocal stand for justice in the verse: “Oh you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, God is a Better Protector to both (than you)” (Quran 4:135)

Whereas, although sectarian divisions and some conflicts have existed among Muslims, the magnitude of the Shia-Sunni conflict in Iraq has little precedent in the Muslim history with the indiscriminate targeting of innocent men, women and children, and the destruction of ancient, venerated mosques

Whereas, the seeds for divisiveness for the entire Muslim world, including Muslims in the United States, are being sown through the Shia-Sunni conflict in Iraq

Whereas, the Muslim community in the United States is composed of thoughtful, caring Shias and Sunnis concerned about the future of Shia-Sunni relations in this country and around the world

Whereas, the differences between Shias and Sunnis have not precluded Shias from making the annual Hajj to God’s House in Makkah, Saudi Arabia or being accepted as Muslims by an overwhelming majority of past and present Sunni jurists

BE IT RESOLVED

That we call upon all Imams, Khateebs, Masjids, Muslim Organizations and Opinion Leaders in the United States to engage their local/national constituencies in critical intra-faith dialogue and education about Shia-Sunni relations and how to promote cooperation. Dialogue helps to isolate extremist fringes. Best practices should be shared

That Muslim scholars, from both the Shia and Sunni communities, including the various Fiqh councils and Imam organizations in North America, issue fatwas:

a) Reaffirming that the adherents of both Shia and Sunni Schools of Jurisprudence are Muslims
b) Condemning sectarian violence, killing, and destruction of property as un-Islamic and inhuman
That Muslims of Arab and South Asian origin residing in the United States organize intra-faith dialogue between Shias and Sunnis of their area of origin residing in this country, share best practices, and promote, finance, and transplant similar dialogues in their home countries with the help of relatives, friends, and leading Muslims.”

International Campaign to Ban Land Mines

“The International Campaign to Ban Landmines is committed to an international ban on the use, production, stockpiling, and sale, transfer, or export of antipersonnel landmines. We call for: Universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty, Compliance with the treaty provisions, Increased and sustained resource commitments (e.g., government, international financial institutions, etc.) for mine clearance, mine risk education and victim assistance, and for stockpile destruction, Firm establishment of the norm, as an international standard of behavior by all. We call for universal membership and implementation of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty since this offers the best framework for putting the ban into practice and assisting affected communities.”

Interfaith Open Letter to Alberto Gonzalez
calling on him: To denounce the use of torture under any circumstances; To affirm, with the Supreme Court, that it is unconstitutional to imprison anyone designated as an “enemy combatant” for months without access to lawyers or the right to challenge their detentions in court; To affirm the binding legality of the Geneva Conventions and the laws of war; And to reject the practice of “extraordinary rendition,” at home and abroad, by which terrorist suspects are sent to countries that practice torture for interrogation.

Global Justice Movement Statement of Shared Vision: “Toward a More Free and Just Global Economy”

Interfaith Open Letter to Release Captured Christian Peacemakers in Iraq

Tent of Abraham, Hagar, and Sarah Ad, an Interfaith statement in NY Times calling for peacemaking

Tikkun ad to end the war in Iraq

Muslim Christian iniative on nuclear weapons danger

Just a few of the hundreds of articles I have written and published on The American Muslim site:

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