By Elizabeth A. Leib
Early last week it was announced in the press that a new video message from Osama bin Laden would soon be released with a special message for American citizens. It was delivered to the Al Jezeera TV station anonymously from Pakistan. He may or may not be alive, but in either case, he can command international attention because of the violence resulting from his ideas. Can world war be avoided by confronting the ideas that are radicalizing young Muslims?
Check out this discussion broadcast in 2006 on the British broadcast Channel 4 exploring the struggle to balance free speech with individual rights:
For the last few months after reading Infidel, Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s s autobiography, I’ve been preoccupied with her ideas and the worldwide response to them. Thanks to the internet, a great deal of information is available by reading weblogs from people in other countries, viewing news reports, video blogs and the many recorded public interviews with Ali. It’s impossible for me to discern her motives, as her critics are willing to do. But when I listen to her and read what she’s written, I find her ideas engaging and complex. At the most basic, she claims that Islam is fundamentally incompatible with western-style democracy and that the goal of its radical practitioners is to conquer us from within by immigrating in vast numbers. In fact, in the last 10 years the Muslim population has doubled in Europe.
The issues raised by Ali’s life story, her views and her presence on the world stage are being extensively and passionately written about and debated online and in public forums. Generally the critiques from Muslims are personal attacks on her character. Frequently crude, they make no effort to engage with her ideas. Ali is gifted with beauty, intelligence and a story that is uniquely relevant to religious, social and political developments. She’s accused of being a self-promoting publicity hound with motives as destructive as the king of pain himself – Bin Laden. She has opted to make use of all of her gifts in favor of a high profile life of controversy. I’d be interested to know the cost of the security necessary to preserve her life.
It’s possible to imagine the many avenues to a comfortable life she might have chosen. Once free in the West, she could have shed Islam, married or not and quietly advocated on behalf of any number of causes befitting her story. Her considerable intellect could be rechanneled into literary work – something better disguised than Rushdie’s Satanic Verses. She has pointed out that none of the writings of western enlightenment thinkers has been translated into Arabic. Could she not have spent a lifetime in a library doing this work?
But that isn’t what she’s chosen. In an interview she said that she thinks that the only path for her is to directly and publicly contest the ideas being used to radicalize Muslim youth. Although the truth is always messier and more complicated than its presentation, if one was to judge by the many new blog posts showing up daily, readers are responding positively and admiringly to her and her ideas. She’s presently writing a book as a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute she is calling, “Waking the Prophet Up in the New York Public Library” that is described as an attempt to create a shortcut to enlightenment for Islam. She summons among others John Stuart Mills and Karl Popper to speak with the founder of Islam.
Ali’s breathless uncritical embrace of America and the U.S. Government is a little unsettling, particularly at a time when many do not support its actions in Iraq and are suspicious of the role played by a politically motivated religious (Christian) right. It was amusing to me when an interviewer tried to casually suggest a parallel between the Christian concept of submission and the Islamic one. She responded by pointing out that the relationship between Allah and his followers is one of master to slave compared with the Judeo-Christian relationship of father to son where dialogue and arguments occur. Then there is the degree of separation between church and state (not enough for some of us) found in the U.S. compared with Islamic governments. In other interviews she insists that people begin to recognize that the Quran is as much a political philosophy as it is a religion.
Ali has said she believes the West has been unaware of the full extent of the ongoing threat since the 9/11 attacks. She says she sees no one competing with Bin Laden’s ideas for the hearts and minds of young Muslims. Having researched Bin Laden’s writings and discovered how they are drawn directly from the Quran, she thinks no one is talking about the foundation Islam provides for terrorism. She thinks all the time and attention diverted to arguments about the culpability of US foreign policy, or the poverty of suicide bombers, or the existence of Israel and its treatment of the Palestinians are worthless in addressing the root of the problem. Allowing Muslims to immigrate and make use of the freedoms permitted by liberal democracy without requiring them to adapt in the name of tolerance and multiculturalism is in her view very dangerous. Bin Laden’s tape calling on Americans to convert to Islam would seem to be a confirmation of her views.
Whatever your view of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, being informed about her positions and engaging with her ideas may be one of many important steps toward a dialogue that could defuse the conflict that is building.
The internet makes available a wealth of information about those working within Islam interested in a peaceful, more progressive future for their faith. Don’t miss the comedy link to leaven the subject!
The initiative for an open Arab internet - http://www.openarab.net/en/
Muslim Wake-Up, seeks to bring Muslims and non-Muslims together - http://www.muslimwakeup.com/info/
Reference to Dr. Khaleel Mohammed, a progressive American imam – http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2007/08/a_muslim_defense_for_interfait.html
The American Muslim – declarations of Muslims against terrorism - http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php
YouTube video website about ijtihad, Islam’s lost tradition of independent thinking- http://www.myspace.com/projectijtihad
Innovation and Creativity In Islam, A Nawawi Foundation Paper by Umar Faruq Abd-Allah, Ph.D. - http://www.muslim-refusenik.com/news/innovation-creativity-islam-nawawi-foundation.pdf
Muslamics blog, sharing Muslim activists’ thoughts and opinions on everything from politics to paradise - http://muslamics.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html
Visit this link and search for “Dishing Democracy” - http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/
This PBS special goes behind the scenes at Arabic television channel MBC in Cairo and its hit all-female talk show, KALAM NAWAEM. Similar in style to ABC’s THE VIEW, the top-rated program is hosted by four presenters of different ages, nationalities, and points of view who tackle such sensitive issues as homosexuality, domestic violence, women voting, and social and political equality between the sexes. WIDE ANGLE demonstrates how the satellite television revolution is bringing unexpected voices for social reform into living rooms throughout the Middle East — in primetime.
Notes from the filmmaker of Dishing Democracy - http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/shows/cairo/filmmaker.html
Muslim Girl magazine - http://www.muslimgirlmagazine.com/web/index.cfm
Intellectuals
New York Times Book Review - By Ian Buruma
World War IV: The Long Struggle Against Islamofascism
by Norman Podhoretz - http://www.nybooks.com/articles/20590#fn14
Recent interviews with Ayaan Hirsi Ali
TV Liberty, Is Islam Compatable with liberal democracy?, an hour long video interview with Ayaan on Sept. 8, 2007 - http://tvliberty.blogspot.com/2007/09/is-islam-compatible-with-liberal.html
Podcast of Ali interview at Sydney Writers Festival - http://www.newmatilda.com/home/articledetail.asp?ArticleID=2292
Comedy
MadTV Parady on Al Jazeera TV - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS4v_kj9rw4&mode=related&search=
Al Jazeera spoof - http://www.metacafe.com/watch/341081/al_jazeera_english_via_the_daily_show/
A Saudi TV show, a satricial comedy getting great ratings - http://mondediplo.com/2004/09/16sauditv
6 responses so far ↓
Debbie // Sep 21, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Very nice article and links. You read Ayaan Hirsi Ali correctly. She is a very strong woman, beautiful in character, spirit and physically beautiful. But if we never saw her, her message would be just as strong.
She says that no one is offering an alternative to bin Laden’s message, which has been true. But, slowly and surely, there are a frew brave groups and individuals who are speaking out.
They fear for their lives and countries should make every effort to protect them, and to help them spread the word.
Islam at it’s root teaches violence, but having said that … I don’t believe that all Muslims are potential terrorists as some do.
G-d gave us all freedom of choice, to either accept or reject his plan. All other religions share their beliefs ans allow individuals to accept or reject. Islam is the only religion in modern times that tries to force people to convert under threat of death. This is what we must fight against.
Thank you for your comment at Right Truth. I hope you will visit again.
diosabaytuti // Sep 22, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Thank you for your comment on my blog. I find your writing engaging and conscientious, and I will continue to check back here.Perhaps we can get a dialogue started and learn from each other.
Smartypants // Sep 30, 2007 at 8:36 am
I appreciate your comment at my blog and came over here to read what you wrote about the book “Infidel” and Ali.
I read the book a few months ago and was equally conflicted about her. I agree with most everything you’ve said here. I find that there are people in Islam, Christianity and Judaism that concern me and I’m not sure I am capable of putting them in a priority of who I find the most dangerous.
Ali does a great job of outlining the dangerous aspects of Islam. But I am very worried about how her message is being used by the neocons in this country. She brings up very mixed feelings for me - and I find that very interesting and stimulating. We are so used to simple categories for people these days.
Raees // Oct 1, 2007 at 3:11 am
Hey, thanks for your comment on my blog. This was an interesting article, very engaging and you’re clearly a talented writer. I’m still scratching my head over this one. Very difficult to make up my mind on such a contentionus issue. I agree that there aren’t enough voices out there countering the anti-radical element in society. However, the majority of Muslims feel: Why should we have to be obliged to constantly reassure people that we are NOT radicals, or extremists or terrorists? I do agree that there should be a moderate presence out there but similarly the view of tarring all Muslims with the same brush is just as divisive. Debbie’s view that: “Islam at it’s root teaches violence” is, pardon me, very blinkered. Religious scriptures from any faith can be taken to propogate violence. If you look at the Bible in Matthew 10:34-39, Jesus says: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” He goes on to say: “I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law”. In Luke 12:49-53, Jesus says: “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division”. In Luke 14:26 he goes on: “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple”. I’m sure all of these have less-violent interpretations - similarly, so do the Qur’aanic scriptures that people quote day and night. Personally, I hate to attack any faith. I hate to quote the Bible for vicious means or ends, since in Islam we are taught to believe that Jesus was a messenger of God, a Prophet just like Muhammad. Anyway, once again, a very thought-provoking peice of work. Keep it up.
Raees // Oct 1, 2007 at 7:55 am
Hi there, thanks for the reply.
In terms of the US, I can’t really comment, since I’m from a small town in the UK. The Muslims here integrate into the area, engage actively in public and local politics, work actively in and out of the community for inter-faith issues and contribute a great deal to the economy in terms of business and profitability.
I think the question a lot of people need to ask themselves is, how actively do they engage with the communities themselves. It’s a two-way street.
But unfortunately something that people rarely understand, is how different the cultures are. My family is from Pakistan. I am very western in my outlook, approachability and general appearance, since I was born and bred here. But simple things like talking to strangers, just aren’t done in our countries. A woman walking down the street in Pakistan wouldn’t even make eye-contact with a man passing the other way. There’s a certain level of modesty, which I personally find to be a matter of personal pride. Call me old fashioned!
I guess what I’m trying to say is, just as there are differences between the attitudes and behaviour of people from cities and towns, similarly there are differences between western and eastern cultural behaviour and mannerisms.
But that’s not to say they’re not “integrating”. In most countries, Muslim immigrants are often the most integrated in terms of the things that matter. They work hard, whether that be as cab drivers, factory labourers or businessmen - contributing to the economy of the town and the country. Muslims have the highest voter turnout in Europe - exercising their right to vote democratically (an option they may not be given in their country of origin!).
Culture is different to religion. For example a Middle-Eastern Muslim may be more approachable since they tend to be more modern - the South Asian Muslims from India and Pakistan, are more rooted in their traditional up-bringing, so they tend to be more absorbed into their own little world. It’s not fair to expect this change to come overnight. The second and third generation Muslims ARE more integrated since the barrier of language has been broken down.
It is THIS type of interaction (that WE are taking part in right now) that needs to be pushed forward. Its only after these types of dialogues take place that both sides can learn from each other and better their understanding of each other’s cultures.
Finally, I don’t make movies, I’m a journalist. The post on my blog is an interview with a friend of mine, Aneel Ahmad. He’s the director. I’m just a simple wordsmith!
AyyA // Oct 2, 2007 at 11:13 pm
I have read Ayaan Hirsi’s book, and as born Moslem who lived most of my life in an Islamic state, I can tell you that she is genuine. All the evidences she gave either using Quran verses or the prophets traditions are accurate. There are also much more that she didn’t say. Most of her critics are arguing that this is not Islam, but culture. Either way, what is the difference? Islam was based on the desert military ideology aiming for expansionism since its bloom fifteen centuries with the prophet Mohammad. The prophet Mohammed said in one of his traditions that he was assigned from God to fight all nations until all declare that there is no God but Allah, and Mohammad is His rightful messenger. It takes people who live under the unjust brutal laws of Islam to judge Islam, and not those who live under the free umbrella of the Western society. But how could you hear their voices when the mere objection is considered a sin? Those critics are trying desperately to polish Islam, but how much can you polish? Others try to reform it forgetting that reform is forbidden in this Religion. Quran calls those Monafiqeen, which means the ones who take a part of their religion and leave out other parts. Reform means change in the core of Islam, and reformers are considered infidels according to true Islamic preaching. I have no doubt in my mind that Ben Ladin is a true believer and that he is not different than the prophet himself, except for the fact that he happened to appear centuries later. Islam is a rigid religion, it does not accept allegoric interpretations, and all its dogmas are supposedly valid to all times till Hereafter. And whoever denies that, is denying Islam. Moslems, before others, should acknowledge this fact, and work to destroy Islam before Islam destroys them first, and destroy others with them.
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