The war at home - Part II

March 7, 2007
Notes on a Sheikh Widely Praised as a Moderate

Muslim groups have praised Qatari cleric Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi for his moderation. Among these is The American Muslim, which describes him as being "known for his open-minded attitude and for his willingness to address [issues] of vital contemporary concern in a spirit of genuine dialogue."¹ The Islamic Society of Boston—responding to an article by the Boston Herald identifying the cleric as a radical—praises him as "a voice of moderation."²

Other groups note him as a valuable source for information on Islamic perspectives. Among these is the University of Rochester Muslim Students Association (MSA), which posts links to several websites associated with him.³

Prominent non-Muslim sources such as the Washington Post have called him "a reformer, a voice not afraid to defy 1,300 years of sometimes sclerotic religious study."⁴ The Christian Science Monitor describes him as "a moderate Egyptian cleric." ⁵ Additionally, London mayor Ken Livingstone referred to him as "one of the most moderate Islamic figures."⁶ Livingstone has been noted for his favorable relationship with the Sheikh.⁷ In one dossier released by his office, he states, "Qaradawi has been one of the foremost Muslim scholars in combating socially regressive interpretations of Islam on issues like women's rights and relations with other religions"⁸

The cleric is praised as a moderate. But how progressive is he on the important issues singled out by Mayor Livingstone, as well as on other critical issues?

Regarding women's rights, he is on the record as being in favor of female genital mutilation—a primitive procedure in which all or part of a women's genitals are removed—though he does note that the issue is one of great dispute:

The most moderate opinion and the most likely one to be correct is in favor of practicing circumcision in the moderate Islamic way indicated in some of the Prophet's hadiths – even though such hadiths are not confirmed to be authentic… Actually, Muslim countries differ over the issue of female circumcision; some countries sanction it whereas others do not. Anyhow, it is not obligatory, whoever finds it serving the interest of his daughters should do it, and I personally support this under the current circumstances in the modern world…⁹

On relations between Islam and other ideologies: The Guardian wrote that Qaradawi has been described as the spiritual leader of a group known as the Muslim Brotherhood, founded to replace Western influences with lslamic laws and values. The Washington Post quoted the cleric as saying

"Conquest through dawah, that is what we hope for," said Qaradawi, an influential Qatari imam who pens some of the religious edicts justifying Hamas suicide bombings against Israeli civilians. "We will conquer Europe, we will conquer America, not through the sword but through dawah," said the imam, who has condemned the September 11 attacks but is now barred from the United States.¹⁰

Regarding the punishment of homosexuals under Islamic law, Sheikh Qaradawi told an interviewer on Al-Jazeera TV that

"Some say we should throw them from a high place, like God did with the people of Sodom. Some say we should burn them, and so on. There is disagreement."¹¹

A number of figures in the Arab world have spoken out against the moderate cleric's views. For example, a 2004 New York Times article stated that he had "issued a fatwa, or religious ruling, calling for the killing of American and foreign 'occupiers" in Iraq, military and civilian."¹² Among those who publicly responded to edicts like these was Abdel Rahman al-Rashed, the general manager of the widely watched Arabic satellite TV station Al-Arabiya, who was quoted in the New York Times article as saying

"Let us contemplate the incident of this religious sheik allowing, nay even calling for, the murder of civilians," he wrote. "How can we believe him when he tells us that Islam is the religion of mercy and peace while he is turning it into a religion of blood and slaughter?"

A columnist for the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Siyassa, Faisal al-Qina'I, also took aim at Sheik Qaradawi. "It is saddening," he wrote, "to read and hear from those who are supposed to be Muslim clerics, like Yusuf al-Qaradawi and others of his kind, that instead of defending true Islam, they encourage these cruel actions and permit decapitation, hostage taking and murder."¹³

Although Sheikh Qaradawi's appeal is not monolithic, he is a highly learned figure, with much influence throughout the Islamic world.

"When you talk about Sheik Qaradawi, you're talking about an audience of hundreds of millions of Muslims across the world, someone who actually creates public opinion," said Azzam Tamimi, director of the Institute of Islamic Political Thought in London.¹⁴

Granted, the cleric has spoken out against terrorism, notably in the case of the September 11 attacks on The World Trade Center.¹⁵ Additionally, his perspectives are likely more lenient than other Muslim Brotherhood-associated figures, like Osama bin Laden's deputy, Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri.¹⁶ Nevertheless, his stance in important areas like women's rights, the promoting of Islamic conquest through missionary activity, homosexuality, and support of terror activities, should be reason of concern to many in the West.

Many Muslims in places like America are not likely to be swayed by these radical viewpoints. The Wall Street Journal, discussing last year's cartoon riots, stated

We find it telling that the two places where Muslim communities have shown restraint and moderation is in the United States and Iraq. American Muslims are overwhelmingly middle class, upwardly mobile and not very susceptible to the atavistic urgings of distant dictatorships. In Iraq, an unsilent majority has repeatedly made its views plain about the religious fanatics who demand to speak in their name.¹⁷

That said, when certain individuals are well respected within a community, it is reasonable to suggest that many will follow their perspectives without questioning them. Clothed in the figure of someone like Qaradawi, with his scholarship, prestige and mass appeal, it makes for a dangerous combination.

One way to respond to concerns is for individuals and communities to distance themselves from him. This could include British groups protesting to Parliament, in order to prevent his entry to the UK. Families can turn off Al Jazeera when his broadcasts appear, or boycott the service altogether. Visitors to websites educating on these issues can request that links to his material be removed, or, alternatively, be very careful to review what appears in his name.

There are many other well-educated, moderate clerics today, whose messages are not as mixed and sometimes threatening as Sheikh Qaradawi's. Organizations and websites can turn to those figures whose overall views reflect the ideals they wish to see embodied in their communities, and help promote these clerics to others.

Above all, it is perhaps most important for people to engage in healthy dialogue with their leadership, regardless of their faith or political perspective, and critically examine the information they are receiving.

1 http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/yusuf_al_qaradawis_approach_to_shia_sunni_dialogue/
2 http://www.isboston.org/v3.1/viewitem.asp?DocID=2437&ItemTypeID=6 Quoting the Washington Post, in reference to how the cleric is perceived in the Middle East
3 The Rochester MSA site also lists jihadunspun—a website purported to promote terror—among its short list of useful links. According to a Chicago Tribune article that appeared in 2003, Jihad Unspun is "an English-language site that appears to promote terror." The Rochester MSA cites it under "News that tends to actually be fair, balanced, honest, etc. etc." The appearance of this link should not be construed to imply that the MSA wishes to promote terror.
4 http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A5496-2003Feb13¬Found=true
5 http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0318/p07s01-woap.html
6 http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=81187
7 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/thunderer/article542552.ece
8 http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503543886
9 http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,2763,1257458,00.html According to the article the Muslim Brotherhood "is banned in Egypt, where its members were implicated in the 1981 assassination of President Anwar Sadat."
10 http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A12823-2004Sep10?language=printer
11 http://www.memritv.org/Transcript.asp?P1=1170
12 http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/international/middleeast/09arabiya.html?ex=1252382400 &en=cadceec5547dbf51&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt
13 http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/international/middleeast/09arabiya.html?ex=1252382400 Aq &en=cadceec5547dbf51&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt
14 http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A5496-2003Feb13¬Found=true
15 http://www.cair.com/caircondemnsterrorism/muslimscondemnations19.asp
16 http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/zawahiri.htm
17 http://www.opinionjournal.com/weekend/hottopic/?id=110007956

Link to this Entry: http://www.worldunderfire.com/inthenews.htm#03072007

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February 19, 2007
In Search of a Hero

Muslim-majority Malaysia is currently developing a hi-tech animated children's series, named Saladin, that brings back to life the wars that ultimately forced the Christian Crusaders from Jerusalem hundreds of years ago, and returned the city to Islamic control.

According to Reuters, the series, which is being marketed globally, is part of an effort to spur growth in Malaysia's IT industry.¹ In addition to serving economic considerations, the series also aims, ostensibly, to provide today's children with a hero they can identify with. According to the website, "Saladin is an animation project inspired by the life of Salah Al-Din Yusuf Ibn Ayyub, the Islamic hero who united the Muslims in the holy war against the Crusades in the 12th century."²

If the online promo can provide any insight about the project, then it appears that it could inspire similar controversy to what was raised with Ridley's Scott's 2005 film, Kingdom of Heaven. The promo features Saladin's army setting ablaze a crusader fleet—replete with masts painted with giant crosses—killing most of those on board. Although the Crusaders are defeated in this battle, there will surely be more battles to come; as Saladin tells his comrade, "Our lands are safe for now. But Amalric will return, as will others, and next time, they will not be so careless."

Children have always benefited from strong role models. If a series built around an iconic figure like Saladin can provide healthy guidance to Muslim youth, it will be to their boon. However, in our increasingly divided world, it is possible that this show could also incite further division. In the Islamic world today, TV stations regularly show programs presenting inflammatory messages against the West.³ Crusader imagery is regularly invoked by Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda's number two, in his missives against America and others in the West. An episodic show like this, about the war between the Christian crusaders and the hero Saladin, could only serve to reinforce some of these messages, and further inflame tensions.

It is always a good thing if parents are able to discuss with their children the messages they are exposed to on TV, and in the world around them. This could potentially be critical with Saladin, given the sensitive issues reflected in today's political backdrop. Hopefully these concerns are unfounded, and the show will serve to build bridges, rather than further burn them.

Salahadin is scheduled to premiere in 2008.
You can watch the trailer, which is in English, at http://www.saladin.tv/main.php.

1 http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/04/07/1550100.htm
2 http://www.saladin.tv/main.php
3 See http://www.memritv.org for these, and other clips, shown on Middle East TV

Link to this Entry: http://www.worldunderfire.com/inthenews.htm#02192007

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February 5, 2007

A follow up to last week's entry on the Iranian nuclear threat...

Professor Bernard Lewis spoke last week at Hebrew University, following a screening of Obsession. He had the following to say, in response to a question from the audience, about his thoughts on a direct confrontation with Iran, and the solution to the crisis.

"I think there only one solution to the Iranian problem presented by Iran, and that can come only from the Iranian people.

Iran is a real threat. A mortal threat. And I think one has to take the nuclear threat in Iran very seriously. One also has to take account of what I think only be described as the apocalyptic mood of Ahmadinejad and his circle.

In Islam as in Christianity and as in Judaism, there is what you might call an end of times scenario. There will be final battles between the forces of good and evil. The Mahdi in Islam, the return of Jesus, the Messiah for Jews, will fight against Gog and Magog; Dahjal for Muslims. Or whatever else the adversary is called. There will be the final struggle which of course will end in the triumph of the forces of good, and the destruction of the forces of evil.

Muslims have a similar scenario, and Ahmadinejad and his group clearly believe—and I don't doubt the sincerity of their belief—that that time is now. That we are now entering the apocalyptic age. The final battles are taking place between the forces of good and evil, and will result, of course, inevitably, in the triumph of their messianic figure. And Muslims like Jews believe that one can take some steps to hasten the process. This I think is extremely dangerous and extremely alarming, because, if you consider the situation during the cold war, both sides—the United States and the Soviet Union—had nuclear weapons. Neither side used them because each side knew that the other would retaliate in kind. This was known as Mutual Assured Destruction. MAD for short. MAD doesn't work with these people, because Mutual Assured Destruction is not a deterrent; it's an inducement. And they believe that the end of time will bring the triumph of their cause. If many of their people perish, they will be doing them a favor; they will be giving them a quick free pass to heaven and all its delights. To the divine brothel in the skies."

Writing about the potential of a popular uprising in the near future, an article published in the Middle East forum asked, "Will Iran experience another revolution? It remains uncertain. But Iranian society is bubbling, and the stakes are huge."

Several Iranian groups working to promote positive change within the country are the Student Movement Coordinating Committee for Democracy in Iran and Regime Change in Iran.com. Additionally, Activist Chat supports a number of online petitions to the UN and others, on issues of relevance to the Iranian people and the current crisis.

Link to this Entry: http://www.worldunderfire.com/inthenews.htm#0252007

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