Contribute to my struggle against Islamophobia.

[saifdeen]

I agree for the most part, the sidelines bit not so much. Reason being a few factors you may not be taking into account (increase of adherents, coverage etc) this will be dealt with in the future section/chapters. Our part in this is PR to help influence for the better.

Another argument on this, Reza Aslan on topic of PR:

ASLAN: Well, first of all, let's be clear that every single organization, major organization, Muslim organization throughout the world and in the United States, every prominent individual, be it political or religious leaders, everyone has condemned, not just this attack, but every attack that occurs in the name of Islam. Anyone who keeps saying that we need to hear the moderate voice of Islam. Why aren't Muslims denouncing these violent attacks doesn't own Google. But that said, I do think that we do need to do a better job of providing a counter-narrative. What really I think puts an obstacle in the way is opinions like Ayaan [Hirsi Ali]'s and so many others in the political and the media mainstream who continue to say that 1.7 billion people are responsible for the actions of these extremists. That doesn't help the fight against radicalism. The answer to Islamic violence is Islamic peace. The answer to Islamic bigotry is Islamic pluralism, and so that's why I put the onus on the Muslim community, but I also recognize that that work is being done, that the voice of condemnation is deafening and if you don't hear it you're not listening.

 

[Scimitar]

Ayaan ali hirsi is a laughing stock to non Muslims, let alone Muslims - no one takes her seriously after tavis smiley shut her up on PBS.

Scimi

 

[greenhill]

I've been reading posts in this thread and been trying to figure out if there was anything I could contribute.

Islamophobia.

If that is the 'angle' you are planning to broach it, perhaps it would be useful to relate it to the beginning of humankind, as in Syaitan's solemn oath to lead mankind astray and his claim that Allah will find very few who are grateful. With islam being the truth, how else could this plan work? Make it such that the world becomes islamophobic..(is there such a word?)

It makes sense to me....


eace:

 

[greenhill]

“(Satan) said: ‘See You this one whom You have honored above me? If You will but grant me respite to the Day of Judgment, I will surely bring his descendants under my sway – all but a few!’ ” [Sûrah al-Isrâ’: 62]

The message of truth is under attack. The prophet is being attacked, his ways.....the signs are there, and the nation is still in turmoil, divided 'politically', regionally, etc.

So easy to corrupt. Give them power. With that comes greed, pride, hoarding, oppression, arrogance etc. How far from the path will that be? How do we steer it back? What must be the realisation?

In reality we are the devil's toys. Or we chose to be an insan. It has to be about me and my intentions against me and my temptations, if I may put it as simply as I can. The other advantage I find with this is that I have less angst with matters I cannot effect. Does not mean I care less, but less emotional. It saves energy. But I digress. . .

eace:

 

[greenhill]

“(Satan) said: ‘See You this one whom You have honored above me? If You will but grant me respite to the Day of Judgment, I will surely bring his descendants under my sway – all but a few!’ ” [Sûrah al-Isrâ’: 62]

The message of truth is under attack. The prophet is being attacked, his ways.....the signs are there, and the nation is still in turmoil, divided 'politically', regionally, etc.

So easy to corrupt. Give them power. With that comes greed, pride, hoarding, oppression, arrogance etc. How far from the path will that be? How do we steer it back? What must be the realisation?

In reality we are the devil's toys. Or we chose to be an insan. It has to be about me and my intentions against me and my temptations, if I may put it as simply as I can. The other advantage I find with this is that I have less angst with matters I cannot effect. Does not mean I care less, but less emotional. It saves energy. But I digress. . .

eace:

 

[saifdeen]

Excellent contributions. Scimi I got your message and will call you after 6 inshallah. No, Ayan is not the problem but she's part of the problem. Her angle was FGM being Islamic, women's rights and male-dominated societies, ignoring the fact that her culture, the Somali culture is actually more of a Maternalistic society if anything. Her equating Islam with these things did enough in the eyes of the public and the brainwash is successful, then you have the other angles like Anjem Choudhary, Robert Spencer, Sam Harris and loads of others biting at the image of Islam to which the media lap it up. :heated:

Greenhill, I actually dont like the word Islamophobia and regretted using that title for this topic instantly. It's the only word I could think of though other than hijacking antisemitism even though majority of Muslims are not Semites. I suppose that would be good counter-PR, exposing antisemitism to apply more to Islam than it does to European converts, but thought climbing that wall would be too hard.
I like your approach to the root of the problems with shaitan and will cover this in the history section, although I don't want to come too strongly from the Islamic theology, but more to what non-Muslims can relate to more. This doesn't mean burrowing Christian or other traditions - they are ignored - it means expanding Islam to include other traditions and then relating it universally to everyone.
The angle is an eye-opener document hoping to switch the current understanding of the world. My contributors keep saying is this your Communist Manifesto, and its a good analogy. It is supposed to divide opinions and change the status quo. It will talk about the past, explain the present, and go on to predict the future, all while explaining Islamic perspectives, universal worries such as the rich vs poor gap etc etc

Contributions from people with political, religious, economics even anthropology backgrounds would be great although nowadays most things can be researched well enough using the internet. That is what we're all doing now, picking a topic and researching it well enough to write a chapter on, then rotating the topics between ourselves to see if anything can be added/editted while making sure the narrative of the book is followed. Inshallah the first such topic will be posted soon here.