Most people would take it at the very least
seriously. I take it seriously, as in I find it seriously disturbing that we have done our job so badly as to allow this to gain any sort of legitimacy at all. The saddest part is that a lot of people will take the content seriously and if not agreeing with it, it will at the very least consolidate an underlying belief that the traditional Islamic narrative has no basis in reality- this is the aim really- He didn't try to rearrange some aspects, challenge some convictions- he wants to rewrite the entire story conveniently in light of contemporary Western needs and world-view. That way, you have 'Islam' subjugated to the whims of the dominant world order, a very inviting prospect. Also consider that it is the academics dream that Islam, ever the stubborn opponent, will be forcefully (i.e via an intellectual version of the 'crusades') submitted to fit within the nice, neat discourse of the West in regards mankind, existence and reality, to conform with the assumptions and philosophies that underpin its civilisation.
I think it was Syed Hossein Nasr who said "the days of the British going in and teaching the Muslims what Islam is are gone"- Very pertinent, because this is exactly the mission- it is about defining the 'other', making them feel hopeless about their own sense of identity, making them feel helpless to do anything in the face of constant attacks, until they are broken down and remoulded to both imitate the Western 'self' and sit passively within the framework of its understanding of reality.
Academics, as I have experienced myself, and bear in mind that he is a journalist trying to prove himself as a historian, love the grandeur of recognition for their ideas and the idea of leaving some indelible mark on mankind. He just becomes a tool to be manipulated by various agendas, even though he himself is just a fool looking for an ego-boost and a name on the page with other famous orientalists and theorists on eastern history.
The problem is not just for the da'wah with non-Muslims, but that the Muslims are so hopelessly out of touch with the Islamic heritage and legacy, so inept, that many will actually find these contentions troubling to their faith. Add to that that they are not isolated incidents. Add to that the stars in their eyes from it being on mainstream media and thrown around the Newspapers like gospel truth, the pressure of constant controversy and the inability to rationally deal with the sensationalism of Islam's enemies, its a problem. It is a problem because there comes a time when truth doesn't matter anymore, when all that matters is the end-goal and getting there is just a matter of constructing a path. We want to win the hearts and minds of people, but it won't happen sitting around and letting others indoctrinate them without a strong and strategic response.
We know that their premise always begins with
this cannot possibly be from God, Muhammad s.a.w cannot possibly be the Messenger of God, Islam cannot possibly be a true religion. Yet simply knowing isn't enough, we shouldn't even be defensive, we should go on the attack and undermine their foundations, and the foundations they lay their attack on. Instead of just crying or burying our heads in the sand. (not talking about IERA of course, May Allah reward them)
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