The Muslim Opposition to Terror.

[Blu]

I must admit to having been exasperated by the lack of coverage gifven in the media to the major and unequivocal statements made by the Muslim leadership and community against terrorism and the events of last week. many news reprts mentioned the fear of a backlash, but did not give centrestage to the powerful muslim voices in support of the victims (from all races and resligions) and against people who use the name of Islam to justify terror.

The major daily newspapers from across the arab and muslim world condemned the attack, including leading papers from Egypt, the Jordan times, the Arab news in Saudi Arabia, Al-hayat, the London Arab paper, the Pakistan Times.

Britain's Imams and Mullahs and the Muslim Parliament all made statements declaring terrorism to be against islam, and determing that perpetrators of terror should be caught.

I think one of the most important things we can do in these times is to show respect to the ordinary, decent muslim citizens of this country, who are strong in their opposition to those who use violence, whils being subjected to racist backlashes.

What fantastic news if it turns out to be true, vp- I hope wiltshire hears.

Thanks for that,vp - will go look on BBC.

Blu - what a superb post and thank you very much!
I'd like to post on here later after i've had my meal x

Crikey, I can't keep up!

Blu, thanks for this

Fuzzywuzzy, Slink
So sorry that your families have had such horrible experiences

There is quite a prominent quote on the BBC news website, here about the new evidence; I'll copy the relevant bit below (but it's good to see that is has a lot of prominence in the article)

Sir Iqbal Sacranie of the Muslim Council of Britain said they had received the latest news from the police with "anguish, shock and horror".

He said: "It appears our youth have been involved in last week's horrific bombings against innocent people.

"While the police investigation continues we reiterate our absolute commitment and resolve to helping the police bring to justice all involved in this crime of mass murder. Nothing in Islam can ever justify the evil actions of the bombers."

Fuzzywuzzy, can I just add my words to the others- I am so sorry about your experiences, and those of your friends.

I've been thinking of Fuzzywuzzy and Slink too. And Sparks' friend's mum. Very sorry.

Bump

thanks for this thread.
Just wanted to add that as a secular muslim, I do not feel in tune at all with muslim leaders in this country ( and all over europe generally).
They are hypocrites who condemn such atrocities but more often than not their sermons remain very ambiguius (spelling????).
We live in a secular society and MUST start teaching that religion is a private issue. As long as Politics are percieve and justified through the scope of religion, second and third generation muslims will not be able to "melt" in the British (european) "pot".
Don't want to offend anyone, especially not observant muslims. But, please just take a hard look at what's going on in europe. We muslims are being manipulated by muslim leaders who will not let us question the dogma. We are made to feel absurdly guilty about living a secular, western way of life.
I think you can keep your faith and traditions going by giving your children a strong sense of identity through langage, folk culture, and religious education. That's what our parents did. And they had to face primal racism when they arrived in this country (and other european )yet they managed to do it.
These youngsters are manipulated by two faced imams who are themselves manipulated by the hypocrite, corrupt wahhabi doctrine of Saudi Arabia.
OK, I think I'm going to stop here.
Again, hope Im not offending anyone, and would be great to hear your say.

slim22 - what a thought provoking post. Well put.

Good post slim, did anyone see the American Muslim lady on Richard and Judy the other day? sorry don't have time to spot any details on her, but she made some very thought provoking statements, similar to slims, she was pointing out re the last 40years or so that Muslims have lost the once encouraged tradition of discussing their teachings, this was again echoed by the chappy on Newsnight last night, but I'm sure that could be a whole other thread entirely if anyone watched it, sad to see three muslims of different generations, each sticking resolutely to their own ideals, which I think demonstrated where one of the many problems lies....off for ages now, so won't be able to get into hot debate with you all, sorry!

slim, very happy to see you. The Muslim Council is apparently touring W Yorkshire for today's prayers - link here and I am looking forward to hearing the outcome.

Do you feel the Muslim Council speaks for you?

spot on slim!

'I wish people would realise that muslims are as much victims of this as christians, jews, hindus etc etc.

We never damned all catholics becasue of the IRA attacks - they weren't defined by thier religion by the media.

These people are not muslim in the same way as the IRA bombers are not christian as they have broken the sacred laws of thier religion in murdering the innocent. People who worship the same god do not agree on everything, therefore the majority of muslims do strongly condemn the attacks made in the name of Al Quaeda and the attacks on London.

As I said before I welcome the multi-cultural nature of this country. I hope it is not destroyed.

Emma xx'

I have to point out I am a from a family of Irish Catholics. My MIL said to me when the IRA had exploded a bomb that all Irish should have to wear a badge to idicate who they are. The think the difference is really Irish can't be identified by the colour of their skin (not that their aren't Muslims who are not Asian). My MIL has told me Irish jokes knowing how sensitive I am since her comments and when I told her 'English' jokes got very offended. Some people are just bigots and look to hate.

Hello again,
Don't if any of you muslims, if yes, thanks for at least bothering to engage in some sort of discussion.
See, problem often is that if you dare using your brain and putting things in perspective you are imediately outcast and branded a traitor to your people.
To answer question re: is muslim council representative, answer is no. I'm no bigot.
I consider myself to be a loving daughter, loyal wife, caring mum, law abiding citizen, charitable person, but all this I can be without sticking to a literal interpretation of the Kuran which in this days and age is used as a weapon against muslims themselves.

slim, I am ignorant, sorry - I thought the Muslim Council was a voice for non-extremism - certainly being presented that way in the media at the moment.

Hello again Binkie.
Muslim council is indeed quite moderate, but I still feel

1. its position is ambiguius (sorry for spelling!!!) One can not on the one hand sort of "understand" palestinians/chechen/iraqui/etc.....suicide bombers behind closed doors and on the other strongly condemn suicide bombers in London. They can not possibly be sending the right message when after last thursday they have to go to the media to tell young british muslims that suicide bombing is not authorised by Islam. Did anyone in their right mind think otherwise anyway????????????? I hope you understand what I mean.
2. As a secular muslim I do not feel represented. I feel excluded from the muslim community the council stands for. It might be a minor issue to you because mainstream christianity is todayrelaxed about the idea of secularity, but it is a big deal for a lot of people like me, in the UK and also more importantly in muslim countries. We are going to need a lot of support to change things. PS: on this last bit, see Johan Hari editorial in todays Independent. In two words he promotes the idea of "girl power" in muslim societey. Well thought. We are the one who bring up the men.

slim22 - in their defence I thought the media announcement was more a way of pointing out to non-muslims that the muslim majority do not support violence. They have had a lot of criticism in recent years for "not condemning violence enough".

I have to wonder though: why "secular muslim" rather than, say, "lapsed muslim"? I was brought up a christian but would never call myself a "secular christian". It's rather a relief not to have to identify with (many of) them tbh.

ps, what I mean is, I would never call myself a christian at all. a humanist perhaps, or an agnostic.

Slim, don't you think when the council came out and said that it was directed at non-Muslims. Perhaps trying to stave off a backlash or stop bigots and racists before they had the chance to claim the opposite. I thought that.

And I can broadly understand the symbolic meaning of suicide bombers from brutalised and powerless non-states such as Palestine. To understand it isn't to condone it. Its, for want of a better word, 'hijack' by international terrorists such as Bin Laden et al, perhaps reveals it's fundamental weakness and undermines its 'legitimacy' IYSWIM.

It is murder, you're right. There can be no ambiguity on that issue.

senorapostrophfe, very good point. hate to admit it though becouse I am not confortable with the idea!

Monkeytrousers, indeed message was mainly directed to non muslims but it is just crazy to actually have to make such a statement.!
They did because there position was not clear.

Slim hi just catching up with this thread, i am a moderate muslim, i have a dd 4 now and have been trying to teach her about the religon but i do not agree with much that is said, also i refuse to send my dd to the mosque to learn as having sat in one class i was not happy with what they were teaching. I HATE the word Kuffers (sp sorry). So have decide to tech her to be a good person and have a good heart.

Sorry Senora, post crossed!