Petition against 'Islamic' terrorism

[monkeytrousers]

Just want to sound this idea out with you good people

Everytime someone in the media mentions the words 'Islam' and 'terrorism' in the same sentence it does nothing but reinforce the idea that the two are inextricably linked. The caveats added after the fact don't do much to redress this imbalance, IMO.

I've never organised a petition before but I think if enough of you were to support it I would like to ask the BBC to do something pro-active in this area. If the BBC can be convinced (a long shot I know but I think it's worth a try) then other media would undoubtedly follow. (they are pack animals )

At the very least we can register our opinion that this will help to unite all creeds in the face of international terrorism and not follow the terriorsts own script when it comes to the corruption of Islam.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

[bloss]

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[dinny]

exactly, Bloss - jihad.

[monkeytrousers]

It is tricky Bloss, but I disagree, I think they're using an extreme and distorted version of Islam to persue their own aims, which are nothing to do with religion and everything to to with money and power. It's a means to an end and nothing more. It's meant to enflame racism also, this is just a strategy to try to change that. A symbolic one.

[monkeytrousers]

I think we have a duty to promote a racially and religiously tolerant society. This is a small symbolic but tangible step towards that. If the white majority concerned themselves with this issue it would change rapidly. It's like reciprocal altruism. We'd all win by this move.

[dinny]

Who has a duty to promote such a society, Monkeytrousers?

[bloss]

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[monkeytrousers]

Dinny - I think it's the duty of everyone who wants to live in such a society, and I do.

Bloss - I agree with you to a certain point.

I'm sure there are passeges in the Q'ran like you say, as there are similar passeges in the Bible. I think though that it's a mistake to start quoting from these texts - the subtlty and knowledge required for a valid interpretation is beyond me and should be left to scholars.

I can't hold a debate on those terms as I just don't have the knowledge and so should leave well alone, except to say that I believe it's the literal interpretation of these texts that feeds extremism and such conjecture on our part (if your anything like me) will not contribute anything of importance to the debate. Everyone thinks their opinion is valid, if you like, and its not. It just muddys the waters even more.

It is simplistic, I agree. Alot of stuff in the news has been about how much the onus is on Muslim comminities to stamp out this kind of fundamentalism. This is a symbolic act of solidarity, thats all. Like going on a march, like writing to your MP except it's using the media to much greater effect. The terrorists are so media savvy I think we can play them at their own game, on this issue at least.

[saadia]

This radical and extreme interpretation of Islam was encouraged and funded by the US to fight against Russian forces in Afghanistan. It has obviously got out of hand and the Iranians rightly described it as the "illegitimate child of US foreign policy". I would not be surprised if in some way this terrorism served the US's interests.

For the record the God that the Muslims believe in is the same as the Christian and Jewish God and He is not despicable. It is people who choose to be despicable.

I do commend you mt, I think the world needs more people like you.

[monkeytrousers]

Sorry Bloss, but where did I say that these people are driven by their experiences of racism?

[bloss]

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[bloss]

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[monkeytrousers]

Thanks Bloss. I think the fact that there is such room for confusion between moderate and extreme camps is illustrative. It's also food for bigots.

Racism probably does have a hand in recruitment but it is part of a bigger picture like you say. Most of all, I'd imagine it's used to appeal to the rather naive idealism of youth. But a symbol such as this would perhaps help to counter that, I dunno.

How would you suggest framing it to make it more accessible? I'd appreciate any ideas.

[bloss]

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[bloss]

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[monkeytrousers]

I was more thinking of International terrorism.

[monkeytrousers]

I think the term does need to exclude any reference to Islam or Muslims. Muslims are actually more likely to be a victim of these organisations around the world.

What does anyone else think? Pile in!

[edam]

Agree with Bloss. A march by people against terror, including Muslims, other religions and atheists/agnostics would send a powerful message and I'd be happy to join that. But trying to hush up the fact that these people claim to act in the name of their religion is a denial of the facts.

[bloss]

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[monkeytrousers]

I don't think it's denial.

We were talking about positive discrimination on another thread, about it's symbolic (if contentious) uses. Can't he same thinking be used in this instance? How can moderate Muslims reclaim their own religion in all this chaos and misinformation? And the media comment alot on issues while claiming to be impartial, why not make more of this? They accepted Bush's 'War in Terror' without any challenge or debate. They accept the terrorists hijacking of Islam in the same way.

After the march against the war I'm afraid that another march will be too easy to dismiss but terrorists, bigots and politicians alike.

I'm not suggesting that the causes and links stop being debated. Just to use language to reclaim a slandered identity.

[monkeytrousers]

Sorry about the typos!

[binkie]

Maybe I can do a clearer link to the petition I mentioned to MT below ... Unite Against Terror - bloss, I think it may be what you are looking for.

And if not, I think your view as to where it may miss a point would be very helpful to hear.

[bloss]

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[monkeytrousers]

Sorry, I meant the term not the war itself.

If the media already debated the issue in it's complex entirety then I would agree with you. But short cuts with language are already being made, debates simplified and dumbed down into a TV friendly format.

Thats the nature of the mainstream news, I understand that. It's not the place for in depth debate. It's all a bit deceptive from that perspective.

But there are positive and negative consequences to this and very often it dichotomizes the 'west' and 'Islam' in this order, i.e. it sets them in opposition to one another and so nullifies the exact opposite message coming out of the politicians mouths IYSWIM. It's very subtle, and this is a simple response to try to redress that imbalance.

[monkeytrousers]

Has anyone read Edward Said's Orientalism?

[ChaCha]

I can see both sides of the coin here.

Moondog - I don't believe that you have to be a Muslim to as you put it 'to fight the battles of others'. Would i then need Palestinian nationality in order to be worthy of standing up for their cause...We are afterall as i keep saying human beings..where's our humanity?

My MIL is a practising Christian and we respect each others religion and way of life, she feels remorse for the death of Muslims all over the world as do i for non-Muslims..humanity comes first, not race, religion or colour.

Also as far as the Quran is concerned - certain passages/verses need to be read in the correct context.

Peace to all