Where are all the reasonable Muslims?

[BananaChips]

So recently there has been the mass kidnapping (and forced conversion) of hundreds of school girls in Nigeria, and now today in the news a woman in Sudan is condemned to death because she refuses to renounce her faith for Islam.

Numerous political figures across the world and some other-religion figures (Archibishop of Canterbury if I recall) have spoken out against the kidnappings, albeit not in terms of religion.

But I'm sincerely curious as to why there seems to have been no one from the Islamic faith who have spoken out against these two recent atrocities. Is it just that the UK news media have not reported it? Is it that no one has spoken against these tragedies? Would we be wrong to say that these actions are putting Islam in a bad light? These actions are being carried out with distinct emphasis on religious grounds.

I am not trying to stir up any anti-religious feelings, I just want to understand why these acts have not been roundly denounced by members of their own faith. (Please point me towards it, if I've missed any in the news...)

"I do find the Koran hard to understand, but I guess that's because I've never read it or looked into it"

You think? [dumbfounded]

Amothersplace - Islamic prayers are a time for people to try to be spiritually and physically pure and not distracted by worldly things. I'm not saying I subscribe to the idea that mixed sex prayers causes distraction but I think there is some rationale.
I don't think women are banned from mosques in the main, but they just prefer to pray at home because it's what is done. I have sat in a mosque during prayers and I'm not even a Muslim, I was welcomed. I was the only woman in there though!

Wow I was deleted for what?

Criticism of Islam isn't permitted here it seems

How many prisoners are put to death in America each year? How often do we see heads of christian churches in America on the UK media speaking out against it? When are they even asked to do so?

If Christianity can be criticised here then why doesn't the same apply to Islam?

existence go back to your DM paper, love.

I am so glad that each one of you haters have been challenged for being such bigots and xenophobes by muslims and non-muslims alike. I am still in two minds whether ignoring you guys would be better or challenging you is better so that you dont think your opinions are acceptable. But i am guessing that you already know that you hold unsavoury views that are unpalatable to the general British public.

Excellent posts peaceful.

this

this as well

I'm assuming that posts containing Telegraph links won't be deleted.

We shall see.

No reply to my earlier question, which is not surprising. For the record, I do not believe there are any areas in the EastEnd that are 'no-go' areas for 'non-Muslims'. Tue East End has always been a melting pot of communities and as a white Athiest, there is no postcode, street or venue where I have felt unwelcome.

l think some people are wary of some of the ideology of Islam or the cultural things that seem to have been adopted by it. It doesn't mean that they hate individual people. My bf married to a Muslim openly criticises Islam. She doesn't hate her DH.

Going slightly off subject but I get frustrated when it seems the UK may have to change things to suit Islam. Could you comment on the exams and the Ramadam thing for example. or is it the media stirring up things again. I think that the exams should stay as they are and the dc should be allowed to eat and break the fast. Why would it be so bad if they did? Should we have to change our whole system?

Not sure about fasting, but I know that there are calls to look at the timetabling of exams wrt pollen levels and hay fever. I think the UK should listen to it's citizens and change accordingly, be they Muslim, atheist or hay fever sufferers.

I see nothing wrong with the people of any nation asking/campaigning or petitioning for change. A request is not a demand.

yes of course

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10770948/GCSEs-and-A-levels-scheduled-to-take-account-of-Ramadan.html

Thanks for the information you posted.

crescentmoon I agree that at times Islam is used like a cue ball in snooker to hit another target, and sometimes it's used as an excuse for wielding power in really unpleasant ways. As someone (can't now recall who) said about misogyny, Islamophobia 'it's endless in its variety and monotonous in its universality'.

But I wouldn't want to minimise the very real and very serious dangers faced by Christians in the ME and in some other Muslim-majority countries either.

Are people really not concerned about Islam?

Also just to come back on Alemci's link about exams and Ramadan: that story relates to just one year (because Ramadan and GCSE/A levels coming together is a once in 25 year thing), and originates in a suggestion by the teaching unions that exams, particularly English and Maths, which everyone takes, be scheduled in the morning to allow students to perform to the best of their ability. It doesn't seem like 'changing the whole system' to me -- in fact, it's just a proposal, not a fact. So, in other words, media stirring strikes again.

I hope so. the suggestion is sensible but I still feel it is important for some assimilation into our society rather than the other way round.

I'm relieved we can discuss things in a sensible manner on this thread.

Ninny your comment on ME Christians was insightful. I think that is another fear for Christians here. could it become difficult for Christians and Jews in the Uk eventually. food for thought.

sorry I meant Niminy

alemci - I think the whole "assimilation" issue is somewhat of a red herring that the media like to wave about.

What does it mean to be assimilated? What does assimilation look like? if you asked 100 people, you would get 100 different answers.

I once read that instead of a melting pot society, where everything melts into homogeneity, we should aim for society that is more like a salad bowl, one that is accepting of differences.

As for Ramadan, I think the mooted suggestions about exams are a good idea, which should help some without inconveniencing others.

However, there was a big discussion about Ramadan on MN last Ramadan, the Muslims on there all agreed that they generally did not ask for any concessions during the month, instead (when possible) doing things like booking annual leave, or not taking a lunch break in the middle of the day, but leaving slightly early.

I think it was crescentmoon who said that Muslims like to walk small - there's so much media guff about us demanding x,y & z, that we like to appear as undemanding as possible.

alemci why would it become difficult for christians and jews here in UK? Genuine question.

crescentmoon I know you would never minimise or seek to excuse violence or persecution -- in fact I think you are right that the escalating violence in the ME is part of the long, hateful legacy of imperialism and and decolonisation (and all made worse by the new imperialism of the US and its allies).

alemci my experience of Muslims in this country is that they are not the ones interested in making life difficult for Christians -- quite the reverse.

Just found a radio interview with a Muslim speaking out and warning against Boko Haram.

It's dated... 2005.

"Christianity gets bashed, bankers and capitalism on mumsnet. why is Islam different?"

Islam gets bashed all the time on here, but seldom for the right reasons and by people who know what they are talking about.

Someone who knows so little about Islam that she thinks it has an equivalent of Archbishop of Cantenbury is just embarrassing herself by starting a thread titled "Where are all the reasonable Muslims?".