Words Not to be Uttered about Islam

The American branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has deemed the word Islamist unacceptable ("Constant use of ‘Islamist' overlooks real threats" is the title of an article responding to the 9/11 Commission report by a CAIR staffer, Arsalan T. Iftikhar); now, the Canadian branch has deemed the word Shari‘a, as in "Shari‘a court" unacceptable. In a press release, dated today, "CAIR-CAN Meets with Ontario Government Regarding Islamic Arbitration" (not online) the organization announces that it supports

the principle behind the proposal that the Muslim community in Canada is entitled to use the alternative resolution tools … to resolve civil disputes according to Islamic Personal/Family Law. However, CAIR-CAN recognized the challenges posed by the current scheme. Accordingly, CAIR-CAN made the following recommendations … : The term "shariah" should not to be used to describe the arbitration tribunal. The tribunal should be a form of Muslim dispute resolution equipped to settle specific and limited set of civil disputes.

I wonder what words the censors at CAIR and the other Islamist groups will prohibit next. (Aug. 11, 2004)

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