How can An Islamist Be "Moderate"?

Reader comment on item: Palestinian Word Games

Submitted by Robert Nicholson (United States), Jan 5, 2005 at 01:00

Since the 2001 attack, I have taken it upon myself to learn something about Islamists about which I was almost ignorant. The more I have learned, the more ignorant I realize I had been.

The book which has most influenced me is "The Sword Of The Prophet" by Serge Trifkovic (pubished in 2002 by the Regina Orthodox Press, Inc.). I have also recommended this book to numerous people. All have been most astonished to learn about Mohammed and the Islamist movement...All who have read the book are amazed and disturbed that our US press have not informed the general public of this horrific menace.

But for a believer in the Kuran and the prophet Mohammed, I cannot understand how the word "moderate" can even apply if they are true believers in the Kuran. Thus, from your vast experience with the study of the Islamists, please explain the term "moderate".

Bob Nicholson

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Daniel Pipes replies:

There are moderate MUSLIMS but no moderate ISLAMISTS. For this latter point, see my long article at http://www.danielpipes.org/article/274.

DP