Moderate Muslims
Reader comment on item: [The Abu Ali Case and] Balancing Liberties, Security

Submitted by Kazi (United States), Mar 15, 2005 at 16:09

Hello:

I am writing with regards to your advocacy of moderate Muslims organizations and individuals in America..

I would like to open the discussion to include issues of authenticity and legitimacy. While you may have strong reservations about people like Tariq Ramdan, I question the the type of Muslim you promote as moderate from a strategic perspective. In this sense, people like Irshad Manji and Khaleel Mohamed may present views and ideas that are very palatable to those in your position, they are not likely to generate much support in the Muslim communities that they are suppose to be impacting. An interesting article about this can be found here:

http://www.islamicamagazine.com/why_tariq.htm

I am curious regarding your response to the balance between finding "moderate" voices with which you entirely agree and those moderate voices that are legitimated by their communities but may not agree with everything you say. In that sense, are you willing to allow some flexibility in the discussion regarding who speaks for Islam? If these moderates are only legitimated by western media and people like yourself, why would any Muslim listen to them?

Thanks.

Kazi

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Daniel Pipes replies:

I have plenty of differences of view with the two individuals you mention, but the key point is that they accept that radical Islam is a threat and seek to bring Islam into the modern age. That is the key.

DP