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Golden Age

Reader comment on item: Daniel Pipes fights the worldwide threat of Islamism - from Malibu
in response to reader comment: Response to Mr. Edward Harper

Submitted by Edward Halper (United States), Mar 9, 2007 at 17:44

Thank you, Faqi, for your carefully considered comments. There is a really wonderful tradition of Islamic philosophy in the middle ages. That is what I was referring to as Islam's golden age. It was inspired by Greek philosophy and some of the figures studied with Christians in Syria. There was a lot of cross fertilization. (Ghazzali called himself a theologian, but he was a philosopher, and a very interesting one.) Sadly, it ended, and these thinkers are not read today by most Muslims and, indeed, not even considered to be Muslims. But the tradition remains as a token of Islam could become. Indeed, given the opportunities that are available to Muslims today, especially those who live in the west, it is likely the current Islamists are dedicated to insuring that the development of Islamic scholars not happen. I think this is their raison d'etre.

There was a very good article on the taxi drivers in the Minneapolis Star. It was the sort of investigative reporting that we should see more of. It turned out that most of the Muslim cabbies were pretty indifferent. They were being cowed by the leaders, and the latter were "negotiating" on their behalf with the airport authorities. It was a very good example of what happens when we look for moderates and end up reinforcing repressive relationships among Muslim immigrants.

I have been following the Florida conference of Muslim moderates. It has been condemned by those who claim to be moderate, but are not. The bright side is that it is taking place. I hope it is a positive beginning.

In sum, I don't think we disagree about the current state of the Muslim community. I'm hopeful, though, that Muslim-Muslim oppression in the the west can be undermined by their desire to take advantage of what the west has to offer--freedom, knowledge, and prosperity.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (40) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
1I'm proud to be muslim [14 words]authentichallMar 21, 2012 15:28194621
1Israel... The abused housewife [84 words]Barbara FreemanMar 11, 2008 15:27122406
A 21st century Daniel [78 words]DilliciaMar 10, 2007 04:2585573
Two-Edged Praise [157 words]Michele EzellSep 16, 2009 04:0285573
Two-Edged [19 words]Michele EzellSep 16, 2009 06:2185573
1The myth of Islamic intellectualism [196 words]J CampbellMar 9, 2007 21:0585543
When are you coming to Israel? [16 words]GabrielMar 8, 2007 16:3085282
1what about anti-hindu? [117 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
G. VishvasMar 8, 2007 05:2981302
About D.P. [28 words]Stephane S LubiczMar 7, 2007 21:4280785
Thank You [62 words]DelboyMar 7, 2007 15:2480721
Daniel Pipes fights the world wide threat of Islamism from Malibu [173 words]Debbie ShaferAug 3, 2008 20:2080721
How far? [44 words]David W. LincolnMar 7, 2007 13:4980705
1My Biblical perspective [185 words]MichaelMar 7, 2007 11:1380678
James Zogby - Moral Compass was broke a long time ago. [141 words]Jeff BurkeMar 7, 2007 07:1480663
The plain truth!! [113 words]Gina GershfeldMar 7, 2007 06:0180653
You can help the entire world Mr. Pipes. [116 words]Dee WardMar 7, 2007 02:5780639
Quran Will Have to Proven [782 words]kamekishMar 7, 2007 01:2380631
The only thing... [30 words]Mr. BurkeMar 6, 2007 21:0380608
nice article! [2 words]CocoMar 6, 2007 18:2380580
Thank You [120 words]PaulaMar 6, 2007 17:5780579
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Daniel Pipes for President [43 words]Howard E. CookMar 6, 2007 17:0980573
Yes!!! [26 words]YochannanApr 20, 2010 17:0280573
Thank You, Dr. Daniel Pipes [61 words]Regina GarrisonMar 6, 2007 17:0680572
Last line [88 words]Edward HalperMar 6, 2007 16:3780566
Dr. Daniel Pipes for President. [33 words]M.D'SouzaMar 6, 2007 20:2580566
Moderate Islam [334 words]Ian CampbellMar 7, 2007 05:5180566
I am sorry, as far as I can see, there is nothing called moderate Islam! [602 words]FaqiMar 7, 2007 17:5580566
Faqi : you are absolutely correct [198 words]DeeMar 8, 2007 01:1880566
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the answer [17 words]Yuval Brandstetter MDMar 9, 2007 11:4080566
Response to Mr. Edward Harper [1264 words]FaqiMar 9, 2007 14:0280566
Golden Age [309 words]Edward HalperMar 9, 2007 17:4480566
Educate the public of the dangers posed by Islam in the West [183 words]faqiMar 9, 2007 21:5380566
Mr, Campbell - There is plenty of hope for those moderate Muslims you posit [135 words]sullyMar 9, 2007 23:1680566
Moderate Islam [210 words]Ian CampbellMar 12, 2007 09:5480566
We don't want to be anyone's enemy. So, don't make us your enemy [397 words]Indonesian muslimNov 8, 2008 06:4780566
Intro to Islam (which means Peace) [293 words]Asma ( Lover of Islam (Peace))Mar 19, 2010 05:3280566

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