Battle for Islam

I'm not ready to jump on his bandwagon, but Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki made one statement that I think is an important one, from a religious perspective, when he spoke before Congress today. I'm going to pass on criticisms and focus on this. He said, (here)

"Let me be very clear," said al-Maliki, speaking through a translator. "This is a battle between true Islam, for which a person's liberty and rights constitute essential cornerstones, and terrorism, which wraps itself in a fake Islamic cloak."

This is an ideological and religious battle that has to be won- with words primarily- on the Arab/Muslim "street". Moderate Muslims in moderate Muslim states have to speak out and begin to reach out to the ordinary citizens. These moderates must learn that there is no future for them in "playing nice" with the Islamists. There is something wrong in some of these countries where the radical groups provide more social service to the people than the governments under which the live as citizens (Lebanon is an example of this with Hezbollah providing much assistance to people in need, and thus "buying" loyalty).

People outside the Muslim community may be able to play a part in this, but most of the discussion will have to take place within the Muslim community.

What we must do is make certain that we do not undermine the moderates as they undertake this massive challenge.

How do we undermine them? With rhetoric- such as the culture of violence TV talk I discussed in an earlier post. With actions- which seem to confirm the stereotype that can be easily developed in the Middle East that the US and the West are anti-Islam in their policies.

We need to examine each potential action carefully, and step cautiously, looking beyond the short term and to the long term consequences of this crucial challenge- the challenge of the future of Islam.

GP