Worth reading the transcript and the lead-in interview with Stephen Cohen, professor of Russian studies at New York University...
While I am doubtful of Mr. Ajami's assessment that we might start to see a change in Islam resulting from the Beslan atrocity, part of his wrap-up is true:
"... And even though we talk about diplomacy and we talk about trying to win Muslim hearts and minds, this is a war for Muslims themselves. They must be the ones who weed these radicals out of the faith."
I think he sees it coming about through introspection. I behieve it it will come only as a means to relieve them of the consequences of harboring terrorists. If, that is, we are willing to wage a war worthy of the name. So far, there are a lot of questions lacking honest answers on both sides of the line...
Yes.
Next question.
Is there something fundamentally wrong with a rabid dog? The only difference being that a rabid dog isn't responsible for its actions, and eventually dies of its own accord. We can't count on such a happy outcome with islam.
YES.
next question?
Excellent interview indeed, for having asked the right question, and for supplying the right answer. As the guest said, the answer must come from within the Muslim community. Only they can decide the true nature of their religion and ethnic beliefs. Indeed, my Christian belief is that the redeeming purpose of the current distress we are in is to bring Light to a people who walk in darkness.
Yes.
Well...yes, now that you mentioned it.
But being Moon God worshipers and followers of a baby-raping pedophile shouldn't matter, right?
No it's not. Muslims do not think about it. That is the job of their Imam. Muslims simply do what the Imam says. On many issues they simply do not think for themselves.
The best place to learn about the REAL Islam is Ask the Imam. This site (no, it is not a joke site) should be required reading by every American. (note that it looks like part of the site is down this AM. Just read the main page.)
One of the more interesting things about Islam is the "zakat". Which is money each Muslim must give based on what they have. There is a whole list of things the money can be used for. The main thing being to help the "poor". Maybe this happens. Maybe not. But if you read enough about Islam you will see that not only does it have multi-level marketing techniques built in to it but also it's own taxation and financial services aspects.
For example, buying insurance is taboo. But the "zakat" can cover things that insurance might have. The person (amil) or person collecting the zakat get paid from what they collect. Interesting, huh?
So, each Mosque is basically a money-making franchise. No big deal. Not unlike some other religions. But, since the zakat is mandatory the more Muslims the more cash!
Whoever thought up Islam came up with a structure that once it gets a foothold in any territory and is left unchecked it will grow like a fungus. Covering up and replacing whatever it touches.
Well, in a relative manner of speaking, perhaps. It’s just that it is fundamentally antithetical to Western Civilization and all that we hold to be “right”. So, from my point of view, yes, there is something fundamentally wrong with Muslim Society.
These Islamic “Warriors” are indeed cowards and bullies who won’t even show their faces and hide in “Holy” Sites to escape the just retribution of the civilization they attack.
(Actually, they kind of remind me of democrats in the sense that they can be as abusive as they please, but woe unto you should you fight back!)
At any rate, the enemy is plain for anyone to see . . . what will they have to do to us before we acknowledge the fact that they are the committed and unrepentant force of evil that they daily demonstrate themselves to be?
To a point:
The unspoken corollary to this, which needs to be made explicit by the West, is that unless the Muslims weed the radicals out of their faith, the West will HAVE to assume ALL Muslims are (at least sympathetic to the) radicals.
The consequences of the West being unable to distinguish between "good" Muslims who do not seek to destroy the West and "bad" Muslims will be disasterous for ALL Muslims: the West will be forced to choose between being defeated and working on the assumption, to paraphrase General Philip Sheridan: The only good Muslims I ever saw were dead.