Picture skewed by Islam’s fanatical 1pc (Biased but vy interesting read)

New Straits Times (Malaysia) ^ | 1/2/2006 | Mohammad Habash

[Dark Skies]

THE dominance of conservative Islam in the Middle East reflects a fundamental reality of Muslim society. But this conservatism should not be mistaken for violent radicalism, as America, unfortunately, has done. While conservatism may claim a majority of the "Arab street" (and the Persian street), this does not mean that violence and terrorism will inevitably rule the region.

A recent study published in Damascus by the Centre of Islamic Studies pointed out that conservatives make up about 80 per cent of the population of the Middle East’s Islamic societies. Reformers make up most of the other 20 per cent.

Radicals can count on support from no more than one per cent of the population.

In my view, these rough proportions have been stable throughout 10 centuries of Islamic history, with slight differences.

Islamic terminology has been established to describe these differences. Radicals first emerged as Khawarij, a fanatical group dating to the first century of Islam, which used accusations of blasphemy — and violence — to suppress even small differences of opinion.

Today’s conservatives are known among religious scholars as "People of the Letter" — those who adhere to the letter of the Islamic texts. Reformists, as they are known today, are the equivalent of "People of Intellect".

The difference between Muslim conservatives and reformists can be measured in two ways: their stance on the possibility of making personal judgments on religious matters (known in religious terms as "diligence") and their attitude towards non-Muslims.

Conservatives believe that the revealed law was settled during the glorious days of Islam, and that individual interpretation should therefore be restricted.

As a result, they don’t look for new solutions to the problems that Muslims now face.

Banks and insurance companies are to be avoided, on the theory that their activities are usurious and thus prohibited. Likewise, head covering for Muslim women is considered a requirement.

For conservatives, syariah is based on the Quran and the verified sayings and doings (the Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad, as these are unanimously viewed by respected scholars.

Thus, conservatives reject demo- cracy, because it subjects the will of God to popular opinion. For them, the ultimate authority within a society is God’s revelation to the people.

Reformists, on the other hand, argue that individual judgment — diligence — is permissible, and that society is empowered to make choices based on contemporary needs, regardless of the opinions of previous religious scholars.

Reformists also take an expansive view of syariah, incorporating ideas of public welfare within a continually developing legislative process.

Thus, for reformists, banks and insurance companies serve the welfare of society, and this takes precedence over a traditional reading of religious texts.

They also adopt a liberal attitude towards women’s head covering, as well as their political participation and travel, which should be determined individually.

Finally, reformists see no contradiction between democracy and Islamic teaching, though democracy does conflict with centuries of tradition governing how Muslims actually have been ruled.

As for attitudes towards non- Muslims (or non-practising Muslims, for that matter), conservatives believe that the coming of Islam abrogated all other religions, while reformists believe that Islam completes other religions, but does not invalidate or disprove them.

Conservatives draw their proofs from the texts of the Quran, while reformists argue that the Quran mentions and recognises both the Old and New Testaments.

In this manner, the reformists reject an Islamic monopoly on salvation, paradise, or the truth.

They believe that the ways to God and paradise are numerous. Conservatives, by contrast, are unyielding on this point, believing that there is but one path to God, and that salvation comes only through following Islamic teachings.

However, conservatives do not support the use of violence against non-Muslims. On the contrary, the jurisprudential traditions of Islamic conservatism obligate Muslims to be just in their treatment of non-Muslims. Thus, conservatives and reformists agree that the rights of others should be observed and preserved.

Although radicals represent no more than one per cent of the Muslim population, their influence is based on the widening effects of their violence and their total rejection of compromise.

The radicals totally repudiate the Other, and do not see a place for the non-Muslim either in heaven or on earth.

This stance sanctions the use of violence against the Other, whether Christian, Jew, or even other Muslims who do not share their beliefs.

This devotion to violence stands on two legs: radical culture and injustice. When radical culture prevails, it brings people over to violence.

And the extremism of radical culture is fuelled by the many inequities and grievances that face the peoples of the Middle East.

Unfortunately, Iraq has become a breeding ground for radical Islam, owing to the brutality that the Iraqi people suffered under Saddam Hussein and now at the hands of the occupation forces.

But this scenario is not limited to Muslims. Radicalism threatens any society where human dignity is lost and human rights means nothing. — Project Syndicate

The writer, a member of the Syrian Parliament, is director of the Islamic Studies Centre in Damascus.

[Dark Skies]

This article is biased but gives an insiders view of the factions of islam (reformers, conservatives, fanatics) and how they see certain aspects of islam differently.

[Dark Skies]

ping

[Congressman Billybob]

The degree to which this should be taken seriously, is suggested by the identification of the author. The writer is a "member of the Syrian parliament." Hellooooo.

John / Billybob

[Dallas59]

They left out beheadings for non muslims.

[bnelson44]

Radicals have lead most of the Islamic wars and concurred most of the territory in the past. They were supported financially and materially by conservative Muslims.

If this article is correct, be afraid, be very afraid.

[Dark Skies]

Remember the old adage "know thy enemy"...hello?

[Paleo Conservative]

The fantatical 1% of NAZI's gave them a bad name too.

[vbmoneyspender]

Unfortunately, Iraq has become a breeding ground for radical Islam, owing to the brutality that the Iraqi people suffered under Saddam Hussein and now at the hands of the occupation forces. . . .

The writer, a member of the Syrian Parliament, is director of the Islamic Studies Centre in Damascus.

LOL! As a member of the Syrian governing class, I guess this guy would be an expert on the use of brutality to terrorize people.

[Dark Skies]

If this article is correct, be afraid, be very afraid.

I agree. If conservatives are 80% of islam, an islamic democracy will look like a 7th government where the populous has the vote.

[Dark Skies]

If conservatives are 80% of islam, an islamic democracy will look like a 7th government where the populous has the vote.

populous s/b populace.

[Cicero]

Radicals can count on support from no more than one per cent of the population.

In my view, these rough proportions have been stable throughout 10 centuries of Islamic history, with slight differences.

Nonsense. It wasn't one percent of Muslims who conquered North Africa, the Middle East, Constantinople, India, and the Asian Islands. Islam is violent and expansionist by nature. It only really slowed down once, when it ran up against the industrialized west.

But now it's on the move again, powered by oil money and help from the Fifth Columns in Europe and America. You can bet that when the "radicals" call for more foot soldiers they will get them, as many as they want. Meantime, they are moving them into Europe and America, ready to take over.

[Dark Skies]

Nonsense. It wasn't one percent of Muslims who conquered North Africa, the Middle East, Constantinople, India, and the Asian Islands.

And it wasn't 1% of the islamic world that rushed, cheering onto the streets on Sept 11th.

He is clearly trying to paint a pretty picture of islam...but what he doesn't hide is that he believes 80% of islamics will not tolerate any form of democracy which is not in strict adherence with "conservative" sharia.

[D.P.Roberts]

"But you can't hold a whole fraternity responsible for the behavior of a few, sick twisted individuals. For if you do, then shouldn't we blame the whole fraternity system? And if the whole fraternity system is guilty, then isn't this an indictment of our educational institutions in general? I put it to you, Greg - isn't this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we're not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America. Gentlemen!"

[tkathy]

Every single muslims world wide gives money that ultimately ends up paying for terrorist murder. They know full well that they are paying for butchery.

The writer is in total denial.

[RobbyS]

Sorry, but the Ottoman Turks were "conservative" as well and just as agressive as the radicals.

[RobbyS]

Not long ago, it was asserted that radical Islam had no place in Indonesia. Now Christians are nno safer there than in any Arab country.

[Izzy Dunne]

The world according to John Blutarsky?

[D.P.Roberts]

Actually, it's Otter's speech to the Greek Council after the toga party.

[metesky]

Today’s conservatives are known among religious scholars as "People of the Letter" — those who adhere to the letter of the Islamic texts. Reformists, as they are known today, are the equivalent of "People of Intellect".

Truth is, they're the "People of the Bullshit Artists".

[BJClinton]

Unfortunately, Iraq has become a breeding ground for radical Islam, owing to the brutality that the Iraqi people suffered under Saddam Hussein and now at the hands of the occupation forces.

Y'know, he had me going up until there. He would have been much more credible if he'd mentioned the "1%" and their oppression of fellow Muslims in Iraq.