Moderate Muslims - The Quilliam Foundation

diamond
By diamond

I'll be following with interest...the Quilliam Foundation has had considerable press in the UK lately since it's launch.  Unfortunately it has already been the target of a Muslim extremist hate campaign.  Why am I not surprised?  Kudos to the founders for this initiative.

 

The Quilliam Foundation

 

Two former Islamists are to launch a Muslim thinktank aimed at improving relations with the west by challenging extremist ideologies.

The Quilliam Foundation believes Muslims should shake off the "cultural baggage of the Indian subcontinent" and the "political burdens of the Arab world".

Its director is Maajid Nawaz, 30, who was adopted as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International after being jailed in Egypt for membership of Hizb ut-Tahrir. Since returning to London he has written pamphlets criticising the party.

His deputy is Ed Husain, 32, the author of The Islamist, which details his youth in east London moving through radical groups including Hizb ut-Tahrir.

The policy institute, to be launched next month, is named after Shaikh William Henry Abdullah Quilliam, an English solicitor and convert, who founded the UK's first mosque in Liverpool at the end of the 19th century.

Nawaz insists the foundation is independent. "[The money has come] mainly from Middle Eastern businessmen and Muslims who are concerned about how Islam is being abused."

 

 www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/01/islam.religion

By nadt• 24 Apr 2008 22:45
nadt

ameen to that speed....

By SPEED• 24 Apr 2008 16:37
Rating: 2/5
SPEED

correct this is what is reality and we should accept that few extremist are using Islam for their own sake ... I will be happy if Muslim in west comes to some peaceful conclusion soon !! 

 

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By nadt• 24 Apr 2008 15:16
Rating: 5/5
nadt

Speed i agree with you point but you have to also consider in the ME, politicians are using the religion of Islam to their own benefit, and I as a western muslim defintely want to be free of that...If they were really interested in Islam/or muslims, then the islamic war torn countries wouldnt be where they are today despite US unterventions, surely they would be united...Why arent they being supported when needed...So i guess when they create conflict/terrorism in the name of islam, i am against that...

By SPEED• 23 Apr 2008 16:58
SPEED

"This is where I think we are wrong in our literal interpretations of everything we label as Sunnah."

 

Perfectly said ... its so true that Muslims are using Sunnah (Hadith) as an excuse !! Whereas, as of today you will notice thousands of false hadith around us !! 

 

 

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By SPEED• 23 Apr 2008 08:08
SPEED

"Western Muslims should be free from the cultural baggage of the Indian

subcontinent, or the political burdens of the Arab world. We were born

and raised in a milieu that is different from the Muslim east. Our

future and progeny belong here."

 

This is what concern me ! When they say We (Western Muslim) wants to be free from Indian subcontinent and Arab world ... seems to me that they wanted to implement their own Islamic laws according to their Western Lifestyle ... it will be very complicate for them since their roots are in Indian subcontinent and Arab world, if they cut the roots the tree will die soon !!

 

Hope you got my point !

"In'Allah haa Al'aa Kul'lay Ssah en Kadeer" 

 

 

[img_assist|nid=53652|title=|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=|height=0]

By anonymous• 22 Apr 2008 22:40
anonymous

it won't make a difference in the UK mark my words....

By Secguy• 22 Apr 2008 22:39
Rating: 3/5
Secguy

 

With all the negative opinion of the Muslim Communities out there, finally a group that will hopefully make a difference.  If they could only be the start of understanding and co-operation between fellow muslims....... and then other faiths...................   but we will have to wait and see.

 

Give them support!!!!!!!!!!!

By SPEED• 22 Apr 2008 22:25
SPEED

Please read the aritcle then you will understand what i mean !! 

 

[img_assist|nid=53652|title=|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=|height=0]

By anonymous• 22 Apr 2008 22:14
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

I think what the point is is that this group are looking to change all the non believers in the UK's opinion on Muslims and Islam, at the moment the folks in the UK think that they are all suicide bombers and radical extremists! Nice try but it won't work, if one is familiar with Sky news it is full of news about extremists being done for this and that and understandably the UK citizens are extremely worried!

By SPEED• 22 Apr 2008 22:03
Rating: 3/5
SPEED

 that is his super name

 

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By anonymous• 22 Apr 2008 21:56
anonymous

Shaikh William Henry Abdullah Quilliam, an English solicitor and convert, who founded the UK's first mosque in Liverpool

OMG what a joke!!William/Henry???And he's muslim?No way.....

ask the BNP how they feel...

By SPEED• 22 Apr 2008 21:53
Rating: 2/5
SPEED

Salaam,

Interesting ....  so seems like in the future, Islam will be divide into two ! The Western Islam and the Eastern Islam

Do you think this will work ? desptie having so many indifference and so many sect. within Muslim community ?

I think fisrt we all have to unit on one platform then only their plans will work otherwise no use !!!

 

Well this is how I view this ... !! Rest Allah Knows better ... 

 

[img_assist|nid=53652|title=|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=|height=0]

By diamond• 22 Apr 2008 19:14
diamond

Thanks J

 

 

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________

www.nfcr.org

By jauntie• 22 Apr 2008 19:07
jauntie

who don't understand that it ISN'T condoned by the majority of Muslims.

I have forwarded your post to interested parties :D

By diamond• 22 Apr 2008 18:59
Rating: 4/5
diamond

Yes, J, very much so.  The vast majority are moderate but it's the extreme acts that are shocking and get the media attention and because of this it can sometimes appear that these acts are condoned by the majority.

 

 

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________

www.nfcr.org

By jauntie• 22 Apr 2008 18:53
Rating: 2/5
jauntie

It's so important to realise that the majority in all major religions are striving to achieve a mutual peace and understanding.  We all have the same goal, after all.

By diamond• 22 Apr 2008 18:25
diamond

Tall, please, no apologies!

 

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________

www.nfcr.org

By diamond• 22 Apr 2008 18:20
diamond

I usually take the same approach, Alexa, but wanted to highlight a very worthwhile Foudation and to spread the word that there are organisations out there trying to counteract the extremists.  I'm glad you read it.

 

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________

www.nfcr.org

By tallg• 22 Apr 2008 18:04
Rating: 4/5
tallg

Thanks for the info DG, and apologies for not commenting on your original topic. I don't normally involve myself in religious threads and I haven't read the news article or visited the Quilliam website, but as far as I'm concerned anyone who is trying to address these issues in a sensible and constructive manner gets my vote. It's very unfortunate that they're already encountering resistance/attacks from extremists.

By diamond• 22 Apr 2008 17:49
Rating: 2/5
diamond

Yes tallg, anyone can attend.  You need to apply for the tickets online.  Go to www.thedohadebates.com and click on Attend the Debates at the top of the home page.

 

And for hijacking my thread you must now comment on the subject matter :)

 

I'm trying to highlight moderate Muslims making an effort to combat extremism.  Some people on QL have spoken regularly about how Muslims should be doing just this.  Where are you all?  Have you read this?

 

 

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________

www.nfcr.org

By tallg• 22 Apr 2008 16:38
Rating: 5/5
tallg

Richard, DG - sorry for the slight hijack, but I was just wondering; can anyone attend the Doha Debates, and if so how do you go about getting tickets?

By nadt• 22 Apr 2008 16:30
nadt

thanks for the qualliamfoundation.org link.....

By Gumby• 22 Apr 2008 16:14
Rating: 5/5
Gumby

Mmmm, I saw Ed Hussain speak at Ed. City about a month or so ago and a rather right of Ghengis Khan and religiously certain of his views gentleman tried to challenge him at every turn.  Ed Hussain handled him with aplomb.

By diamond• 22 Apr 2008 13:38
diamond

You've blown my cover...will have to go underground again and re-invent myself.  *Self-imploding sound*

 

Don't worry, I got all the information on you that I needed on this mission.

 

This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds.

 

 

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________

www.nfcr.org

By Tigasin321• 22 Apr 2008 13:32
Rating: 3/5
Tigasin321

I think you are really a Russian spy implanted to Qatar 25 years ago as 4 year old girl disguised as Qatari Sheikha.

 

Don't worry your secret identity is safe with me. 

 

Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about

By diamond• 22 Apr 2008 13:29
Rating: 5/5
diamond

Alas I will be out of the country.  I am only in Qatar intermittently at present.

 

Ed Husain is the co-director along with Maajid Nawaz.  You can read more about them and the quilliam foundation at :

 

www.quilliamfoundation.org 

 

 

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________

www.nfcr.org

By Tigasin321• 22 Apr 2008 13:21
Rating: 2/5
Tigasin321

I went to the Doha Debates a month ago and Ed Hussein was one of the debators. He was  very impressive and to my infidel ears spoke a lot of sense.

 

I wish this Quilliam Foundation every success. I also have high hopes for this and would like to learn more.

 

Btw DG I am going to the next Doha Debate on 29 April. You going?

 

Just call me Tigasin. That's what I'm talking about

By diamond• 22 Apr 2008 13:15
diamond

Isn't it true that everyone regardless of their race has in varying degrees their own cultural baggage?  I'm very interested to read anything that is attempting to combat extremism.   I have high hopes for this Foundation. 

 

 

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________

www.nfcr.org

By Gumby• 22 Apr 2008 11:39
Gumby

"cultural baggage of the Indian subcontinent" and the "political burdens of the Arab world".  What a wonderfuly succinct way of summarasing a whole host of issues.  Don't we see this already, particularly with North American and Austrlian Muslims?

By diamond• 22 Apr 2008 10:44
diamond

If their agenda is moderation over extremism I'll happily fund that. 

 

[img_assist|nid=57389|title=|desc=peace|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0] _______________________________________________

www.nfcr.org

By britexpat• 22 Apr 2008 10:42
Rating: 5/5
britexpat

A good idea. However, as long as they are financed by outside parties, they will always have an agenda to play to. 

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