The U.S., Islam, and Terrorism: The U.S., Islam, and Terrorism M. Zuhdi Jasser, MD Chairman, Board of Directors American Islamic Forum for Democracy WCSS March 21, 2005


Goals of Workshop: Goals of Workshop Three years and counting into the War on Terror, it has become clear that the primary threat to American security are militant Islamo-fascists. In today’s classrooms, formulating constructive curricular and discourse on this vital subject has been severely constrained b both a poor understanding of Islam and Muslims and by public concerns of discussing religion in the classroom. When world events are dominated by the intersection of politics, religion, and history in the making, should or how can public school curricula include such “politically-incorrect” topics as religion and war.


Current classroom exposure to Islam, Muslims, war in the Middle East? : Current classroom exposure to Islam, Muslims, war in the Middle East? Curricula? Textbooks Exposure to history 6th-15th Century 16th-19th Century 20th-21st Century


Current classroom exposure to Islam, Muslims, war in the Middle East? : Current classroom exposure to Islam, Muslims, war in the Middle East? Discussions on religion Visiting speakers? Text based materials Review of Islamic world after colonialism and after WWII Review of governments and political movements in the Islamic world Understanding each nation’s different evolution after WWII Similarities (oppressive governments fomenting Islamism) Differences (Peculiar to movements within each nation)


U.S., Islam, and TerrorismConflicts: U.S., Islam, and Terrorism Conflicts Identity- domestic and foreign Political- search for power and control Separating the national and political from the religious despite the intentions of hijackers to combine them Cultural- Islamic morality, identity from the west Separating the cultural from the religious despite the intentions of hijackers to combine them Security Discussions among students about the struggle between security and freedom Reform Within the context of our own history


What is Islamism?: What is Islamism? Literalism of Qur’an to all of society Islamic world decline due to loss of religious observance and caliphate Moral and religious law enforcement “Islamic state” Western culture breeds materialism, atheism, selfishness, and decadence Separate from the west State of Israel is illegitimate and should be removed All Muslims should enroll in jihad to achieve these goals. Glorify martyrdom


Understanding Islamism: Understanding Islamism Part of curricula? Compare to theocracy in other faiths Separate it from discussions on the faith which are personal Qur’anic beliefs Pillars of the faith Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition


Tolerance vs. Pluralism: Tolerance vs. Pluralism Literalism vs. Liberalism Fundamentalism vs. modernism Extremism vs. moderation Secularism vs. theocracy Concepts which are universal and can be taught in the classroom as philosophical constructs This can be a focus as a safe non-theological review of this difficult subject


Revisit American History within the context of the Middle East of 2005: Revisit American History within the context of the Middle East of 2005 Crusades Dark Ages Church and state were one 100 years war 30 years war Martin Luther American revolution away from the Church of England Vision of secularism and European philosophers of the 16th and 17th centuries


Muslims entitled to same evolution: Muslims entitled to same evolution Islamic history provides hope Dynamic law Metaphysical (Sufism) Minimizing the role of government Struggle for the soul of Islam Personal vs. governmental Militancy Corruption Free Market of ideas most effective


Struggle for the soul of Islam: Struggle for the soul of Islam Islamic authority Scholars No clergy Faith not a religion


Hijacking started long before 9-11: Hijacking started long before 9-11 Arab nations were hijacked Monarchs and dictators The religion was hijacked Political causes exploit religion Beasts of radicalism fed by despots


Politico-religious parties Political realities: Politico-religious parties Political realities Muslim Brotherhood (Egypt, Syria) Al Qaeda (Saudi Arabia) Islamic Jihad (West Bank and Gaza) Hezbullah (Lebanon, Iran) Media glorification Al Jazeera, Al-Manar, Egyptian media


Cultural realities: Cultural realities Conspiracy theories Identity problem Lack of personal responsibility or accountability Corruption rampant Fed by dictatorships Distrust of all forms government Equate with American government Systematic lying Endemic fear


Educational limitations: Educational limitations UN Development Report of 2002 Critical thinking needs rebirth FEAR Long entrenched Religion protected individuals But lost dynamic law and pluralism


Historical Limitations: Historical Limitations Islamic world slowed way down in 15th century America and the west dispensed with religious construct Muslims did not Faith and force– eclipsed Islamic philosophy External shocks–crusades, Mongols Internal shocks-Ottomans Colonialism left a vacuum after WWII Tools in WWIII (Cold war) America’s gas tank


Separation of religion and state: Separation of religion and state Separation is possible among Muslims Same analyses as western evolution Terrorism is directed against this core belief Instill fear in moderates and the west Countering this ideology is central “Stay out of our theocracy” Anti-global trade and communication Isolationism is no longer an option


Frontline of conflict: Frontline of conflict Return of Islamic caliphate ultimate desire Al Qaeda Saudia Arabia, Sudan, Afghanistan, global Hizb-ut-Tahrir London, Europe, U.S. Muslim Brotherhood Offshoots Anti-Israeli hatred Wahhabism (Saudi Arabia) Infiltration into American Muslim community


In the social studies classroom…: In the social studies classroom… American principles Pluralism Separation of religion and state Educational model Let each faith speak for itself Speak against polemics Let history speak for itself Compare and contrast historical evolution of societies, governments, and societies


Security…: Security… Profiling Best served by winning the war of ideas Terrorism and Islam 1.3 billion Muslims Bosnian example Taking back Islam from the hijackers If we give up our freedoms– we lose


Universal principles …common elements, keys to reform: Universal principles …common elements, keys to reform Golden Rule Suicide forbidden Sanctity of life Integrity Honesty Fighting corruption Rule of law


Reform…: Reform… Nationalism Law, religion, and government Sharia vs. separation Political parties and religious influence Power Liberal Education Religious scholars as advisers not leaders Equality and liberation of all Women’s rights


Islam is what Muslims make of it: Islam is what Muslims make of it Not so-called Islamic experts Franklin Graham, Robert Spencer, Craig Wynn, Jerry Falwell Not so-called Muslims Bin Laden, Zarkawi, Sheikh Nasrallah, Sheikh Qardawi, Sheikh Tantawi Relegate to private not public


Bin Laden’s Islamism: Bin Laden’s Islamism “The situation of all Arab countries suffers from great deterioration in all walks of life, in religious and worldly matters. We have reached this miserable situation because many of us lack the correct and comprehensive understanding of the religion of Islam. Many of us understand Islam to mean performing some acts of worship, such as prayer and fasting. Despite the great importance of these rituals, the religion of Islam encompasses all the affairs of life, including the religious and the worldly such as economic, military, and political affairs”…[Al Jazeera, Jan. 2004]


Reform…: Reform… Less isolation Domestic and foreign Resolve conflict of soul, heart, mind Resolve conflict of nationalism Resolve conflict of laws Resolve separation of religion and state


Teach your students..: Teach your students.. Living history Context of history Second enlightenment is possible Reform is necessary and possible Pluralism vs. tolerance


Slide29: This appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2002


Abdolkarim Soroush …one example of leading reformist: Abdolkarim Soroush …one example of leading reformist Muslims are in a new phase of history Adapt to a great civilization not based on religion Rationality can come from reason and not from religion