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Tariq Ramadan [1], a Swiss professor of Islamic studies at Oxford University, gives a talk tonight [2] in Montreal about how Islam is compatible with Western liberalism. If that sounds uncontroversial, banal even, take a look at today’s Gazette [3].
Coverage of the event is dominated by commentary by Tarek Fatah [4], founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress [5] (MCC), an organization that also thinks Islam is compatible with “progressive, liberal, pluralistic, democratic and secular society.”
Fatah is given a full-page editorial in which he accuses Ramadan of a number of crimes by association: Ramadan’s failure to denounce other people’s reactionary interpretations of Islam makes him complicit with them. The language of Fatah’s editorial is vitriolic. Ramadan “camouflages his Islamist agenda under the niqab of ambivalent doublespeak.” Because he doesn’t actually say any of the things Fatah wants to accuse him of, Ramadan is able to shake off criticism “like a slippery eel.” But this is just a ruse, because “the new technique is to undermine the West from within, like parasites and termites, with the host society never knowing what hit it, until it is too late.” This is an urgent task, since European countries are already succumbing to the infestation: “UK is one example.” I wonder what he means.
On the front page, Fatah is given the first comment on the conference. He does not mince words: “Tariq Ramadan has come here to make sure our children become the fifth column against Western civilization,” he says. Fatah spoke at a press conference organized by his new group Pointe de Bascule [6] featuring a motley group of Ramadan opponents assembled from around the world. Also present were Zuhdi Jasser, founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy [7] (AIFD), an organization that strives to be “an expression of American liberty and freedom in an attempt to take back the faith of Islam from the demagoguery of the Islamo-fascists” and Naser Khader, a Muslim member of the Conservative Party of Denmark who supports a complete ban on the “un-Danish” burqa.
So: what to make of this stand-off between two camps of Islam that claim to support the reconciliation of Islam and the West?
A clue might be in this National Post editorial [8] by Barbara Kay. Irritated that her colleague Ezra Levant was called out for his Islamophobia by the Alberta Human Rights Commission [9], Kay is impressed with a term she finds on Pointe de Bascule’s website where the group describes itself as “Islamolucide.” Like Lucian Bouchard’s lucides [10], Islamolucides are able to see through the hype of political correctness and understand that the interests of the powerful are the only interests that matter. In other words, what they see so clearly is ideology itself.
Islamolucides have been appearing with greater frequency in Western countries since the War on Terror began. They are called upon to condone government attacks on the rights of Muslim citizens. Though not all of them openly support the War on Terror, they work to advance the main ideological justification for that war: Islamophobia.
But the Islamolucides are small players in a much bigger game. Ramadan was prevented from entering the US for six years because donations he made to a Palestinian charity were linked by the State Department to Hamas. What is wrong with Ramadan’s attempt to reconcile Islam and the West is that it does not propose the relationship of subservience to the West that is implied by the AIFD’s clinging to “American liberty” or the MCC’s claim to use “the Canadian constitution as our guiding principles.”
More about Ramadan:
Tariq Ramadan interviewed on Democracy Now: http://is.gd/bvUDq [11]
Tariq Ramadan on Nietzsche, Islam and Global Citizenship: http://is.gd/bvUBT [12]
Analysis of Ramadan’s politics by Sadri Khiari: http://is.gd/bvUHi [13]
Links:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariq_Ramadan
[2] http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/cnw/article.jsp?content=20100414_100503_9_cnw_cnw
[3] http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Controversy+swirls+around+Muslim+scholar/2912101/story.html
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarek_Fatah
[5] http://www.muslimcanadiancongress.org/
[6] http://www.pointdebasculecanada.ca/
[7] http://www.aifdemocracy.org/about/
[8] http://www.pointdebasculecanada.ca/article/368-islamolucides-at-point-de-bascule-by-barbara-kay-columnist-for-the-national-post.php
[9] http://maisonneuve.org/pressroom/article/2009/aug/20/controversy-entrepreneurs/
[10] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pour_un_Qu%C3%A9bec_lucide
[11] http://is.gd/bvUDq
[12] http://is.gd/bvUBT
[13] http://is.gd/bvUHi
[14] http://rabble.ca/print/babble/news-rest-us/tariq-ramadan-islamophobia-and-islamolucides#comment-1134166
[15] http://rabble.ca/print/babble/news-rest-us/tariq-ramadan-islamophobia-and-islamolucides#comment-1134213
[16] http://rabble.ca/print/babble/news-rest-us/tariq-ramadan-islamophobia-and-islamolucides#comment-1134655
[17] http://rabble.ca/user
[18] http://rabble.ca/user/register
babble hint: put the most basic information in the first post. The first post in any thread cannot be edited and, therefore, an initial mess remains ... a mess.
Any Muslim who does not agree with or does not wordhip Tarek Fatah is an "islamist". His action is within a concerted, planned campaign by the so called American Islamic Forum for Democracy
( http://www.aifdemocracy.org) People who are familiar of the Rand Institute, its report and recommendations to "democratize" Islam would draw their own conclusions.
Neither Tarek Fatah nor the individuals and groups who mushroomed (quite a flourishing busines!) as "Islam Reformers" following the Rand Report and the availability of US assistance have any credibility with Muslims in North America or anywhere else. If you are a reformer, one suspects there should be some followers. They have no Muslim followers. They are the darlings of islamophobic admirers and right wing and ZIonist media. But all is a day's work.
The same accusations as tarek Fatah wrote, almost word by word were splashed on right wing media wherever Tariq Ramadan is to speak. Not a coincidence and of course some assistance from some powers.
Babblers might have a laugh reading what some friend, Dr M. (a real MD) has written about Tarek Fatah: -A parody-
Honest Interviews : Tarek FatahImagine if Tarek Fatah got some sodium pentothal in his martini and gave an honest interview.
DrM : So, I see you're dressed up for the interview....a little flamboyant wouldn't you say?
TF : This is my limited edition Elvis Presley costume...its worth a small fortune.
DrM : Yes well, its value has probably depreciated with all those stretch marks on it..
TF : That's the point...I'm talking about Elvis in his corpulent stage...
DrM : Sure. Lets start with your organization, the "Muslim Canadian Congress."
TF : Well, its easy to start your own organization in western countries, especially if you espouse the sort of Islam which they feel comfortable with....
DrM : In accordance with the RAND report perhaps...
TF : Uh....thats a coincidence. You see, I as a progressive Moslem believe in the illusion of inclusion, harmony with neocons ...
DrM : ...and eating a lot of peanut m&m's...
TF : Exactly. ......Hey! Low blow man...
DrM : Not low enough. So how big is your organization ?
TF : Well, right now we're about 4 members strong and operating out of my son's treehouse. I'm planning on moving our base of operations to the garage soon.
DrM : Yet, you claim that other Canadian Muslim groups are not representative of the community, despite their extensive record of protecting civil rights etc.
TF : Uh well....they're conservative and ...uh
DrM : How is it conservative to defend civil rights ?
TF : uh...why're you asking me the hard questions ?! I'm not used to this!
DrM : This aint FOX news, curly. No softball interviews here. So essentially, your group is largely a non-entity with a website.
TF : That's the cool thing about the web...we can make up all sorts of fancy names to give the impression that we're some heavy duty players. But we have been active in the community.
DrM : You mean the use of "Shariah law" in Ontario courts?
TF : Yes. We hooked up with any group which was either ignorant or Islamophobic enough to say no to religious arbitration.
DrM : You did not oppose religious arbitration when it was passed into law in 1991...
TF : Well...uh..thats when Jews and Catholics were using it...
DrM : So they can use it but Muslims cant...
TF : Dude, I would have looked like an anti-semite if I opposed it before.....
DrM : ....and you worked alongside groups which have clearly expressed anti-Muslim sentiments. Hardly a thing any REAL Muslim organization would do I suspect.
TF : Look, I got a lot of friends in those groups, they may hate Muslims, but they like me and I can live with that.
DrM : Tell me more about your activities in the 70s.
TF : Well, I cant remember much ....we were getting wasted back then. We were without personalities or talent, and we just wanted to party, experimenting and such...it was all a stone filled gas, man...
DrM : Yeah I'll bet, snorting cup cakes with Ahmed Nassef (another sycophant) must have been groovy...
TF : what?
DrM : Nothing....Your group also supports same sex marriage correct.
TF : Yes we do.
DrM : Yet you wrote an article back in 2003 for mwu where you clearly stated that homosexuality isn't compatible with Islamic belief, and you're still cool with same sex marriage?
TF : Look I just said that to get media attention....do you realize nobody knows who I am ? How else was I supposed to make it known that Tarek Fatah has arrived? The only way to get some free PR and acceptance is to lower the bar....
DrM: Man, you are so conflicted. You don't have split personalities do you ?
TF : That's not funny....
DrM : Cant take a joke? I'll bet you'll take an order of fries...
TF : You bet I will...with hot sauce.
DrM : I was being sarcastic. Tell me what else you're up to.
TF : Well I'll be making some noise in the media about Hurricane Katrina, and those behind it.
DrM : behind it ???
TF : Yes, it is my position that this disaster was not natural, but a diabolical plot by conservative-Al-Qaida-wahabist-Osamites.
DrM : ..........go on....
TF : I believe they all jumped into the sea together to raise water levels to the point where it submerged New Orleans.
DrM : Now I know you're on crack. That has got to be the most absurd and stupid thing I've ever heard. You cant be serious.
TF : Laugh all you want, it's all written in the "Protocols of Wahab." It's all a part of the great international Wahabist conspiracy theory.
DrM : And who came up with this...
TF : My dear right wing friends at Free Republic and other friendly neocon contributors.
DrM : Now I can see why so many people left your group. You're nuts, curly.
TF : They couldn't handle my stuff...those pikers. They used to say call Einstein crazy as well...and look what he accomplished !
DrM : Why're comparing yourself to Einstein? He was a scientist and you're...
TF : I'm Tarek Fatah dammit!
DrM : Its time for Asr (afternoon) prayer, lets pray.
TF : I'll take a rain check.
DrM : Any particular reason why?
TF : I usually dont pray unless there is a camera around and the imam is a woman.
DrM: Then you must rarely pray...
TF : Correct
DrM : I'll do my Asr after you leave, I dont think it would be accepted anyway with you in the congregation.
TF : Whatever, I'm Tarek Fatah.
DrM : ...so what other shenanigans are you up to..
TF : I'm going large man, Hollywood, comedy...sky's the limit.
DrM : ...and how do you plan on breaking into Hollywood?
TF : My strategy is to offer myself as an expert on Islam, sort of like a consultant.
DrM: I see, do you have a degree from an accredited Islamic institution?
TF : Nope
DrM : Speak Arabic?
TF : Not a word.
DrM: Ever been involved with the Muslim community at the grass roots level?
TF : Nope
DrM : Whats the first letter of the Arabic alphabet?
TF : Hey! You trying to make me look stupid?!
DrM : I think you're doing a marvelous job of that on you own Tarek. Now that we've determined that you're no expert on Islam then any other deplorable opportunistic schmuck....
TF : I look ethnic enough and I got an accent you can cut with a knife...that's good enough for Hollywood.
DrM : Trust me, you're not going to make it Hollywood squares, let alone Hollywood. I know I'm going to regret asking this, how about the comedy aspect of your routine?
TF : Ok, check this out..I'm sunni, my wife's shia, what does that make our daughter?
DrM : ...I don't know, what?
TF : Sushi!
DrM :......................
TF : ........................
DrM : ......................
TF : What?
DrM : I'd tell you not to quit your day job, but I'm afraid you don't have one.
TF : Whatever man....I got mad skillz yo...
DrM : ....you claim that you were beaten up by religious extremists when in college back in the 1960s.
TF : Yes absolutely, I was fighting for gender equality on campus which infuriated the fundamentalists.
DrM: Sure it had nothing to do with you going around extolling the virtues of Chairman Mao during the lunacy of the Cultural revolution?
TF : eh...that's beside the point. I'm Tarek Fatah..I was fighting to end gender apartheid and...
DrM : How exactly were you going about ending "gender apartheid" ?
TF : I decided to use the ladies restroom to end segregation. For this act of defiance I was beaten up by a mob of fanatics.
DrM : Independent reports say that girls were heard screaming....
TF : They were screaming for joy!
DrM : But you weren't once the students and faculty decided to feed you concrete...
TF : Then there was the time I was holding hands with a female student to....
DrM : From what I've heard, you grabbed her hand despite her turning you down for a date.
TF : It was all going so well until...
DrM : Her brothers showed and took care of business.
TF : ...damn thugs.
DrM : Ok Tarek....we've confirmed that you indeed are a phony. No background in Islamic studies, civil rights etc, yet you go around pretending to be the voice of the Muslim community...
TF : But I have a TV show!
DrM : So does Irshad Manji. Furthermore, your rhetoric and actions clearly place you in opposition to the wishes of Canadian Muslims. Take him away gentleman (door opens, 2 midgets step in)
TF : Hey, let go of me! What is this!?!
DrM : We decided to have a little historical re-enactment of your college days.
TF : You cant do this to me! I'm Tarek Fatah !!! You'll boil in hell for this!
DrM : And I'm DrMaxtor, in third person mode ending yet another farce of an honest interview.....(Fatah is dragged out by the ear, but manages to escape hitching a ride on an ice-cream truck). No proggies were harmed during the interview.
Except for the ignorant and educationally challenged, nobody believes Tarek Fatah, even his own "sponsors". For they know he is being a willing (whether paid or not is a good question) for the politics of fear propaganda.
In the Montreal Gazette, Irwin Block reports that there was nothing radical about the Tariq Ramada...
"He was billed as a controversial scholar with dangerous ideas, but there was nothing radical about the Tariq Ramadan who Friday night urged Western Muslims to assert themselves in all walks of life.
Muslims abide by the rules of the country they're in, learn its languages and are loyal to it, he said, quoting from the Qur'an to underline its consistency with Muslim teaching.
Rules should be obeyed even if they are directed against symbols of Muslim practice.
"We don't have to build minarets," he said, referring to a ban on them in Switzerland.
Though he opposed the ban on head scarves in French schools, he noted it is accepted and should be obeyed with "confidence and responsibility."
The essence for French Muslims is getting a good education, he said.
"What we want is to add value to our societies, to contribute to a better world."
He called on Canadian Muslims to increase their contribution to cultural creation, noting the TV series Little Mosque on the Prairie is known around the world."
http://tinyurl.com/yynsxll
Tarek fatah often accuses Canadian Islamic organizations of being funded by Saudi Arabia, Iran and what have you. I wish he could muster some backbone and reveal whether he receives funding for "reforming Islam" and if yes who funds his "reform" projects.