Posted on 07/11/2005 9:16:25 PM PDT by quesney
Financial Times Op-Ed Published: July 11
Moderate Muslims must banish the enemy within By Mansoor Ijaz
The trust that binds citizens of free societies together was violated last week when suspected Islamist terrorists set off a wave of bombs at the height of London’s morning rush hour, killing at least 52 people and injuring 700.
The latest tragedy is the 17th bombing carried out by al-Qaeda’s franchisees since the September 11 2001 attacks on the US. Its deft planning and execution indicates that al-Qaeda continues to function efficiently. For the perpetrators of London’s attacks to escape the notice of the world’s most formidable domestic counter-terrorism service underscores their resolve and cunning. Shopping centre bombings and attacks on global trade routes cannot be far behind.
Al-Qaeda’s success in mutating from a centralised terror conglomerate into an amorphous ideology with local, home-grown cells in target countries challenges the big-power thesis of taking the war to the enemy before the enemy arrives on your shores. Most disturbingly, however, al-Qaeda’s continuing success defines the central failure within moderate Islam to identify, control and stamp out its extremists. The enemy, it appears, is already among us.
This is why the London bombings represent a milestone for moderate Muslims. They can either stand up and fight I slam’s radical fringes from within or sit haplessly by while the west does it for them. Verbal condemnations and choreographed press releases against violent terrorist acts, as Britain’s Muslim leaders produced last Thursday, are no longer sufficient. Real action is needed – and fast.
America’s Muslims failed to rise up to their citizenship responsibilities after the September 11 attacks, choosing instead to play the role of aggrieved, helpless victims. Their voices in America’s body politic are now marginalised as a result. Britain’s Muslims have an opportunity to set an important example by elevating the duties of citizenship above fears of looming civil rights violations.
That moderate Muslims do not take meaningful steps to irradiate al-Qaeda’s cancerous metastasis in their communities is a stunning failure of leadership and lies at the heart of the increasing distrust secular societies have for all Muslims.
What to do? The action plan for moderate Muslims is uncomplicated if the political will to combat Islam’s extremists from within takes hold. In Britain, three steps would be effective.
First, forbid the use of mosques and other religious institutions to discharge bigotry and hatred. As France has done already, Britain should require each imam to pass minimum competency exams. Radical preaching must be replaced with knowledge of how the Koran relates to daily life within Britain’s secular traditions. Any imam failing to comply should be shown politely to the departure lounge at Heathrow airport. Those that pass must accept their citizenship responsibilities to become resources for authorities seeking data on criminal elements residing in Britain’s Muslim communities.
Second, open Britain’s Islamic charities to greater financial scrutiny to identify those that fund terrorism. Charities should be asked to limit foreign donations to 10 per cent of operating budgets and certify that the remainder of their donors are British citizens who give from taxable – and transparent – income sources. Stopping the flow of money is central to dismantling al-Qaeda’s franchise strategy, where one or two foreign “masterminds” oversee terrorist attacks with foreign money and logistical support.
Third, form community watch groups made up of Muslim citizens to reclaim Islam from the terrorists and committed to contributing useful information to the authorities. Britain’s tolerant political environment has transformed it into a haven for militant Islam. Communities joining together to compile and analyse data on Muslim fanatics for use by British authorities in official proceedings is the best way for moderate Muslims to prevent the state’s anti-terror apparatus from appearing biased or being used inappropriately. It would also be the surest sign that British Muslims take their citizenship as seriously as their religion.
It is hypocritical for Muslims living in western societies to demand civil rights enshrined by the state and then excuse their inaction against terrorists hiding among them on grounds of belonging to a borderless Islamic community. It is time to stand up and be counted as model citizens before the terror consumes us all.
------ The writer, chief executive of Crescent Technology Ventures, in 1997 negotiated Sudan’s offer of counter-terrorism assistance to the Clinton administration
Yes, how about it, Muslims? You can join the World or live forever in the Middle Ages.
Yep! I'd like to see more action from the "moderates", inaction will result in the lumping of them as part of the problem.
Are these the ones that dance in the streets and hand out candy after a terrorist strike, instead of actually participating in the strike ??
Good piece. Mansoor Ijaz is himself a Muslim.
The moderates and extremist use the same unholy play book = the Koran
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Interesting to note a tiny bit of history of this "book" -- which strangely was written about 150 YEARS AFTER THE DAYS OF MOHAMMED (if my history is correct) and many scholoars note that it is very different than the Christian Bible which was basically written during the era of Christ...they profess that the Koran was written to justify the murder of INFIDELS by hijacking the religous element of Islam. I believe it. There is much more to this history for sure - but the Muslim hypocrisy about the greatness of the Koran and its teachings is bull crap. The reason it was written was not for the good of man.
I think it's because the terrorists are being good Muslims, and the so-called moderates know it. They therefore can't oppose the terrorists and be true to their religion. But they aren't committed enough to it to speak out. So they are silent. They will join the jihad if it is winning, and shelter terrorists if they are presented with that opportunity.
The only way to get the moderates on our side is to demonstrate conclusively that the jihad is about to lose badly, or to convert the muslims to Christianity, as Ann Coulter presciently noted was the way to win this war. Otherwise, don't expect any help from them. If the terrorists cause too much trouble in Europe, expect all Muslims to be kicked out. Here, too.
No, moderate muslims (yes, I intentionally lowercased) are the ones who actually put timers on their bombs. Radicals are the belt-wearers.
Yet Atta and some others that took part in 911 went to a strip club shortly before the attack, and there are rumors (maybe it is proven now) that he smoked crack and went to strip clubs very regularly.
I never have figured that one out - couldn't have been very religious Muslims, so exactly what was their motivation? I think it is important that we understand that.
Do you have a link for this?
>> First, forbid the use of mosques and other religious institutions to discharge bigotry and hatred.
The anger against Islam will build and build,until it reaches a fever pitch, and then is
unleashed - against Christianity, they will say that "all religions that spread bigotry and hatred must be suppressed"
Only bigotry and hatred when applied to Christianity will mean simply reading the Bible and repeating what it says.
Expelling the masses as in the Spanish Reconquista of 1492 seems the most humane option. The unfortunate
Civilized Brit Muslims of Middle East descent will have the task of bringing civilization to Damascus , Cairo and Riyadh.
This is exactly my evolving suspicion and sense of things.
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