Religious Extremism or Extremely Religious; A Feminine Perspective

Religious Extremism or Extremely Religious; A Feminine Perspective By Inas Younis, New Age Islam 30 December 2015 Headline: Extremist Peace Lovers Unleash Violent Acts of Kindness on the World.  Famous comedian responds, “You could easily spot any religion of peace. Its extremist members would be extremely peaceful.” His point of course, is that there is no such thing as moderate or extreme peace. Peace, like all religious principles does not require hyphenations. It is what it is. And since religion deals with the infinite part of human existence, it too should be immune to extremism. Once religion becomes extreme, it is no longer religion but a secular ideology. It changes nature the minute it steps out of its own...

Political Spin given to Christmas Goodwill Message

Political Spin given to Christmas Goodwill Message By Rashid Samnakay, New Age Islam 30 December 2015 In his Christmas address, United States President Barack Obama paid tribute to US soldiers; “You help keep us free. You help keep us strong. And whatever service you're in, we are extraordinarily grateful for everything you do every single day," Obama said. Simply put – We are always right to deploy you wherever you are. Carry on doing the fighting. The Australian Prime Minister Mr Turnbull also did likewise and said; “In particular, we thank the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who are serving overseas this Christmas …” Meaning – We are sorry you are not enjoying Christmas with your loved ones at home but we were obliged to put you in that position. Carry on never...

For A New Understanding of Islam

For A New Understanding of Islam By Fethullah Gülen December 29, 2015 WORDS fall short to truly express my deep sadness and revolt in the face of the carnage perpetrated by terrorist groups such as the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). I share profound frustration with a billion- and-a-half Muslims around the world at the fact that such groups commit terrorism while dressing up their perverted ideologies as religion. We Muslims have a special responsibility to not only join hands with fellow human beings to save our world from the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism, but also to help repair the tarnished image of our faith. It is easy to proclaim a certain identity in the abstract with words and symbols....

Saudi Author: The Islamic State Only Reaps What Has Previously Been Sown

MEMRI TV December 28, 2015 Turki Al-Hamad says preposterously: “Our religion has been hijacked by many and has been made savage, so to speak.” But when he says, “ISIS is an organization that only reaps what has previously been sown,”he is absolutely correct: the Saudis have spent billions to propagate around the world an understanding of Islam that corresponds exactly to that of the Islamic State. It presents itself as the true and authentic manifestation of Islam, and no Muslims who oppose it have successfully refuted this claim. In a TV interview, Saudi author Turki Al-Hamad said that there was a need for “a real revolution in our education” and for the “humanization of religion,” because “our religion has been hijacked by many and has been made savage.” He further said...

Christian-Muslim Relations: Some Reflections

By Midhun J F Kochukallan SJ, New Age Islam 30 December 2015 The Delhi-based Islamic Studies Association, a group of Catholics engaged in the study of Islam and dialogue with Muslims, recently organised a lecture on “Christian Muslim Relations in the US—Some Recent Developments” by Prof. Irfan A. Omar, Associate Professor of Theology at Marquette University, Wisconsin, USA. "Dialogue among religions is not only possible and important but also an essential part of faith formation in the Global village" was at the heart of Prof. Irfan’s presentation. Prof. Irfan began his lecture quoting a recent essay that referred to Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si  (“Be Praised”), which cites a ninth century Sufi Muslim poet Ali al-Khawas while emphasizing the presence of God in this world.  ...

Islamic Thought Must Be Constantly Regenerated

By Anas Alam Faizli December 30, 2015 Thirteen years ago, my brother, Dr Afif, chose to undertake the monumental task of memorising the Holy Quran instead of going to Form 4 after PMR. Praise be to God, he achieved it in no more than 18 weeks. I was proud of him. Ideas gushed to my mind as to ways to expand his potential. Since he had the mental capacity, I had the notion that he should continue his regular schooling in the science stream so that he could study medicine at university and fulfil my grandmother’s wish to have a grandson who is a doctor. Imagine the fabulous combination, in one person, of deep knowledge in both the natural sciences and the science of revelation. My brother could be like one of the numerous polymaths...

Making War vs. Hearing Citizen Sentiments in the Arab World

Making War vs. Hearing Citizen Sentiments in the Arab World By Rami G. Khouri 2015-12-23 BEIRUT — The most extensive regular poll of Arab public opinion that was released Monday in Doha, Qatar, provides timely new insights into the sentiments and values of men and women across the Arab world on issues such as the “Islamic State” (ISIS), the Arab uprisings and the role of foreign powers in the region. The immense value of such knowledge begs the question of whether any of the leading forces that now engage in military and diplomatic battles to shape the future of our region actually take into consideration the views of the beleaguered Arab citizens whose lives are most impacted. The voices of ordinary citizens seem largely...

Is This Palestine Arab Spring?

Is This Palestine Arab Spring? By David Allouche 2015-12-24 The Arab spring that spread throughout the last years in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria didn’t seem to reach effectively the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. In fact, the Palestinians territories stayed mostly outside the Arab Revolutions. The Arab Spring model didn’t permit Palestinians to overcome their political divisions between the two corrupted leaderships that are Fatah and Hamas. The divisions between the two main Palestinian movements started 8 years ago in June 2007, when the movement Hamas won the elections and took control of the Gaza Strip by force of arms. Since then Palestinians Territories are divided into two territorial entities, one controlled by Hamas and funded by Qatar, the other one being controlled by Fatah...

Bangladesh Swings On A Pendulum

Bangladesh Swings On A Pendulum By Tariq A. Al-Maeena Dec 30, 2015 While an uneasy calm may have descended on Bangladesh lately, it is not certain that such a scenario will be everlasting.  The country swings between supporters of the two principal figures in Bangladesh politics: the strong willed Sheikh Hasina and the equally stubborn Begum Khaleda Zia. Their political differences have polarized the country along party lines. To some observers, the Sheikh Hasina government is trying to pursue a course of secular democracy.  In the process, it has also demanded and enforced strict punishment including the death penalty for those nationals deemed traitors during the Bangladeshi war of liberation.  Several suspected...

Islam As Partisan Profit: An Egyptian Epic

Islam As Partisan Profit: An Egyptian Epic By H A Hellyer 29 Dec 2015 When the Egyptian uprising broke out in 2011, the opponents of Hosni Mubarak consisted of many different groups and trends. Within a few months, the "divorce" between the revolutionary camp and the Muslim Brotherhood-led faction began. At the heart of their separation, and the split between revolutionaries and the Mubarak regime, was how religion - specifically, Islam - was used in public life. Five years later, the instrumentalisation of Islam for partisan gain is a shortcoming that blemishes both pro-Mohamed Morsi and pro-Abdel Fattah el-Sisi forces in Egypt today. It isn't a fault that only one side falls into on a regular basis - and consistency...

Is Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Phenomena A New Fitna (Mischief)? Self-Righteous Kashmiri Sectarian Ulema Confer At A Book Release Function

Is Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Phenomena A New Fitna (Mischief)? Self-Righteous Kashmiri Sectarian Ulema Confer At A Book Release Function By Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Sikander, New Age Islam 29 Dec 2015 Srinagar: Recently a book release function was held in Kashmir Valley in which a book Fikr e Ghamidi: Ek Tajziyati wa Tahkeeki Mutala (The Weltanschauung of Ghamidi: An Analytical and Researcher’s Reading) written by a Pakistani scholar Hafiz Zubair was released at a local college. The new edition of the book has been published by a local publisher with new additions and revision by the author. The scholars belonging to different schools of thought, organizations and shades of opinion were present on this occasion. It was a rare event,...