Progressive Muslims
an article by David Kimball

We are what we receive. And if all we receive about Muslims is its extremists, our perception of the reality of Muslims will be that they are extremists. But how do we get to receive more realistic information of what the non-extremists are like? It takes a definite effort because we will not receive it from the news media, nor the entertainment media.

That is why Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), has published an excellent magazine on the Muslim Renaissance. This issue of Muslim Renaissance describes the "birth of a new paradigm in a major world religion" by presenting progressive Islam as a parallel to progressives in religious, political, and social milieus. It presents it as much more the mainstream global representation of the Islamic faith and as hidden from the view of mainstream society.

In the introductory editorial, Rabia Terri Har states that historic Islam has always been "opposed to oppression in all its forms and Progressive Islam aims at restoring this original vision of freedom through the liberation of all humanity from coercion and subjugation. Progressive Muslims are therefore unwilling to let empires conveniently define peace as the absence of struggle against their power. And they are against the West calling for 'Islamic reform' as an imperial attempt to undermine Muslim resistance to cultural domination."

He then goes on to say that "by contrast, the actual Muslim Renaissance that is now underway is effervescent with ideas about making domination itself a thing of the past. Progressive Muslims come together in this endeavor with progressives of many other faiths. And to such a project, nonviolence is essential."

The magazine contains features such as "Nonviolence in the Islamic Context", "An Africana View of Progressive American Islam", and Sisters in Islam: A Voice for Everyone". This is a great publication for seeing "them" as "us".

More information may be found at the FORUSA website.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

How would we define a progressive Muslim?


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RELIGION AND CULTURE OF PEACE

LATEST READER COMMENT:

Cheers for this publication for breaking down stereotypes of the 'other'.

To me, it also reflects the battle within major world religions between their humane and justice-orientated core traditions and their hijacking by conservatives and the power elite. This is especially salient for us in the U.S.

A recent CNN program ('The Fight Over Faith') reported that as many as 40% of Americans identify as 'evangelical', while as much as 89% of the country identifies as 'christian'. Conservative evangelicals have been working hard to break down barriers between church and state and are using 'wedge' value-based issues (such as restricting gay rights) to influence political contests. Significantly, many of these evangelicals are also strict fundamentalists who assert that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ (everyone else is going to He|| and needs to be saved; battling this evil is part of their messianic calling).. . ...more.

This report was posted on October 24, 2004. The moderator is CPNN Coordinator.

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