Fast forward four years, and Muslim voters backpedaled considerably, voting nearly 90% with Bush's Democratic rival John Kerry and creating what is most likely the greatest demographic shift in US political history. This, of course, begs the questions - where will Muslim voter sensibilities eventually settle along the political spectrum?
Seeing that our community is in a state of poltiical flux, I see a great opportunity to make the case that Muslims belong firmly in the progressive camp in US politics. First of all, Muslims now more than ever need to cast their lot with the group of people most likely to respect their uniqueness and resist the prevailing urge to restrict their rights (or worse, lump them in with the "evil-doers"). Second, Muslims seeking to serve society through political involvement will find it easier to participate in progressive organizations and the Democratic Party (the vast majority of Muslims holding elected office are Democrats) rather than their right-leaning equivalents.
And Muslims need not leave their personal moral views at the door when entering the progressive camp. Unlike conservative tendencies to make society abide by a particular moral code, progressives (despite a scattered few who are anti-religion in general) seek not to impose their morality on others but to allow people to live their lives as they see fit. That's not just good for Muslim Americans - it's good for everyone.
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Brother Huma, all sects of Islam share the "Belief in all prophets and in both old and new testament of the Holy Bible and the Holy Quran is the true basic necessity of life itself," not just your sect. Unfortunately, and as you must be aware, Muslim scholars do not recognize Amadiyyah as legitimate Islam. I won't go there, because the point is that we all have the right to believe what we believe.
But other people do not have the right to abuse us because of their prejudices. This includes politicians and others who use Islam to further their personal agendas. Selling hate is so easy, but stopping it is so hard. In my earlier comment I addressed another posting where the writer expressed concerns that Muslims would, in effect, take over. Imagine if he or she were writing about African Americans. Or Jews, for that matter. Of course, it wouldn't be tolerated. But it's ok to trash Muslims, evidently.
I could not have conveyed my feelings better than Sister Miriam did! I too am a Muslim, but I have the distinct honor of being a revert/convert white American who embraced Islam after 911. I encourage everyone who has fear of Islam to actually read Qur'an and Hadith to to try to understand just exactly what is taught in our religion. Surprisingly, you will find that what you are seeing in the mainstream media about the negative aspects of Islam is not Islam at all, but culture. When culture supercedes the beliefs in our religion, it is no longer Islam!!!!! Also, the teachings in the Christian circles regaling Islam as a cult to a sun god or pagan gods - study history, that was why Islam was founded, to get away from those practices and get back to our Monotheistic base - just as Judaism and Christianity was based and has followed for centuries!
"That means we won't tolerate Muslim Americans telling us how to live.While it may not be an issue as long as Islam is an overwhelming minority religion, it is often a problem wherever Muslims are a majority." So you are afraid that the Muslims will take over and impose Shariah? And you think women such as myself who would like to exercise without being in the proximity of unrelated men "excessively modest"? Your Islamophobia flag is flying high.
Posted by: mariam | August 3, 2008 12:19 PM
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mariam,do some research, or ask the Europeans how muslims are trying to impose sharia law on its citizens. You progressives are naive and ignorant.
'But other people do not have the right to abuse us because of their prejudices. This includes politicians and others who use Islam to further their personal agendas. Selling hate is so easy, but stopping it is so hard'
first of all its sister Huma! Thankyou & God Bless. Yes, what you have written is absolutely true. I am not talking about sects here. i am talkning about the real religion.'islam'which is continuing on no matter what the people do to it or add backward ideas to it. It was the politicians, to enhance their own power & use the emotions of the people, that they are refusing to even ackowledge that all Holy books are continuing and Ahmadiyyat is just that continuance. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Islam was created under divine guidance with the objective to rejuvenate Islamic moral and spiritual values. It encourages interfaith dialogue, and diligently defends Islam and tries to correct misunderstandings about Islam in the West. It advocates peace, tolerance, love and understanding among followers of different faiths. It firmly believes in and acts upon the Qur'anic teaching: "There is no compulsion in religion." (2:257) It strongly rejects violence and terrorism in any form and for any reason.
My humble opinion is Islam is continuing.
Living isn the Netherlands as I am and following true 'islam', i have had good job offers, myDutch neihbours told me that if amm muslim immigrants or people were tolerant & broadminded like you we would have no problem with Muslims. My best friend is a Christian, my daughter's a Jew. so 'love for all hatred for none'is possible & i'm sure you are having a positive & healthy time as well in America. You views are indeed very sensible.
>>mariam,do some research, or ask the Europeans how muslims are trying to impose sharia law on its citizens. You progressives are naive and ignorant.
Yup its all about Sharia, Sharia, Sharia. You masculine, pro-war, Republicans hawks all turn out to be true cowards, wetting your pants upon hearing the word.
Oh I love it, we Muslims and progressives are so "naive and ignorant" while the right-wing macho-men who have terrorized the Muslim world know everything about Islam, even more so than Muslims.
So tell me Richard, what have I missed? Is it killing the infidels part or taking over Europe and America part? Or making Obama swear on the Koran?
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