Moderate Muslims vs Radical Islam

We hear a lot of qualifying statements about “moderate Muslims” when “radical Islam” is mentioned. Now, certainly, one can postulate that the majority of Muslims, are most likely people who just want to get on with their lives and that in western countries in particular, many keep a low profile and just live their lives with a low current of religiosity. Like people everywhere, they are trying to get through the day, and not start a revolution or ignite a war. Even so, some are sympathetic to radical concerns or issues, even if they are not entirely seized with passion for the cause. Others, are completely against radicalism, but stay on the down low and don’t make waves. Then, there are the Muslims who become leaders, and actually attempt to impress some kind of moderate change on the current situation within Islam, many of these high-profile moderates or liberal Muslims don’t get as much press as the radicals, but they do exist, and — often, they live their lives under threat of death, from their co-religionists. I found this amazing film chronicling the work and lives of a number of moderate Islamic leaders, most of them not Imams, who are pushing for Islamic assimilation to western values (outside of actual religious practice) and for an end to Islamic terrorism; they also do not support sharia law being implemented in the west and have fought against it in Europe and in Canada.

The film also traces the origins of Wahabi Islam from Saudi Arabia to the rest of the world. Apparently, the Saudi royal family has been exporting Wahabi for some time into Europe, Canada and the USA — partially to free themselves from an imminent threat to their own power. This began with a siege on Mecca and the royal family by Wahabists and a deal actually forged with the royal Saudi Arabian family. I knew about Wahabi, but I certainly learned more about its spread worldwide and the influence of so many radical Imams, even in places like Arizona!

The Muslims who fight extremism deserve our support, they are unbelievably brave as you will see as you watch. And, they are, apparently, not exactly winning this battle.
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The film here, all parts from the amazing efforts of Frank Kitman on Kitman TV– his description:

“Islam vs. Islamists: Voices from the Muslim Center” tells the story of courageous anti-Islamist Muslims in Western Europe, Canada and the United States and the extraordinary challenges they face in taking on adherents to the theo-totalitarian ideology known as Islamism. What is happening to these moderates – who are being ostracized, bankrupted, intimidated and in some cases, threatened with death – offers critical insights into the dangers that both they and non-Muslims are facing. These films by acclaimed Director/Producer Martyn Burke also suggest steps that can and must be taken to help empower the anti-Islamist Muslims in the struggle for their faith.”

Mark Steyn Wins Sappho Prize in Copenhagen, “You’ll Have to Kill Us All”

Mark Steyn, Canadian humorist and polemicist and free speech crusader, has won the Sappho Prize in Copenhagen. Here, some photos from the awards ceremony and a recording of Mark’s speech with an introduction (that includes the inevitable cheesy lesbian jokes, all in good humor however) by Eva Agnete Selsing. Her introduction is bracing and fearless, and Mark’s speech is funny and as he builds, intense and fiery. Well, worth a listen… He states that his sense of humor is “not subject to state regulation.”

You’ll Have to Kill Us All!

And, from a report on Steyn’s speech by the International Free Speech Society:

“That is Mark Steyn’s diagnosis of Western Civilisation anno 2010. And that the man knows what he is talking about became clear to everyone on this anniversary of the murderous attack in New York and elsewhere on 9/11 nine years ago. The same might be said of the other participants in this international conference –the Swedish artist Lars Vilks, the Norwegian-Pakistani comedienne Shabana Rehman, the Danish-Iranian actor, comedian and commentator Farshad Kholghi and the Dutch cartoonist Gregorius Nekshot.

Every one of these artists, comedians and critics had played the role of the little boy in Andersen’s tale. And they had all paid the price. Had anyone been in doubt, it sufficed to look around in the hall, where several officers from the Danish Security Police were posted.
America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It is the title of the book that gave Mark Steyn his international breakthrough. It describes a Europe that in the absolute autumn of its life can neither maintain itself demographically nor culturally and is therefore threatened by rapid Islamization.

Based as it is on dry facts and thorough research, the book has had a major influence on the discourse on Islam and multicultural society…

Steyn’s message in Copenhagen was far from uplifting.

Paraphrasing the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Lord Grey’s comment on the outbreak of World War 1, Steyn remarked: ”One by one the lights go out in Europe because those who have created the multicultural societies will not defend them.”
He went on to say that authors, comedians and everyone else that does not believe in a multicultural utopia are being persecuted and witch-hunted into silence. The Canadian authorities have even tried –in the best totalitarian tradition – to criminalize Mark Steyn’s jokes. Even his “tone” has been subjected to legal scrutiny…

Though the title of Steyn’s book refers to an America that finds itself increasingly isolated in its defence of Western values, things are far from ideal on the other side of the Atlantic.

Steyn noted that Obama has never criticized honour killings or other outrages taking place in the Muslim world. But if Westerners commit the slightest transgression – as is now the case with the mad priest in Florida who wanted to burn the Koran – he immediately feels called upon to issue an official condemnation. That is a disgrace, said Steyn, who could only express his contempt for Western governments that think Islam should be exempted from criticism.

Among the governments that in Steyn’s words compete to be “Islam’s most obedient ‘prison-bitch’” is the one in Sweden. That blue-yellow nation was horrified when one of its own sons drew the Muslim prophet as a dog. ”

From the article here: Humour Conference: It Takes Children, Drunkards and Death-defying Artists to Get the Truth.

Your last best hope is you! Kathy Shaidle on speaking out and speaking freely

OK, she said, “Your last best hope should be you” and I take it that this is advice for timid Canadians who are very, very close to changing the hate speech laws in their otherwise, wonderful country — but it is good advice for all of us, no matter where we reside. When speaking truth becomes “hate speech” well, it is time to — speak the truth! And, I know many of you out there reading me may protest that the truth is relative, and while there is relatively some truth to that notion, there is also truth, with a T, and we know it and feel it when we do. And, once we have recognized it, truth with a big T, does have that way of wanting to be known, spoken, and acknowledged.

Kathy Shaidle is a Canadian, a self-described “old punk rocker” and an ex-leftist (sounds like someone I saw in the mirror except I am not a Canadian though I have a lot of relatives up there from one side of the family) AND, I am not five feet tall! I have also not been arrested for hate speech, which is another reason why, I have not applied for my dual Canadian citizenship, I want to keep it that way! I know I’ve talked about Kathy Shaidle before. Yes, she’s been charged with hate speech in Canada, and blogs at Five Feet of Fury — (being all of five feet tall) and here she’s speaking at a support for Geert Wilders Rally in Toronto.

In other words, don’t let the so-called Human Rights Commissions shut you up, shut you down or get you down. Here in the USA our HRCs don’t have this power, but in Canada, they can actually swoop in and confiscate your computer – without a warrant! They’d be looking for “hate speech” if you can believe it.