AMSS event in Texas blazes new trail: Jamal Badawi reinterprets
misunderstood Quranic terms
Ambassador Syed A. Ashani
Press Release August 29,2003
At their landmark 3rd Regional Conference the Association
of Muslim Social Scientists broke new ground by dispelling
the popular image that Muslims are extremists and that Islam
is engaged in Holy War against the West.
In his welcome Dr. Robert Cluck, Arlington's Mayor, appreciated
the AMSS teaching about the Muslim contributions to civilization,
vehemently condemning the dastardly September 11th attacks,
and informing Americans sabout Islam in general through its
quarterly newsletter, website, quarterly journal and annual
conventions and regional conferences. He assured Muslims equal
access to his office.
He welcomed the concept of a Muslim candidate for a City
Council seat in Arlington, foreseeing that Muslims will hold
an elected office in Arlington in the future.
Muslim Student Association President, Laith Albataineh, welcomed
the guests on behalf of the U.T.A. students
Introducing the program, Dr. Basheer Ahmed, Chairman of the
3rd Regional conference stated that extremism and terrorism
were a universal problem with no single religion having monopoly.
He exhorted the peace-loving people of the world to unite
to rein in extremism lest it become a controlling force over
all social institutions, with grave peril to humanity. He
welcomed the scholars and audience, and outlined the program.
Former Pakistani Ambassador, Syed Ahsani, and Lico Reyes
introduced Congressman Martin Frost (D-Texas), the Guest of
Honor, at lunch.
The Honorable Congressman referred to his post 9/11 statements,
encouraging every Texan to join him in resisting intolerance
and bigotry in desire to ascribe blame for this tragedy.
While condemning terrorism in the Middle East, Congressman
Frost welcomed the "Roadmap to Peace" and supported
a Palestine State.
Moazam Syed, President Elect, American Muslim Alliance Tarrant
County thanked the Congressman and read out Congressman's
statement referred to above "The terror we witnessed
last Tuesday were the acts of madmen. Their actions hadnothing
to do with religion, just as the Oklahoma City bombing had
nothing to do with Timothy McVeigh's religion. There can be
no worse response to this crisis, and nothing less American,
than acting with the same hatred and prejudice that motivates
terrorists.
"The world can learn by Texas and America's example
- we are not a country of bigotry and hatred. America will
remain just and tolerant, even when confronted with terror
and adversity. Threats and discrimination against Arabs, Muslims,
and other American ethnic groups are inexcusable." The
audience gave Congressman Frost a standing ovation.
The Congressman is known for his support of civil rights,
greater immigrant employment in the US military, constituent
service, upholding the Bill of Rights, economic development
of his district, and the students career development.
Bob Ray Sanders, Staff Writer and Columnist of Star Telegram
moderated the Q & A session at lunch
Dr. Jamal Badawi, the well-known Islamic scholar from Saint
Mary's University, Halifax, Canada made a convincing case,
based on textual and historical background, from the Quran
and Traditions, that the term "Holy War" is non
existent in the Quran; "Kufr" does not mean "infidel";
and Allah is Lord of all "beings". Islam, according
to Badawi, is thus pluralistic. That if killing "Kafir"
is permitted, does one kill ones' wife for being Kafir -as
Muslims are allowed to marry ladies who are "People of
the Book". He also decried the notion that Islam sanctioned
"Holy War", "killing of non-believers wherever
found" and "subjugating followers of all other religions."
as often presented by some antagonists...
He affirmed that the argument of some scholars on the basis
of Muslim history and practice, or juristic opinions could
not replace the Quran
and Hadith-the two primary sources of Sharia. He advocated
an integrated contextual approach in understanding these texts,
pointing out common pitfalls in their interpretation.
These remarks made a great impact, especially among non-Muslims.
To Muslims, he emerged as a moderate Islamic scholar, well
attuned to the realities of modern global environment - pluralism,
diversity and tolerance, reviving the Prophetic tradition
of interfaith dialogue with Najran Christian delegation; they
not only spoke about their faith, but were allowed to pray
in the mosque at the time of their prayer.
In his introduction, President AMSS, Dr. Lousy Safi contrasted
the present extremism in Muslims, based on distortions in
interpretation of scripture and lack of free debate on historical
Islam's practice over centuries. Ethnic and religious minorities
lived in peace and harmony, occupying high positions in the
administration in Muslim lands. He averred that US Muslims
should reenact the historic Islamic traditions of pluralism,diversity,
freedom and justice to the minorities.
Marc Ellis, Prof. Jewish Studies, Baylor University, insightfully
pointed out to global instability, caused within the current
political discourse of the Israel-Palestine problem where
extremists were blamed for the spiral of violence is a case
in point. In their Diaspora, Jews and Muslims will struggle
for identity, status, and empowerment, especially after 9/11.
He wondered whether there would be in the 21st Century militancy
and violence or a Jewish-Muslim movement towards justice and
compassion?
In his Theories of the Psychology of Violence, Charles Ballinger
of the Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University
explained the behavior of Palestinians, and Osama bin Laden,
who is engaged in rivalry with America. In Dr. Bellinger's
view, the 9/11 terrorists rebelled against God/Allah who favored
a loving, ethical existence, forbidding
intentional killing of civilians.
Kamran Bokhari of the University of Texas at Austin examined
how neo-conservatives and right-wing Christian fundamentalists
influenced the Bush Administration's policies. He underscored
the threat they posed to inter-civilizational dialogue and
harmony, endangering the present global volatile atmosphere.
He explored methods for overcoming these challenges.
Michael Provence, Assistant Professor of Modern Middle East
History at Southern Methodist University, spoke on "Moderates
and Extremists in the Middle East under Colonial Rule."
He examined secret intelligence documents of French and British
colonial rule over the Islamic Middle East, and argued that
in the 1920s and 30s the European agenda in the Middle East
represented an extremist position. He asked if imposing foreign
rule by violence on a weakened population can ever be a "moderate"
goal?
Explaining the acceptance by Islam of the faith traditions
of Judaism and Christianity, Asma Afasaruddin, a Notre Dame
Professor, outlined in her paper, "Combating Extremism:
Tapping Into Islam's Pluralistic Resources", that political
and historical events had tarnished Islam‘s
tolerant image, painting Muslims as ontologically intolerant.
She cited Quran‘s inclusivist approach to
other faiths and exhorted Muslims to revert to the pluralistic
discourse in the midst of current paranoia,
both among Muslims and no-Muslims.
Merve Kavakci, the Mason Fellow at Harvard, outlined a new
perspective from a feminine viewpoint. She stated that women's
lives were largely influenced by extremism, reverberating
in different societies with different impulses, not Islamic
or religious in origin. Underlining extremism's impact on
women, she proposed a pragmatic solution to this important
problem.
In the Banquet, after the outstanding Keynote presentation
by Dr. Jamal Badawi, the copious summing up of all sessions'
proceedings by Dr. Dilnawaz Siddiqui, former Professor, Clarion
University rounded of the event. Earlier in the afternoon,
he presented the "Arlington Declaration."
A lively Q & A Session fielded by Dr. Basheer Ahmed followed
with all the panelists present on the podium to answer the
questions, which continued till midnight.
The 800-strong audience in the two sessions was drawn from
the entire Metroplex, both Muslims and non-Muslims. National
and Texas scholars of three faiths gave erudite presentations
on the subjects of topical interest.The event was widely covered
by the media.
Following two preceding Regional Conferences by AMSS Southwest
Chapter-the first on Muslim Contribution to Civilization,
and the second, on the Role of Religion to Promote World Peace-the
present event was a great success, heralding a new chapter
of interfaith dialogue.
|
