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Al Jazeera, the network Donald Rumsfeld once called "vicious, inaccurate and inexcusable," created a media revolution that is difficult for non-Arabic speakers to appreciate. Remarkably open and professional (especially when compared to the staid state-sponsored media that dominated the Middle East back then), Al Jazeera introduced the concept of heated debate and open inquiry to the region, and their determination to allow newsworthy material such as Osama bin Laden's videotapes on the air earned them the moniker "Jihad TV" (a title bestowed mainly by those who had never watched the channel in its original language). Today, the network has survived the former US Defense Secretary's tenure to launch a global English language news broadcast. Dubbed Al Jazeera English (the previous name of Al Jazeera International rendered moot by the anything-but-local impact of its Arabic predecessor), the service launched Wednesday after a year of licensing and technical delays from four global hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Doha, London, and Washington, staffed with a mix of journalists from the developing and developed worlds (watch the drinking binges, boys). Along with the language change, the scope is changing too - from a platform for the Middle East to a global outlook with a special focus on the Muslim world. For now, the real audience is non-Arabic speaking Muslims (the website displays GMT and "Mecca" time), who may speak English as a second or even first language, but network hopes to grow to a reach of 80 million households (just under the original channel's 100 million household reach). The high-definition broadcast (a first, they say) will not be shown on any American or Canadian cable or satellite service (despite broadcasting from a Washington studio filled with 150 reporters), with Comcast (America's largest cable company) offering only to add the channel for the heavily Arab-American Dearborn, Michigan area. (It can be seen, however, be seen on broadband.) American news channels tend to "show the missiles taking off," says Riz Khan, who joined the new network along with veteran British interviewer Sir David Frost. "Al-Jazeera shows them landing." And that's a problem for many critics, some of whom are spearheading a drive to keep them off American TVs and wondering aloud how a Jewish-American (Al Jazeera's Washington news host Dave Marash) would dare work for an Arab-owned TV channel (the former "Nightline" reporter says he is proud of his new affiliation). The difficulties experienced by Al Jazeera in the US are ironic, considering that Israeli government officials consider it fairer to them than either CNN or the BBC, and promptly cut the red tape for the establishment of Al Jazeera's Jerusalem bureau (and, yes, it will be widely available for viewing there as well). As with the pioneering decade-old Arabic service, there will likely be opponents at both extremes of the Muslim/Western divide. And as before, that will likely be seen by seen by Al Jazeera and its viewers as evidence that they're doing something right. (More here)
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For as long as there have been tensions between the Muslim world and the West, there have been different - and conflicting - narratives regarding their causes. While Muslim voices point to political grievances on the ground in various hotspots around the world, Western leaders (most often governments) focus on role that Islam plays in modern political and social extremism in the Muslim world. With the aim of breaking the logjam that inhibits cross-cultural understanding, a United Nations-sponsored group called the Alliance of Civilizations (a reference, of course, to the decade-old "clash of civilizations" meme) was formed last year to take a sober look at the divide between East and West, and to recommend solutions. That group released its findings this week to UN head Kofi Annan in Turkey, with a central premise that won't be looked on too kindly by some in the West - that the Israeli-Palestinian dispute lies at the heart of the matter. "Our emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not meant to imply that it is the overt cause of all tensions between Muslim and Western societies," write the report's authors, a group of academics and present and former government officials from 19 different countries. "Nevertheless, it is our view that the Israeli-Palestinian issue has taken on a symbolic value that colors cross cultural and political relations ... well beyond its limited geographic scope." The findings of the report (.pdf) correlate with many arguments that Muslim observers have been making for years, such as the feeding of extremism through political repression in Muslim countries (and Western support of them). But it also takes Muslims societies to task, calling for expanded access to information via the Internet, engaging Muslim youth around the world with religious information and employment opportunties, revising educational materials, and strengthening commitments to human rights. Cross-cultural programs between the Muslim world and the West are also stressed, with the authors citing a recent survey showing that 30% of US government money earmarked for cultural exchanges go to programs with Europe. In contrast, only 6% goes to programs in the Muslim world. The UN will now discuss how to implement the report's recommendations, with soon-to-be-outgoing US Representative to the UN John Bolton getting in a few words before exiting the stage. "Growing polarization between the West and the Muslim world is undeniable. But it is not unavoidable," say the report authors. "Such fatalism denies individual freedom and mistakenly portrays humans, communities and nations as mere pawns of history."
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For all the yearning for moderation in Islam and frank dialogue within the Muslim community about its problems, there has been a curious pattern recently in the targetting of Western Islamic scholars who attempt to visit the United States. Back in September, American authorities upheld their ban of noted Swiss academic Tariq Ramadan, who had a previous visa revoked in 2004 before he could begin a tenured position at the University of Notre Dame (he was promptly snatched by Oxford University in England). The final reason given was a small contribution made to a Palestinian charity allegedly linked to Hamas (before the charities were blacklisted by the US and the EU). Ramadan, whose efforts at modernisation have earned him the enmity of more conservative Muslims, attributed the continued rejection to a fear of ideas. "I am increasingly convinced that the Bush administration has barred me for a much simpler reason," says Ramadan. "It doesn't care for my political views." In the few weeks since Ramadan's barring, the spate of scholarly refusals has continued. British Muslim leader Kamal Helbawy was denied entry in New York on October 18, despite not being on any no-fly list and serving as an advisor to British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Two South African scholars - Adam Habib and Fazlur Rahman Azmi - were denied entry after reaching the US, visas in hand, prompting intervention by the South African government, to no avail. "Despite their claims of innocence, all of these people are problematic in some ways, and some of them are actual terrorists," said one anonymous State Department official. The office of Undersecretary of State Karen Hughes, which overlooks US relations with Muslims worldwide, acknowledged the damage done to America's image. "There’s no question that some of these incidents have created serious problems for us," said Dan Smith, Hughes’s chief of staff. "She wants to find a way to fix this consistent with national security." Leaked documents show that the Department of Homeland Security is denying entry to those with "irresponsible expressions of opinion" (Yusuf Islam's decision to play guitar for Dolly Parton, perhaps?). Investigative reports have shown that this "Type III" list of people, who would not be barred under any other circumstances, can be denied entry to the US at the discretion of anyone who sees the list. "When we heard the name list or no-fly list … the eyes rolled back in my head, because we knew what was going to happen," says former FBI agent Jack Cloonan. "They basically did a massive data dump and said, 'Okay, anybody that's got a nexus to terrorism, let's make sure they get on the list,'" That list includes, in addition to scholars, students, businessmen, and (cough) bloggers. The irony in all this? At the same time Ramadan's visa and others were refused, former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami had his visa to the US personally approved by President George Bush, who stated that he was "interested in what he had to say." For Muslim scholars and others based in the West, that interest appears to be waning.
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With all the fuss lately over veils and manufactured outrage, the awarding of two promient Nobel prizes to Muslims may have slipped under the radar. Bangladeshi-born economist Muhammad Yunus was the surprise winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, along with the Grameen Bank, his revolutionary institution that championed microcredit lending for the poor. In a year when a number of veteran politicians (and musicians) were considered for the award, the selection of an economist broadened the definition of peacemaking and was almost universally praised as visionary. Founded in the early 1980's, the Grameen Bank challenged the major principles of banking, loaning small amounts to primarily poor women and maintaining a 97% repayment rate while lifting millions out of poverty. The bank is now majority owned by the poor it served, and Bangladesh is in the midst of nationwide celebrations. Similarly groundbreaking, but somewhat controversial was the selection of Turkish author Orhan Pamuk for the Nobel Prize for Literature. Vilified by many in Turkey and lauded by others for his calls for reexamining the deaths of more than a million Armenians under the Ottoman Turks in the early 20th century (he was tried and acquitted for "insulting Turkishness" earlier this year), Pamuk famously denounced the fatwa against British novelist Salman Rushdie, and earned praise throughout the West for his stance against fundamentalism and for free speech. While US President George Bush quoted Pamuk in a 2004 speech in Istanbul, Turkey's president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, made only an obscure reference to his Nobel win, expressing pride in the export of Turkish "cotton and figs" (Pamuk's last name means 'cotton' in Turkish). Many have commented on the political motivation for the awards to Pamuk and Yunus, noting in particular the tenuous position of Turkey with regards to EU membership (the French have recently made Armenian genocide-denial a crime) and the longstanding opposition to the Grameen Bank from more conservative mullahs and patriarchal societies. But when it comes to Muslims these days, everything is political. Ultimately, the willingness of these two to challenge both Islamic and Western conventions and their influence on others could outlast all the controversies.
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Muslim Website Says Muslims Aren't Offended By Apple Store - What if a Muslim in a forest complained about a New York retail outlet he'd never visited? Would he make a sound? If MEMRI weren't around, he wouldn't. (Oct 11, 2006)
Thailand Coup Highlights Role of Muslim Minority - A coup led by a Muslim general in mostly Buddhist Thailand might normally be a cause for concern. But most Thais, and even their ousted leader, seem to be taking it all in stride. (Sep 27, 2006)
A Papal Apology, But A Deeper Rift - A controversial quote delivered by Pope Benedict XVI last week caused an outcry in the Muslim world before an apology was offered and widely accepted. But a pattern is emerging. (Sep 19, 2006)
India's "National Song" Splits Hindus, Muslims - "Vande Mataram," an Indian nationalist song that celebrates its 100th anniversary, risks pitting Hindus against Muslims as the government mandates its use in schools (Sep 4, 2006)
Muslim Women In High Places - Amid increasing tensions between the US and Iran, an Iranian-American entrepreneur and proponent of private space travel is preparing to become the first Muslim woman astronaut. (Aug 28, 2006)
Muslims Caught In Sri Lankan Crossfire - In Sri Lanka, Muslims are caught in a battle between Hindu Tamil separatists and the predominantly Buddhist government. 100,000 have fled the violence so far. (Aug 14, 2006)
Britain and its Muslims Stare Into the Abyss - The stakes in the fight against terrorism reach an all time high with allegations of a plot said to rival 9/11. If not handled correctly, the problems on all sides could be compounded. (Aug 11, 2006)
Changes In Pakistan's Rape Laws (Slowly) Make Progress - Under Pakistan's Hudood Ordinance, female rape victims have often found themselves blamed for the crimes committed against them. With new pressure, that may soon change. (Aug 9, 2006)
The Propaganda War So Far - With so many sympathisers watching the Israel-Lebanon conflict from the sidelines, the propaganda wars between them are taking liberties with the truth. (Aug 4, 2006)
Muslim Community Reaches Out After Seattle Shooting - A tragic shooting in Seattle against a Jewish community center is tempered by the response of local Muslims who put aside politics to offer their condolences (Jul 31, 2006)
In The Shadow Of Lebanon, Iraq's Sectarian Violence Rages - Unified only by their sympathy for Lebanon, violence between Sunnis and Shias in Iraq has surged since the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, resulting in a civil war in all but name. (Jul 25, 2006)
Israel's Punishment Gets More Collective - Israel tries to bomb the Lebanese into taking care of their Hizbollah problem, and innocents aren't just being caught in the crossfire - they are the targets. (Jul 18, 2006)
In The World Cup, Zinedine Zidane Becomes The Football - What really happened on the football field that day? The answer might be a window into the tense relationship between Europe and its Muslim immigrants. (Jul 12, 2006)
Were Muslims Really Sailing The "Seas Of David?" - Another Islamist terrorist cell has been caught red handed - but if you look a little closer, there were no actual Muslims or credible threat involved. (Jun 23, 2006)
The Courts of Somali Opinion - Somalia is effectively under control by a single group for the first time in fifteen years. Will its Islamically oriented rulers lean toward Taliban-style governance or relative peace? (Jun 14, 2006)
More Terror Raids, More Suspects, More Questions - What transpired in two different raids that led police to young Muslims said to be preparing for large-scale acts of terrorism? (Jun 7, 2006)
Will Minnesota Send The First Muslim To Congress? - With a strong political record in Minnesota state politics, Keith Ellison stands a good chance to become the first Muslim member of Congress. (May 24, 2006)
The Ups, Downs, And Outs Of Ayaan Hirsi Ali - Former Dutch MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali gained notoriety for her statements against Islam and Muslim immigrants to Holland. Caught lying during her own immigration, her credibility lies in tatters. (May 16, 2006)
Muslims And Wachovia: Once Bitten, Twice As Angry - Wachovia Bank cancels the account of a Muslim group dedicated to addressing domestic violence, and a community weary of "guilty until proven innocent" fights back. (May 8, 2006)
The Irony Of Being Hassan Al-Turabi - Sudan's Hassan al-Turabi once advocated for the execution of another Islamic scholar for being too liberal. Now he finds himself in the same situation. (May 3, 2006)
Return Of The Janjaweed, This Time In Chad - Remember Darfur? A few people - including some Muslims - do, and efforts are being redoubled to stem the bloodshed as it spills over into neighboring Chad. (Apr 20, 2006)
Muslim Voices On The Sidelines In Immigration Debate - Despite all the immigration-related problems that have afflicted the US Muslim community, little has been contributed to the current debate on immigration policy. (Apr 17, 2006)
- More news articles here |
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By Zahed Amanullah, November 16, 2006
Before famed musician and Muslim activist Yusuf Islam released his long anticipated and well received new album An Other Cup this week, he remarked how he was inspired to pick up the guitar again four years ago after his then 17-year old son, Muhammad Islam, left his where he could see it. Since then, Yusuf has made his full transition from a tentative post-9/11 live performance of Peace Train at a benefit concert, to the full musical embrace (Cat Stevens-era collaborators included) we see today. While all the attention has (deservedly) been on Yusuf's resurgent career, what ever became of the son(and his guitar) that brought him back to music? (More here)
By Javed Memon, November 15, 2006
"Suck it." Did he really just say that? "Suck it." This time he held his hands high, crossed them and smacked them against his thighs, gesturing to his crotch. That was, uhh, unexpected. After shaking off the reality that is a 9 year old South Asian Muslim kid telling me to suck his private parts, I reflected [again] upon what it means that our kids (and adults) find it "fun" to watch women getting stripped and spanked. It isn't just "those other kids," either. It is our kids. Our kids who we let sit in front of the television without speaking to them about what they are watching, and then make them go to the mosque where we tell them to memorize verses that they don’t understand. You may be wondering what I’m writing about... (More here)
By Michael Symons, November 13, 2006
Just about anyone would agree that 2006 has been a tough year for the Muslims in terms of how we're viewed by the outside world: the coordinated campaign of extremist anti-Muslim thinkers in the US, Europe, and some parts of Asia inched its way into the mainstream, and bigoted tirades against the religion of Islam and its people crept from WorldNet Daily, Front Page Magazine, Jihad Watch, and other extreme right publications and websites to mainstream news outlets like the Toronto Star, New York Times, Harpers, and Times of London. This, of course, leaves a mark on the public, whose opinion on Islam has consistently slid since the days following 9-11 - the message of the Islamophobes, that Muslims are so different from everyone else as to be virtually irreconcilable with the non-Muslim majorities in their host countries, increasingly resonates with a public that feels itself rallying against what it is constantly told is a defense of its own civilization. Powerful stuff, to be sure. (More here)
For Those Who Are Conscious Of God
By Hesham Hassaballa, November 13, 2006
The difficulties found in the Muslim community today remind me of the hadith that foretells when keeping one's faith would be like holding hot coals.
Dutch Dilemmas: A Review Of "Murder In Amsterdam"
By Rafia Zakaria, November 8, 2006
"Murder in Amsterdam" is a thought-provoking account of the assassination of Theo Van Gogh that makes readers question politically tainted Enlightenment values.
Democracy Restored, But No Shift In Values
By Muqtedar Khan, November 8, 2006
While it is clear that voters have rejected Republican hubris, crony politics and power mania, it is not obvious what they have voted for, except change.
What Makes American Muslims Unique?
By M. Aurangzeb Ahmad, November 7, 2006
The story of American Islam, while complex, offers beneficial - and cautionary - lessons for Muslim communities around the world.
Has Mufti Day Ended Down Under? (Part I)
By Irfan Yusuf, November 1, 2006
Irfan Yusuf provides a detailed background for the controversy surrounding Australian imam Tajeddine Hilaly, whose remarks about women have caused an uproar.
Seeking New Audiences, Muslim Artists Go Mainstream
By Shahed Amanullah, October 31, 2006
In light of the growing distance between Muslims and their neighbors, a new generation of Muslim artists is catering to mainstream tastes in order to build bridges.
Why We Should Not Torture
By Hesham Hassaballa, October 31, 2006
It is possible that useful information may be gleaned by using torture. Yet, much more often, the information gathered through torture is not useful at all.
Defender Of The Flag: In Memory Of Alia Ansari
By Imam Zaid Shakir, October 27, 2006
Alia Ansari's story impressed on me the truth embodied in the words of a poet who said, "Be yourself beautiful, and you will find the world full of beauty."
Is One Offensive Cleric More Important Than 38 Reasonable Ones?
By Firas Ahmad, October 27, 2006
Why do so many reasonable Islamic scholars get such little attention in the news media when compared to the relatively few offensive ones?
"D.O.A.P.": Be Careful What You Wish For
By Zahed Amanullah, October 25, 2006
While controversy simmers around a fictional assassination of President George Bush, the new movie "Death of a President" is really more about the system surrounding the man.
The Imagery Of Clowns: The Art Of Saira Wasim
By Zahir Janmohamed, October 23, 2006
"I believe art and freedom of expression can be used to propagate Islam and create awareness in society," says Pakistani-American artist Saira Wasim.
God Is The King
By Hesham Hassaballa, October 22, 2006
Part of our rights as citizens of this blessed country is the pledge to defend and follow the Law of the land. It is not right that we pledge to uphold the law and then betray that pledge.
Islam In Oxford
By Muqtedar Khan, October 12, 2006
The Muslim population of Oxford is a good example of a well-integrated Muslim community in the West. Other European Muslim communities would do well to follow their lead.
God Has 99 Names
By Hesham Hassaballa, October 11, 2006
Islamic tradition counts 99 names or attributes for God. I want to reflect on them and try to understand what they mean for me.
A Look Back At The 2005 Kashmir Quake
By Zahir Janmohamed, October 9, 2006
One year later, the effects of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake still linger, long after the news cameras have gone. Shenaaz Janmohamed reports back from Pakistan.
For Ramadan in Britain, A Smorgasbord of Controversy
By Zahed Amanullah, October 6, 2006
Muslim issues are often in the news these days in Britain, but Ramadan has brought with it an unusual amount of controversies in an otherwise quiet month.
Iraq: There Is A Third Way
By Muqtedar Khan, October 2, 2006
So far there are two plans for Iraq: staying the course and scheduling an early withdrawal. In my opinion, neither plan truly safeguard's America's security.
Downgrading The Clash Of Civilizations
By Firas Ahmad, October 2, 2006
Samuel Huntington's essay "The Clash of Civilizations" has been used to describe an inevitable conflict between Muslims and the west, but people may have the wrong idea.
If Not "Islamic Fascists," Then What?
By Hesham Hassaballa, September 29, 2006
We can complain about the use of the term "Islamic fascist", or we can come up with our own term that is more accurate and push for its use.
Life, Class, and Art in "Man Push Cart"
By Zahir Janmohamed, September 25, 2006
Ramin Bahrani deserves credit not only for creating a film that implores us to ask important questions but also reminds us of why it is so easy to ignore them.
Go West, Young Muslim
By Naeem Mohaiemen, September 22, 2006
It is time to look beyond the stories of 9/11. Time to also feel the pain of others outside these borders. Time to formulate theory, trajectory and a vision for a more humane future.
The Evolution Of Monotheism
By Zeeshan Hasan, September 22, 2006
If we accept the historical evidence that Abraham was polytheist, then we have found grounds for a more pluralistic view of Islam in the many verses praising him.
Papal Free Speech
By Irfan Yusuf, September 19, 2006
From time to time, Christian and Muslim leaders talk about each other's faiths. That's religion. And that's life. At least it should be.
Gender Politics: ISNA's First Female President
By Louay Safi, September 18, 2006
Though one should expect that both men and women enjoy equal political rights, some misread classical jurists in criticizing the election of a female ISNA's president.
The Lessons Of Keith Ellison
By Shahed Amanullah, September 14, 2006
There are Muslim leaders, and then there are leaders who happen to be Muslim. In Keith Ellison, we are finally witnessing the ascendance of the latter.
Kill Us, Too: We Are Also Americans
By Aslam Abdullah, September 12, 2006
The leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Hamza al-Muhajer, recently issued a decree to its supporters: Kill at least one American in the next two weeks. Well, I am an American too.
Still Caught Between Two Hells
By Shahed Amanullah, September 11, 2006
Sometimes it seems like the average Muslim American, caught between the extremists on both sides, just can't win. But there is a way out.
Another Vision Of The "New Middle East"
By Hesham Hassaballa, September 11, 2006
While visions of a "new Middle East" focus on political change in Arab countries, that political change won't come unless a fair solution to land conflicts is made possible.
Veils And Jails
By Rafia Zakaria, September 1, 2006
The Hudood Ordinances of Pakistan expose how Generals past and present have used the regulation of female sexuality to their strategic advantage.
War Profiteering With The "Infidel" Knife
By Bryan Lee, August 31, 2006
It is intolerable that a American company, Benchmade, would make a product of death and market it in such a anti-American and racist way.
Snakes On A Plane, Muslims Off The Plane
By Naeem Mohaiemen, August 30, 2006
Every person is now an action hero, ready to pounce on evildoers when they "spot suspicious behavior", kick up a royal fuss and boot that passenger off the plane.
Shooting A Shaykh In The Mouth
By Ali Eteraz, August 25, 2006
It is a war between Violence and Reason. One speaks with the authority of bullets and flame; the other through the authority of pamphlet and humility.
Polls, Damn Polls, and Statistics
By Zahed Amanullah, August 22, 2006
With the recent increase in tensions between Muslims and the West, many have turned to polls to figure out what Muslims are thinking. But how much do they really tell us?
Honour Killing: Crime & Abetment
By Rafia Zakaria, August 10, 2006
European Muslims continue to remain silent on horrific crimes within the community, citing fear of fuelling Islamophobia as the reason. This should not be an excuse.
High Fructose Masjid
By Javed Memon, August 9, 2006
Mosques, like high schools, are falling prey to fast food culture (and a quick buck) by allowing vending machines in. Shouldn't our communities expect better?
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Muslim Bloggers Debate Apple 'Mecca' Posting - "Shahed Amanullah, editor for a Web site that provides a critical analysis of issues regarding the Muslim community, was one of the first to speak out. Like many others, he objected to MEMRI's report, saying the organization often chooses articles that reflect Muslims in a poor light." (Oct 17, 2006)
Islamophobia, Panic and Public Media - "[F]rom the Pope to Zidane's headbutt to racial profiling on airline flights, Altmuslim.com features some of the most penetrating writing and news coverage from a quite different vantage point." (Oct 5, 2006)
Papal gaffe was setback for religious dialogue - "It never ceases to amaze me that some Muslims choose to act out the stereotypes they complain about," said Shahed Amanullah, a former Oakland resident who is editor of altmuslim.com, a popular Muslim blog. "It doesn't matter if it's a handful of people on a Karachi street. Those are the images that go out and represent all of us." (Sep 26, 2006)
The Challenge Goes Out to All American Muslims - "It's good that there's internal debate and good that America sees it because one of the fears Americans have about American Muslims is that we're automatons that do what people tell us to do. When Americans see our internal debates, I think that reassures them that we're human, and we're trying to resolve our issues." (Sep 12, 2006)
Bay Area still feeling 9/11 reverberations - "Because of Ahmad's name, he is routinely selected for lengthy identity checks at ticket counters and prohibited from online or kiosk check-in. "To be clear, this is a knucklehead policy," he said. What's especially enervating to Ahmad is that he only gets picked on by one airline: Southwest. It got to the point where he wrote a letter to the company, posted on altmuslim.com, blasting the company for overzealously using a passenger screening list provided by the Transportation Security Administration." (Sep 11, 2006)
Did Muhammad Really Say That? - "With this apostasy issue, the differences become so glaring, with one side saying, 'put to death,' and the other saying, 'no, free will.' People are coming from two worlds," said [Shahed] Amanullah of altmuslim.com. "The cultural differences in the Muslim world stem from the hadith." (Aug 5, 2006)
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