To distinguish Islamism from Islam is of utmost significance, I believe, especially for Western governments now engaged in a self-proclaimed ‘war on terror’. Simply put, it is the distinction between politics (Islamism) and religion (Islam), as far as I can understand.

When she talks against “Islam”, it is immediately condemned as a “race-crime” against an “oppressed minority” [the moslems in west]. Islam is not “moslims”. Islam as a philosophy, doctrine, religion cannot claim to be above criticism. That is the only lesson we can draw from enlightenment. From Bertrand Russel to Sartre if “feelings” of believers were to be considered by thinkers. nothing could have been possible

The status of Christianity in Europe is a clear parameter to the case of Islam in future, it has to be criticized in order to break its intellectual hegemony.
I believe that “moderate moslems” are in majority, but let me put in front of you the case of Ahmedis in Pakistan, where Islamists created an apartheid like system but “moderates” are just accomplices because the “excuse” the islamists made was too sacred for even the most moderates to question in words of Miss Ali , Islamic doctrine of Sheria is responsible [for the majority at least]

If European progressive elements fought with Catholic church and created secular democracy, the progressive moslem states cannot be created without questioning islamic doctrine

The plight of women in moslem societies which Miss Ali talks about is a FACT , neo con or Not, to what extant “Islam” is responsible, “progressive moslems” might not agree , it is. Another fact remains “those who have enslaved women have justified this through Islam”
Miss Ali cant be accused of defaming Islam as such an Islam exist. A progressive Islam exist too but she is not bound to read Koran as libertarian moslem does. Why cant she read Koran as a Suicide bomber reads it

There is no one Islam, i agree but One Islam is in control, it controls all the text, all the universities and media . How many voices came out in support of Salman Rushdie’s right of expression, i can only think of 5 , one being Eqbal Ahmad. Most moderates of the progressive moslem writers failed to oppose censorship, which is usually a Knee jerk response of writers .

One can disagree and I do with Miss Ali on the solution or the tactic but the question she raises are valid question. Islam cant claim “submission” from the thinkers community whose job is to question doctrine. If Bertrand Russel can question Christianity , Miss Ali can question Islam. If Bertrand Russel could see violence and genocide in Bible, She can see it in Koran too—–

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/english/about/visiting-fellow.htm

Thanks for a fantastic blog Raza.