Muslims in Europe, bearers of pluralism

2013/12/19 Leave a comment

Further to a 2008 survey by the Berlin Research Agency for Social Research indicating high levels of distrust or discomfort among European Muslims with Jews and gays, and high levels of support for religious law,  Jan Jaap de Ruiter provides some context and analysis of the survey.

A valid and justified conclusion to be drawn from the survey carried out by WZB should have been that there is indeed a lot of work to be done when it comes to fundamentalist tendencies among Muslims in Europe. An equally valid and justified conclusion, however, is that Muslims are no exception in a Europe in which many  ”native” populations are contending with dislike of Jews, hatred against gay people and all kinds of undemocratic tendencies. Furthermore, it shows that, in spite of everything, Muslims in Europe seem to be doing better when it comes to embracing diversity and democratic values ​​than Muslims in Islamic countries. In the U.S., it is Muslims that show less support for the law of God than the general American public.What all of this shows, if anything, is that Muslims can apparently be different and that they are able to change. So let that be the new frame.

Muslims in Europe, bearers of pluralism.

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Campus segregation: ‘religious freedom’ cannot be allowed to trump equality – Telegraph

2013/12/17 Leave a comment

There has been a fair amount of controversy in the UK over segregated lectures by Islamic or other fundamentalists in universities. This opinion piece in the Telegraph argues, correctly, that such segregation is a step backwards and should not be encouraged or tolerated:

In any society, pluralist or otherwise, we are constantly forced to assign priorities to different values. Religious freedom – the right to worship, to free association, to a diet consistent with one’s faith, and so on – is rightly accorded respect. But that freedom cannot be allowed to distort and trump the ideals of the modern academy, at the heart of which is the notion of a scholarly community divided by civilised argument, not race, faith or gender.

Campus segregation: ‘religious freedom’ cannot be allowed to trump equality – Telegraph.

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There is no single Islamic culture

2013/12/13 Leave a comment

An opinion piece by Mohamad Jebara reminding us that Islam, like other religions, has different sects or denominations, and that these also reflect their place and country. While I am not sure that Islam may be quite as fluid as suggested below, neither is it as rigid as some would argue:

What Canadian Muslims, including converts to Islam need is the freedom to foster a unique Islamic identity that is harmonious with their particular culture and nation. Islam is like water, it easily flows and moves around solid objects. As such, it can easily fit into the context of any cultural group.

Op-Ed: There is no single Islamic culture.

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Charte des valeurs: des échos jusqu’en Turquie and Office of Religious Freedom

2013/12/11 Leave a comment

While the headline refers to the proposed Quebec charter, this is one of the few interviews that I have seen with the head of the Office of Religious Freedom, Andrew Bennett, on the nature of some of his discussions abroad.

Normal that once one opens these types of discussions with other countries that Canadian issues also get raised, with the proposed charter being an easy target. A bit ironic given the Canadian government’s criticism of many UN processes and committees that provide similar opportunities for criticism of Canada when we raise human rights or other issues.

Charte des valeurs: des échos jusqu’en Turquie | JOËL-DENIS BELLAVANCE | Politique canadienne.

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What Hitchens got wrong: Abolishing religion won’t fix anything – Salon.com

2013/12/10 1 Comment

While I like a lot of what Hitchens wrote, I agree with the tenor of this article that Hitchens and the other “extreme” atheists have it wrong, that religion cannot explain all conflict in the world.

… I would like to suggest a truce — one originally proposed by the Catholic church and promoted by the eminent Stephen J. Gould. Science, the study of the natural world, and religion, the inquiry into the meaning of life (or metaphysics, more broadly) constitute non-overlapping magisteria. Neither can invalidate the theories of the other, if such theories are properly within their realm. Any theologian or scientist who steps out of their realm to speculate upon the other is free to do so, but must do so with an adequate understanding of the other’s realm.

Religion (either secular or theological) does not poison all of society and science should not be feared, but rather embraced. Both can bring humanity to new heights of empathy, imagination and progress. To quote the greatest American reformer, “Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals.”

“New Atheists” believe that religion threatens progress and breeds conflict and that were religion eliminated, we would begin to solve the world’s problems. But abolishing religion is not only unfeasible, it would ultimately leave us no closer to truth, love or peace. Rather, we need to embrace the deep philosophical and spiritual questions that arise from our shared existence and work toward a world without deprivation. That will require empathy and multiculturalism, not demagoguery.

What Hitchens got wrong: Abolishing religion won’t fix anything – Salon.com.

Filed under Citizenship, Multiculturalism, Religion Tagged with , ,

Counter-extremism is getting smarter

2013/12/05 Leave a comment

Commentary on the new UK counter-terrorism strategy, praising the broadening of focus to tackle extremism of all kinds, not just radical Islam, and ongoing serious effort to reduce anti-Muslim prejudice:

no counter-extremism strategy will unite us all. Such work lies at the notoriously fragile intersection that separates civil liberties from national security. But for the first time in a long while there are signs that we are moving in a better direction, and have acknowledged some failings in the past. While this week’s recommendations provide us with a foundation rather than a coherent strategy, they are a useful starting point for us all.

Counter-extremism is getting smarter | Matthew Goodwin | Comment is free | The Guardian.

And from the other side of the political spectrum, The Daily Mail takes this tack, which reads it into a broader critique of multiculturalism, defined in UK terms as promoting separateness:

David Cameron: Mistake of multiculturalism aided extremists | Mail Online

For the actual report, well-thought out and written as most UK strategies, link below:

Link to UK counter-extremism strategy

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Manitoba Tory leader defends ‘infidel atheists’ remark – Manitoba – CBC News

2013/12/03 Leave a comment

Tone deaf in trying to be inclusive. Imagine the furor if a Muslim leader wished a “happy Ramadan” to infidel Christians, Jews or Hindus or other religions.

If you want to be inclusive – and I will take Brian Pallister at his word – just say non-believers rather than “infidel atheists”, as the universality of the thought of wishing all people well, whatever their faith or lack of faith, is important.

Manitoba Tory leader defends ‘infidel atheists’ remark – Manitoba – CBC News.

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German-funded Islamic studies contested by some Muslim groups | Germany

2013/12/02 Leave a comment

The usual debate between the fundamentalists, who want literal interpretations, and theological teaching more in line with the Western tradition of inquiry (Center for Islamic Studies in Münster).

After all, we don’t need another fundamentalist centre; we need centres that have a more open perspective, not just a mechanical what “is allowed and forbidden in Islam”. And that is critical to allowing participation in various consultative fora and play an active role:

The curriculum is only just being developed, but the attitude in which Islam will be taught is already visible when talking with the professors at the Center for Islamic Theology. Above all else, Mouhanad Khorchide says one must use intellect to understand religion. “The task of theology is to justify religion rationally and to take responsibility,” he said, adding that it’s not about an unquestioning acceptance along the lines of, “I live my religion because it’s there.” And with that statement, he also gives his critics a very clear answer.

German-funded Islamic studies contested by some Muslim groups | Germany | DW.DE | 02.12.2013.

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Muslim countries must tackle gender gap head-on

2013/12/02 Leave a comment

Usual good commentary by Sheema Khan on gender equality issues in Muslim countries. Arab Development Report has similar findings (not all Arabs are Muslim and vice versa of course).

Reflects, in part, the weakness of the madrassas, mosques and Imams in not addressing and advocating these issues head-on. As she notes, the efforts to educate women will likely change things in the long-term, but as we have seen, some of the most fundamentalist and radicalized have benefited from good education.

Muslim countries must tackle gender gap head-on – The Globe and Mail.

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Correctional investigator calls on prison system to keep up with diversity

2013/11/28 Leave a comment

While the Minister is correct that Corrections Canada has implemented a number of initiatives to improve diversity and awareness, the gap in representation between prisoners and Corrections staff is striking, after so many years. Corrections Canada has even developed a hijab for use of one of the guards that addressed safety concerns.

On the other hand, the government suspended a chaplains program that ensured representation of other religions among the chaplains.

Correctional investigator calls on prison system to keep up with diversity | iPolitics.

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