You probably didn’t realize it, but you are currently a supporter of radical Islam. You are a poster child of militant Muslims.
Why? Because your lack of involvement in the positive reform and maturing of Islam is essentially a powerful vote supporting the more extremist and militant influences that are taking over the religion and Muslim community.
Islam is continually evolving. Some traditionalists may see the evolution of Islam as a threat to the survival of the faith. Others will see it as a maturing process that results in a deeper, broader, stronger, more inclusive, and more authentic Islam.
In some respects, the various Islamic Reform movements are a call to return to the pure teachings and life of Muhammad (PBUH) — in the same way that Christian reformists call people to return to the pure teachings and life of Jesus. Sectarian and dogmatic manifestations of religions can create strife and politics that were never intended in their original form. By returning to the non-divisive essential pillars of a faith, unity is created.
Even if you’re not Muslim, even if you practice another religion, or don’t follow any religion at all, you need to be a present-day influencer of Islam. The global community dialog and organic evolution of Islam is democratically open to everyone.
Here’s the situation as it currently exists without your influence:
As of 19 July 2014, Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs reported that “One thousand Muslims are being killed each day and 90 percent of the killers are also Muslims.” He went on to state that the Islamic world needs to make a joint effort to revive the quintessential values of Islamic civilization, he added. “They are being killed by their brothers, not only in Syria and Iraq, but also in Libya, Pakistan, Africa and Myanmar,” Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez said in his address to the participants of the World Islamic Scholars, Peace, Moderation and Commonsense Initiative conference in Istanbul on July 19. (Source)
Throughout history, extremist and militant influences moved through various sectors of society — in both religious and non-religious arenas. They take over religions, nations, political parties, businesses, and organizations looking for a host that they can drain the life out of before they destroy it and move on to another host. Islam is one of their current targets. They drain the Muslim community of money and much needed resources, redirecting these into costly tools of warfare, leaving poverty and destruction in their path.
This does effect you. Whoever you are and wherever you are.
What can you do about it? Well, for a start, you can get informed and get involved.
Here’s a simple place to start. The Qudosi.com is a website (founded by Shireen Qudosi) that provides an online community for thoughtful writings and dialog about the current crisis in Islam and the need for meaningful reforms. Shireen Qudosi is in the process of publishing a book that will be the culmination of hundreds of hours of research. You can support this important work through her Islamic Reformation GoFundMe Kickstart page.
To learn more on this topic, and find other resources, you can do a Google search on Progressive Islam and Islamic Reform.
