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July 27, 2005

Beards and scarves aren't Muslim. They're simply adverts for al-Qaeda

From The London Times:

Talibanflag Muslims everywhere need to get to grips with a phenomenon that threatens all Muslim countries and Islamic communities in the West. The first is to discard the notion that anyone who is not a Muslim is an “infidel” and thus not a proper human being. Next, it is important to reject the belief that, since the goal of converting mankind to Islam is a noble one, any means to do so are justified. Since there is no power of excommunication in Islam the terrorists cannot be formally banned from the community. But the community can distance itself from them in accordance with the Islamic principle of al-bara’a (self-exoneration). This means that a Muslim must publicly dissociate himself from acts committed by other Muslims that he regards as sinful. One way of doing this would be to organise a day of bara’a in all British mosques — and hopefully in mosques throughout the world — to declare that terrorism has no place in Islam.

Muslims could also help by stopping the use of their bodies as advertising space for al-Qaeda. Muslim women should cast aside the so-called hijab, which has nothing to do with Islam and everything to do with tribal wear on the Arabian peninsula. The hijab was reinvented in the 1970s as a symbol of militancy, and is now a visual prop of terrorism. If some women have been hoodwinked into believing that they cannot be Muslims without covering their hair, they could at least use headgears other than black (the colour of al-Qaeda) or white (the colour of the Taleban). Green headgear would be less offensive, if only because green is the colour of the House of Hashem, the family of the Prophet. (Taliban Flag shown in picture).

More here.

Posted by Azra Raza at 06:18 AM | Permalink

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Comments

Good find.
I blogged it.
Am I wrong, or has there been a swelling avalanche of similar public outcries in the aftermath of the London/Sinai atrocities? Somehow the contrast of recent terrorist actions in otherwise peaceful environments coupled with what has (thus far) been a (relatively) peaceful evacuation of Gaza makes for something of a critical mass in public opinion. Of course the ugliness of Iraq continues briskly, but outside that insane arena moderate voices seem to be speaking out.

I'm prone to wishful thinking, I know. But let's pray that this time there is some basis in reality.

Posted by: Hoots | Jul 27, 2005 7:17:05 AM

Personally, I feel that it's entirely worthy of Mr. Taheri to mention that people need to understand and condemn terrorism all over without the ever-prevalent "we condemn, but..." mentality. What place, however, do his recommendations of shaving beards and discarding headscarves have in this regard? These comparatively minor issues are believed by countless Muslims the world over to constitute a part of their faith. As far as I know Mr. Taheri is not a religious scholar nor does he have the training required with which he can analyze and study the proofs scholars have used to say that beards/scarves are necessary, preferrable or unnecessary parts of faith.

Furhtermore, if these recommendations are followed it's simply and indication that Muslims are being forced in general to apologize for something that they have not done. Muslims condemn terrorism. I'm yet to meet one who does not. I am not going to shave off my beard, the same one that I believe our Prophet would prefer us to keep, simply because someone I hate has one too.

Posted by: Uzer | Jul 29, 2005 6:23:06 AM

I don't agree that people should shave off their beards or discard their headscarves. If they choose to wear these/have them, then that is their choice. However, I do believe that it needs to be made clear that these things are not part of the religion, but rather part of the culture and not wearing a scarf or having a beard does not mean one is not a true believer

Posted by: Nim | Sep 3, 2005 3:32:51 AM

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