A new report by the counter terrorism think tank Quilliam warns how the careless use of language can exacerbate misunderstanding and community tension. It shows how using the “wrong” words can “inadvertently strengthen the narratives and arguments of Islamism” – that the world is divided into two opposing camps, one of Muslims and another of non-Muslims.
Quilliam is a London-based organisation that aims to “generate creative thought paradigms through informed and inclusive discussion to counter the Islamist ideology behind terrorism “. Its report Islamism and Language shows for example how using the term ‘Muslim World’ suggests that this is a homogenuous bloc that is united by a single political and religious outlook.
In their conclusion the authors offer alternatives to that and other expressions under the microscope – ‘Muslim countries’, The Muslim Community, ‘Islamic law’ and ‘Islamophobia’.
The discussion reminds me of author/journalist Steven Poole’s book Unspeak, which illustrates the way such words can be used as weapons to ‘frame’ and manipulate political debate. And recent conversations about the use of words such as ‘multiculturalism’ make me think it’d be a good idea to have a public discussion about such things – possibly at Sheffield’s Off the Shelf literary festival this autumn. Watch this space…
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An informed, balanced, loving and wise relationship with Islam
www.acommonword.org is an initiative by moderate Muslim scholars to identify the common ground and build bridges between Islam and Catholicism, and Christianity in general.
As one who is primarily motivated by compassion for the very difficult plight of asylum seekers, I nevertheless have deep concerns with Islam, and encourage all who are motivated by love to support, foster and protect the development of moderate, liberal Islam.
There is great overlap between Judaism, Christianity and Islam, but I have real concerns with certain parts of the Quran and Hadiths which plainly condone and even call for violence against unbelievers (in context, Jews and Christians specifically) and also violence against women – in contrast to the Second Testament (“New” Testament) which pretty much proclaims a religion of pure nonviolence – although Christian history has badly failed to live up to the ideals of its own Scripture at many points.
As a Christian I see clearly that Christianity and Islam are poles apart theologically on a few core issues. However, the concept “I may not agree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it” is a deep part of the dna of Western culture.
I appeal to all religious people to consider nonfundamentalism: specifically in the sense of studying not just one’s own scriptures but also science, history, and listening to each other’s stories.
I have deep concerns that terrorism is a product, not merely of “extremist” or erroneous interpretations of Islam, but simply of a pure literal inerpretation of the Quran and Hadiths.
The joint Muslim/Christian declaration of A Common Word makes the point that Christian and Muslim together constitute 55 per cent of the world’s population, and that if we can’t get on, it’s disaster.
Irshid Manji is another voice seeking to bring moderation and tolerance into Islam; www.muslimrefusenik.com. As a (believe it or not) Chinese Ugandan refugee Canadian lesbian Muslim, she is well placed to see both sides. May the rights of Muslims to question and radically review their faith be respected and championed.
Of course local communities in countries such as the UK and Australia need to nurture and protect their vulnerable members from ill-informed bigotry and vilification. Anyone who is simply seeking to get on with making a living and looking after their family should absolutely be just accepted and protected. All have a right to express their views peacefully, but not impose them with intimidation or violence.
Let us all (as many as are willing) listen to our consciences and follow kindness and the plain principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is simply the democratic concensus of all people as fellow inhabitants of our one small planet.