"Moderate" Reza Aslan praises jihad terror group Hizballah, appears for Muslim Brotherhood group MSA

The imam Idriz in Munich spouts the same taqiyya that keeps imam Rauf in business.
Although heavily involved with knows Islamists he lies and deceives whenever he opens his mouth and still hopes to get government funding for a mega-mosque.

Some JW readers might be able to translate the article to English:

http://www.islam-penzberg.de/185601/186901.html

There are no "moderate" Muslims.Period. And Reza aslan is no exception to this rule. all so called "moderates" are genuine radicals at the core of their hearts and pretend to be a "moderate". Show me a real "moderate" Muslim and I will show you an apostate!!1

Come on, you guys are being too tough on poor Rez.

After all, he did write a nice back-cover blurb for Graham E Fuller's latest masterpiece, "A World Without Islam". (Don't get your hopes up - those who know Fuller's work will realise the title promises more than it can deliver)

That nice man, John Esposito, the Professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University, did likewise. So Rez must be on the right track. Right?

And I hear that some of the female professors at UC Riverside are more than prepared to cut him a little slack.

So what's not to like?

As it happens, I have just re-read Ali Sina's defence of Wafa Sultan against another noted 'moderate Muslim', Tarek Fateh.

It appeared on, for example, Nonie Darwish's "Former Muslims United" website.

http://formermuslimsunited.americancommunityexchange.org/2010/03/13/exposing-the-myth-of-moderate-islam/

Exposing the Myth of Moderate Islam
By editor • on March 13, 2010

The whole thing is worth reading.

Here's the conclusion:

'Every “moderate” Muslim is a potential terrorist. The belief in Islam is like a tank of gasoline. It looks innocuous, until it meets the fire. For a “moderate” Muslim to become a murderous jihadist, all it takes is a spark of faith.

'It is time to put an end to the charade of “moderate Islam.” There is no such thing as moderate Muslim. Muslims are either jihadists or dormant jihadists – moderate, they are not'.

57% of Jordanians think suicide bombings(jihad) on civilians is okay.

The only moderate muslims is a secular one.

Interesting who Reza Aslan works both Shi'ite Hezbollah and Sunnite Ikhwan. Who says those two sides can't talk to each other? Even the worst enemies join when there's someone they hate more (us Kufrs).

By the same rationale, George Galloway, a former British MP says Hamas is not a terrorist group but the elected (true) representative of Palestinian people that engages in terror activities from time to time. He and Aslan and as well as the people in the West need to be educated, or re educated about democracy which is hell a lot more than who wins elections.

An interview with imam Idriz of Munich:

Hello, Mr. Imam!
"A warm welcome!"

In your book you write a lot about how Muslims should behave in this country. Could a Muslim in Bavaria wear leather pants?
"(Laughs.) Bavarian clothes do not contradict the Islamic Spirit - on the contrary! When I see women in dirndl, then this is the typical dress of Muslim women closer than many others. I recently spoke to a costume fashion designer. I have asked him to design me a matching Bavarian Imam costume suit."

You in the first chapter make very clear demands to Muslims: You must be integrated into basic law faithfully and fully, also remember garbage separation and do not listen to music that is too loud!
"It was very important to formulate very specific requirements: How should a perfectly integrated Muslim behave? All I ask is: but compliant with Islam. A Muslim must be diligent as a student, an honest working man, as a citizen respecting the country's laws and taking part in his social environment. I'm looking forward to the reactions of Muslims."

Islam critics say the standards of Islam are incompatible with the Basic Law and therefore Muslims cannot integrate.
"This prejudice is widespread. But there is also a call for Islamic theologians to explain how Islam and Western rule of law are matching. In my book I try to do that. Islam can be integrated. All it asks is compatible with the Basic Law."

How do you convey this to the Islam critics?
"I tell them that Islam is not a rigid structure. It can adapt to modern societies. 90 percent of Islamic teachings are flexible and contemporary interpretation can be applied. Only a few basic things are defined - values such as mercy and commands such as the five daily prayers."

Looking at the development of some Muslim states, you do not exactly get the impression that they are flexible ...
"The fact is that the religion has been abused already shortly after Muhammad's death for political purposes. During this time a lot went wrong for Muslims and fossilized regulations were developed. Now it is the duty of Muslim intellectuals to correct this."

Islam was thus more than 1000 years on the wrong track?
"In a sense this is true, unfortunately. For centuries, there was what we today would call "theocracies" - but a theocracy is incompatible with Islam, even if so often the opposite is claimed. In Islam, in fact, a separation of religion and state is drawn up. Muhammad was never called by God as a political leader, but always as a messenger of God. I therefore say to Muslims: Turn yourself in prayer towards Mecca - but in politics towards Berlin and Brussels."

Muslims do not have to distance itself from the Shari'a, or Islamic law?
"The Sharia is not a timeless law of God, but the result of interpretations by people and relating to particular cultural and historical circumstances. I distance myself decidedly from interpretations crushing human rights underfoot. The term sharia is now exploited on both sides again to whip up to hostile moods."

In some countries there is still stoning - and the judges refer to the Shari'a.
"Such a primitive understanding of the Sharia in no way matches with the 21 Century."

Can there in this country in addition to the Basic Law be a second set of rules like the Sharia?
"No. The idea of a parallel law is contrary to my understanding of Islam. It would be wrong to establish sharia as a parallel to this law, now or in the future."

Yet you call for a "Fatwa Council" for Germany - that is a body pronouncing fatwas, expert opinions on Islamic law. Would that not be a parallel court?
"A fatwa is a religious recommendation that has nothing to do with politics. We have the problem that some Muslims in this country often follow the fatwas and religious interpretations from other countries. Would not it be better to establish a Fatwa Council with Islamic scholars in Germany?"

What would a Fatwa Council be judging upon?
"An example: Gelatin is made from bones of pigs. A mufti in Saudi Arabia would perhaps forbid Muslims to eat gelatin! But if Islamic scholars here deal with it sensibly, they could decide that it is nonsense to forbid gelatin for Muslims."

In Dublin, a European Fatwa Council was founded. Its chairman, Yusuf Qaradawi legitimized suicide bombings by Palestinians ...
"I then wrote a letter to him that this fatwa is contrary to my view of Islam. The Council did not assume Qaradawi's position in this matter. And the Council has also issued fatwas that are very sensible."

In the Koran there are passages calling on Muslims to fight non-Muslims .
"The Koran does not require the universal fight against non-Muslims, but against aggression. The verses are meant in the context of the 7th century and not to be understood literally as timeless teachings. Muslims in Europe should not be guided by them."

Is the Koran then not binding? A Muslim can choose what he likes and what he does not?
"A verse can not be deleted from the Koran. Nor is the Bible being changed. But not all verses contain instructions that would be valid for all time."

One can interpret the Koran, then?
"Of course. That's what I demand. You must not dogmatize word for word. Since it is not just about what God says in the Koran, but also about what God is intending. God has given man his intellect to re-interpret the Koran anytime. A writing would be dead if it no longer could or was allowed to be interpreted, but the Koran is a living book."

What you say sounds progressive. But you have also been accused of "Taqiyya" conduct - ie concealing your true views towards non-Muslims.
"Now you are peddling a widespread prejudice yourself. It is a serious accusation against Muslims that they would lie and dissemble. I think the best answer to such prejudice is precisely my point. A book under my name where I substantiate everything I am thinking, cannot be so-called "taqiyya". The book is also a response to the constitutional protection ("Verfassungsschutz") that has stigmatized our Islamic community, although we for years have lived and taught an Islam that is entirely constitutional. Such a procedure of the authorities is only inciting extremism. And the credibility of the authorities has been severely questioned in the eyes of many. It is high time to return to substantive cooperation and to end this senseless conflict."

In your book, you warn against anti-Islamic propaganda. You even compare it with anti-Semitism of past years.
"No, I would not compare it. I will only warn: How religious minorities were handled in the past, may not be repeated, anywhere and against anyone."

You also write angrily at Muslims. Accusing many of "stone-age thinking" in dealing with women.
"This cannot be hidden by pretty speeches: in many Muslim minds there is an image of women that I can not accept as a person and as Imam. I try to fight it and stand up for equal rights."

Is the headscarf also abolished then?
"The headscarf is not a dogma in Islam. Only the woman herself must decide whether she wears a headscarf or not. Neither an Imam nor the state nor the family may force a woman to wear a headscarf. I therefore believe it is also wrong to send even small girls wearing headscarves to school."

Does that mean a woman without a headscarf can also be a good Muslim?
"Exactly. The character of a woman is as with a man, and his or her God-consciousness is the measure of religiosity, not just a piece of cloth."

Could they wear short skirts and blouses with plunging neckline?
"No one should forbid her, she has her individual freedom. But Islam requires all people to cover themselves. It is opposed to nudism."

Is this true for men?
"Absolutely! This is precisely the double standard in some countries where we see Muslim men in shorts and their wives next to them are completely veiled. I understand Islam so that men and women should cover their bodies alike."

You reject the Burka in your book.
"Yes, Burka and total veiling of the face is contrary to human dignity - and therefore as I understand it a violation of Islam."

Do you really think that many Muslims would agree with you?
"A majority of Muslims in Germany is for a contemporary understanding of Islam. Many Muslims are enthusiastic about our work."

But some Muslims will not be in agreement.
"Maybe. I tried with my book to shake up the Muslim population as well. Muslim organizations may feel challenged by my book - that would have achieved something. And if extremists, and also Islam-haters feel this is provocative, then perhaps for one or the other a long overdue process of thinking has begun."

Your are not afraid of violence by Islamists?
"No, not in Germany. Happily we live in a state of law ("Rechtsstaat": constitutional state, state of law). We have police and intelligence service ("Verfassungsshutz": defense of the constitution, also the intelligence service doing this). And finally, I believe in God. I'm not afraid. May He protect us all!"

Interview: Johannes Patzig und Wolfgang Schörne