Muslim reformer Maajid Nawaz is right to sue the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), America’s leading hate group, for defamation. However, he is not opening up his suit to all those similarly defamed by the SPLC, because as he has made clear in the past, he thinks some of the people listed do deserve to be on it; in his view they’re racist, bigoted Islamophobes, you see, while he is a legitimate critic of Islam.
Nawaz has never bothered to explain why his criticism of Islam and jihad is good and right, while mine is racist and bigoted, but it appears clear that the answer lies more in the realm of politics than religion. Nawaz supports Muslim Brotherhood-linked Congressman Keith Ellison and other hard Leftists; he opposes Trump and all other politicians who actually propose to do something effective about the jihad threat that he acknowledges. Apparently, if you’re not on the Left but recognize the problems involved with jihad and Sharia, Nawaz thinks you’re a racist, bigoted Islamophobe, while if you’re a Leftist who see those problems, you’re a sober and careful critic of Islam.
Besides this nonsense, Nawaz is also a towering hypocrite. He is suing the SPLC for defamation? Great idea. Julia Ebner of Nawaz’s Quilliam Foundation smeared Pamela Geller and me as “alt-right leaders” — Leftist dog-whistle for racist and anti-Semitic. Nawaz, Ebner, and everyone else at Quilliam ignored my repeated requests for a retraction.
So Nawaz is angry about the SPLC’s defamation while his organization knowingly and unapologetically engages in a very similar kind of defamation itself. He is suing SPLC? Great. If I had the time and resources to devote to this, I would sue Maajid Nawaz, in exactly the same way.
“Maajid Nawaz: I’m Suing the SPLC for Defamation for Putting Me on Anti-Muslim Extremist List,” by Ian Hanchett, Breitbart, June 23, 2017:
On Friday’s broadcast of HBO’s “Real Time,” author, columnist, and former Islamic extremist Maajid Nawaz announced a defamation lawsuit against the Southern Poverty Lawsuit Center for listing him as an anti-Muslim extremist.
Nawaz said he is “sick to death” of “well-meaning white men” liberals “who decide that I am saying the — what they don’t agree with, don’t allow for me to say about my own community, my own religious heritage. And as a result, listed me as an anti-Muslim extremist. So, I’m going to take them to court for defamation.”
Host Bill Maher told Nawaz he’d like to be part of the crowdfund of Nawaz’s lawsuit.
Nawaz added, “I’ve memorized half of the Koran. I’m a Muslim. I’m born and raised Muslim to a Muslim. I’ve learned classical Arabic and spent time in prison as a political prisoner for what I then thought was my religion. I’ve changed my views as to the interpretation of my religion, and along come these people…and decide that I don’t have the right to speak about my own heritage and critique it from within.”…
Terry says
I am confused . He IS a Muslim. ( so he says). But is critical of it.
Doesn’t that, in Muslim double talk make him not a Muslim, and subject to death?
And-Keith Ellison sees a problem with Jihad or Muslims? Has he seen the crime rates in Minn. since the Somalia invasion, as opposed, to say, when Hubert Humphrey was the leading Minn. liberal?
(per 10,000, per 100,000; or total numbers–either way, i would bet- much higher now) (And, i was not a fan of Hubert Horatio)
Stardusty Psyche says
“if you’re a Leftist who see those problems, you’re a sober and careful critic of Islam.”
In the cases of Bill Maher, Sam Harris, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and the late Christopher Hitchens, yes, very much so.
Maria Sederholm says
Christopher Hitchens would have sliced Nawaz’s bullshit to shreads in an instance. He had brains and integrity, just like Robert Spencer. I’m absolutely convinced that Hitchens would have sided with Robert regarding Nawaz, and left his fellow “horseman of the Apocalypse”, Sam Harris feeling as stupid as he seems to be. Having said that, I must also say that I find it hard to believe that Sam Harris would have drooled over Nawaz the way he does if Hithens had still been alive. But who knows? Perhaps Harris really is as thick as he appears to be.
Jak says
You seem to be one of those arses that see all Muslims as our enemy.
MacUalraig says
Agreed.
Tony says
Not all muslims are bad. No some are good. They follow islam and mo right but sound liberal so they must be ok??
Shane says
I admire those few liberals who have the guts to criticize Islam and Muslims, but the point to me is that the SPLC is a leftists hate group that routinely slanders and libels conservatives and conservative groups. BTW, the SPLC took the Black supremacist hate group, The Nation of Islam, off the list of hate groups.
mortimer says
SPLC is proof of the Red/Green Axis of Evil. The communist SPLC is ENFORCING SHARIA LAW BLASPHEMY PUNISHMENTS on behalf of the TERRORISTS.
Once identified as ‘BLASPHEMERS’, Islamic reformers like Maajid Nawaz can be singled out for execution by the terrorists.
For this reason, the HALF-WAY HOUSE solution of ‘REFORMED ISLAM’ is a non-starter and has no chance of being successful.
The PRIMARY TEXTS of Islam clearly mandate TERRORIST FIGHTING against the dirty KUFAAR until VICTORY. Anyone who has read the PRIMARY TEXTS of Islam (The Trilogy) is thoroughly convinced of the PRIMACY OF JIHAD in Islam. Fighting in jihad is even MORE IMPORTANT than prayer.
Terry says
I once (or twice, perhaps more times) had seen that the SPLC ONLY hired white lawyers, and primarily males.
I do not know if true or not. But, it sounds like typical liberal hypocrisy.
mortimer says
Terry, you have an excellent point. Indeed, Maajid Nawaz plays a two-faced game. On the one hand he pretends to Muslims to other Muslims who validly claim he is ‘NOT MUSLIM ENOUGH’.
The Koran calls Maajid Nawaz a ‘hypocrite’ … someone who is Muslim in name only and who will not participate in JIHAD.
Jihad is the central activity of Islam and that is codified in the ESSENTIAL DOCTRINE called ‘Jihad and Hegira’ which are the method by which Islam propagates itself.
Minutes1234 says
Jihad takes many forms and he is one of them.
Jak says
Don[‘t be such a twit Terry. Whoever is not against us is for us.
Terry says
Why don’t you and Ms Geller and others that he AND SPLC have slandered sue them?
I realize that it takes time, but I am sure that there are anti-Muslim lawyers who would do the suit pro bono for the publicity.
(And would probably be good publicity for JW, and your books)
john spielman says
i agree!
Jaladhi says
He should also include those also who are supporting SPLC in this law suit! Enough is enough with this PC garbage which is suppressing freedom of thought and freedom of expression. Wish him all the success in fighting these PC police types!
El Cid says
The problem is that Nawaz would not survive politically if he were a purist like Mr. Spencer.
I think this law suit is a sign that things are moving in the right direction. Why, because Mr. Trump is giving political cover to those who are speaking out.
Remember Piers reaction to Tommy Robinson last week? That’s the backdrop. Total insanity.
It would be better if Mr. Nawaz supported Mr. Spencer. Can we hope for that in the future?
Donald R Laster Jr says
SPLC has been slandering people since it was created from what I can tell. It is a classic “Leftist” organization that has been slandering, or should I say labeling, any one that disagrees with their agenda with any negative label that can come up with to try and prevent people from listening to those who disagree with them. Another word for that describes then is ideologue. In, fact is the SPLC claims some one is bad it probably means they are good, pro-US and pro-Freedom.
mortimer says
‘Moderate’ Muslims have NO idea, NO concept, NO plan and NO track record for STOPPING JIHAD.
‘Moderate’ Muslims take no responsibility for Islam, but pass the buck to some other authority, such as Western governments (…they ask for instance the UK or US governments ‘do something’ about jihad). However, if any action is taken to stop jihad, ‘Moderate’ Muslims are unsupportive or opposed to stopping jihad in any real way.
‘Moderate’ Muslims are not only ineffectual at stopping jihad, but they OPPOSE ANY AND ALL ACTIONS that would slow, hamper, discourage or stop jihad. ‘Moderate’ Muslims want to have it both ways… to complain about jihad and complain about kafir actions to opposed jihad.
Which is it, O ‘Moderate’ Muslims? Which is it?
Jaladhi says
All “moderate” Muslims support jihad which is the core of their religion to spread it. So why would they want to suppress jihad – they know what jihad is and they lie about it to fool the Western gullible.
mortimer says
Thank you, jaladhi. ‘Moderate’ Muslims conduct the JIHAD OF TONGUE … which includes TAQIYYA, DISINFORMATION and OUTRIGHT LIES… to conceal, confuse and abet the JIHAD OF THE SWORD conducted by the so-called ‘extremists’. No Muslim actually considers the jihad of the sword to be ‘extreme’ if it results in a victory for Islam.
(Does that definition of VERBAL JIHAD work for you?)
Jak says
Your seem to be a hater of all that is Islam. Do not even recognize the fact that there may indeed be moderate Muslims that do not believe in or follow “Jihad”. You probably think all socialists are Marxist/Communists too…..and that Cuba should continue to be boycotted with trade sanctions as well. Get well soon wishes to you. McCarthyism and all it’s forms should be dead and buried by now. Remember Kent State martyrs as as monuments to civilization.
Donald R Laster Jr says
You might want to take the time to study what Islam teaches and requires it citizens to do.
Terry says
Jak–are you aware that ONE OF THE TOP LAWYERS FOR SEN. MC CARTHY 9 WHOSE CRIME WAS CALLING COMMUNISTS-GASP- COMMUNISTS–WAS AN ATTORNEY NAMED ROBERT F. KENNEDY, WHO WAS ASSASSINATED BY-A GASP- MUSLIM MALE.
mortimer says
‘Moderate’ Muslims want to have it both ways. They want to deplore jihad on one hand and oppose any action that would slow or inhibit jihad on the other.
Which is it?
Westman says
It’s both. Actually, the schizophrenic Quran allows Muslims to remain “peacefully” moving to other lands to colonize while other Muslims do the dirty work of violent jihad. Jihad and Hijrah – the real pillars of Islam.
The one-two punch allows the appearance of “peaceful” Muslims while fully supporting the violent jihadists. Many are cursing the West in their hearts while smiling and sending support to terrorists. The Jihadists want to kill the unbelievers and far too many “peaceful” Muslims want the jihadists to kill the unbelievers.
mortimer says
The ‘moderate’ Muslim provides plausible deniability for the jihadists by pretending not to know the meaning, motives or methods of jihad.
MacUalraig says
Mmm, yes. Well said.
Donald R Laster Jr says
The word “schizophrenic” does not apply to the Qur’an. Mohammad first tried to get Jews, Christians, and other to just follow his god Hubal – the god or “allah”. Hubal is also known as the moon god and other name is Baal instead of Jehovah/Christ or the other gods of the Arab pantheon of gods. When people rejected the lies Mohammad replaced all of his “be friend” routine with the “kill and subjugate” routine. The things in the Qur’an that were written early are replaced by those written later. Islamics use the “be friend” portions to deceive people so they can take over places. So the term “schizophrenic” is not an applicable to Islam.
mortimer says
A FLAMIN’ HOOT AND A HOLLER!
Muslim reformer Maajid Nawaz is accused of OPPOSING JIHAD TOO MUCH!
This is backhanded ENDORSEMENT OF JIHAD by the SPLC !!! Too flamin’ funny … except it’s tragic!
SPLC is actually saying that SINCE JIHAD IS NORMATIVE ISLAM, it is EXTREMELY ISLAMOPHOBIC to OPPOSE JIHAD !!!! Ha, ha, ha!!!
SPLC just outed themselves.
SV says
lol either way, I hope the SPLC lose. I’ve seen them slander people on multiple occasions. And I hope after the first loss, the rest of those who advocate for human rights and defense of western civilization follow suit. Being called a bigot by the SPLC is a sign that people with money don’t like what you have to say.
overman says
He’s obviously an anti-white racist, in accord with his remark about ‘white liberals’.
“Nawaz added, “I’ve memorized half of the Koran. I’m a Muslim. I’m born and raised Muslim to a Muslim”
So, why has he only memorized only half the Koran if he was raised muslim – hasn’t he had enough time yet?
chuck de gaul says
There is no such thing, never was, never will be, as “Moderate” islam !
mortimer says
You are not correct. ‘Moderate’ Muslims indeed do exist, but their methodology is ENTIRELY subjective and cannot be supported by serious scholarship, therefore, ‘moderate Islam’ is intellectually unsustainable. ‘Moderate Islam’ is thus pure subjectivity… a dream world of candyfloss unicorns and care bears. Jihad cannot be removed from Islam… which is what the ‘moderate Muslims’ are trying to do. To remove jihad from Islam is an accusation that Islam is not ‘complete and perfect’ and that it can be ‘improved’. If the original jihadic premise of Islam cannot be accepted in the modern world, then Islam fails the test of modernity and should be abandoned with confidence.
To try to improve Islam is blasphemous to a traditional Muslim, and such a reformer should be punished and perhaps even declared an apostate. There is no logical ‘half-way point’ for Islam … Islam is ‘revealed’ or it is a manmade hoax.
chuck de gaul says
On the other hand this could be a ploy that nawaz and splc concocted that only islamists can be critical of queeran. And all others are guilty of hate speech, aint that so Marco Rubio…
Terry says
BE NICER TO LITTLE MARCO.
HE, AND ONLY HE, HAD THE BALLS TO ASK COMEY THE QUESTION ABOUT HIS LEAKS. (POSSIBLY NOT EXACT WORDING-BUT CLOSE) MR. COMEY, DID IT EVER OCCUR TO YOU, TO LEAK TO THE PRESS, THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS INNOCENT?
Rubio went up substantially -in my view- for that question.
As best i recall, Comey did NOT answer.
Joeyn says
Juat another ‘so-called’ Muslim reformer pracctising the art of deception and Bill Maher who thinks Americans are stupid demonstrates how stupid he himself is by willingly lapping up the hogwash.
Michael Casmer says
What is he talking about being “racist”? What race is Islam? People from the ME are Caucasian. (Not sub-Saharan Black.)
Georg says
Majid Nawaz, the two-bit overdressed johnny-come-lately jihadist turned Islamist in-the-closet opportunist duplicitous weirdo. About right this is the best “the community” can come up with. It’s not good enough. Not even close.
Kurt Vogel says
I got a good feeling about Majid, see honesty in his eyes. I think he follows Islam in name only so to not get ostracized by his peers. He’ll be an apostate eventually.
Georg says
We disagree, but I hope you’re right.
gfmucci says
Good grief! Another Zudhi Jasser who claims he is a “devout Muslim” but also claims he disregards most of its doctrine and history. I smell another Muslim rat.
mortimer says
Agree with gfm. Maajid Nawaz disregards and disowns the classical understanding of JIHAD meaning that he makes up NEW RULES for HIMSELF that THWART and DENY what Sharia law has CODIFIED.
Maajid Nawaz’s innovation is called, “Kufrul-Istibdaal: Disbelief because of trying to substitute human laws for Allaah’s Laws.”
James says
Maybe he is Muslim in a way that makes sense for, even if it doesn’t make sense to others.
If there can be Quran-only Muslims, and liberal Muslims, then maybe – whether “orthodox” Islam approves or not – there can be his type of Islam. it could be argued that if one is going to take principle of the Oneness of allah absolutely seriously and logically, one can acknowledge the authority only of allah/the koran. Koran-only Muslims reject the second half of the Shahada as contrary to the Koran, and reject the authority of the hadiths. He may be a Koran-onlyist, or perhaps he is taking their reasoning a step further. Quakerism and Pietism developed from 16th-century Bible-centred magisterial Protestantism – the same may happen in Islam.
James says
…makes sense for him, even if…
Janey Carter says
Yes. We so want to believe that Maajid Nawaz is Moderate because we are scared. But he does talk out of both sides of his mouth and truthfully, we cannot afford to believe him. Maybe one day but no time soon. He has not earned it yet. I have done research on this guy and he has sounded schizophrenic. Lately though he has sounded more polished and like he has gotten his act together. However, we cannot afford to keep our guards down.
Donald R Laster Jr says
Don’t forget that deception of any sort to aid Islam occupation of a non-Islamic society is acceptable.
Janey Carter says
We so want to believe that Maajid Nawaz is moderate because we are scared or because we want to believe in the good of others or whatever. But he does talk out of both sides of his mouth and truthfully, we cannot afford to believe him. Maybe one day but no time soon. He has not earned it yet. I have done research on this guy and he has sounded schizophrenic. Lately though he has sounded more polished and like he has gotten his act together. However, we cannot afford to keep our guards down. I would like nothing more than to make peace however, I know that there are people out there who want to kill me and this is a very unpleasant fact but a real one. I will remain vigilant and I do not trust him.
David says
Sadly the UK courts would not be very kind to you, they are very pro Islam.
RodSerling says
OT: Check out these insane apologetics from Snopes giving a purported “fact-check” of that billboard mocking “The Perfect Man” (Muhammad). They do zero research and just parrot some pro-Islam propagandists:
http://www.snopes.com/indiana-muslims-muhammads-deeds/
It illustrates the bind we are in as a society, with biased journalists who decide which “scholars” they’re going to consult, find what they want to hear, then report it as if it is unbiased fact. Most of our journalists, and almost all of our academics on the topic of Islam, are compromised at best. This is why our society as a whole is still so confused and/or ignorant about Islam now 16 years after 9/11.
Donald R Laster Jr says
Anyone who trust or considered Snopes credible is being stupid. They are typical “Left-Wing” propagandist. And all one has to do is read a Qur’an and the teachings of Islam are apparent.
Terry says
Snopes was started by a husband/wife team, in their home, in San Diego. They relied upon almanacs and encyclopedias and got some college students to help them. They are basically leftists.
I had read somewhere that they were bought out ( after getting a “name”) by some liberal publication or entertainment entity. I never checked because I never really cared- no money in it for me.
Donald R Laster Jr says
The Snopes were Obama supporters from the beginning and at least one real news reporting operation (WND I believe) took one of their claims and shredded it with facts. And the shredding included cross references and sources. Snopes is what people would call “Far-Left”. Pravda during the USSR days was more honest.
IDS says
His final statement in the interview: “You don’t have to be Muslim to challenge Islamist theocracy.”
So what is his issue against Robert Spencer???
Lebel says
One key difference between you two is that your ideology turn maajid into a stealth jihadist taqqiya master etc.
One only has to read the comments of your readers to understand this.
Sarah says
SPLC are as much an extremist group themselves, as the groups they work so hard to label extremists. Its all rather amusing, really. Why does anyone give them their power? If we ignored what they babbled on about, they’d soon lose relevance.
As for Nawaz, I used to think he had some good ideas, but these days, frankly, I think he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I don’t trust him whatsoever. He’s as untrustworthy as that sly dog, Adam Deen.
Schrödinger says
Poor, old Maajid. Finding himself a little too long in the tooth to best serve allah in continuing as a jihadi of the sword, and cognisant of his mellifluous, quite skilful talent at Taquiya, he’d opted for a mid career change to the supposedly less risky course of fighting as a silver tongued jihadi of the pen — or so he thought.
Sadly, he overestimated the ability of much of the Umma in recognising his talent, seeing him instead as hobnobbing a bit too much with the Kuffar.
An interview with Sam Harris a while back revealed him as being quite understandably rattled at seeing his name on this same SPLC list as many notable counter jihadists. Maajid knows a thing or two more than your average Joe about islam and fully comprehended the import of being on any such “list”. He nervously informed Harris he may need to take stock and lay low for a little while. Well, he’s had time to consider his options and evidently decided he’s not yet fully resigned to having to take up residence with Salman Rushdie — he’s instead come out swinging in his latest jihad to try and restore his reputation in the eyes of the Umma.
Way to go Maajid!
Guest says
I don’t care who does it. I just want that group of leftist liars to pay!!!
Flavius Claudius Iulianus says
If we’re lucky, they will do irreparable damage to each other.
martin says
He is just the toilet standard lying for his master satan muslim.
TheBuffster says
Simon Harris has an interesting view of Maajid Nawaz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcoAYmzrnGQ&t=24s