Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a board member of Harvard International Review and president of the International American Council on the Middle East; he is also the author of the extraordinary book A God Who Hates Women: A woman’s journey through oppression and another, Peaceful Reformation in Iran’s Islam: A life story of struggle and poverty, which is just as shocking and important.
In this Gatestone Institute article, he substantiates what we have documented for years at Jihad Watch: that criticism of Islam is a career-killer in the West (“racist!” “bigot!” “Islamophobe!”) and that if critics of jihad terror and Sharia oppression distance their criticism from Islam itself, they have a much better chance of advancement in the political, media, and academic spheres.
How and why criticism of Islam became off-limits, the third rail of American politics, while it’s open season on Christianity, Judaism, and other religions, I do not know. But that’s the way it is. It’s but a short trip from where we are now, with the total stigmatization of anyone and everyone who dares to enunciate anything remotely negative regarding Islam or even jihad terror, to the full adoption of Sharia blasphemy laws.
“Why Can’t I Criticize My Religion?,” by Majid Rafizadeh, Gatestone Institute,
When I received a letter from a Shiite religious preacher from the United Kingdom, it did not surprise me. I receive many similar letters from extremist Muslims all over the world, as well as Western liberals, socialists, and others. Each time, opening these letters, I prepare for criticism of my careful scrutiny of my religion. As expected, the letter began with a familiar suggestion: “Stop criticizing your own religion.”
The letter went on to support this instruction with promises of the media and Western progressives favoring me and becoming far more supportive of me, if I were to align my views with their preferred talking points:
“If you stop criticizing Islam, the West will certainly be more welcoming of you, and you will receive more offers and opportunities to further your career.”
…When I first came to the U.S. to teach on a Fulbright scholarship during the Obama administration, it was intriguing to see how many institutions and figures did not like to hear or report any criticism of Islam. This flight seemed to represent a total double standard. While these Westerners appeared totally fine with strongly criticizing religions such as Christianity and Judaism, they did not treat Islam the same. It was a shock to discover, quite quickly, that it was acceptable for them to criticize their own religions, but not all right for me to criticize mine. It was not possible to make sense of it.
In Iran and Syria, where I grew up, one can get arrested, jailed, tortured and even executed for saying anything that may not be positive about the dominant religion of the land, Islam….We all assumed that here in the West, it would be safe to question and criticize anything. Instead, so many institutions utilize a far more subtle method of silencing criticism. Some of these methods include labeling anyone who says anything remotely negative about Islam — even those who offer constructive criticism and the opportunity for reform — as promoting “Islamophobia.”…
Be sure to read the whole thing here.
eduardo odraude says
Terror works on people whose attachment to principles is weak. I suppose that is what is happening in the West. Our attachment to principles is too weak, and so we opt only for safety, and rationalize that cowardice by pretending we are only protecting our children or defending people against discrimination. But at bottom, what’s really happening is that terror is succeeding in breaking many, many people, people whose educations in government schools create a moral vacuum, nihilism, relativism, and, in short, an inability to believe that any principle is worth dying for. School and state need to be separated, and forms of private funding developed (such as tax credit scholarship funds), so that every child’s parents can afford to freely pick a non-government school for that child. Education should not be administered or managed or controlled by the state any more than should newspapers, religions, media or other cultural organizations.
eduardo odraude says
Perhaps a lot of people think of protecting their children as a moral argument for silence about Islamic totalitarianism’s spread. Moral counterarguments should be offered and brought into public discussion. As a general rule, people should not let their children’s safety become a justification for silence about encroaching totalitarianism.
eduardo odraude says
Qualification: if you are in a Muslim-majority nation, silence might sometimes be morally justifiable, since speaking out might do very little good and only destroy you. My 2:21 pm comment was not directed to people in Muslim-majority nations, but rather to nations still predominantly non-Muslim.
gravenimage says
This is not just about fear, Eduardo. A lot of dhimmis actually believe that protecting Islam from criticism from “Islamophobes” is a moral stance.
Baucent says
Exactly. And I think for many it makes them feel righteous and morally superior.
boakai ngombu says
the allah god of islam (unknowable; the best of all deceivers) would quash anything said that would insert DOUBT into the minds of its slaves (muslims).
Carolyne says
I also think that one of the guiding principles is “If we are nice to them they won’t hurt us.” Complete fallacy. In fact, they will consider you weak and hurt you more.
eduardo odraude says
Agreed, gravenimage, but the people to whom you refer would have relatively little influence if others were not afraid to oppose to publicly represent an Islam-critical view. Because of the silence of those who are afraid to speak (except in anonymous fora), the others have an outsized effect. So ultimately, I suppose it is about fear. Normally, people are not afraid to vigorously oppose the left. Only when it comes to the Left’s support for Islam do most people roll over.
eduardo odraude says
“not afraid to oppose to publicly”
should be
“not afraid to publicly”
J D S says
Criticism of is lslam SHOULD be a priority by ALL who have been oppressed by Islam but on the same note Islam should also be criticized by all who KNOW it for what it actually is and if one doesn’t know what Islam actually is, then one should investigate..Especially those elites who are in position yo take action…God bless this Indian Dr. and more power go him for his efforts.
Walter Sieruk says
The only real reason that this Iranian scholar had made that statement against criticizing Islam is because this Islam is such a weak and fragile religion that it can stand up to or hold up to criticism, at all. No matter how very mild those criticisms might be.
Peter Buckley says
I wrote:
No doubt Majid Rafizadeh is a sincere person, but I think he needs to ask himself some serious questions:
“Re-interpretation” is not really the same as “reformation” is it? If the words of the Quran remain the same, in the same order, no amount of “re-interpretation” will stop the “radical” elements of the faith. Such “radicals” indeed are the reason Islam survived in the first place, before going on its killing spree across North Africa, Persia etc.
Ironically, if Majid Rafizadeh is honest with himself, he will be forced to admit that the only reason he was born into a Muslim family is precisely because of the “radical” actions of earlier Muslims. Also, the mere mention of the word “interpretation” contradicts the Quran itself.
Assuming Majid Rafizadeh has read his holy book, he should be aware that it claims in more than one place to be a “clear book”-not open to interpretation. He might ponder on why, if the Quran is what it claims (“clear”), why is that for over 1400 years muslims have been unable to agree on any true interpretation, to the extent that even today muslim on muslim killing in the name of Islam continues unabated.
Finally, he might wonder if, in view of his own obvious doubts about the truth/ morality of his religion, he might be more honest with himself and join the millions of decent people who have given up trying to defend the indefensible, and left the faith in recent years:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-pYPWc26Gk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbFc8zhLwyw&t=263s
In future we will be able to ask the question : “If you are a good person, why on earth do you continue to call yourself muslim”?
SemiDave says
Very astute comment!
There are or have been several versions of the qur’an over the centuries but if we, the kafir, bring this to light it is always denied most strenuously.
No natter what version or interpretation of the qur’an is followed, the inherent nature of the evil that is Islam is revealed!
Carolyne says
The old Testament was written about 3500 years ago, that is the first five books were written at that time by Moses. The New Testament was written several times too over since the first one in around 300 CE. Even today Catholics and Protestants use different versions. Catholics and Protestants say a different version of what Protestants call “The Lord’s Prayer” and Catholics, “The Our Father,” Catholics omit the last line, “For thine is the kingdom……” The latest version of the New Testament, which I believe is called the “New World Bible,” is another version written in modern language, although for some reason some Christians think God speaks in the English of King James’ time., using Thee and Thou as if they are God’s words. So I don’t think that different Versions of the koran is significant. What is significant is that the New Testament generally promotes love and peace in all its versions, while the koran promotes war, death, misogyny
gravenimage says
Iranian scholar told: “If you stop criticizing Islam, the West will certainly be more welcoming of you”
………………………..
The perverse thing is that this is largely true.
Good for Dr. Majid Rafizadeh for continuing to speak out!
Gerald Mucci says
Is Majid Rafizadeh another Zuhdi Jasser, one who believes Islam is really, at it heart, a nice peaceful religion, infiltrated be a few radicals. If so, he, too, is full of shiite.
Amil Imani says
I think he supports the MEK terrorists or is a member of that group. “Mojahedin Khalgh.” Double check.
infidel says
Pakistani PM Imran Khan INSULTS Indian PM in that typical Islamic ranting and raving when things do not go their way.. Khan is a stupid womanizer as most of his kind are.. sleek talking and lying and cheating is the hallmark of him and his people.. and not to mention that hatred and the terror ..
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-one-tweet-imran-closes-all-diplomatic-doors-for-now/articleshow/65917634.cms
Cicero says
Imran Khan’s Electoral success delights the establishment in the UK. He is handsome, urbane well spoken . Additionally he has two half British sons fathered upon a British Jewess. Jemima Khan. ( neecGoldsmith). And who are practising Muslims with entirely Muslim names.
It is the British establishment ho are to blame for the decline of the auK and its increasingly rapid transformation into an Islamic State ( assisted no doubt by the explosive Muslim birth rate in Britain)
Carolyne says
Is Imran Khan the soccer player from Pakistan, the mayor of London,the ex-husband of Jemima Goldsmith? I didn’t know that they were the same person
Carolyne says
Sorry for the confusion. Imran Khan the Cricket player is in Pakistan and Sadiq Khan is the mayor of London.
FYI says
And if you suppress a violent sneeze it is sure to go away.Honest,no Taqqiyaa-lying..
Guy Forester says
Why is it that you can criticize any religion you want to, except one that we dare not name? Especially if you are an academic or public figure? “Let me count the ways:”
1. Check to see who gives large endowments and funds departments, schools, and chairs within a University or College.
2. Check to see who owns large shares of media companies
3. Check to see who makes funds available to PAC’s
4. Check to see who pays lobbyists and who benefits from certain deals and contracts in countries dominated by a religion we dare not name
5. OPEC oil money buys interesting things
Tell me what you find.
J.W.K. says
This is surprizing because…?
terry says
I’ve had my account suspended 4 times at CBC for daring to critique islam, the last one for two months.
Canada, CBC and other Canadian news outlets are sharia compliant, submission achieved.
Sam says
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh, I have been called a bigot and an Ismaphobe by educated friends. The problem is not because they are friends but their perception of reality. These are not ordinary folks but academics. As I ponder the response of European and American academics and of course media response I am baffled… I cannot simply understand their reaction. I have researched this question but came up with no answers. I can only interpolate or extrapolate that their co-option into the new age logic as foreign but totally disorientating. How can the same grouping celebrate the scholarly approach to the Historical Jesus as mythical, yet damper their hard-earned scholasticism with support for Islam. Dr. Majid Rafizadeh, you don’t belong to Islam but to a greater community of human beings. Without sounding hysterical, if the Bible is true than humans have been warned that their own will betray them. It is frustrating and sad that even on this site that we resort to ad hominem remarks in the face of severe remarks. Islam can believe all they want with the support of the “liberals” but it surely does not suggest that they are truthful.