The Bahalim Student Fund was set up last year at Brandeis, made possible by a donation from Ammad Bahalim ’04. The fund is designed, in its own words, to “support student-led public events intended to combat Islamophobia and promote an understanding of Islam as a tradition of learning and critical thinking.”
Its aim, then, is not disinterested research about, or promoting a deeper understanding of, what Islam teaches. Instead, it combats “Islamophobia,” a word now used on every conceivable occasion to scare off, or to sully the reputations of, all those who are critical of Islam, no matter how grounded in the texts of Islam — Qur’an and hadith — and in Islamic history those critics may be. “Islamophobia” should refer only to an irrational fear of Islam. But where do we see this “irrational” fear? Is the fear of Nigerian Christians, under constant assault by the Muslim Hausa fanatics of Boko Haram, waving their Qur’ans, and by the Muslim Fulani herdsmen who, even more than Boko Haram, have been destroying Christian villages and massacring their inhabitants, “irrational” and “Islamophobic”? Are the Hindus of India, who remember hundreds of years of Islamic rule, and the mass murder of between 70-80 million Hindus, and the destruction of tens of thousands of their temples by Muslim conquerors, “irrational” in their fear and hatred of Islam? Are the Christians who are right now being attacked and killed by Muslims in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt full of “irrational” fears of Islam? What of the Islamic State, and its public decapitations of Western journalists, Christians, and Shi’a? What about the kidnapping and mass rapes of Yazidi girls and women by members of the Islamic State, victims who have testified that their rapists would pray to Allah both before and after raping them? The killers of Drummer Rigby, too, grinningly held up their Qur’ans for their selfies. Is it “Islamophobia,” or common sense, to fear Muslims and Islam?
In Europe, after Muslim terrorists have many times struck in London and Paris, as well as in Manchester, Toulouse, Nice, Magnanville, Madrid, Barcelona, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, Anspach, Munich, Vienna, Copenhagen, Malmö, Stockholm, Turku, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Beslan, would it be “irrational” for Europeans to fear Islam? Does the fact that the prisons of Europe are overflowing with Muslims — as in France, where more than 70% of all prisoners are Muslim, despite being less than 10% of the population — suggest that, despite the lavishing of every conceivable welfare benefit on Muslim migrants, their integration is not exactly going well?
In America, we have not only endured the mass terrorism by Muslims in New York and Washington on 9/11, but since then, there have been terror attacks in New York (several times), Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Fort Hood, Little Rock, Chattanooga, San Bernardino, Orlando and many other places. Is it “irrational” for Americans to fear Islam?
Since there have been nearly 36,000 separate terror attacks by Muslims since 9/11, isn’t that enough to create a rational fear of Islam all over the Western world?
When we educate ourselves, by reading the Qur’an and the Hadith, does our anxiety about Islam decrease, or does it, rather, increase the more we know? When we discover in the Qur’an that there are 109 verses that command Muslims to engage in violent Jihad, to kill Unbelievers wherever they find them (see, e.g., 2:190-194, 4:89, 8:12, 8:60, 9:5, 9;29, 47:4), when we find that several of those verses (e.g. 4:89, 8:12, 8:60) tell Muslims to “strike terror” in the hearts of Unbelievers, wouldn’t it be “irrational” not to fear Muslims and Muslims?
When we read the verse that tells Muslims not to take Christians or Jews as friends, for “they are friends only with each other” (5:51), what should we make of that? Is it “Islamophobic” to worry about that?
When we read some of the Hadith, and discover that Muhammad had sexual intercourse with his last wife, Aisha, when he was 54 and she was nine years old, that he ordered the torture and then the killing of a man, Kinana of Khaybar, in order to find out where some valuables were hidden, when we further learn that Muhammad himself took part in the killing of 600-900 bound prisoners of the Banu Qurayza, when we discover that Muhammad was delighted to learn of the murders, by his followers, of three who had criticized or mocked him — Asma bint Marwan, Abu ‘Afak, Ka’b bin al-Ashraf — and then, after learning all this, we then find out that Muslims regard Muhammad as the “Perfect Man” (al-insan al-kamil) and the “Model of Conduct” (uswa hasana), surely that justifies a deep anxiety and fear about the ideology of Islam. Does Ammad Bahalim think we are wrong to be disturbed by these all these Qur’anic verses about jihad, and sowing terror, and despising Infidels, and by Muhammad’s behavior as described in the Hadith?
While not directly about Jihad, there are other verses that are most unsettling. Those who have read the Qur’an will have come across the description of Muslims as “the best of peoples” (3:110) and of non-Muslims as “the most vile of creatures” (98:6). It is hardly “Islamophobic” to find these contrasting descriptions appalling.
Finally, there are the words of Muhammad himself in the hadith, where he says in one place that “war is deceit” and in another, “I have been made victorious through terror.” Is it “Islamophobic” to find such claims by the Perfect Man and Model of Conduct threatening?
Is it wrong to judge Islam on the basis of both the observable behavior of Muslims toward all Unbelievers, over the past 1,400 years, and the contents of Qur’an and hadith? Wouldn’t it be irrational not to do so? What should we make of Muslims who in discussing Islam leave out so much that is significant, and misrepresent what they do discuss? Haven’t we earned the right by now to be extremely wary of how Muslim apologists present Islam?
The Bahalim Fund hopes not merely to combat “Islamophobia,” but “to promote an understanding of Islam as a tradition of learning and critical thinking.” What tradition of learning is that? The Qur’an is the essential text. Many Muslims think that is all the learning they need. There is a tradition of learning not by discussion or disputation but by rote; the Muslim who memorizes the entire text of the Qur’an is praised as a hafiz, by their lights a learned man. Muslims can read, and parrot, but dare not question, the Qur’an or the classic Qur’anic commentators and jurists. Far from encouraging critical thinking, Islam discourages free and skeptical inquiry at every step. For such inquiry might cause some Believers to begin to question aspects of Islam itself, and that would never do. If Allah has said something, no matter how inexplicable it may seem, it’s the Muslim’s lot not to reason why, for Allah Knows Best.
The Ammad Bahalim Fund might have been given a different task by its founder. Instead of creating a fund for propaganda on behalf of Islam, labeling any criticism as Islamophobia, it might have been set up to encourage real discussion. It might have been created for another purpose: to encourage Muslims and non-Muslims alike to consider two questions. First, “In what ways does Islam need to be reformed?” and second, “When does Islamocriticism become Islamophobia?”
That would have been an achievement. That would have truly helped Muslims. But that was never the intention of Ammad Bahalim, who now works for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he may be in a position, though it is not his official remit, to influence where large sums could be directed to promote the defense of Islam. I allow myself to believe that Bill and Melinda Gates will, without the personable Ammad Bahalim’s proffered help, study the Qur’an and hadith on their own, and possibly, too, look into the 1,400-year history of Jihad. Then they would be in a position to distinguish legitimate Islamocriticism from what it is too often called, with malice aforethought, as in the description of the Ammad Bahalim Fund, “Islamophobia.”
Jaladhi says
Combating “islamophobia” means never ever telling the truth about Islam and Muslims!! Just go along with Islamic lies – Islam and Muslims are peaceful – there is nothing to see here, .. and on and on…!!
Will the Western liberals ever catch with Muslim games??
Jaladhi says
…Will the Western liberals ever catch up with Muslim games??
mortimer says
Yes, Jaladhi, it’s a game of doublespeak.
Do they really want to “promote an understanding of Islam as a tradition of learning and critical thinking.” I don’t think so.
If they did want to promote critical thought, they would not be trying to shame those who analyze political Islam… especially ‘jihadism’, the teaching that jihad is the most important political action in Islam.
Muslims don’t really want critical discussion of Islam, but the opposite. They want Islam taught by rote learning.
The definition of ‘propaganda’ is the promotion of one-sided messages to manipulate and direct behavior according to the goals of a political ideology.
The Bahalim Student Fund was established to promote Islamic propaganda and nothing else.
FYI says
Regarding Critical thought..
islamic “debates”
1}islamic apologists versus “apostates”/Atheists on science
The Atheists/”Apostates” are 100% correct on showing the koran has Scientific Mistakes{Astronomy and Human Biology:I mean why does allah think women have testes in their breasts…ridiculous!}
islamic apologists try{desperately} to hide the errors by FIDDLING THE ARABIC
2}islamic apologists versus Christian apologists
The muslims are using their pagan Arab knowledge:the Christians are empowered by the Holy Spirit{an aspect of God allah tells muslims NOT to believe in k4:171}
A Christian apologist explains that the Trinity is NOT a polytheism but is in fact a monotheism.
{Even Atheists know that!}
muslims;Haha look at these Christians with their 3 gods..we won the debate.
In terms of WISDOM they actually lost because..
1They didn’t understand{or chose not to understand} God’s Wisdom
2 They persist in their false delusion that Christians are polytheists
3 The real reason is they PREFER their pagan Arab god allah and the freedom he gives them to do evil{see 2 Thessalonians 2 v 10-12}
Usually islamic apologists post idiotic videos after their “debates” telling everybody they won:they did no such thing!!
{Atheist}Destroyed!
{Christian}Career ended!
{Apostate}annihilatory refutation!
But is never really the case..
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
FYI says
the koran has Scientific Mistakes{…I mean why does allah think women have testes in their breasts…ridiculous!}
– – – – –
The Quran says this? Where?
FYI says
What about …….iSLAMIC APARTHEID?
The koran classifies humanity into TWO groups:-
muslims{“The best community that hath been raised up for mankind”k3;110}
non-muslims{“They are the worst of created beings”( i.e ews,Christians) k98:6
A non muslim or infidel:An Atheist,Jew,Christian,Buddhist,Hindu,Sikh,pagan etc
The options given are..{SAHIH MUSLIM BK 19 no 4294}
1 convert to islam{the cult of muhammed}
2 Pay a Jizya tax
3 Be killed via Jihad
This has been going on for 1,400 years,1,400 years of iSLAMIC imperialism.
Note that if you are an atheist or ex-muslim[“apostate”} that “islamophobia” trick will{in fact currently is} being used against you.
Ex-muslims and atheists need protection from islamic attempts to silence them.
mortimer says
FYI, you got it right in your last sentence. This is actually about silencing free speech about Islam.
mortimer says
It is clear that the Bahalim Student Fund wishes to suppress 100% of critiques of Islam.
Sharia law demands that non-Muslims not ‘mention’ anything that is ‘impermissible’ about Islam. Now, who is it who decides what is ‘impermissible’?? Presumably, the mullahs decide what a kafir is not permitted to say.
This is yet another Islamic conspiracy to suppress the freedom of speech, because Islam cannot survive in a free discussion. The Bahalim Student Fund is trying to impose Sharia blasphemy law by other means.
To be precise, it is logical and reasonable to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Islam as one does with any other ideology. This is called POLITICAL SCIENCE.
University is not kindergarten. University is the place to discuss challenging ideas and concepts.
Islam is a political ideology. Discuss it. There should be no holds barred in the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
gravenimage says
Good analysis, Mortimer.
mortimer says
They want academics to show deference to Islamic blasphemy law. No dice.
Robert Donator says
It is not easy to read the Qu’ran as it cannot be read like any other book from cover to cover. The texts are jumbled up in order to dissuade any reader to make head or tail of what he is reading. Try it and see what I am talking about. The verses must be read in a laid down chronological order which only muftis and Muslim scholars are aware of so that no one can independently read the book and draw his own conclusions. In fact ordinary citizens are not permitted the book. This way one is compelled to depend on the interpretations by these Muslim scholars who will translate them to completely distort what is actually written. The best way to know Islam is to read biographies of Muhammad by iconic historians and intrepid independent thinkers. Muhammad is considered to be the most ideal and perfect human ever for Muslims to follow his actions, beliefs and preaching. Once you do this you will know what makes the Muslims tick.
gravenimage says
It *does* help to know about abrogation and about the chronological order of the Suras–but I knew about neither of these things when I first read the Qur’an shortly after 9/11, and I was still horrified by how violent this text is.
And while it is hardly common knowledge, the idea that only Muslim scholars are aware of the chronological order of the Suras is mistaken–you can find it here in Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_chapters_in_the_Quran
I definitely agree that everyone should read the Qur’an, Hadiths, and Sira, to understand what we are up against.
mortimer says
Response to Robert Donator’s comment: ‘the Koran is a jumble’. Agree.
I believe it is an anthology of Mohammed’s sermon notes and ‘spiritualist dictations’ from his indwelling ‘familiar spirit’. Mohammed’s mother and grandmother were ‘kahinnas’ or soothsayers or ‘spiritualist mediums’. Mohammed’s periods of ‘possession’ included hearing bells, rolling on the ground, snorting like a camel and foaming at the mouth. This is the source of Mohammed’s ‘revelations’. No wonder the messages of the Koran are confused and confusing.
Because it contains no chronology and almost no historic references, the Koran cannot be understood on its own. It consists of a jumble of communications directed at Mohammed or directed by Mohammed towards an audience of jihadists. Just as in many spontaneous speeches, there are sudden digressions and changes of direction in the Koranic passages, thus showing it is mostly the memories of those who heard Mohammed’s orations. No one can say who collected the Koran, but Caliph Abd Al Malik recorded in a letter around 690 AD that he had collected the Koran … that would be 60 years following the death of Mohammed when most of his companions were dead and couldn’t verify the Koran or gainsay it.
mortimer says
Agree with Mr. Fitzgerald. Bill and Melinda Gates would be more thoughtful if they were to learn the Islamic teachings that are raised by counterjihad critics of JIHADISM … the canonical Islamic warfare against disbelievers.
Jihadism is an authentic teaching of Islam, rather than an aberration, Mr. and Mrs. Gates. Why would a reasonable person not criticize that?
It is shocking that Bill Gates would provide money for the silencing of freedom of speech by intolerant POLITICAL SUPREMACISTS … and they do so in the name of ‘tolerance’. Islamism is intolerant by its own definitions.
Bill and Melinda Gates should find out the SUPREMACIST IDEOLOGY that they are spending their money to defend.
The Bahalim Student Fund is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Shirley Ann says
The Gates Duo know exactly what they are Defending, when they Invest their Money in a Cause. The Bahalim Student FUND has the same Objective, as CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood & all the Other BloodThirsty Organizations, that Promote ISLAM as the RELIGION OF PEACE. Bill & His Mate are Akin to the Soros Family, they want The Cult of ISLAM to Dominate the World!
gravenimage says
I doubt that Bill Gates or his wife understand much of anything about Islam. Their daughter Jennifer is–or was–dating a Muslim guy, but they seem to know him more as an equesrtian and soccer player. This is deeply stupid and dangerous, of course–but I doubt that any of these naifs know that.
Imboonga says
Islam and critical thinking in the same sentence is certainly worthy of laughing out loud!
James Lincoln says
The creation of the term “Islamophobia” by the Muslim brotherhood was very clever indeed.
By constantly using this term, Muslims and Muslim apologists are trying desperately to imprint upon non-Muslims that fear of Islam is irrational.
This tactic protects Islam and Muslims from any kind of criticism, as long as the “Islamophobe” does not contest the legitimacy of the term.
gravenimage says
Ammad Bahalim Helps Brandeis Combat “Islamophobia”
………………
What fools these dhimmis be!
Here was Ammad Bahalim’s reaction to a visit to Brandeis by Anti-Jihadist Dr. Daniel Pipes in 2003:
“While many attendees of Pipes’ lectures supported his message, others did not.
Around 20 of the approximately 275 audience members wore black to show solidarity against Pipes’ presence and views. During the last question, nine protesters walked out through the front of the room, in front of Pipes to protest his message. On his way out, Ammad Bahalim ’04, former president of the Brandeis Muslim Student Association (BMSA), threw several papers up in the air in protest.”
Later, he refers to being against Jihad as “hatred”.
“Bahalim explained why protesters walked out of the lecture, and why he threw the papers in the air:
“We could no longer pretend that it was an open forum where inquiry was being pursued. The manner in which our questions were answered was insult enough, being ridiculed by the audience was an added injury. Our dissent had to be demonstrated in a clear and determined manner … I was upset. Given the circumstances, I feel such a loss of composure wasn’t too much.”
Bahalim added that Pipes’ visit “brought the problem of hate and intolerance out in visible and tangible form.”
And things have only gotten worse in the years since then.
revereridesagain says
True if positively bordering on understatement! Brandeis needs help to “combat Islamophobia” like the proverbial fish needs the proverbial bicycle. The disgraceful fall into dhimmitude of a once respectable institution of higher learning.
mortimer says
TAQLID or ‘blind following is closed-mindedness Islamic-style.
Islam doesn’t recommend independent thought, but rather SLAVISH INDOCTRINATION.
In fact, Islam contains a teaching called TAQLID … which accounts for the INTELLECTUAL PASSIVITY of Muslims and their general LACK OF INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY.
TAQLID is the submission of the mind to unquestioned OBSCURANTISM.
-Taqlid (blind imitation or blind adherence) is based on an absence of critical activity on the part of the believer and their acquiescent intellectual passivity to the Islamic sheikh.
-Taqlid is a teaching in Islamic theology referring to the acceptance of a religious ruling in matters of worship and personal affairs from someone regarded as a higher religious authority (e.g. an ‘alim) without necessarily asking for the technical proof.
Key Quotes: “He (the mureed=learner) should remain in SUBMISSION and with respect and dignity to his expert Shaikh just as a mayyit (dead body) is in the hands of the one who gives it ghusl.”
“Annihilate all your wishes, desires and intentions. Submit yourself to your Shaikh. Do not raise the slightest objection against the taleem (teachings) of your Shaikh.”
(From Irshaadul-Mulook under the heading, ‘Obedience to the Shaikh’)
The Koran warns Muslims not to ask probing questions. Koran 005.101(Yusufali version): “O ye who believe! ASK NOT QUESTIONS about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble. But if ye ask about things when the Qur’an is being revealed, they will be made plain to you, Allah will FORGIVE those: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.” (Why do questioners need forgiveness? Is it so wrong to ask for evidence of claim?)
Since demanding answers about Islam’s anomalies will cause a loss of faith, this verse (5.101) suggests the writer knows that Islam is false and can be proved false by probing analysis.
Close examination of Islam does indeed often lead to discovering discrepancies and anomalies in both Koran and hadiths, and will in fact makes Muslims to lose their faith in Islam’s absurd messages and warlike messenger.
Michael Copeland says
When Anni Cyrus asked a question of her father the answer was a punch in the face. Merely asking a question can be construed as blasphemy which will destine the asker straight to hell.
Barb says
Designate “The Bahalim Student Fund” a terrorist propaganda unit & confiscate all it’s funds!
Battle says
Barb: +1
Angemon says
Or, in one word: dawah.