re: #2 LudwigVanQuixote

Thank you for your understanding. Seriously—the notion that Islam as practiced by the more extreme countries is the only way Islam can be (or has been) practiced is often lost. The politics, ignorance, fear, and mistrust on all sides makes the whole such a horrible mess. *SIGH* This is something that no one but Muslims can and should fix, but… well… politics, ignorance, fear and mistrust (on all sides).

I think one of the few bright spots is the possibility that Muslims in the West—who have many freedoms, are familiar with the democratic process, and are unencumbered by ME cultural mores—might be able to “push” positive change eastward rather than the ME pushing negative change westward. Unfortunately, that’s virtually impossible to accomplish when we’re being demonized & thwarted at every turn thanks to people like Gingrich, Palin, Geller, Spencer, et al who seem to be trying to delude people into thinking they can simply ban Islam/Sharia and make the problems go away.

As for Iran, the idea that anyone could receive a fair trial there is laughable. Their “Islamic” government appears to have ignored all notions of compassion, forgiveness justice, and truthfulness, as well as the numerous rules regarding evidence/witness requirements. That kind of cherry picking is B.S. and they damned well know it, they just don’t care as long as it serves their political interests and keeps them in power.

Saudi Arabia’s laws? Ditto. Fundies are the same wherever you go. It’s just like extreme Christians here who believe in their own literal interpretations of the Bible removed from the larger context of Christianity’s message & overall spirit, with little or no regard for any past scholarship that contradicts their hard-line, intolerant stance.

An example of disinformation meets ignorance: A few weeks before she was banned, our former resident Islam hater posted this page referencing an article about a book that claims the work of Al Gahzali—one of Islam’smost celebrated & respected scholars who also happened to be a Sufi and influenced Maimonides—was somehow responsible for today’s violent extremism. My jaw hit the floor when I saw that. It’s beyond absurd.

Then there are things like hijab. You know how Iran, SA, the Taliban, etc. have their morals police running around accosting women who aren’t covered properly (according to their standards)? I have asked many scholars and NONE have been able to provide any punishment on the books legislated by Sharia with regard to hijab. Those countries must have used some kind of pretzel logic to come up with their laws.