Editorial: Moderate Muslims Should Speak Out

February 22, 2004

Source: The Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/02/22/the_courage_of_muslim_moderates/

On February 22, 2004 The Boston Globe published an editorial by Jeff Jacoby on the duty of moderate Muslims to challenge extremism: "If anyone should be raising their voices against the totalitarians and terrorists who promote such evil in the name of Islam, it is the millions of moderate Muslims in America, Canada, and Europe. The image of Islam in the West would be greatly enhanced if more of them would speak out against the bigotry and brutality of the militants and forcefully advocate democracy and pluralism in the Middle East. But the vast majority are reluctant to do so. Some say nothing out of a misplaced sense of loyalty; others are afraid of being ostracized if they rock the communal boat. All the more reason, then, to applaud those outspoken moderate Muslims who do lift their voices against the hatred and violence of the extremists." The article applauds the efforts of Irshad Manji, a Canadian TV personality who had recently published an essay titled "A Muslim plea for introspection," and Ahmed al-Rahim, who co-founded the American Islamic Congress following the atrocities of Sept. 11, 2001.

See also: Islam, Civic