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When discussing Islamist states, I think that the wider Muslim community (if such a term can be used) are opposed or apathetic to them - as Maajid rightly suggests.  When it comes to the enemies of the West on a micro-scale, my experience is not always as promising. 

The tendency to side with whoever is ‘against' the West, or with whoever calls themselves a ‘Muslim' or acts ‘in the name of Allah' is worrisome.  I have personal, familial experience of this — I've witnessed an unrelenting, disproportionate and unfounded hatred of Israel and its allies simply because, "they attack Muslims."  Forget the atrocities from the other side; forget the geopolitical nuances.  In their minds, this comes down to Islam vs. the West and therefore vindicates Huntingdon and disturbs Maajid's contention. 

Yes — this kind of myopic, ‘single-affiliation' ignorance does pervade and run roughshod through Muslim communities, just as it does through any community that persists in being insular in its traditions and in its breeding.  There can be no denying that this is the case with many different groups — cultural, racial or otherwise.   Many Muslims within the United Kingdom find themselves in this category.  Until they're ready to stand up to extremists not just at the ballot box, but also in their day-to-day practice of Islam, I won't be in a position to accept all of Maajid's claims. 

Islam has a propensity for good - but right now its followers are professing selective repudiation of extremists. This is not enough.

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Flashbuck
November 18th, 2010
5:11 PM
Haven't got a clue what this article is about. Doesn't say anything.

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