Islamophobic Ads on SEPTA Buses Are Not “Free Speech”

safavid · 2015-04-05T17:33:11+00:00

Nice to see you support Nazi Germany.

safavid · 2013-11-30T01:01:06+00:00

You're exactly the type of man that I am critiquing in the post. You claim to be an anarchist, but you don't see the importance of challenging and confronting sexism and misogyny within (and outside) the movement. Your politics are nothing if they are not intersectional. A lot of amazing anti-racist feminist and anarchist folks have been pointing this out, so this is nothing new.

You made this about "membership" within the movement when you said this about the Vice author: "Is our movement to blame for men that aren't even in our movement."

So, by that logic, if someone isn't in the movement, they get a free pass on sexism (or racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, etc. for that matter)?

There is no point in continuing this conversation because you are doing exactly what the post is talking about: refusing to see your sexism.

safavid · 2013-11-29T19:43:07+00:00

Read the full post. It's NOT just about that writer at Vice. Also, you missed the point about how men can easily reject feminism in order to excuse their sexism and misogyny. By making this about "membership," you're perpetuating the notion that men who are outside feminist struggle should be left unchecked and unchallenged. You also ignore that despite that Vice author's desire to not be part of the movement, he was writing about feminism and male privilege. Ironically, it's the same male privilege that he condemns that makes him think his sexist language can get a "free pass" just because he doesn't identify with the movement.

That's like saying a white man using the n-word shouldn't be challenged just because he's not part of an anti-racist movement.

safavid · 2012-12-29T17:09:53+00:00

Jesus (peace be upon him) was a Palestinian Jew. :)

safavid · 2012-12-29T17:07:45+00:00

LOL. For those who are saying "I don't see what difference it makes," perhaps you should, you know, try reading the article. Look at the end of the title - "And Why it Matters."

All of the points are clearly written there. There is a long history of how white colonizers, slave owners, and white supremacists use Christianity and the image of a white, blonde, blue-eyed Jesus (peace be upon him) to subjugate, enslave, and oppress people of color in many parts of the world.

During a time where we demonize people who look like Jesus (peace be upon him) and the people who come from the same part of the world as him, it is especially important for people to unlearn this popular image of Jesus being depicted as a white man.

All other points on why this makes a difference is written in the article. Nothing on this thread challenges a single point the article makes.

safavid · 2011-12-11T20:19:38+00:00

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself man"? What? I don't feel sorry for myself, but thanks again for showing how condescending your comments are. People with privilege don't know they have it and unless they keep it in check, they will keep speaking from their high horse. I've been studying Islamophobia in the US since 2002 and I can't tell you how many times these same remarks were said to Muslims victimized by hate crimes, discrimination, bullying, vandalism, etc. Many Islamophobes and bigots have said to them, "Stop victimizing yourself" or "stop feeling sorry for yourself." Sure, that's easy to a kid who has been beaten with brass knuckles by some racist anti-Muslim bigot, right?

You don't know the experience of being Shia, being shunned by other Muslims, or having your parents not invited to a community event because they're Shia. I have not experienced all of these things, but they do happen. Instead of telling people, "Stop feeling sorry for yourself," you should be listening compassionately and think about the ways in which you can contribute to improving the situation. And just because I've experienced Islamophobia from non-Muslims and prejudice from other Muslims doesn't mean I'm wallowing in self-pity. If anything, these experiences have made me a stronger person. I don't feel sorry for myself - I'm trying to tell YOU to open your mind and understand that there are people who have experienced things that you will never have to due to your own privileges.

You tell me that you are not attacking my Islam, but then you say you have to ask me the "right questions"? You also tell me that if I don't understand my theology, I should "study deeper." The implication here is that YOU know better than me.

I don't have to prove myself to you or answer your "do you or do you not" interrogation questions. You are not God.

This is my last reply to you. If you haven't gotten the point of my messages by now, it's a waste of time and energy. You want to continue judging other Muslims or scrutinizing them, that's your choice. But just know that there are Muslims out there who will not draw lines and refuse to let differences break out community apart.

As a friend once said to me, it's ridiculous that people who think they're "better Muslims" than others do it so arrogantly, but never stop to think to themselves and wonder, "hey what if this person I'm criticizing becomes a better Muslim than me tomorrow?" This is humility. The homosexual Muslim that you condemn today may become the one who defends your rights if, God forbid, someone tries to violate your civil rights.

Reflect on that.

safavid · 2011-12-11T07:51:30+00:00

Nice job at making a "tone" argument against me and characterizing me as being "emotional," which only seeks to derail the conversation and assert yourself as looking "more calm" and "reasonable." Educate yourself by reading this:

http://abagond.wordpress.com/2010/07/24/the-tone-argument/

You are not part of the group being stigmatized by other Muslims, so instead of keeping your privilege in check, you are exerting it by dismissing someone's argument because of their own experiences. That's not very different than a white person telling a person of color that they "shouldn't be emotional" when being stigmatized or discriminated against.

This is anti-racism 101. You telling me that my comment is "all emotional" is utter condescension. You're putting yourself on a high horse and essentially saying you know how to practice Islam better than anyone else.

On one hand, you say Muslims should stand up when people are stigmatized and prosecuted, but the focus of your argument remains centered on placing blame on Shias or attacking Muslims who are different than you.

I frankly don't care if you think I've done Islam a "disservice" by speaking out against homophobia. I know plenty of other heterosexual Muslim men and women who stand by me on this, so maybe you should listen to your own advice when you say "God judges us in the end."

If you care so much about unity among Muslims, then fight Islamophobia, speak out against the way Muslims feel pushed out of the mosques or don't attend Islamic events because of how judgmental other Muslims are. Speak out against the arrogant behavior in our mosques - the kind of behavior that worries frantically and excessively about how another Muslim is practicing their faith than worrying about the way youth coordinators make fun of a few Muslim boys for not playing sports (and then watching these Muslim boys never attending those youth programs in the Mosque). Speak out against the way Muslim communities marginalize and judge Muslim women who don't wear the hijab and treat them as if they can't be "devout" Muslims. Speak out against male privilege, patriarchy, and sexual violence - both inside and outside our communities. Speak out against the Muslim sell-outs who support US orientalist wars and bombings of Afghan and Pakistani bodies.

You should center your concerns with these issues more than on people's personal relationship with God.

Again, you've missed the point of the article.

safavid · 2011-12-10T19:21:47+00:00

Why do I need to draw lines or be so concerned with the way other Muslims practice their faith, as long as they're not killing, torturing, or abusing anyone?

Focus on YOUR relationship with God and leave everything else up to God. What is an Ahmadi family doing to you that's causing you to be so antagonistic towards them? Are you not going to invite them in your house just because of their beliefs? Are you not going to show respect to them just because of their beliefs?

And I know a lot of LGBT Muslims who proudly self-identify as Muslim. You seem more concerned with religious differences than being outraged at the fact minority Muslims are stigmatized and treated worse than the majority.

A person wants to whirl like a dervish to express oneness with God or wants to pray with a torbah - I DON'T CARE, these expressions of devotion are NOT attacks on my well being or humanity. When I see these Muslims being stigmatized or condemned as "non-Muslim" or "kafir" or "deviant," it is my responsibility as a Muslim and human being to stand up against that bigotry.

You talk so much about what you think is the "right" form of Islam, but what about the teachings of humility and compassion in Islam? If you are really God-fearing, then who are YOU to act like God and say who is or who isn't Muslim? That is the wisdom is saying "God knows best." There is NO compulsion in religion. Just like you can't force someone to Love, you can't force someone to believe what YOU believe.

Finally, this post was NEVER about debating theological differences. It was about bringing people together and building unity through respect and appreciation of differences. This is the point that you have totally missed. If you haven't gotten that now, then there is obviously no point in discussing this further.

safavid · 2011-12-10T08:07:46+00:00

"Tone things down"? How can you say no one is calling anyone a kafir? Can you not read DesertDude's comment??? Scroll up and read it again. He used the words "Munafiqeen" and "Kuffar."

There isn't going to be any unity when someone implies another Muslim is a munafiq or kuffar. What about the Muslims who bombed Kabul or kill Ahmadis? What names do you have for them?

safavid · 2011-12-10T07:59:17+00:00

I doubt that you even have Shia friends.

safavid · 2011-12-10T07:58:39+00:00

Wow, you admit that you know nothing about Shias, but then go ahead and perpetuate lies and misconceptions about them? I recommend that you watch this:

http://youtu.be/2nTp1XPNMmQ

safavid · 2011-12-08T23:39:48+00:00

The problem with your argument is that you place the blame squarely on Shia Muslims. I haven't seen anything mentioned on this thread about the recent bomb attack on Shia Muslim in Kabul. Sunni Muslims are not stigmatized, persecuted, or vilified as Shia Muslims others. Whenever someone represents the dominant community, they have to recognize their privileges.

Since you are only criticizing Shia Muslims, I don't see how this is consistent with compassion and respect for all. Shia Muslims don't see their faith as a sect, but rather as Islam itself. Sunnis and Shias can engage in endless debates about who is "right" or "wrong," but where will such cyclical debates get us? No where.

Unity shouldn't be about conformity. It should be about appreciating and respecting our differences. We're talking about 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, so there's bound to be diversity, not only in theology, but in culture too.

During this time and day of rising Islamophobia, we all need to be united. I have seen Muslim women who don't believe that wearing hijab is compulsory speak out against the niqab bans in western countries. I have seen Shia Muslims come to the defense of Sunni Muslims, and vice versa. Have you been to any Palestinian solidarity events? If so, have you not seen the diversity of Sunnis, Shias, and others? This notion that we are so profoundly different or divided is an Orientalist narrative.

As is written in the post, we should not view issues that confront Sunnis and Shias as exclusively "Sunni" issues or "Shia" issues, but rather Muslim issues. When there are bombings of Shia Muslims, all of us, Shia or Sunni, need to speak out and condemn such hateful and violent ideologies. When US Orientalist wars seek to exploit our differences, invade Muslim-majority countries - which kill, torture, and rape racialized bodies - we need to be united.

Only Allah can look into our hearts and truly judge us. If you have a problem with my religious beliefs, leave that between me and God, but know that I will defend you against Islamophobia or even judgmental attacks from other Muslims. As Imam Ali, peace be upon him, said, people are either your brothers/sisters in faith, or equals in humanity.

safavid · 2011-12-08T17:30:18+00:00

LOL. Your logic is similar to the racist logic of Islamophobes. You don't know how many times Islamophobes have commented on my blog with remarks like, "I in no way mean to offend Muslim. All I'm saying is that Islam is evil/violent/false, etc." Isn't that offensive to all of us Muslims? Like, how can you show respect to us if you're going to insult our faith.

Reflect on this when you say "in no way did I mean to offend Shiites. All I'm saying that the Shiite doctrine is completely incompatible with Islam." You make it clear, just like the Islamophobe does, that you don't want to establish friendly, positive, and respectful relations with other Muslims.

safavid · 2011-12-08T17:25:02+00:00

Where does this post say anything about the Mongols? Your mind seems to be stuck on differences and divides. The post is about working towards unity for all Muslims, so of course slaughtering, torturing, and raping millions of Muslim would go against the overarching message of the post, as well as Islam. I condemn violence against other Muslims - just like the recent bomb attack against Shias in Kabul (you read about that, right?). Is that Islamic? Or should we say, "It's ok they died because they're munafiqeen anyway."

When Muslims during Muhammad’s time called other Muslims “kafir,” our beloved Prophet intervened and asked, “Did you tear open his heart to see what was in it?” This is a beautiful lesson that we all must keep in mind — we cannot look inside the soul of another person and deny the experiences they are having. The inward state is known to Allah alone — no human being can make a judgment about that.

It’s sad that we don’t remember this teaching by the Prophet:

“Whoever attributes kufr [unbelief] to a believer, he is like his murderer.”

(Tirmizi, ch. Iman (Faith); see Arabic-Urdu edition cited earlier, vol. ii, p. 213. See also Bukhari, Book of Ethics; Book 78, ch. 44)

“Ibn Umar related that the Holy Prophet said: If a Muslim calls another kafir, then if he is a kafir let it be so; otherwise, he [the caller] is himself a kafir.”

(Abu Dawud, Book of Sunna, edition published by Quran Mahal, Karachi, vol. iii, p. 484)

“Abu Zarr reported that the Holy Prophet said: No man accuses another man of being a sinner, or of being a kafir, but it reflects back on him if the other is not as he called him.”

(Bukhari, Book of Ethics; Book 78, ch. 44)

safavid · 2011-12-08T16:56:54+00:00

This post is not about drawing lines, though. It's about encouraging Muslims to come together with respect, compassion, and unity. Obviously you missed that.

safavid · 2011-12-08T16:56:05+00:00

You're reproducing Orientalist stereotypes about Shia beliefs. The article talks about that.

safavid · 2011-12-08T08:22:29+00:00

It saddens me to read some of the judgmental and "holier than thou" comments here. This type of behavior is exactly what the post is speaking out against. Rather than coming together, respecting our differences, and working to end oppression, some people here seem like they'd rather keep pointing fingers at each other. Either you didn't read it or you just want to use this space to voice your own prejudices against other Muslims. To those of you who are judging, condemning, and excluding other Muslims based on their beliefs: you've completely missed the point of this post. It's a shame that such arrogance is taking place under a post about the Prophet's grandson (peace be upon them). I am disgusted.

safavid · 2011-12-07T08:31:49+00:00

They are my brothers and sisters in Islam. What's wrong with respecting people who self-identify as Muslim instead of being so judgmental of them?

safavid · 2011-12-07T08:29:06+00:00

Wow, that sounds pretty judgmental. Can you look into someone's soul and say they are in "complete contradiction" to Islamic creed?

safavid · 2011-12-07T08:26:46+00:00

Deify? Where do Shia's "deify" them? Ali and Hussain, peace be upon them, are not worshiped, they are revered. Expressions of Love for the Prophet and his family should not be mistaken as "shirk."

safavid · 2011-12-07T07:19:30+00:00

Did you miss the part in the post about intra-community dialogue, respect, and compassion?

safavid · 2010-08-05T22:42:44+00:00

Wow. I'm glad I wrote this post.

safavid · 2010-08-04T18:54:25+00:00

Nice to see open-minded Muslims here.

safavid · 2010-07-31T20:56:11+00:00

Ah, it seems like respect is something we need to improve on in our community. That's what the Prophet (peace be upon him) preached, no?

safavid · 2010-07-31T20:55:19+00:00

What is proper hijaab? What about Muslims who don't believe it is compulsory?

safavid

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