My Problem with CAIR
I got a problem with CAIR. I mean, may Allah bless the brothers and sisters who fight hard against Islamophobia and their efforts in trying to educate people about the true message of Islam.
They got several issues I disagree with from an ISLAMIC point of view which I won't get into but the one issue I will get into is is their apologetic defensiveness when they deal with Islamophobes, either in print or on TV. Their tactics are so weak that it actually adds fuel to the fire and make the Islamophobes more arrogant and convinced they are right.
What do I mean? When they debate an Islamophobe on TV for example, they will always say how Islam is this and not that, etc. without really citing references from the Quran or Hadith or Islamic history. They often do not refute the anti-Islamic claims with effective clarity but often allow the Islamophobe to have the momentum in his or her Islam and Muslim bashing. Also, since nearly all Islamophobes are white (or those who think "white" but are racially something else), it does not help if you have a Middle Eastern or Asian (or even white convert) always representing your organization when these hateful ignorant bigots feel extremely arrogant and cocky towards non whites but for some reason have some reservation in their arrogance and cockiness when dealing with black Americans, especially one who is more street smart (because they think that they do not want a backlash and be accused as a racist by black people and/or they are afraid of blacks).
And worst of all, they NEVER go on the offensive and giving the Islamophobe a clear reality check. If one of these Islamophobic pieces of trash ever debate me, I will ask him or her about the number of murders, rapes, and other crimes that happen in their societies and the MILLIONS of people killed in world wars and why they are turning a blind eye to their own problems which are far worse than what Muslims are doing and at a much higher rate and let them go on the defensive. People will see the utter hypocrisy of the Islamophobes and truth of Islam and Muslims. They will re-think what they have been told.
I urge CAIR to stop being so weak and stop just putting people who just say Islam and this and that without evidence and start going on the offensive and exposing the hypocrisy of the Islamophobe and start having a more diverse lineup of people representing you, instead of just having the Middle Eastern, Asian, or white convert whom the Islamophobe will feel utterly arrogant and cocky towards.
posted by Mahdi Ahmad @ 10:04 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
1) You are a racist.
2) Supplement "Street Smart" with "Street Thug" and you may have a point.
3) What about the rapes, murders, etc. in "their" society? Whats your point? Crime exists? Or do you even have one?
4) What about World Wars? People died? Again, what is your point?
5) Its really hard to "go on the offensive" when you don't have much of a leg to stand on because you accidently blew it off while packing explosives to your brother so he could kill a bunch of innocent people.
You have a problem alright, a problem making lucid statements that make any sort of sense.
To "anonymous",
I am not a racist because I didn't make a racist statement nor attack any race. Islam forbids racism and I am a Muslim who tries my best to follow Islam.
If you consider nearly the 100 million people killed in just TWO wars as just "people died", you have a problem. Count all the wars fought by Muslims and it would be a fraction of the deaths that occured in WWI and WWII, not to mention the Cold War and Civil War (almost 750,000 died in that war). What about Vietnam, the killing fields of Cambodia, the genocide committed by the Serbs in Bosnia and Kosovo AGAINST Muslims?
Is it just "people died" or does it show the murderous rampage in wars started and fought by non Muslims?
And what does your post have to do with my post about CAIR?
I keep forgetting to disable anonymous comments...
As-salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatu,
Yep, this is almost exactly why my dad isn't too fond of CAIR... this, and some other stuff.
I agree with you - we need to stop being so wishy-washy. We need to put our foot down, and make our views clearly known. Firmly, but of course in a civil way...
asalaamu alaikum
what happened bro, its nearly january...no more posts
Salaamualikom,
Initially I came to hear your insight on Keith Ellison and the reactions in media to his election to congress.
I read your post about CAIR. I do not know much about their debates, so I can learn from the points you made about that. I just think they're genuine and amazing for providing references and resources to Muslims about legal issues.
But I do have some constructive criticism, in the same spirit of you're criticizing CAIR. I think us Muslims,(and all other visible minotiry groups for that matter), have gotten too used to white-bashing. Maybe because the majority of power in the world lies in the hands of individuals who happen to be White in their skin colour. And, perhaps because much of the world's institutions which cause massive and collective injustice to populations also happen to be under the control of White people. But I still take offense when the term "White" is used as to mean something bad. Just like when some one calls me an "immigrant" saying it as if it were a bad thing. At the end of the day, both notions are "racially incorrect" to say the least. It is equally unethical (if not racist) to use the term "White" as automatic indication of corruption, like saying "so and so thinks white". It's simply double standard.
It is a fact that if I were to organize a social movement in the Middle East or a protest, little support would be expected. But in America and the rest of the "White" world, you'll find an abundance of support. Take for example the protests against the war in Iraq of 2003, the majority of protests stemmed from the "White" world, being North America and Europe. I am not forgetting the blood of Iraqis engraved in America's conscience, but we must also give credit to the fact the the same White world that brings horror to the world, also is source of some of the loudest voices those horrors. America and the UK are not only Bush & Blair, but also Cindy Sheehan, Rachel Cory, Noam Chomsky, Robert Fisk, George Galloway, Wendy Pearlman, and Howard Zinn, all active writers, speakers, and activists against injustice, and all White.
:)
I do not agree with a statement such as "or those who think "white" but are racially something else" because it deems White as being something wrong or corrupt.
Other than that, your style of debate certainly has its merits.
Lastly, I am still curious to know your thoughts on the reactions to Mr. Keith Ellison.
Salaams,
Yes, I agree CAIR is oftentimes wishy-washy. I personally know many dedicated brothers and sisters that do work for CAIR, fee sabilillah. There are also those that I've seen on talkshows and in newspapers that seem to let the glare of the cameras and newsprint get to their head. Sometimes it seems their words are meant more to please the power-elite than Allah (swt). May He guide all those that decide to open their mouths in public. The choice to do so carries a heavy responsibility.
Very Intresting thoughts.
I am from UK, this gives us a bit more insight to the runnings of Cair. Few organisations are like that in the UK too.
asalam alaykum , lol as redicolouse as this question sounds what does the word cair mean?..intresting article btw muslims generaly are also very apologetic , and the best place we can start is just being nice to are non muslim neighbours and stop judging others as their 'non muslim' helooo once upon a time you were their to .
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