An Enlightened Muslim Voice

We hear from a moderate Muslim voice, Algerian reformist Malek Chebel, with 27 suggested reforms for Islam, translated here by the Middle East Media Research Center (MEMRI). Malek says it is a difficult time for moderates, that Europe is too lenient with Islamists and the media pays too much attention to jihadists. He calls for an "enlightened Islam", which he views as returning to traditional Islam, and states that in some Arab countries there is a fight against the imposition of sharia law, which he finds very arbitrary:

"As a Muslim, I feel more protected by the higher democratic principle of the [secular] nation-state than by the sharia, which is interpreted by the religious authorities as they wish, sometimes according to their moods… Sharia has never been a model of good governance in the Arab world. In any case, it must be separated from the political sphere."

Malek touches on the Danish cartoons, which he views as a provocation, but censures the overreaction in the Muslim world, and states that "people have a right to criticize religions, including Islam".

And calls for modernizing education for the future of Muslim youth:

In conclusion, Chebel states that youth, civil society, and education are the keys to reform in the Islamic world. He notes that several intellectuals in the Arab world are willing to promote reform - but are barely heard among the "surrounding noise of imams."

Chebel insists that change will begin with reform of the school curricula. All Islamic countries should dedicate important funds to education. The idea that the "other" is not an enemy, or evil, should be taught, and when doing so, common values should be stressed. People must be actively prepared for the advent of democracy, which will happen when the population in Islamic countries is mature enough to adopt it.

Chebel wonders whether Muslims can reform Islam to the extent of rejecting all forms of violence, considering the damage caused by violence in the name of Islam. In such reform, the role of religious authorities, who often advocate jihad and intolerance, should be restricted.

Let's hope this is the start of a movement, as Danish cartoonists and newspapers are on a hit list. But the Danes are holding fast, continuing to support us in Iraq.

And for Danish-American solidarity, view Chicago Hitchens-inspired Rally Pix here and here.