How can we reach the extremists?

Question

How can we as Muslims reach them and show them that their cultural customs and teachings are wrong? How do we get the idea into their heads that their mullahs are wrong and lying to them? And that Fatwas, at least 30 in number, have been issued against them based on Islam? Their actions are against Islam, and though my voice is small it is joining thousands of others that are struggling to be heard. If possible, I'd definately be all for going on TV and shouting it to the world. I'd be more than happy to become a target of them. Islam states to save a life is to save all of humanity. If they came after this woman who is shouting from her lungs that they are wrong and she refuses to listen to them, maybe it can save others. How can we get it through to them? And how do all of these fatwas against them and what they stand for make you feel?

http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/muslim_voices_against_extremism_and_terrorism_part_i_fatwas/0012209

Answer 1

Wounded and feeling cheated, a 'holy warrior' turns against the cause that lured him to Iraq
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/27/africa/ME-FEA-GEN-Saudi-Arabia-A-Jihadists-Journey.php
The Associated Press
Published: July 26, 2007
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: The last time Ahmed al-Shayea was in the news, he was in the hospital at the Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad, being treated for severe burns from the truck bomb he had driven into the Iraqi capital on Christmas Day 2004.

Today, he says, he has changed his mind about waging jihad, or holy war, and wants other young Muslims to know it.
...
At 22, the new Ahmed Al-Shayea is the product of a concerted Saudi government effort to counter the ideology that nurtured the 9/11 hijackers and that has lured Saudis in droves to the Iraq insurgency. The deprogramming, similar to efforts carried out in Egypt and Yemen, is built on reason, enticements and lengthy talks with psychiatrists, Muslim clerics and sociologists.
...
The prisoners later appear before a panel of judges who decide whether they can move from prison to the Interior Ministry compound, where activities include reading, civic and religious courses, sports and family visits. They get help finding jobs and wives, and after release they get free medical care, monthly stipends and sometimes cars.

Answer 2

LoL, possibly the largest question I've seen here... and maybe better suited for politics.

I think the problem IS the fatwas (should it be capitalized?). As I understand fatwas are basically rulings... interpretations of the law, correct? So they'd equate to court-orders in a secular nation?

The problem is that court orders are often not followed, they don't have enough of a deterrent in them. If you think about a suicide bomber (I'm assuming those are the people you most would like to reach?), he's not going to be too impressed if he knows he'll be in paradise by the time people notice he disobeyed the fatwa.

I've seen similar with abusive husbands, if you give them a piece of paper that says they can't come near the soon to be ex-wife, they're going to do it anyways. They're not thinking of conseqences, they just want to hurt someone.

There's also the issue of contradictory orders, there are extremist scholars, that promote violence... and I'm assuming that when there are two fatwas that are in direct opposition, you just ignore the one you don't agree with.


So, in order to address the issue, there are basically 3 things that I can come up at the moment.

1. Strengthening the consequences... if a fatwa is issued, it should always be acted upon. Those that speak against it, should be shut out. Everyone should see this as a duty; no looking the other way, but every memeber of the community should make it clear that it's not acceptable behavior. And to help those that would break the fatwa, should be considered as bad as the ones that do the breaking.

It should be more than just a piece of paper. It should be a community reaction. It's not about muslims showing a united front to the others, but muslims uniting against the evildoers hiding among them.

2. Education. I know this sounds condecending, and maybe it is, I wouldn't know. Muslims have a well organized education system, I'd estimate that your average muslim is better educated in his/her own faith than the average christian. This resource should be put to good use.

The qu'ran makes it quite clear under what circumstances violence is acceptable, this should be constantly taught to the young. And the superiority of the words of the prophet over the interpretation of imams.

The prophet says, you must not attack, once that is understood to be of a higher level order than anything anyone else can give, it should give them strength to oppose those false leaders that would lead them to death.

3. Clear lines of demarcation. If you believe that islam is a religion of peace, make it so. There must not be room for those that see it differently. With us, or against us. There cannot be any support for the extremists, no money, no nothing. If a member of your family chooses to go to the extreme side, don't help him.

No donations to schools that teach hate, no support for mosques that preach violence. Turn your back to them, only welcome them back when they are willing to live in peace with you, and other religions. It's tempting to send money for a son that's training with terrorists, but it must not be done, he has chosen wrong.


Sorry if I got a bit ranty there... just thought I'd try to give some input :)

Answer 3

We cant generally blame all the fights & conflicts going on around the globe as "Terrorism" and again linking everything with the religion is another mistake which the people are doing. Each case has to be studied individually and then concluded. Unfortunately the anti-islamic people are ruling the media and the press today. They have succeeded in labelling all muslim fighters as Terrorists. The anti-islamic forces has been planning against muslims since the world war I on this. Muslims are also to be blammed for this situation. They moved away from the true path of life. They become lazy. The result was they were overthrown from their seat of power. For instance, no one dares to call the present american govt under Bush as Terrorists. They all have lied that Weapons of Mass Destruction is
there in Iraq. Invaded the country, now the country is in the state of total calamity. Millions of Iraqis and thousands of americans have died in iraq since the war. Same kind of hypocracy on the part of the western powers can
be seen in Palestine, Bosnia, Afghanistan and all other places where the so called terrorists are in action. this is
not to defend anyone who is killing the innocent people. But those who want to solve the problem should first start
from the root and not in the middle of the tree. Then the tree will keep growing again and again. Suppose if some
man's wife, mother, sister raped & killed in front of him, his house destroyed by a powerful enemy how doo you think
this man will react.

Answer 4

There are many factors as to why certain Muslims opt to take the extremist road. I assume you're an American and the only thing that's similar between you and a Palestinian Muslim is your faith. You did not experience being bombed and having scary Zionists encroach on your land. One way to reach to the extremists is by stopping their oppressors. Maybe if America and other countries leave Afghanistan alone (let it develop and progress in it's own pace, even if it's extremely slow) and stop meddling in its internal affairs, Afghans wouldn't have a reason to support Taliban today because despite "good news" from CNN and others that the Taliban is getting weaker, what's happening is the exact opposite. Extremists whether Muslims, Christians or whatever, are not going to decrease in numbers because even their brothers and sisters in faith don't understand them. Look into the history, culture, economic situation, policies of other nations, and other factors of these supposedly extremists (not just their religion) and maybe some would realize that extremism is a wrong reaction to the oppression they have experienced. Most importantly, we have to clearly define what the hell is extremism, terrorism, fundamentalism, and all that because Bush seems to have a very limited definition of these concepts,. He should have included himself, his policies, and his minions in the definition of these concepts.

Answer 5

I am not a Muslim, but I do have some experience in dealing with religious fanatics and bigots. In my experience I have found that reaching a truly hypnotized person is nearly impossible, unless they somewhere deep down have some sort of common sense and a strong willpower. I would start reaching out to the youth. Start at the same place the religious fanatics start, and hopefully the common sense part of their brain will develop just enough to overcome and reject the religious fanatical teachings. If they make it past 30 and still don't get it, just start over with a fresh audience, because it's too late at that point... they are too far gone.

Answer 6

A way to reach the extremists is not through mass media, but through real world acts of kindness and concentration on acceptance. If you're really interested in helping an extremist become moderate, you need to show that person the full potentials of being him or herself rather than being a religious fanatic.

Fanaticism is just overcompensation for doubt.

Answer 7

I look at your Extremists in this way and relate to it as having the same situation as race issues. Black and White racial issues have always been a thorn in the American side, all over the country, and in the south. I do not think people who are racist know any better. Just like I do not think most extremists in the muslim communities do not know any better. The civil war in America was drenched in Racial issues, about wether or not African Americans should be slaves or be free. People who thought Slavery was right, died for these beliefs, fought for these beliefs. They ultimatly lost, but the lasting impression of Racism trickled down into the present day. Children I think pick up and learn Racism from who they grow up with, their friends, their parents. Just as I think the people who blow them selves up because they believe in something.....they were taught that, they were influence by who they were around. I think racism is slowly dissapearing.....it is more and more exeptable for white to date black and so on. But it takes so long for kids to grow up, decide that what they knew is wrong, have kids and teach those kids the right morals to have, and so on and so on. It takes Generations. The Problem with those muslims will not change over night. We will not wake up one morning and their be peace and understanding. It will take Generations of slow change. I believe the War was only a spark....much like the Civil War was a spark. Wether it was good or bad, it at least let people stand up against the terrorist cells. I think it starts with putting a foot down, removing the influences that teach the younger impressionable generations. Its about the Youth....teaching the children the opposite of the extremist beliefs....letting them grow up with the right judgement, and teaching their own kids. I think that is how real change takes place. All of this will be a sore spot in peoples lives for a long time in history....just as racism in America is still a sore spot. Time helps that. But a stand against Extremists has to be made to start the change.

Answer 8

Extremists do no longer prefer to pay attention. you prefer to ensure what appeasement can do? inspect Israel. they shop giving up land to the Palestinians. What do the Palestinians do? Shoot greater missiles into greater Israeli faculties. Extremists don't think in compromise. They use an all or no longer something attitude. All their way.

Answer 9

I think you are right about Islam hurting Islam! I can not understand how much hate terrorists must have to just kill anyone ,even their own lands men!
very sad indeed!

i commend you for saying your peace about the subject!

I used to say "hey not all Muslims are like the terrorists"
but when I saw Muslims not go against their own evil doers I was disgusted! but here you are ,saying what I am thinking!
the only way to defeat these pricks is my Muslims standing up against them and fight them with everything!

Answer 10

I had an uncle who told me the best way to get a mule's attention was with a green two-by-four between the eyes. I'd be willing to try it.

Kindness and reason hasn't worked at all.