Islamic Pluralism

Affiliated with www.islamicpluralism.org and www.islamicpluralism.de

Islamic Pluralism
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Welcome to Centre for Islamic Pluralism
President Kemal Silay [biography]
Executive Director Stephen Schwartz [biography] [email]
International Director Irfan Ahmed al-Alawi [biography] [email]
Canadian Director Salim Mansur [biography]

1718 M Street NW #260
Washington, DC 20036 USA
BM 2394, LONDON, WC1N 3XX UK
U.S. Tel. 1.202.232.1750 U.S.
Fax Toll-Free 1.866.792.9439
 

'Surely, those who believe, and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians, whoever have faith with true hearts in Allah and in the Last-day and do good deeds, their reward is with their Lord, and there shall be no fear for them nor any grief'
Qur'an 2:62

Obey your country's laws, Marje Sistani urges Muslims in West
by Mohamed Ali | MONTREAL, Canada

Iraq's Al-Marje Al-Alaa Ali Sistani sent a message to Muslims in Western nations, urging them to obey the laws of the countries in which they live.The fatwa was delivered at a Montreal news conference of prominent Shia Muslims on behalf of Ayatullah Sayyed Ali As-Sistani
"Muslims have undertaken to obey the laws of the country of their residence and thus they must be faithful to that undertaking," the statement read. It condemned all acts of violence and encouraged imams to keep a watchful eye on what's going on inside their mosques

Signed articles posted to Center for Islamic Pluralism websites express the individual opinion of their signatories and do not represent collective or unified positions of the Center, unless indicated

Schwartz on Arthur Koestler, The New Criterion, February 2010
Uzbekistan as a U.S. Ally? by Stephen Schwartz
The Ayatollahs' Leviathan: Power in Iran Today by Kamal Hasani
Kosovo Sees Continuing Infiltration by Islamists by Stephen Schwartz
Saudi Interference with Muslims During the Hajj by Irfan Al-Alawi
The Enigmatic Death of an Iranian Émigré by Stephen Schwartz
A Victory for the Muslim Brotherhood
The Obama administration allows Tariq Ramadan to travel to the U.S. by Thomas Joscelyn
Iran: "Loving Executions Too Much" by Kamal Hasani
Why ignore lessons from years ago? by Salim Mansur

CIP Announcement: German-Language Excerpts from 2009 Euro-Shariah Study Posted to CIP Sites, January 14, 2010

The Centre for Islamic Pluralism/Zentrum für den Islamischen Pluralismus [www.islamicpluralism.org, www.islamicpluralism.eu and www.islamicpluralism.de], an international network of moderate Muslims in more than 25 countries, is pleased to announce posting to websites of a German-language translation of the introductory sections and studies of Germany and The Netherlands from the CIP/ZIP report, “A Guide to Shariah Law and Islamist Ideology in Europe, 2007-2009.” The German excerpts also include the CIP/ZIP report’s analysis of the activities of the fundamentalist European Council for Fatawa and Research (ECFR).

The report deals with Shariah law as it is visible in Muslim communal and non-Muslim public life in the two countries, focusing on family/schooling, institutionalisation of Shariah by non-Muslim governments (“Parallel Shariah”), criminal aspects, and approaches to women. The full English-language text of the report, which is intended as a contribution to Islamic thought as well as a policy handbook for Muslim and non-Muslim public officials and other leaders in Western Europe, also deals with Britain, France, and Spain.

The full English-language report, which is graphically illustrated, as well as the German-language excerpts, are available as free, downloadable PDFs at the CIP/ZIP websites.
- Washington/Köln, January 2009

Ankündigung der Veröffentlichung von Auszügen in deutscher Sprache aus der Studie " Eine Einführung in die Gesetze der SCHARIAH und in die ISLAMISTISCHE IDEOLOGIE in WESTEUROPA 2007-2009" vom Zentrum für islamischen Pluralismus.

The Centre for Islamic Pluralism/Zentrum für den Islamischen Pluralismus [www.islamicpluralism.org, www.islamicpluralism.eu, and www.islamicpluralism.de], ist ein Internationales Netzwerk von moderaten Muslimen aus mehr als 25 Ländern und ist erfreut bekannt zu geben das es eine deutsche Übersetzung der Einführenden Abschnitte der Studie über Deutschland und die Niederlande aus dem CIP/ZIP Report, “A Guide to Shariah Law and Islamist Ideology in Europe, 2007-2009” gibt.

Der Report behandelt die Scharia Gesetze wie sie sichtbar sind in Muslimischen Gemeinden und in nicht öffentlichen muslimischen Leben in den oben gennanten 2 Ländern. Der Fokus liegt auf Familie / Erziehung, Institutionalisierung der Scharia durch nicht-muslimische Regierungen („Parallel Scharia"), strafrechtliche Aspekte und Annäherungen an die Frauenfrage.

Der vollständige englische Text dieses Berichts, das als Beitrag zum islamischen Denken bestimmt ist, sowie als ein politisches Handbuch für muslimische und nicht-muslimische Beamten und anderen Staats- und Regierungschefs in Westeuropa, befasst sich auch mit Großbritannien, Frankreich und Spanien. Der vollständige Bericht in englischer Sprache, welches graphisch dargestellt ist, sowie die Ausschnitte in deutscher Sprache, sind als kostenlose, herunterladbare pdfs auf der CIP / ZIP Websites verfügbar.
- Washington/Köln,Januar 2009

German-Language Translation of Shariah Report Excerpts on Definition of Shariah, Germany, the Netherlands, and the European Council for Fatwas and Research
Download free as a PDF
Yemen and How It Got That Way - It is now an exporter, if not a sponsor, of terrorism by Stephen Schwartz
Al-Alawi on the UK Islam Channel and terrorist Al-Awlaki
Target the terrorists, not the public by Salim Mansur
Stephen Suleyman Schwartz: I hope that radical Islam is only a passing phase among young Bosnian Muslims
Centre for Islamic Pluralism international director and Islamic Heritage Research Foundation executive director Dr Irfan Al-Alawi will discuss Wahhabi vandalism of Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia on The CIINetwork.net in South Africa, at http://www.ciibroadcasting.com/index.php, on Sunday, January 3, 2010. The broadcast will take place at 10.30am UK time and 12.30 South African time.
Please note: The show cannot be accessed after broadcast. CIP is working on archiving all such appearances
The Center for Islamic Pluralism calls for recitations of Fatiha and Surah Ya Sin for Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid, the Indonesian Muslim leader, who died on December 30.
Wahid, known as “Gus Dur,” was a prominent figure in the Nadhatul Ulama spiritual movement, and former president of the world’s largest Muslim country.
CIP viewed Abdurrahman Wahid as an important example of a moderate Muslim believer. CIP executive director Stephen Suleyman Schwartz commented, “I regret that I did not develop a closer personal relationship with Gus Dur.” Wahid, however, co-authored, with C. Holland Taylor of the LibForAll Foundation, an introduction to the Indonesian edition of Schwartz's Two Faces of Islam: Saudi Fundamentalism and Its Role in Terrorism, which appeared under the title Dua Wajah Islam: Modernisme vs Fundamentalisme dalam Wacana Global.
Center for Islamic Pluralism
Washington – London – Köln
A New Turn in the Iranian Crisis? - by Stephen Suleyman Schwartz
Schwartz on Robert Lacey's "Inside the Kingdom," The Globe and Mail [Toronto], November 20, 2009
Al-Alawi on destruction of sacred architecture in Arabia
Dr Irfan Al-Alawi, international director of the Centre for Islamic Pluralism, and executive director of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, spoke at 5:45pm London time on Radio Al-Ansaar, a leading Muslim medium in South Africa. His topic was the destruction of sacred architecture in Arabia under Saudi rule.
The radio programme's website is http://www.alansaar.co.za
CIP is working on archiving all such appearances
Deepening Contradictions in Saudi Arabia: “Where Did the Money Go?” by Dr. Irfan Al-Alawi
It Can Happen Here - America's "homegrown" terrorism was made in South Asia by Stephen Schwartz

The Center for Islamic Pluralism notes the passing on December 19, 2009, of Ayatollah Husayn Ali Montazeri, rahmetli, at the age of 87.

Ayatollah Montazeri was known throughout the Islamic ummah for his support for the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979, and his intimate relationship with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Ayatollah Montazeri was expected to succeed Khomeini. But with the instalment of the clerical dictatorship in Iran, Ayatollah Montazeri began a long career as the chief dissident voice in the country.
Most recently, Ayatollah Montazeri forthrightly denounced the usurping and provocative regime of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and its criminal course in corrupting the recent election and torturing and killing opponents.
A final judgement of the effect of velayat-e-faqih or clerical government on the Islamic ummah has yet to the delivered, and is long overdue. One cannot predict the ultimate opinion of wise and religiously-educated people on the record of Ayatollah Montazeri.
Nevertheless, we request that believers recite appropriate memorials for Ayatollah Montazeri and offer prayers in his memory at the coming occasion of Ashura. Muminin should also contribute publically to the success of a cause on which members of Ahl-e-Beyt (Shias) have been shamefully silent, i.e. the Islamofascist atrocities in Iran.

Center for Islamic Pluralism
Washington, DC

The Center for Islamic Pluralism extends warm greetings in the common month of December 2009 to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim believers. During this month, the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which celebrates liberation, began on the evening of December 11 [25th of Kislev of the Hebrew year 5770]. The feast of Christmas will take place on its fixed date, December 25. The 10th of Muharrem [Ashura] of the Hijri year 1431 will fall on December 27, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husayn at Karbala.
The coincidence of major holidays, all associated with spiritual redemption, for members of the three great monotheistic communities, should be a source of sincere reflection on the values shared in their revelation and of strengthened commitment to moderation in religion
A British lesson for Americans by Stephen Schwartz and Irfan Al-Alawi
America's First Islamic College? - by Stephen Schwartz and Dr. Irfan Al-Alawi
Bektashi Sufis in the Albanian National Renaissance by Stephen Suleyman Schwartz
Niqab, the Pseudo-Islamic Face-Veil by Irfan Al-Alawi & Stephen Suleyman Schwartz
Fort Hood: The Saudi Camel in the Room by Stephen Schwartz
Canada's angriest 'moderate' by Robert Fulford
The Center for Islamic Pluralism has joined a substantial roster of non-governmental organizations in signing the Declaration titled "What is 'Defamation of Religion'?" The Declaration protests the United Nations' adoption of resolutions that, on the pretext of prohibiting discrimination, would interfere with the free criticism of religion and encourage member states to pass laws against blasphemy. CIP has taken the position that free criticism is an essential element of all normal religious life
Read the Common Statement | Visit the website
Bartók, Parry & Lord: a flawed legacy by Stephen Schwartz
‘71 at SOAS by Kajalie Shehreen Islam (NOTE - from 2008)
Selams and greetings
The attached .pdfs (one | two) describe Shahriar Kabir's documentary film work on atrocities committed by Jamaat-e-Islami and other radical groups during the Bangladesh war of 1971. Centre for Islamic Pluralism international director Irfan Al-Alawi recently spoke at a discussion of Kabir's work at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London
Center for Islamic Pluralism
Afghans see Americans as nomads by Salim Mansur Toronto Sun, October 31, 2009
Review of Mansur's ISLAM'S PREDICAMENT, London Free Press [Canada], October 31, 2009
Saudi Arabia Under the Lash by Stephen Schwartz
Centre for Islamic Pluralism International Director and Islamic Heritage Research Foundation Executive Director Dr Irfan Al-Alawi will deliver a course for prospective Hajj travelers at the Oadby and Wigston Muslim Association, Sandhurst Street, Oadby, Leicester, UK, beginning at 4.30pm on Saturday, November 7, 2009
Click here to download a poster for the event
CIP In the Media: Fox News on Siraj Wahhaj, CAIR, and CIP Prison Report, October 20, 2009
Remote region central to AfPak war - by Salim Mansur
CEMS at SOAS invites you to the premiere of 'Portrait of Jihad' - a documentary by Shahriar Kabir on the rise of Islamic militancy in Bangladesh and its regional network.
The show is followed by an academic discussion on War Crimes 1971 and the impact of the culture of impunity
Monday 2 November 2009, 7pm @ G2 (Lecture Theatre) SOAS Main Building , University of London Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square , London WC1H 0XG Nearest Tube: Russell Square http://www.soas.ac.uk/visitors/location/travel/travel-advice.html
Panel members - Lord Avebury (House of Lords) Chair of International Bangladesh Foundation; Dr. Irfan Al Alawi, International Director, Centre for Islamic Pluralism; Martin Bright, presenter of Channel 4’s film - 'Who Speaks For Muslims?' and the author of 'When Progressives Treat with Reactionaries: The British State's Flirtation with Radical Islamism; Shahriar Kabir, Bangladeshi journalist, filmmaker, author & human rights activist
Chair: Prof Werner Menski CEMS, SOAS
This is a FREE event Please note that seats are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis
RSVP: Ms Anna Dugoni (245552@soas.ac.uk)
Contractors Gone Wild - a trail of misconduct from Kabul to Kosovo by Stephen Schwartz
When the slippery slope becomes steeper by Salim Mansur
The attached paper on Muslim fundamentalist destruction of shrines is circulated and posted with the proviso that the text reflects the opinions of its authors alone. CIP does not endorse all the vocabulary or sources cited, but notes with appreciation a mention of our international director, Dr.Irfan Al-Alawi, correctly described as "one of the most vocal opponents of the destruction of historical sites." CIP views Dr. Al-Alawi with great pride for his role as the outstanding defender of Islamic cultural legacy active today, in addition to his work for the Center. We also note, mash'allah, a closing citation from one of the recent Islamic scholars we most respect, al-Sayyid Muhammad ‘Alawi al-Maliki (1944–2004). But we would be remiss not to also point out that in his lifetime Shaykh al-Maliki was ignored in the West. For him, Fatiha.
Stephen Suleyman Schwartz - Executive Director
Center for Islamic Pluralism
Obama and Ahmadinejad by Irfan Al-Alawi
No cure for this Arab-Muslim sickness by Salim Mansur
Suspicious Saudi Arabia by Stephen Suleyman Schwartz
Shamelessness at the UN by Salim Mansur
The Center fror Islamic Pluralism is pleased to announce that the Hudson Institute New York has published a condensation of the 2009 CIP publication 'A Guide to Shariah Law and Islamist Ideology in Western Europe 2007-2009' (available, left, in the articles menu) on the Hudson New York website. The condensed text is accessible at http://www.hudsonny.org/2009/09/shariah-law-and-islamist-ideology-in-western-europe.php
The Hosni Affair: New Revelations - UNESCO Safe ... almost by Stephen Suleyman Schwartz
Farouk Hosni, Nicolas Sarkozy and “The Mediterranean Union” by Stephen Suleyman Schwartz
The rise of radical, parallel Shariah in Britain by Benedict Rogers, MP [Conservative, Durham, UK]
U.S. now wary of Afghanistan mission by Salim Mansur
The Center for Islamic Pluralism extends sincere and profound good wishes to all Muslim and Jewish believers on the occasion of the simultaneous celebration of Ramadan Bayram, or Eid Al-Fitr, year 1430, and of Rosh Hashanah, year 5770. Ramadan Bayram marked the end of the sacred month of Ramadan for the Islamic lunar year 1430.
Ramadan Bayram began on the common era date of September 20, 2009.
We therefore proclaim: Eid mubarek! Bajram sherif mubarek olsun!
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish year 5770. Rosh Hashanah began at sundown on the common era date of September 18, 2009.
We therefore proclaim Shanah Tovah!
We earnestly affirm our hope that the rare, coincidental celebration of these holy days will lead to a more respectful and understanding relationship between the umma of Muhammad sallallahu-aleyhisalam and the House of Israel
Farouk Hosni, UNESCO, and the Saudi Problem by Dr Irfan Al-Alawi
No to Farouk Hosni at UNESCO by Stephen Suleyman Schwartz
D.C.'s Iftar Season - It's time for politicians to stop honoring demagogues and fundamentalists at official Ramadan celebrations - by Stephen Schwartz
West returns to pre-Sept. 11 thinking by Salim Mansur
Bismillah irrahman irrahim
The Center for Islamic Pluralism calls on all Muslims to recite memorial prayers for the victims of the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaida atrocities, and to rededicate our ummah to the definitive defeat of radical and fundamentalist ideology and rescue of Islam.
With selams, ramadan mubarek
Center for Islamic Pluralism
Washington, DC
Centre for Islamic Pluralism international director and Islamic Heritage Research Foundation executive director Dr Irfan Al-Alawi was interviewed Thursday, September 10, 2009, on BBC World Service. The topic was the projected redesign of Mecca.
A link for this program is accessible at http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/
Click The Strand column for Thursday. Please note - these links are not permanent. CIP is working on archiving all such appearances
What Happened at Medjugorje? by Stephen Schwartz
From Mecca to Medjugorje - Parts 1 and 2 - by Stephen Schwartz & Irfan Al-Alawi
Kosovo's Burning
Africans must solve own problems by Salim Mansur
Tariq Ramadan Repudiated by Stephen Schwartz
Centre for Islamic Pluralism international director and Islamic Heritage Research Foundation executive director Dr Irfan Al-Alawi spoke and wrote on issues in Saudi Arabia in mid-August, for Voice of the Cape Radio, a Muslim broadcaster in South Africa. His comments are archived as follows:
Live radio interview on destruction of Islamic cultural legacy in Saudi Arabia: www.vocfm.co.za/public/audiostream/audiostreamplayer.html
Text article on destruction of Islamic cultural legacy:
www.vocfm.co.za/index.php?section=news&category=vocnews&article=47986
Podcast on decline in umrah [abbreviated Mecca pilgrimage] visits:
www.vocfm.net/podcast/podcastgen/?p=episode&name=2009-08-16_160809alawi.mp3
Jihad from North Carolina to Kosovo - Al Qaeda flags keep showing up around the globe by Stephen Schwartz
Human Rights Watch: Human Rights Charlatans by Stephen Suleyman Schwartz
“Intellectual Restitution” - How a Moderate Muslim Group Supports Judaic Studies in Ex-Yugoslavia by Stephen Suleyman Schwartz
Sleepwalking through a minefield by Salim Mansur
Dr Irfan Al-Alawi, International Director of the Centre for Islamic Pluralism and Executive Director of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, was interviewed live Friday, August 14, 2009, by Voice of the Cape Radio in South Africa. The topic was Wahhabi cultural vandalism in Saudi Arabia. The program was broadcast at 4:10 p.m. UK time and 5:10 p.m, South African time
The program and station websites are:
http://www.vocfm.co.za/public/audiostream/audiostreamplayer.html
http://www.vocfm.co.za/ <http://www.vocfm.co.za/
Centre for Islamic Pluralism international director Dr Irfan Al-Alawi will speak on the UK Christian satellite television station, Revelation TV, Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at 9:50 p.m. London time. The topic will be Wahhabi attacks on Christians, non-Wahhabi Muslims, and others in Nigeria. Revelation TV is available in the UK on satellite at Channel 592. The station also has a website at www.revelationtv.com/watchgen.php
Center for Islamic Pluralism Executive Director Stephen Schwartz will discuss Iran and the Obama administration's views regarding Islam, on The Jim Pfaff Show, Radio KLZ-AM 560, in Denver, Colorado, Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at 1:10 pm Eastern daylight time, 11:10 am Mountain Daylight Time. The broadcast is heard throughout Colorado and neighboring Rocky Mountain areas.
The show may also be heard on the internet at www.560TheSource.com
Jim Pfaff maintains a website at www.jimpfaffshow.com
North Africa and globalization by Salim Mansur
Albanian Shamans and Islamic Pluralism by Veton Surroi | Albanian text
American Crescent - A Muslim Cleric on the Power of His Faith, the Struggle against Prejudice, and the Future of Islam in America --- reviewed by Stephen Schwartz
How Peaceful Is Pacifism? by EMILY ESFAHANI SMITH




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The Sheikh Al–Islam Fil-Balad Al-Haram Al-Sharif
The Sheikh Al–Islam Fil-Balad Al-Haram Al-Sharif (click image to enlarge)

Salaat ul-janaza [Funeral service] of Sayyid Muhammad ibn Alawi Al Maliki
Salaat ul-janaza [Funeral service] of Sayyid Muhammad ibn Alawi Al Maliki, The Grand Mosque in Mecca, October 2004
(click image to enlarge)


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