Maajid Nawaz's "Islamism is not Islam"
(op-ed, Aug. 28) is probably the most enlightening essay I have read on
the difference between Islam and Islamism. He asserts that Islamism is a
radical ideology within the sociological structure of Islam, as opposed
to the religious tradition of Islam. This gives the intellectual
underpinnings for the often-heard lament from the Islamic apologists
that there are "good Muslims" and "bad Muslims," just as there are good
and bad Catholics, Baptists and Lutherans within the Christian faith.
I buy that argument. But I
do believe that there is a very subtle anti-Western, anti-American
prejudice in the Muslim world best remembered by the dancing in the
streets of many Muslim countries in response to broadcasts of the
horrific events of 9/11. These scenes were not staged by al Qaeda or the
Taliban. They were a spontaneous response to a truly evil act.
I
think many Muslims want it both ways. They don't want to be associated
with the maimings, beheadings, mutilations and other acts of
unbelievable savagery in the name of Allah that continue to shock and
stun the civilized world, but I believe there is a general feeling,
albeit quietly expressed, that the "unbelievers" had it coming to them.
To
my knowledge there has not been a general rising up of revulsion in the
Islamic world over the unspeakable acts of cruelty by radical Islamists
whether out of fear or indifference. Until there is, the Muslim world
will have to share the shame for these acts.
Franklin P. Conlan
Carmel, Calif.
I
very much appreciate Mr. Nawaz's op-ed on what Islam is really about.
It's about time someone explained that there are different strands
within Islam, as within Christianity. Fears can be dispelled by
awareness and information.
Barbara Gravesen
Lady Lake, Fla.
Mr.
Nawaz points out that supporters of Islamism are a small percentage of
the followers of Islam, but that small percentage has done a tremendous
amount of damage to Islam's reputation throughout the world.
A
small percentage of Germans were Nazis, and look at the damage they
did. The same can be said of several "isms" in the 20th century.
A
relative few, highly dedicated ruthless followers can and have taken
over a variety of beliefs and turned them into instruments of hate,
death and corruption. In my lifetime I've seen beautiful, vibrant cities
of great ethnic diversity in the Middle East turned into killing fields
by Islamism.
If Islam is to survive, it will have to be Muslims who destroy Islamism.
Jay Dunton
Oakland, Calif.
Maajid
Nawaz concludes that all religious faiths "should be defined by the way
in which the vast majority of their followers profess them." Huh? Since
when is a religion defined democratically by its majority profession
and not theocratically by its doctrinal confession according to sacred
scripture?
Don Webber
Redmond, Wash.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 