A critic of my Iraq war views once told me in the Vic that a failing of Bush's post-9/11 strategy was that he had alienated "Moderate Islam". I don't recall what, if anything, I said in response, but I do remember wondering afterwards what the definition of moderate Islam is. Is there one? In theory, there shouldn't be much variation in Islamic thinking, because it's a revealed religion whose holy book is said to have been dictated by god to his last prophet on Earth. However, differences do exist in practice.
I often buy things from a shop across the road from my house. One of the men who works behind the counter is from Yemen and we get on rather well. Every time I go there, he says 'David, what's happening in the world today?' and invites me to launch into long discussions about current affairs. It will surprise you to know that I mostly decine to say much, but quite often when I do, we find things on which we can agree. Recently he asked me 'Why are these people kidnapping and killing in Iraq? It's completely senseless!'.
I replied 'It's not senseless to them. It's completely logical once you accept their belief that they are following what god wants them to do'.
He said 'But they aren't. I'm a muslim. I know it's wrong'.
I said 'They believe it's their obligation under "jihad".
He said 'No, no, no that's wrong. "Jihad" is a personal struggle, like when you want to stop smoking.'
'Well tell them that, not me!' I said.
Was this just a pointless discussion between two people separated by age, belief, race and upbringing? Possibly. But as a starting point for a definition of 'Moderate Islam', it works for me. I can have no quarrel with someone who sees "Jihad" as a personal affair. Those who think they are obliged to commence a holy war deserve a different fate.
_ DY
at 8:00 PM BST