You have probably already read the statement in question, cross-posted earlier this week, and signed by many of the usual suspects.
John Sargeant points out that it’s unreasonable to complain that words such as extremism are ‘undefined’ without spelling out just what is meant by ‘normative’ beliefs:
The joint statement that has been signed calls for an end to undefined words like “radicalisation” and “extremism” being used for normative beliefs. Beliefs which themselves have been left undefined in the statement. It is a muddle of incoherent ideas, being two faced while using double speak.
Futile Democracy has similar concerns:
It does not matter if an opinion is a “normative Islamic opinion”. Neither of those reasons, makes the opinion any less extreme. To highlight this point, it is prudent to consider two signatures on the list; that of Reza Pankhurst & Dr Abdul Wahid, of Hizb ut-Tahrir. Note that in point seven, the focus is on “concern about peace & security for all”. Consider that claim, when analysing Article 7C of Hizb’s own draft constitution:
– I guess “peace and security” is far more likely if you just execute anyone who leaves the religion.
“Those who are guilty of apostasy from Islam are to be executed.”
Jonathan Russell notes that Quilliam in fact supports separating the issues of counter-terrorism and counter-extremism. He adds this telling observation:
Many of our findings and recommendations would improve the lot for British Muslims, but I sense that the signatories of this letter would rather perpetuate problems and grievances than find solutions. Only those whose currency is the politics of identity benefit from sowing tribal divisions. Moreover, improvements to counter-extremism policy are not desirable if you fundamentally oppose even the premise of counter-extremism like some of the signatories, who want to fabricate the illusion of, or indeed strive to create, critical mass in support of Islamism and in opposition to secular liberal democratic states.
Meanwhile (and on cue) over at ‘normative’ 5pillarz, Dilly Hussain is warning of the ‘criminalisation of Muslims who follow orthodox Islam’.
