Extreme Muslims are "nothing but loudmouths"

"The events of 9/11 shifted the public policy focus of Muslims from foreign policy in the Middle East to domestic issues such as civil rights and education" according to a study commissioned by the Institute for Policy Study and Understanding, reports alt.muslim, whose tagline is "Interactive news & discussion for the Muslim community" (registration required):

Muslims generally agree on some basic principles: have a flexible approach to Islam, be involved in community affairs and politics, and get George Bush out of office . . . Over 80% of those surveyed favored universal health care, environmentalism, and affirmative action, and 93% felt that Muslims should be involved with non-Muslims in community service projects. "There is definitely a growing interest in the Muslims in America to become more involved in the political process," said [a Hartford Seminary professor]. "Mosque communities in America are not radicals," says [a lead researcher]. "They are not a breeding ground for terrorists and extremists." The organizers of the study selected 12 mosques with a diverse ethnic and demographic mix and found that the average Muslim was a married 34-year-old with children, a college degree and a salary of about $75,000 a year. About 68 percent of the eligible voters are registered to vote. "This is not a community that wants to be isolated." said Bagby. "This is a community that wants to be part of the mainstream."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, "for many British Muslim leaders, the recent arrests of nine men along with a half-ton of ammonium nitrate was the last straw":

"[Extremist Muslims] are nothing but loudmouths," said Lord Ahmed, Britain's first Muslim peer, "who are damaging the image of Muslims in this country and who are not welcome here." The arrests come at a time when British Muslims, and European Muslims in general, are facing a growing backlash as a result of the Madrid bombings that may bring unprecedented restrictions, including the possible introduction of ID cards.

The Muslim Council of Britain took the unprecedented step of asking 1000 mosques across the country to condemn violence and cooperate with the police. The two-page statement called on the country's two million Muslims to maintain "utmost vigilance" and contact the authorities if they suspect criminal activity. The council reports that it received an "overwhelmingly positive response" from the community.

[via Mahmood's Den's "daily food" blogroll]

Comments

[Life not death]

Muslims should educate there people because violence is not the answer. They are no better than the gangsters that kill each other. Education is the key to the Middle East. Women are our life not our tool. We need to educate and let them know that life is more than pain. Almost everyone that comes to America loves it and never wants to leave. The extremist Muslims hate us for that because they can never have it. They rather fight than grow and live in the Stone Age so they can be in control but they are just hiding from the truth. Ignorance is no excuse. The only thing they have is oil and it will not last. America will get ride of our dependency and they will have nothing but themselves to hate. So love one another because neither of us are going away.