An Open Letter to Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Dear Ms. Ali,

I’m really not sure what your credentials as an Islamic scholar are, beyond the fact that you are a Muslim-turned-atheist and have aligned yourself with the ideals of American conservatism. As such, I’m not sure why when you speak that the whole world sits up and listens.

I too, do not claim to be an expert on Islam, but having a secular Muslim father, and an observant Muslim grandmother, I feel that it is my obligation to speak up. But my small blog post here, from my upper-middle class neighborhood in Oakland, will likely not have nearly as much effect as you do from the ivory tower of the Op-Ed pages of the Times.

In today’s The New York Times you make the following claim: “But where are the moderates? Where are the Muslim voices raised over the terrible injustice of incidents like these? How many Muslims are willing to stand up and say, in the case of the girl from Qatif, that this manner of justice is appalling, brutal and bigoted — and that no matter who said it was the right thing to do, and how long ago it was said, this should no longer be done?”

First, they are answering all over the place, if you know where to look.

Second, as I’ve pointed out before, the majority of Muslims don’t live in places that have strong traditions of freedom of assembly, speech and of the press. I’m sure that you know that in your homeland of Somalia, there isn’t exactly a lively tradition of newspapers that exercise in daily acts of public discussion. In Jordan, there is a very active secret police. In other majority Muslim countries, like Senegal, for instance, the majority of the people cannot read, and thus cannot be part of an international outcry against Islamic-sponsored violence and terrorism. Furthermore, would the outcry of one imam in Mali make much difference? Would you hear about it if he spoke? Probably not.

Third, while I agree that everyone is appalled and dismayed at terrorist acts and the acts of blatant cruelty, I would make the argument that moderate Muslims should not be compelled to apologize for something their idiotic brethren do, anymore than moderate Christians should have to apologize for the acts of Neo-Nazis, or than moderate Jews should have to apologize for the acts of ultra-orthodox Jews, or than moderate Hindus should have to apologize for the acts of the BJP. However, I do think that all humans, especially those in positions of power and influence, should work to reduce such hatred and violence whenever possible.

Fourth, you argue that based on one passage from the Qur’an we, non-Muslims, should be skeptical of Islam as a whole. Fundamentalism is fundamentalism, no matter where it happens. Here in America, we have Christians who cite a single Bible verse as reasons why we as a society should celebrate the death of American soldiers in Iraq as retribution for our society’s tolerance of gay people. Where are the legions of moderate Christians protesting these people? Should non-Christians be skeptical of Christianity as a whole because of the actions of one crazy person?

I urge you to seek out your moderate Muslim friends and help create a world based on trust, tolerance and understanding and not one where we are constantly pointing fingers that divide us.

Peacefully,

-Cyrus