Theos-Talk Archives (July 2002 Message tt00010)

The following from THE JERUSALEM POST:

Israeli Muslims launch opposition to Islamists
LAUREN GELFOND Jul. 1, 2002 

Ten Muslims from villages in the Galilee have launched
the first Orthodox Muslim movement in the region to
oppose Muslim militancy and extremism. 

Calling themselves The Prophetic Tradition Helpers
Association (PTHA), their goals include providing a
platform for moderation and nonviolence and educating
the Muslim public about how extremists are
misinterpreting Orthodox Islam. 

"We have watched the situation deteriorate at the
hands of extremists," said Khalid Abu Ras of Ilut,
near Nazareth, an Arabic teacher and founding member.
"We are unhappy that they talk in the name of Islam,
and we think their stands are wrong. They are hurting
Islam and our people." 

The group is the first to publish an anti-extremist
essay in Arabic from a religious point of view. A
recent op-ed in the Arabic daily Al-Ayn told a parable
of warring brothers in ancient times who learned to
build bridges instead of fences. It went on to explain
Islamic teachings that urge tolerance, dialogue,
nonviolence, and moderation. 

Another essay is scheduled to run in Al-Ayn today,
citing Sunni scholars who forbid the widespread use of
the word heretic being used to discredit those Muslims
who hold moderate ideas. The group is working to
publish other documents in Arabic and plans to hold
talks in Arab villages across Israel. 

"People think all Muslims are the same, but they are
wrong. So many people disagree with the extremists,
but they have nowhere to speak. We want to give them a
voice," Abu Ras said. 

PTHA stands apart from those Muslims included on a
list of Palestinians who published an ad in mid-June
opposing terror attacks, saying they undermine
Palestinian aspirations. Rather than focusing on
political efficacy, PTHA looks at extremist activities
through a moral lens, based on what they call
misunderstood Koranic tradition. 

"They base their approach on solid religious text,"
said Yehuda Stolov, the Orthodox Jewish director of
the Interfaith Encounter Association. "They are
combating negative attitudes that come out of Islam
from within. That gives them a lot of strength that
other groups don't have." 

Although PTHA will also focus on developing relations
with Jewish and Christian groups, like dozens of
Muslims involved in interfaith and coexistence
activities here, it is the only such group to be
Muslim-based and founded, with a primary focus on
internal dialogue, education, and change in Muslim
society. 

Rabbi Dov Maimon, who is familiar with the group,
described its launch as an "intellectual war" against
extremism. "We never imagined such an effort. It is
very real, very impressive, very brave, and for them,
very dangerous." 

Rabbi Shmuel Slotsky also supports the groups' efforts
but is more cautious. "It seems like a drop in the
sea. But I hope it helps they are a good group of
people and we must support them." 

Among the group's founders are nine men, including a
journalist, a Sufi sheikh, educators, and merchants,
and one woman, a homemaker. They claim supporters
across Jordan, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israel,
and the US. 

"I have more than 100 students and imams who study
Islam with me and support our ideas from a religious
point of view," says Sheikh Abdel al-Salaam Menasra of
Nazareth. "We agree that we have to be moderate not
hard-hearted, that we have to understand the other,
that we must speak out for what we believe and not
sell ourselves. Now we are working to spread the
word." 



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