Dynamism in Islamic activism, starting points for democratization and human rights
“The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy? (WRR) is an independent think tank for the Dutch government, advises the Dutch government (asked, unasked) about a variety of themes in a long-term perspective.
Yesterday the (WRR) published their new report, called:
Dynamism in Islamic activism, starting points for democratization and human rights.
Surprisingly, their Conclution was; there is enough space of democracy in Islam and Sharia:
we should not be so spastic about the Sharia [Islamic law].” It may be that the system leads to corporal punishment in countries like Saudi Arabia and Sudan, “but under the Sharia in Morocco, family law has been reformed, very much to the advantage of women’s rights.” The Sharia for Muslims is comparable to the Ten Commandments for Christians.
- Dutch language (PDF 234 pages).
- English language (PDF summary 5 pages, full translation in July 2006)
- Arabic (5 pages)
Lead researcher “Jan Schoonenboom? in his advise to the Dutch politicians in this report; “Instead of continuously dragging the name of this faith through the mud, there should be far more criticism of friendly countries such as the US, Israel and Russia”.
The WRR researcher wipes the floor with Islam critics such as MPs Hirsi Ali and the extreme right politicians:
“They often play on gut feelings in the debate. On fear of Islam and of Muslims. You also see that in the debate on the accession of Turkey to the EU, this country is made out to be much more Islamic than it is, and Europe much more Christian that it really is.”
This is a partial translation of the report
An adventurous foreign policy” for the Dutch government. “We must support the moderate Islamic powers much more, such as the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Hezbollah in Lebanon, instead of secular movements without prospects in Muslim countries. We must talk to the Palestinian regime of Hamas.
They are democratically elected. It is a terrorist movement, but so was Arafat’s PLO. And the IRA in Ireland.” “On the other hand, we must be much more critical regarding our friendly countries. We must address Russia more forcefully on human rights violations in Chechnya, Israel for its decades of ignoring UN resolutions and the US regarding Guantanamo Bay.
In the Netherlands, there has practically never been a debate on the reasons for the invasion of Iraq and the Dutch support for this.” (…) “We must also get rid of hypocrisy.
Do we want to go on living in a land that is plagued by fear of attacks? A cultural change is needed here. The Netherlands cannot save the world, but we can try to influence EU policy. The battle against terrorism has got out of hand, is getting the characteristics of a clash of civilisations. (…) Bush is said to be considering attacking Iran or Syria. What in God’s name are we doing?”
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
Nadia
You are a pearl LadyBird! Now if it was not for you how would I ever have come in contact with this report, I am now printing it out and I’ll read it right away. From what you have written it sounds very promising; thank you!
Last Saturday they showed link is here on Swedish TV. It was so many years ago since I saw it, in Iraq so it was nice seeing it again. This was the English version with Anthony Quinn. From people I have met it have been very appreciated; by getting a better understanding of the prophet’s life and the start of Islam, they said it was so easy to relate to as any other film you see about Jesus. I am a firm believer that if politicians took a policy on focusing on how a like we are in many aspects of our daily life all over the world, and with the help of media and active social programs it would have healthier and faster effects to a better and safer world!
Apr 14th, 2006
LadyBird
Any time nadia :), i am glad you like it.
(The Message) is a good movie, both versions the English and the Arabic. Pitty we don’t see movies like this any more.
Apr 14th, 2006