Muslim Peace Fellowship

I’m interested in what Anne Applebaum has to say in the Washington Post:

Clinton in China

Clueless in Afghanistan

“…there is a vast middle ground between mouthing empty slogans in high-level negotiations — let alone threatening to invade — and doing nothing whatsoever.  Many nations do overthrow dictatorships and become more democratic, or at least more open, as a result. … Certainly, we can help by directing small, even tiny, amounts of money at the people who promote debate, not armed rebellion, inside repressive countries. One could argue that the pennies we spent funding Radio Free Europe or anti-communist magazines such as the now-defunct Encounter during the Cold War were far more effective than the billions we spent on military equipment. Although the modern equivalent, Radio Free Afghanistan, reaches more listeners in Afghanistan than any other broadcaster, we aren’t increasing its funding; to the contrary, we’ve been slashing its budget in real terms. Nor have we yet found a creative way to promote a real discussion of radical Islam in the moderate Muslim world, as Encounter once promoted a discussion of communism among social democrats. …

How do we help our governments think through genuine alternatives to large-scale violence?

“The brutal beheading of Aasiya Hassan, a Muslim Pakistani-American mother of four, will finally force a community to confront and remedy the overwhelming – but frequently ignored and intentionally hidden – demon of domestic violence that has persecuted its silenced women for far too long. … “

Full story at The Guardian.

The work is before us all. Where do we start?

Islamic Peacemaking Since 9/11

by David Smock and Qamar-ul Huda

Summary

Muslims in general and Muslim leaders particularly have often been severely criticized for not more energetically condemning the violent acts of Muslim extremists. Violent extremists are on one edge of the Muslim community. They are counter-balanced by a growing movement of Muslim peacemakers.

Equally as notable as Islamic militancy but less noted are Muslims’ 1) widespread condemnation of terrorism and other violent acts; 2) promotion of interfaith dialogue;

3) education of Muslim youth and reeducation of extremist Muslims; and 4) promotion of peaceful conflict resolution.

http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr218.html

Dear Friends,  I have been receiving indications from you that our Obama/Holder letter is catching on. The internet is a powerful tool and word of the importance of the letter seems to be spreading. I have decided to delay sending the letter to allow more people to sign on and become involved.  If Holder is confirmed today I think he will have enough to keep him busy for the next few days that he will not miss our letter, and it will have all the more impact when it comes to him with additional signatures.  In addition, as word spreads new possibilities open up for publicizing the plight of the convicted Muslims and that is also very important. Thank you all for the energy you are bringing to this task. I am amazed at what you have been able to accomplish.

Steve Downs

Read the full petition info in the post below.

A petition seeking justice for 400 wrongfully prosecuted Muslims is to be delivered to President Obama and Attorney General Holder on Tuesday, February 3. Please sign, and pass on information about the petition to anyone you think might also be interested.  The petition can be signed online at:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/projectsalam/index.html

Details follow…

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