[Dean's World] Ali Eteraz: Muslim Right and Making of the Muslim Left

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Ali Eteraz:
Muslim Right and Making of the Muslim Left
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1192523740.shtml


   Part V of the ongoing series on Islamic reform is up at Guardian. It
   is entitled, [1]Muslim Right and Making of the Muslim Left.

   It starts with a story from my life, evaluates the ideological
   development of the Muslim right, and then offers a way forward (the
   Muslim left), along with the necessary strategies this left will have
   to employ.

     I recommend creating a viable and well organised Muslim left. It
     would be an intra-religious movement as opposed to a universalist
     one (though obviously it doesn't shun allies). It would be a cousin
     of the international left, but in a Muslim garb. Just as the Muslim
     right found Islamic means to justify the destructive ideas from the
     enlightenment (Fascism, Marxism, totalitarianism, evangelical
     religion), the Muslim left should find Islamic means to justify the
     positive ones (anti-foundationalism, pragmatism, autonomy,
     tolerance).

     This Muslim left should also espouse the following basic ideas,
     without being limited to them:

     ⢠separation of mosque and state; ⢠opposition to tyranny (even
     if the tyrant has liberal values); ⢠affirmance of republicanism
     or democracy; ⢠an ability to coherently demonstrate that the
     Muslim right represents merely one interpretation of Islam; ⢠a
     commitment to free speech and eagerness to defeat the Muslim right
     in the marketplace of ideas; ⢠commitment to religious
     individualism and opposition to left-collectivism, specifically
     Marxism; ⢠opposition to economic protectionism; ⢠opposing any
     and all calls for a "council of religious experts" that can oversee
     legislation (even if those experts are liberals); and ⢠affirming
     international law.

     Muslim leftists will - it is a must - have to be able to articulate
     all of these in Islamic terms, in order to persuade the people who
     need to be convinced, ie Muslims. This means that a Muslim leftist
     will, naturally, also have facility in the Muslim traditions. The
     real-world paucity of individuals with such dual facility is
     indicative of how far behind Muslim leftism is currently.

   Please read the whole essay, especially the intellectual trajectory of
   the Muslim right. Without understanding that, one cannot understand
   the need and necessity of a Muslim "left."

   While I really prefer if people comment there, I'm leaving comments
   open (at the least please cross-post).

References

   1. http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/ali_eteraz/2007/10/the_making_of_the_muslim_left.html