Comment
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In our last edition, the Inquirer reported on its front page the controversy caused by the appearance of homophobic and sexist preacher, Abu Usamah, at a meeting held by the City University Islamic Society. In the same edition we also gave front-page coverage to the unrelated attacks on Muslim City students near campus. Many students, of varying backgrounds, have come forward thanking us for our coverage.

However, leaders of the ISoc argued that our coverage was biased and implied the students had brought the attacks upon themselves. This is not at all what the Inquirer believes, nor do we think a reasonable interpretation of the coverage given.

We asked the ISoc to address these issues by writing for us. Instead, in late December their website carried a long post criticizing us, which was duly reported on our own website. The result was an almighty online fracas, in the course of which ISoc members accused the Inquirer of peddling “sick Sikh” views (a false assumption on account of the editor’s surname) and called homosexuality “a disease”, adding that Muslims who disagreed were not true Muslims.

We believe in freedom of speech and have no enthusiasm for bans on speakers whose views are simply offensive. We prefer to take them on in open and respectful debate, without derogatory name-calling.

In absence of a reply, we reproduce here a shortened version of the ISoc website statement, along with this article submitted by Muslim students (whose wish for anonymity, in the circumstances, we fully understand) taking issue with the ISoc. We hope you find them interesting.
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An open letter from Muslim City Students

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There is verse upon verse in Islam’s holy book – the Quran – which only differentiates people based on the content of their hearts and their good deeds. Allah, the word for God in Arabic, “loves those who are just”. Therefore, the Quran emphasises that there “shall be no fear” in those who believe in God and follow a true religion; this religion subjectively can be the belief of any believer who has openly and sincerely believed in the divine religions.

Many sayings from prominent historical Islamic figures such asImam Ali, the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) cousin, also emphasise Islam’s typical approach: “People are of two kinds, either your brother in faith or your equal in humanity” (letter to Malik Al-Ashtar, Nahjul Balagha). Historically, Islamic lands were always a safe haven for people of other religious groups. Islam not only respects other divine religions and acknowledges their rights, but also prohibits any forms of contempt to them. The Quran says: “Believers are a single brotherhood. Make peace amongst your brothers and fear God that you may receive mercy” (49:10).

It is therefore surprising that in the last issue of the Inquirer, it was reported that one of City University’s Societies hosted a lecture where the speaker had propagated religiously intolerant and sexist views.

The issue of Islam and its supposed sexist attitudes has been created because of cultural complications and misunderstandings. Islam in its pure form granted women rights that the West had to wait 1,500 years for. Islamic countries like Iran have more women in universities and female MPs in its parliament than does the UK.

According to Islam, men and women are equal but different in their roles and responsibilities to themselves, their families and society. In pre-Islamic Arabia, when women were treated as commodities by Pagan Arabs, Islam’s Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would recite verses from the Quran condemning such behaviour and preaching equality. “You are forbidden to inherit women against their will; Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dower you have given them – except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity” (4:19).

Male chauvinists are everywhere, from the corporate world to the religious setting. One can bend and twist anything to fit an agenda and prejudice – imperfections in delivery do not indicate a flawed theory.

It seems the new public enemy for the 21st century is Islam. It is therefore vital that the average non-Muslim takes a critical look at the myriad of media reports of angry Muslims shouting “deaths to the infidels”. There are approximately 1.6bn Muslims in the world, and if Islam advocated violence and sexism, the whole world would be up in flames by now. Clearly, it is not. We Muslims also have a responsibility to ensure that the moderate voice is heard louder by all, and not allow a religion whose name means peace to be hijacked by people who advocate the antithesis.

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Also read the statement from City Islamic Society