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December 20, 2005

Jordan On 'War Footing' Against Muslim Extremists

Topics: Islam And The War On Terror

Jordan is getting serious about fighting terrorism and has gone on a war footing against Muslim extremists and their ideologies, determined to bolster the moderate face of Islam after a year in which the most stable Arab country was shaken by an unprecedented triple suicide attack. The government is focusing on Muslim extremist groups that declare as apostates - those Muslims who refuse to join them (Apostasy is punishable by death under Islamic law).

"Jordan wants true, moderate, traditional Islam to replace fundamentalist, radical and militant Islam, everywhere in the world, for every single Muslim," he said.

During a visit to Thailand in mid-December, the king insisted that "extremism is rejected by traditional Muslims in Jordan, Thailand and around the world, for Muslims are commanded to seek peace at every turn".

In July, a document known as the Amman Letter was adopted at a conference in the Jordanian capital attended by 180 Muslim scholars and experts from around the world denouncing "the illegitimate, extremist fatwas (religious decrees) that justify terrorism".

Since then Jordan has pushed for "a new culture that rejects extremism and fundamentalism," a government official told AFP.

"This means that we must fight against all those who allow themselves to declare other Muslims apostates, namely during sermons delivered in mosques," the official said on condition of anonymity.

Replacing fundamentalist, radical and militant Islam, everywhere in the world, for every single Muslim, with "true, moderate, traditional Islam," if it really exists, is going to be a real challenge.

However, a good first step may be to publicize the document that was adopted by the 180 Muslim scholars and experts from around the world denouncing "the illegitimate, extremist fatwas (religious decrees) that justify terrorism" - juxtaposed with weeding out the imams that deliver the sermans of hate, violence, intolerance, and apostasy.

As important is this type of program is in Jordan, it's just as appropriate here in America, where over 80 percent of the mosques in the United States have been radicalized by Saudi money and influence. We have as big a problem here in the US as Jordan does, yet the problem isn't even being recognized, much less dealt with.

Posted by Richard at December 20, 2005 5:15 AM

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