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August 1, 2006

Al-Guardian & the Brotherhood

Topics: Understanding Islam

Unfortunately, this denial of reality sidelines Muslim reformers and serves the cause of the extremists. Whether through ignorance or embarrassment, moderate believers say 'Oh, terrorism is nothing to do with Islam'. Then the jihadists prove them wrong by pointing out the relevant verses from the Qur'an and Sunnah, using Mohammed's own instructions and example as their mandate. Consequently, it is the jihadists who gain kudos as more knowledgeable and "authentic". As Ayaan Hirsi Ali wrote in her book, The Caged Virgin: "The central figure in this struggle is not bin Laden... or Sayyid Qutb, but Mohammed." - David Thomson

Although every now and then The Guardian offers informative articles in its opinion pieces, for the most part it's known for commentaries that amount to nothing less than being apologia for radical Islam, often much the dismay of Muslims who do not embrace the Islamists' ideology but are seldom given an audience such as provided by media such as The Guardian.

In his article at Butterflies and Wheels, David Thompson addresses yet another Guardian commentary, and after laying out numerous examplse of their apologia, he accusses the mainstream organ of the British left of giving a preferential platform to fascistic ideas, shielded from any meaningful opposition or factual correction, at least in its print form, and says although The Guardian's bias and timidity may be part of an attempt by the Guardian to siphon readers from Q News or the Muslim Weekly, nonetheless, a fear of offending any strand of Muslim opinion - no matter how bigoted and grievous it may be - has left the Guardian critically hamstrung on a defining issue of our time:

In his Guardian columns, Faisal Bodi, news editor of the Islam Channel TV station, has said many strange and wonderful things. In March, during the Abdul Rahman apostasy case, Bodi championed the orthodox punishment for those who leave the Religion of Peace™ - despite its being rather permanent and involving ritual murder: "It is an understandable response from people who cherish the religious basis of their societies to protect them... from the damage that an inferior worldview can wreak." In a climate of cultural equivalence, it's somewhat refreshing to hear a Guardian columnist openly refer to an "inferior worldview". Though I suspect one might disagree with Bodi's estimation of which worldview is less enlightened.

Taken in isolation, Bodi's advocacy of Islam Taliban-style might seem little more than an attempt to be contentious. But in matters of Islamist zeal, a remarkable pattern of endorsement runs throughout the Guardian's commentary. It began, more or less, in January 2004, when the paper published a speech by Osama bin Laden in the form of a regular opinion piece, prompting waggish comments about the al-Qaeda figurehead being "recruited as a Guardian columnist". Dubious humour aside, at least readers were clear about the author's political affiliation. However, the Guardian has subsequently published no fewer than 14 opinion pieces by members of, or advocates of, the Muslim Brotherhood, the radical group whose militant ideas directly inspired bin Laden. Curiously, the commentators' links with the group were not disclosed to readers.

One recent example, a piece by the Brotherhood's Egyptian vice-president, Khairat el-Shatir, is the first to acknowledge the writer's membership of this illegal organisation.

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Posted by Richard at August 1, 2006 7:13 AM

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• Al-Guardian & the Brotherhood - Aug 01, 2006