Zudhi Jasser is a medical Dr. that identifies as a devout Muslim. Unlike Canada’s Islamophobia advisor Elghawaby, Jasser is a respected member of the Muslim reform movement. Zudhi Jasser tells us that his Islam is not in conflict with Western democratic secular liberal values. He is a signatory to the Muslim Reform charter. His main work in regards’ to reforming Islam is the highly acclaimed book A battle for the Soul of Islam Zuhdi Jasser 2012 available on Amazon
What I have done is sum up the salient points of Dr. Jasser’s argument.
This short read will give you a foundational understanding of the arguments of the reform movement. Then you can decide to take a “deep dive” with Muslim Reformers vs. Fundamentalists .
Chapter 1, Jihad 9/11 Misunderstanding
Many went to great lengths to dissociate the religion of Islam from 9/11. Several weeks after the 9/11 attacks Zudhi Jasser organized a rally in Minnesota.
Page 11 “..sadly no Imam from 11 local mosques attended the protest against Islamist-inspired terrorism. This event was promoted by three news outlets 400 attended. Many if not most were non-Muslims
It seems the leaders of the Muslim community distanced themselves from this protest. Question that Jasser does not ask in his book is why they distanced themselves. Could it be they disagree with his message?
Page 14 Dr. Jasser tell us that after 9/11 George Bush tried to quell such fears when he referred to 9/11 terrorists as figures who had twisted a great peaceful religion.
When did Bush become an authority on Islam? Does the Muslim community accept George Bush as their spokesman on other issues Islam?
Page 15 …some books and commentators… there is no moderate Islam and Islam’s true nature is violently opposed to the infidel
If this is true or somewhat true then what should or could be done. Either Dr. Jasser is lying or he is a crazy nut. How can this statement be ignored?
Dr. Jasser goes on to tell us:
I see no conflict between practice of Islam and our respect and love for United States Constitution.
Is Islam compatible with US Constitution? Yes.
Page 17 this belief system is not in conflict with my Islam. Islamism must be defeated… completely at odds with secular values.
What Dr. Jasser believes is not the issue. The issue is the Muslim man that killed 8 on the bike path in NYC, the Muslims that were attempting to kill Pamela Geller or Salmon Rushdie. Dr. Jasser will argue that these Muslim have a perverted belief of Islam. I believe him. You could believe him.
The next time there is a Muslim terror attack we will all agree it is wrong.
Is Dr. Jasser an Islamophobe?
Page 21… to defeat Islamism is a Muslim Reformation. We Muslims must modernize our interpretation of Islam and bring it into harmony with Liberty so that the more antiquated aspects of sharia, law cutting off hands, killing those that leave Islam, second-class status of women, become things of the past.
In the following chapter we learn that implying that Islam is antiquated, barbaric or misigonistic is Islamophobia.
I would ask Dr. Jasser when this reformation is scheduled to takes place? While we wait for the reformation to be completed could there be another: Arianna Grande concert, Charlie Hebdo Magazine or Pulse Night Club?
Chapter 2. The Islamophobia Industry and misinformation
January 2023 Justin Trudeau appointed Amira Elghawaby to be Canada’s first anti-Islamophobia advisor. The definition of Islamophobia is expanding. Therefore the role of Islamophobia in Canada is expanding. Dr. Jasmine Zine a Professor of Islamophobia and Equity studies defines Islamophobia as:
- Irrational conspiracy theories about Islam. Such as propagating the notion that Islam is incompatible with democracy and Muslims want to instill sharia in Canada.
- Fear and hatred of Islam and Muslims that translates into individual actions and ideological and systemic forms of oppression that support the logic and rationale of specific power relations” (Zine 2022, 14). This broad definition outlines the sociology of Islamophobia as a dynamic and pervasive form of oppression and power.
- Islamophobia as a form of cultural racism, arguing that religion has a dominant role in cultural racist discourses: (Canadian Islamophobia Industry)
NCCM Demands Action – Justin Trudeau Acts
July 2021 NCCM held a press conference. The CBC broadcasted it across Canada. NCCM made the 60 policy recommendations:
Federal government to create an anti-Islamophobia strategy by the end of the year, for provincial Ministries of Education to develop localized strategies to address anti-Muslim sentiment, and for municipalities to invest in alternative forms of policing to combat increasing harassment and violence against Muslims.
The NCCM is also calling on governments to expand legislation to dismantle white supremacist groups in Canada, to challenge Bill 21 in Quebec, and to provide resources (money) to empower Muslim Canadians to tell their own stories.
Who is the Islamophobia Tzar?
According to Heritage Canada Amira Elghawaby is a journalist, an expert on issues of equity and inclusion, and a human rights advocate. She is a frequent media commentator, she has delivered keynote presentations and workshops to a wide variety of audiences.
Ms. Elghawaby currently works as Director of Strategic Communications and Campaigns at the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, and is a contributing columnist for the Toronto Star. Prior to this, she held communications roles in Canada’s labour movement and at the National Council of Canadian Muslims, where she helped promote the civil liberties of Canadian Muslims and worked on issues of human rights. She started her career at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation where she worked and freelanced as a reporter and associate producer over the span of 14 years.
The mandate for Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia is multifaceted and includes:
- Providing advice to inform the development of policies, legislative proposals, programs and regulations that could affect Muslim Canadians;
- Providing guidance and advice to Ministers to inform and improve efforts to track and monitor incidences of anti-Muslim hatred and violence across Canada;
- Supporting efforts to address systemic racism and Islamophobia through public education and awareness;
- Promoting public awareness and understanding about Muslim communities in Canada by reframing narratives and combatting stereotypes, including highlighting diverse and intersectional Muslim identities through participation in commemorations and public events;
- Proactively engaging with diverse stakeholders in Canada, including all of the varied Muslim communities around the country and other stakeholders, to advance community-informed solutions, policies, and actions;
- Offering guidance to responsible Ministers to contribute to training, in support of national security agencies, and;
- Promoting Canada’s activities in combatting Islamophobia on official Government of Canada communication channels.
Canada’s Islamophobia advisor Elghawaby