Parliament of the World's Religions, Melbourne Australia:- Tariq Ramadan said the problem was a clash of perceptions, which led both the West and Muslims to see themselves as victims.
''We have to understand that Islam is now a Western religion. Not only must Muslims integrate in the West, but the West must accept Islam,'' he said.
The west must accept Islam - what does that mean? Would it not be better for these Muslim spokespersons to go and tell - the Islamic world - they must accept Christianity?
I could agree there is a clash in perceptions - for example westerns have an idea about freedom, rights and democracy - which many Muslims oppose - and would like to see replaced with Sharia or 'aspects' of Sharia. His goal in Holland - was not as he was hired to do - which was to help Muslims to integrate into Dutch society - he it seemed had a better idea - why not shape Dutch politicians - media - teachers around Islam. An idea he put forward in several proposals - was called dictatorial and was rejected. Perhaps this is what he means by 'the west must accept Islam'. He was later fired from his post as adviser to the Dutch gov. and Dutch university lecturer - when he accepted a position to host a show on Iran's state run Press TV.
This Parliament of Religions seems like a real jamboree of double speak.
THE epoch of Western dominance is coming to an end, which should reduce the danger of a clash between Islam and the West, a Malaysian academic said in Melbourne yesterday.
''The power equation is changing. A new global conversation has to begin,'' Chandra Mufazzar told the Parliament of the World's Religions.
''The decline is irreversible. The US is in serious trouble, the largest debtor nation in the world. The last few years have shown that military power has its limits and, most importantly, other centres of power have emerged: China, India, and a reassertion of Russian power.''
Dr Mufazzar, professor of international studies at University Sains Malaysia and founder of the International Movement for a Just World, said a relationship of dominance and control led to humiliation and anger in the Muslim world, and to violence.
Addressing a session on Islam and the West, he also criticised the media, saying it had ''failed us as a human family''.
''We need a conversation with three dimensions. First, respect, which will only emerge when there's a feeling of equality. Second, learn to be inclusive. Sections of the Muslim community see things in very exclusivist terms, which is inimical to the world we want.
''Third, whatever our differences, we must not resort to violence because the global conversation breaks down. We either flourish together or perish together.''
Dr Mufazzar said Asia did not see Australia as part of the US hegemony.
Leading European Muslim spokesman Tariq Ramadan said the problem was a clash of perceptions, which led both the West and Muslims to see themselves as victims.
''We have to understand that Islam is now a Western religion. Not only must Muslims integrate in the West, but the West must accept Islam,'' he said.
In an earlier session on Islam, social justice, gender justice and religious diversity, leading American Muslim spokesman Abdul Feisal Rauf said the problem was not the Koran, which commanded justice and equality, but Muslims' failure to follow it.
''The problem is not the ideal but the reality of Muslims. We know very well what God wants - the challenge is to deliver.''
The New York-based imam, the founder and chairman of the interfaith Cordoba Initiative, said one problem was the artificial concept of the religious leader, which introduced egotism and competition. The Koranic concept was, rather, servant and guide.
Imam Rauf said Muslims needed all the help they could get from other faith communities, because the disease of religious extremism and false interpretation was found in all.
The Age.au
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