There Is Real Hope For Genuine Muslims
Motion - 'This House believes that Muslims are failing to combat extremism.'
The Doha Debates
Speakers for the Motion
Born and raised in London, Ed Husain became what he called an "Islamic fundamentalist" at the age of 16, and remained active in a number of Islamist organizations until he was 21. In the early 1990's when the groups were first emerging, Mr. Husain was a strategist and campus recruiter who helped create the ideological basis for much of contemporary Islamism's manifestations in Britain. Some of his recruits remain senior activists to this day.
His book 'The Islamist', was published in 2007. In it, he says Muslims have a responsibility to stand up and reclaim their faith from extremists, adding that "the radicalization of yet another generation of young Muslims continues unabated".
Arsalan Iftikhar, Contributing editor, Islamica Magazine
Arsalan Iftikhar is a contributing editor for Islamica Magazine, an international publication aimed at broadening perspectives on Islam. It provides a voice for Muslims to articulate their concerns while establishing cross-cultural relationships.
Mr. Iftikhar is also a prominent media commentator and his interviews have appeared in most major media outlets including CNN, BBC World, Al-Jazeera and TIME Magazine. He was also a contributing author to 'Taking Back Islam' (Rodale Press), winner of the 2003 Wilbur Communications Award for Religion Book of the Year.
An international human rights lawyer, Mr. Iftikhar served as the first National Legal Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations - the largest American Muslim civil rights organization in the United States - until 2007. Debate audience
Against the Motion
Moez Masoud, Muslim televangelist
Millions of viewers in the Arab world tuned in to watch Egyptian Moez Masoud host his first Arabic show, 'Al-Tareeq Al-Sah' (The Right Way) in late 2007. The 20-part series, filmed in Cairo, Jeddah, Istanbul, London and Medina, tackled youth-related issues including drugs, alcohol, and gender relations. It also dealt with sensitive issues like homosexuality and the roots of terrorism.
His earlier television programmes in English, 'Parables in the Qur'an' and 'Stairway to Paradise', were aimed at Muslims living in the West. They invited them to live a successful contemporary life while embodying the central teachings of their religion.
Daisy Khan, Executive Director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement
In 2005 Daisy Khan decided to dedicate herself fully to her community through the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA). This is a non-profit organization aimed at developing an American Muslim identity and maintaining dialogue between Muslims and the wider public.
Two years ago Ms. Khan launched two intrafaith programmes for youth and women: MLT - Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow - and WISE - Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equity - which seek to build and empower networks in their target groups.
(Like many of its episodes, this show's episode is also highly recommended. For schedule of replay, visit BBC's website of The Doha Debates.)
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But ignorant and arrogant attitudes, like that of a Western nation news agency who insist on their so-called brand of freedom of expression, continues to provoke Muslims by publishing and republishing their very sarcastic cartoon of a Muslim Prophet.
Ed Husain, Author and former member of Jamat-e-Islami, the Muslim Brotherhood and Hizbut-Tahrir
Born and raised in London, Ed Husain became what he called an "Islamic fundamentalist" at the age of 16, and remained active in a number of Islamist organizations until he was 21. In the early 1990's when the groups were first emerging, Mr. Husain was a strategist and campus recruiter who helped create the ideological basis for much of contemporary Islamism's manifestations in Britain. Some of his recruits remain senior activists to this day.
His book 'The Islamist', was published in 2007. In it, he says Muslims have a responsibility to stand up and reclaim their faith from extremists, adding that "the radicalization of yet another generation of young Muslims continues unabated".
Arsalan Iftikhar, Contributing editor, Islamica Magazine
Arsalan Iftikhar is a contributing editor for Islamica Magazine, an international publication aimed at broadening perspectives on Islam. It provides a voice for Muslims to articulate their concerns while establishing cross-cultural relationships.
Mr. Iftikhar is also a prominent media commentator and his interviews have appeared in most major media outlets including CNN, BBC World, Al-Jazeera and TIME Magazine. He was also a contributing author to 'Taking Back Islam' (Rodale Press), winner of the 2003 Wilbur Communications Award for Religion Book of the Year.
An international human rights lawyer, Mr. Iftikhar served as the first National Legal Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations - the largest American Muslim civil rights organization in the United States - until 2007. Debate audience
Against the Motion
Moez Masoud, Muslim televangelist
Millions of viewers in the Arab world tuned in to watch Egyptian Moez Masoud host his first Arabic show, 'Al-Tareeq Al-Sah' (The Right Way) in late 2007. The 20-part series, filmed in Cairo, Jeddah, Istanbul, London and Medina, tackled youth-related issues including drugs, alcohol, and gender relations. It also dealt with sensitive issues like homosexuality and the roots of terrorism.
His earlier television programmes in English, 'Parables in the Qur'an' and 'Stairway to Paradise', were aimed at Muslims living in the West. They invited them to live a successful contemporary life while embodying the central teachings of their religion.
Daisy Khan, Executive Director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement
In 2005 Daisy Khan decided to dedicate herself fully to her community through the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA). This is a non-profit organization aimed at developing an American Muslim identity and maintaining dialogue between Muslims and the wider public.
Two years ago Ms. Khan launched two intrafaith programmes for youth and women: MLT - Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow - and WISE - Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equity - which seek to build and empower networks in their target groups.
(Like many of its episodes, this show's episode is also highly recommended. For schedule of replay, visit BBC's website of The Doha Debates.)
----------
But ignorant and arrogant attitudes, like that of a Western nation news agency who insist on their so-called brand of freedom of expression, continues to provoke Muslims by publishing and republishing their very sarcastic cartoon of a Muslim Prophet.
