Question: Is There An Islamic Equivalent To Gandhi, MLK, or Desmond Tutu ???

[WillyT]

And Who Would That Be ???

Not hating on Islam... just wondering who's leading who...

And hoping for voices of Peace...

Islam (/ˈɪslɑːm/;[note 1] Arabic: الإسلام‎, al-ʾIslām IPA: [ælʔɪsˈlæːm] ( listen)[note 2]) is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion articulated by the Qur'an, a book considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God[1] (Arabic: الله‎ Allāh) and by the teachings and normative example (called the Sunnah and composed of hadith) of Muhammad c. 570 CE – c. 8 June 632 CE], considered by them to be the last prophet of God. An adherent of Islam is called a Muslim.

Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable [2] and the purpose of existence is to worship God.[3] Muslims also believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed before many times throughout the world, including notably through Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, whom they consider prophets.[4] They maintain that the previous messages and revelations have been partially misinterpreted or altered over time,[5] but consider the Arabic Qur'an to be both the unaltered and the final revelation of God.[6] Religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam, which are basic concepts and obligatory acts of worship, and following Islamic law, which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, providing guidance on multifarious topics from banking and welfare, to family life and the environment.[7][8]

Most Muslims are of two denominations: Sunni (75–90%) [9] or Shia (10–20%).[10] About 13% of Muslims live in Indonesia,[11] the largest Muslim-majority country, 25% in South Asia,[11] 20% in the Middle East,[12] and 15% in Sub-saharan Africa.[13] Sizable minorities are also found in Europe, China, Russia, and the Americas. Converts and immigrant communities are found in almost every part of the world (see Islam by country). With about 1.6 billion followers or 23% of earth's population,[14][15] Islam is the second-largest religion and arguably the fastest-growing major religion in the world.

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam

[MineralMan]

1. In what regard?

You could look up Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, I suppose, but he's long dead. But then, so is Gandhi.

[WillyT]

2. Yeah... I Was Talking Living, And Modern Day...

[MineralMan]

3. Uh-huh. Whatever you say.

Gandhi died in 1948. Ataturk died just ten years earlier. See, I suggested that you look him up. He was a contemporary of someone you named. Knowledge is good, Willy. Go read something.

Only one of those you mentioned is alive, BTW.

[WillyT]

14. Dude... The Reason Those Dead Guys Are Celebrated/Revered... Is Because They Stood For Peace...

Against seemingly insurmountable odds...

I'm just wondering if we are missing some modern muslims...

Trying to fight for Peace...

And thanks for the Condescension...

[BlueCheese]

15. Ataturk was a soldier.

He drove the Greeks and western European powers out of Turkey militarily. My guess is he would be a hero in Turkey just for that.

Of course, his leadership in making modern Turkey secular and democratic was bold and visionary. I'm not sure any other individual has had more influence on a modern nation than Ataturk. Even beyond the institutions of government, such sweeping everyday things such as using Roman alphabet or having a last name, are because of him.

[WillyT]

16. I... Never Mentioned Ataturk...

[BainsBane]

17. You aren't coming to the right place to ask questions about Islam

Last edited Fri Aug 8, 2014, 09:23 PM - Edit history (1)

There are currently and in the past many people of peace, philosopher scientists, great intellectual traditions. Because few in the West know of them is a function of our educational system and a media that portrays them only as terrorists. Don't buy into that. Really.

[WillyT]

18. Yet... That's Why I Asked The Question...

Thank you.

[BainsBane]

22. You should go somewhere with some expertise on the subject

Read about some Islamic history.

[tblue37]

27. Your autocorrect turned "portrays" into "betrays." nt

[snagglepuss]

8. Being the head of the Turkish army hardly puts in league with Ghandi or King.

[MineralMan]

10. Go read something about Ataturk. He was much

More than that. Sheesh!

[Chathamization]

11. Eh...Ataturk?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dersim_Massacre

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Marash#Massacre_of_Armenians

[snagglepuss]

4. The bottom line is that Mohammed embraced warfare. Given that he and his life

is the model which all Muslims should emulate there is no room for a Muslim Ghandi.

[JI7]

6. Gandhi was killed by a right wing Hindu for being too pro muslim

[Rhinodawg]

9. Mohammed embraced warfare ??

They say they are a religion of peace.

[BainsBane]

23. If that is what you take as an informed response about Mohammed

well, that's just sad.

[Alittleliberal]

47. It's by far

the most peaceful of the Abrahamic religions. Islam is just going through the same phase Christianity went through 500 years ago.

[snagglepuss]

48. Hardly peaceful especially when you have it's revered prophet mowing

down people with an army to force conversions. Islam is only peaceful in the sense that fatalism alleviates anxiety.

[JI7]

5. Gandhi, King, and Desmond Tutu are not leaders for their religion

they are/were leaders for civil rights .

[Johonny]

30. +1

The Islamic world searching for stable self-governing governments that hold enough power and loyalty to run an effective nation. King and Tutu already lived in rather stable countries and one could argue Gandhi did too. They were simply working for civil rights of the minority (or majority population wise) within that country. Since stable governments have existed in this part of the world before one would assume they could again. What would it take for this to happen? IDK. I don't think anyone inside or outside the world has the solution. The solution most likely won't come from a strictly religious world view since religion clearly is one area so deeply dividing these countries...

[malokvale77]

38. ^^^this^^^

and I don't agree with you often.

[Skidmore]

7. An article for you.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/faheem-younus/mirza-masroor-ahmad-musli

[Enrique]

12. good candidates here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Muslim_Nobel_laureates#Peace

[GeorgeGist]

13. The beatings will continue ...

the purpose of existence is to worship God.

[GP6971]

19. Without a doubt

Ahmed Chalabi. Just joking!!!!!

[Bjorn Against]

20. Malalai Joya

She may not have reached MLK or Ghandi status yet, but she is one of the bravest activists in the world.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malalai_Joya

[WillyT]

21. + 1,000,000,000... What You Said !!!

[Enrique]

24. Joya wants the U.S. to leave Afghanistan

that Time cover seems to be making the opposite point.

[WillyT]

28. So Do I...

[Enrique]

29. your posting that cover suggests Joya wants us to stay

this thread is very odd WillyT, what's up?

[WillyT]

33. First Image I Came Upon... I Don't Normally Self-Censor...

That said... I don't buy the "it's just their culture" argument anymore...

Not for cutting off one's nose, female genital mutilation, gang rape... NONE OF IT !!!

It's time the Humans grew up... and helped each other out.

[samsingh]

45. good points

[LeftishBrit]

58. +1

[arcane1]

25. Why is this post getting so much hostility? It sounds like an honest question.

Our media loves to show us the voices calling for war (as does our industries) but rarely if ever show us voices for peace.

It's possible some may see this as a sort of anti-Muslim post, but I'm not reading it that way. I too wish the voices for peace could be heard over the megaphones.

[WillyT]

26. Maybe Malala ???

[socialist_n_TN]

56. She's claims to be a Trotskyist........

Trots are NOT pacifists, although any violence is only to serve a purpose (the overthrow of state power in the name of socialist revolution) and not of the random variety or directed against any sort of oppressed minority.

To answer your question, I'd look to the Sufis, the more mystical branch of Islam.

[oberliner]

31. Some would say he is in jail in Israel

Barghouti maybe?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

32. Remember Mona Eltahawy?

The Right LOVES to claim she's a "savage" for protesting a racist message in a NY subway.

Also a member of Code Pink.

[WillyT]

35. Thank You For That !!!

[octoberlib]

40. She's on Twitter, too if you're interested.

https://twitter.com/monaeltahawy

[Spitfire of ATJ]

41. Another example of a populist uprising being hijacked by the Right.

[DinahMoeHum]

34. There was Abdul Ghaffar Khan - a contemporary and colleague of Gandhi. . .

who was also known as "Badshah Khan" (Great King) and "The Frontier Gandhi"*
(*referring to the "Northwest Frontier of India", now known as Pakistan)

http://www.wagingnonviolence.org/2013/07/who-was-badshah-khan/

There is a book about him titled Nonviolent Soldier of Islam
http://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Soldier-Islam-Badshah-Mountains/dp/1888314001/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407546913&sr=1-1&keywords=nonviolent+soldier+of+islam

[WillyT]

36. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You...

[Chathamization]

37. Warith Deen Mohammed? Mohammed Khatami?

But keep in mind we talk about figures like Martin Luther King, Jr., but I don't recall hearing anyone talking about figures like A. Phillip Randolph or Medgar Evers. So it's not just a question about what an individual has done, but if the media turns them into a lasting star as well. People also tend to be more complicated the more you look at them. Someone like Megawati (former female leader of the most populous Muslim country who helped to bring down the Sukarno dictatorship), for example, is going to come with certain baggage that becomes visible with any leader.

Also sometimes it's the lesser known heroes:

A large part of the negotiations were conducted by the three Muslim ambassadors, who "read to the gunmen passages from the Quran that they said demonstrated Islam’s compassion and mercy. They urged the gunmen to surrender. These ambassadors relied on their religious faith for compassion and tolerance."

On the evening of the following day, following a number of phone calls, the three ambassadors, along with a few DC officials (including police commander Joseph O'Brien, who had investigated the murder of Khaalis' children and was trusted by Khaalis) met with the Hanafis. Finally, Khaalis, and the others involved in the hostage taking at the two sites where no one was killed, were allowed to be charged and then freed on their own recognizance. All were later tried and convicted, with Khaalis receiving a sentence of 21 to 120 years for his role.

[JI7]

39. Malala Yousafzai is more similar to gandhi, king, desmond tutu

your question makes it seem like you are asking for an islamic figure like the pope. these type of people usually don't do much for peace.

but these leaders were not about religion but civil rights .so malala would be someone who is a muslim but a leader for civil rights, particularly the right of children and especially girls to get an education.

[WillyT]

42. See Post #26...

[LeftyMom]

43. Every one of those figures was the more attractive alternative to resistance movements.

This argument drives me nuts because it relies on a convenient misunderstanding of history. While Ghandi was making salt others were destroying rail lines.

Non-violent protest movements only work when the're the more marketable face of real, and really expensive, resistance.

[TheKentuckian]

49. People like to forget that as it doesn't fit the approved feel good narrative.

[Scootaloo]

55. It's colonial preference

The focus is of course on Martin Luther King and Mohandas Gandhi, and only them, because everything else that was happening at the time was the actual worry. Gandhi and King basically presented the oppressor with a choice - "we can do it the way I suggest, or I can give up and let all these angry young men have a chat with you..."

But if the oppressor, and those whose sympathies lie with the oppressor - can put these men in a vacuum, disconnected from the events of their time, reduced to nothing but compliant, peaceful "Little Brown brothers," then they can actually be used as a weapon against the oppressed. They become a perfect, platonic ideal which the others whose necks are stepped on must achieve to be considered worthy. If they can't manage it, or if they choose another route, well, just continue the oppression! It's justified because "they don't have a Gandhi."

Of course the oppressor will do everything it can to rid itself of any such upstarts - whether it's Israel breaking their and and throwing them in prison or the Taliban trying to melt their faces off with acid, or the Military junta of Egypt just gunning them down in Tahrir.

[Brigid]

44. Anwar Sadat?

[samsingh]

46. maybe

[H2O Man]

50. The Sufi

tend to fit that description. Thus, they are despised by the violent ones.

[TheSarcastinator]

51. yup: the Taliban & ISIS hate the Sufis

and destroy all the Sufi temples and monuments they find. Sufis -- playful, whirling dervishes who focus on the intoxication and joy of the heart in love with God and are famous for breaking the rules of Islam in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment -- are a fine Muslim alternative to the current madness.

[SidDithers]

54. Maybe they just want to get BakedatMileHigh...nt

Sid

[cilla4progress]

52. Notwithstanding the snark

this has been an interesting and informative thread.

I vote for Malala ...

[pinto]

53. You'd think the growing extremism among some factions, the privation, death and destruction

would spur some moderate, civil response. Most of the Islamic communities, especially in the Middle East, must be exhausted with it all and ready for a change. If at all possible, I hope that happens. Sooner than later.

[LeftishBrit]

57. Malala perhaps.

On a less dramatic level, there are a number of progressive Muslim organizations; e.g.

http://www.bmsd.org.uk/

http://mpvusa.org/

[Marrah_G]

59. There are many different kinds of Muslims

They don't all have the same beliefs or leaders and they don't all get along. Sort of like Christianity.

[LeftishBrit]

62. Very good point

[Mosby]

60. Dr. Khaled Abou el Fadl

Is a pretty interesting guy, I highly recommend his book The Great Theft...

He is a strong voice in the Islamic world opposing fundamentalism.

[Spider Jerusalem]

61. There's something kind of patronising about this, honestly

first, in assuming that "Muslims" are some sort of monolithic group (which they very much aren't); second in the unspoken assertion that nonviolent resistance to colonialism or another perceived injustice is the only credible path. "Where is the Palestinian Gandhi?" for instance. (Probably worth remembering here that while Nelson Mandela became an emblem of resistance and moral courage the ANC in the '50's and '60's employed tactics of violent resistance, also.)