Rise of extremist groups shows moderation progressing, says Reza Aslan [View all]

[trotsky]

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/rise-of-extremist-groups-shows-moderation-progressing-says-reza-aslan

The rise of extremist voices is a good sign that diversity and plurality have advanced enough to make right-wing groups afraid of their progress, Muslim Iranian-American scholar Dr Reza Aslan said, in telling Malaysians that fanatical ideas would ultimately end up in "the dustbin of history".

Moderates in Malaysia should, therefore, take heart, even though Malay Muslim groups with their exclusive and "puritanical" brand of Islam were growing more strident, as this was a natural reaction to the progress that moderates have made, he told The Malaysian Insider.

Fundamentalism was a reactionary phenomenon to diversity, pluralism and forward movement in societies worldwide, and like everywhere else in the world, it would not last in Malaysia, he said in a phone interview.

This guy could give ol' Baghdad Bob a run for his money.