Zuhdi Jasser

Arizona physician Zuhdi Jasser's effort to stage a rally last week of Muslims against terrorism didn't work out very well. He wanted to give Muslim moderates "an opportunity to speak out publicly," and to demonstrate that such acts as suicide and murdering innocents "are against everything we believe."

Jasser had hoped for a turnout of 500-1000. Maybe 400 people showed up, but apparently not many of them were Muslims. Still, he deserves recognition; it's possible that something more substantial could yet develop from his example.

Comments

[Mike H.]

It was a nice thought at least.

[Walter Wallis]

How about "Mosque fires radical cleric!" or "Congregation runs Jihad recruiter out of town on a rail!"
Then I might believe.
That is how, finally, Baptists took care of the KKK.

[Walter Wallis]

How about "Mosque fires radical cleric!" or "Congregation runs Jihad recruiter out of town on a rail!"
Then I might believe.
That is how, finally, Baptists took care of the KKK.

[Will]

Walter, the problem with that is the role that Muslim religion leaders play in the church.

Consider the Reformation and the differences between Catholics and Protestants. One of the chief complaints of the Protestants was that the Catholic church had placed the clergy "between" the parishoners and God. The Catholic clergy were necessary to intercede with God on behalf of the parishoners. The Protestants believed that the parishoners could communicate directly with God. This put the Catholic clergy is a much more powerful position than the Protestant clergy.

The Protestant parishoners can fire a radical clergyman. A Protestant congregation could rid itself of an undesirable element. In the Catholic church, this could only be accomplished by central control from Rome.

Catholic clergy are given their power by the church. Protestant clergy are given their power by their congregations. Muslim clergy are given their power by God.

It is difficult to negotiate for change in that sort of a system.