metta8 saidThe side of terrorism that doesn't make headlines
Fascinating talk, especially the part about simplistic and self-serving western media reports about muslims and terrorism.
Her point about telling stories of muslims struggling against fundamentalism and terrorism and coercion is well made, since so often we her how muslims don`t do enough in this regard. How many westerners, in our comfortable lives, realize the effort it takes to do this, the level of the risks in Third World countries?
The speaker`s definiton of fundamentalism is interesting, as I`m not sure all fundamentalists are politically organized, and lobbying(or even fighting) for change in that sense. I doubt many think that way. More likely, they seem to adopt a peaceful but isolated, exclusivist lifestyle and community. Their main aim seems to be to minimize any contact with any one who doesn`t share their views.
On the other side, I think many of the radical/militant groups aren`t really that interested in religion. It has no value to them in itself, only an instrument to manipulate people. They see it as a means to an end, at best, which is political, and gives them a moral veneer of social status. I believe about three hundred muslims died in 9/11, which is as about anti-Islamic as it gets! The welfare of other muslims is a high priority of the religion. This is a sign of where their priorities lie, and its not otherworldy.