Distinguish more between the good + the rest, than between the bad + the rest

Submitted by Demsci (Netherlands), Jan 13, 2016 at 16:59

Excellent article, about skillful interrogation of would-be Muslim immigrants.

My context; I. We do have our own democratic ideology, whose followers are pro-democratic citizens. Our ideology is admirably clear, and when ambiguous updatable. Of course, among us most are "neutrals", "moderate pro-democratic citizens".
II. Islam, by contrast, is unclear. Sure, in many parts of its Holy texts it is very clear, and clearly anti-democratic. BUT, in it's totality Islam is very contradictory! Ambiguous and non-updatable. This makes Islam incomplete, unclear, vague, therefore multi-interpretable. And that is the key.
For this MAY well mean that "Democratic Muslims" should and can be found.

Mayor Aboutaleb declared implicitly declared himself one a year ago (Je suis Charley). Majid Nawaz + Sam Harris believe in Muslims who prefer Modernity. Saudi government counsellor Ibrahim Buleihi said Arabs should do as the Japanese, who emulated the West, prof. Mordechai Kedar from Israel wrote that Islam is like a big "smorgasbord, from which all can take what they like" (my words).

In this context I propose the approach of Positive Psychology: Do not just distinguish between radical and moderate Muslims, but between those 2 AND Democratic Muslims. Then with those excellent interrogation questions do not solely try to EXCLUDE the radicals, but try to only INCLUDE the Democratic Muslims.

Of course this requires a whole new way of thinking. And it also requires interrogators to inform Muslims that neutrality from them is no longer enough, because it is no longer trustworthy enough. Because neutral Muslims are too indistinguishable from and too supportive to the radicals simply by being in the same Ummah with them.

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