A question for Shafeek

Submitted by Aidan Maconachy (Canada), Jan 10, 2006 at 16:52

My question is - what are you going to do?

When I read the arguments you are making I am forced to ask, what exactly is the sub-text that lies behind your objections?

Do you propose to extradite the Muslim community of europe ... send them back to their own lands of origin ... including younger Muslims who are third and fourth generation european? Do you propose genocide against the Muslim community? Do you suggest we start a war in which communities become fortresses and violence is the order of the day?

If you don't propose any of this, then what do you want to do?

Are we supposed to demean Muslims, make them wear tags, sit tests and generally treat them like resident convicts. You think this will work to improve the security sutuation? You think this will force them to assimilate as second or third class citizens? Trust me this will not do anything except make matters a hundred times worse?

So what are you going to do? I ask this respectfully because I am genuinely interested in hearing your solution.

You know I am not an appeaser. I am a right wing kind of guy. I support strong and assertive action against extremists. I like the French approach of kicking out mullahs who foment hatred - - with little or no red tape involved. I think the europeans need to get tougher with these fanatics. But I also think that we must work with Muslims of good faith as partners. We must not persecute and demonize european citizens who happen to be Muslim.

I notice that in this room there are many commentators with Muslim names who agree with Mr Pipes sentiments for the most part. So obviously this is not a lost cause. Many Muslims in the west enjoy freedom. They enjoy privacy and choice. Many view their religion as peaceful, and they demonstrate this by the way in which they live. Maybe some of them have intolerant opinions behind closed doors, but who does? I'm sure it is the same with Christians and Jews - they often speak in a more radical way behind the closed door of their house than they do in public. This is human nature.

As for your second and third generation Muslims ... well some of the guys I have known are more interested in alcohol, chicks, and fast cars than going to the mosque. Many of them are nominal Muslims.They go to mosque to please their parents. But in their heart of hearts, they love freedom. They love to be individuals with choice.

I see hope and I see movement. To me it is not all negative. But as I said earlier I also believe we have to be vigilant, and when need be, tough.

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