To Bader: Islam is a political movement

Submitted by Richard Lion heart (United States), Mar 13, 2006 at 00:23

You wrote the definition of facism, but I don't think you understood it. Let me quote you:

Fascism: As defined by webster dictionary
"a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition"

When one looks at the history of Islam and at Islamic governents today, it becomes obvious that islam fits the definition of facism. Let's take it point by point:

Is islam a political philosophy?
The Koran is the basis of law and governance for most current Islamic governments. Countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia rule according to sharia law which is dictated by the Koran. If we go back futher to the time of the caliphates, we can see the same patern of sharia rule and islam being the political guide book for the caliphates.

Is islam a movement?
Islam is definitely a movement that exorts its followers to kill and conquer in the name of allah. Jihad is the expression of that movement. When muslims call for Jihad against the west, their are calling for a movement to overthrow western power. Jihad is the movement tha conquered the Byzantine empire, Spain ect.... Therefore islam is a movement.

Does Islam encourage centralized authocratic governments that suppress opposition?

The answer to that is big yes. From the caliphates to actual islamic governments, authoritarianism has always been part of the islamic fabric. The reason muslims are fleeing their countries in droves is because of the economic stagnation cause by totalitarian rule. One can count on his/her fingers the number of islamic countries with some kind of democracy. Like one can expect, there is no political pluralism in most islamic countries. It's either the iron rule of the mullahs or death. There is no freedom of the press, no freedom of worship and no freedom of assembly unless it's about yelling death to Israel and America. The recent violence over the cartoons is ample proof of the total lack of freedom under sharia law.

I don't how on earth Bader can say islam is not compatible with facism. Islam fits that definition quite well. perhaps Bader needs to start reading the Koran and hadith with an open mind and not like a madrassa student.

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".