ISLAM & THE MUSLIMS

Blessing or Burden?

YOU be the Judge

 

By LTC Daniel Marvin USASF (ret)

PART   FOURTEEN

The “Progressive” Muslim Movement

 

  Brent Selleck and I, after receiving a well-defined and directed

response to this series from Associate Professor Nancy Ries, Director of

the Peace Studies Program at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY, took the

time to visit one of her programs in session and meet her so as to

minimize or possibly preclude any further possible misunderstanding of

the objectives of our differing approaches to the subject of ISLAM.  Ms

Ries suggested, in her second written communication, the potential

benefit of our meeting Colgate Religion Professor Omid Safi, editor of

the book Progressive Muslims- on Justice, Gender, and Pluralism. A quick

review of that excellent work has piqued our interest in being a part of

what was suggested by Ms Ries – an open forum on this subject at Colgate

University.

  It would be important, I believe, to have a Fundamentalist Muslim and a

Progressive Muslim as vital parts of the forum, along with Assoc. Prof.

Ries, Prof. Omid Safi, Brent Selleck, myself and one or two media

representatives.

  We feel very strongly, as multi-generational Americans, a need to

establish dialogue throughout this nation that clearly reflects the true

nature of Fundamentalist Islam while setting the stage for support and

dedicated effort within the Progressive Muslim Movement that we have come

to admire with regard to its wanting to advance the spread of a culture

that desires peace, not world conquest, while doing what it can to

squelch fear of reprisal or discrimination by an education process.  In

these times of global stress brought on by radical militant movements of

many nationalities and persuasions we need to work together to help

maintain peace without compromise.  The American citizen’s rights, as

delineated in our Constitution and Bill of Rights, must be assured all

future generations.

  Each of our approaches demands a conscientious and honorable effort.  We

understand it to be our goal to educate the public through this paper

(hopefully nationally by syndication) with regard to the prophet

Muhammad’s clearly enunciated and far reaching goals. We will use and

quote from the Koran to do this important work and leave it to the reader

to judge for themselves.

  Toward truth and peace,

 

Edited by Jeanne Calabretta

  ©LTC Daniel Marvin (USASF Ret’d)

 

                            Part Fifteen will relate to Chapter 5 of the

KORAN “The T