O.C. Muslim leaders speak out against extremism

Muzammil Siddiqi, left, Ozgur Koca, Jihad Turk, Imam Sayed Mostafa al-Qazwini and Sophia Pandya participate in the “Muslim Voices Against Extremism” program at Pacifica Institute in Irvine.
/ VICTOR M. POSADAS, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Muzammil Siddiqi, left, Ozgur Koca, Jihad Turk, Imam Sayed Mostafa al-Qazwini and Sophia Pandya participate in the “Muslim Voices Against Extremism” program at Pacifica Institute in Irvine. / VICTOR M. POSADAS, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER


Date posted: January 16, 2015

Along with the lives they destroy and extinguish, terrorists who commit these heinous acts in the name of Islam also hurt the global community of Muslims, a majority of whom lead peaceful, productive lives.

This was the message a panel of speakers tried to drive home Tuesday night during a program titled “Muslim Voices Against Extremism,” hosted by the Pacifica Institute in Irvine. Two Orange County imams were among the several speakers who addressed an audience of about 200 people.

All of the speakers vociferously condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.

“We have always said these are horrible, unacceptable crimes against humanity and will continue to say so,” said Imam Muzammil Siddiqi, director of the Islamic Society of Orange County in Garden Grove. “Even though Muslims continue to express their outrage, it seems that the public has selective hearing.”

Imam Sayed Mostafa al-Qazwini, president of the Shia Muslim Council of Southern California, explained why radical fringe groups have emerged from “one of the most peaceful religions in the world.”

“Islamic extremism is a product of dictatorship and totalitarianism in Islamic-majority countries,” he said.

Add to that the absence of pluralism and poor socio-economic conditions, and you have an explosive situation. Worldwide, Muslims lack critical study of their own religion because they have neither the freedom nor the facility to gain the knowledge, Qazwini said. Millions of Muslims leave their homelands because of the absence of dignity or human rights, he said.

“Unless we put an end to dictatorship, we cannot get rid of terrorism,” Qazwini said.

The central theme of Islam is and has always been mercy and goodness, said Ozgur Koca, professor of Islamic Studies at Claremont Lincoln University.

“The real problem in Islamic countries is political and economic, not religious,” he said.

But Koca said that is no excuse for Islamic fundamentalism that is ripping the world apart. It is important for Muslims around the world to condemn terrorism “without a ‘but’ or ‘however.’”

Koca also urged Muslims to look closely at their religion and its centuries-old traditions.

“We should approach our own tradition with a critical eye, especially in issues that relate to gender equality,” he said.

The Prophet Muhammad himself shunned age-old practices of his tribe in Mecca that were common during his time, said Jihad Turk, president of the Bayan Claremont Islamic Graduate Studies School.

“An example was female infanticide,” he said. “He stopped the heinous practice where people would bury alive female children because they preferred male heirs.”

Turk said the Prophet Muhammad did not blindly follow tradition, but questioned it and urged his followers to do the right thing and, always, to choose peace over war.

Irvine resident Gary Fouse, who was in attendance, said he understands the message the speakers were attempting to convey.

“No one wants to blame all the Muslims for terrorism,” he said. “Most Muslims are living peacefully. I’m glad these religious leaders are condemning it and I’m all for dialogue.”

But Fouse, a Christian, said he is deeply concerned about the persecution of Christians and Jews worldwide.

“In Europe, Jews are being persecuted by Muslims,” he said. “Jews experience tremendous hostility from young Muslims. These issues need to be addressed and prioritized.”

Tom Westesson, of Huntington Beach, said he wanted to hear the panel talk about ISIS, the Islamic State group.

“ISIS presents a serious threat for the U.S. and other countries,” he said. “I was hoping to hear what the Muslim community is going to do to stop ISIS, but their answers don’t really satisfy me. But I understand that terrorism has little to do with religion. They’re just angry people.”

Jack Hochadel, of Newport Beach, said he learned something new from the panelists.

“I had no idea that the Quran strongly encourages pluralism and specifically instructs Muslims to co-exist peacefully,” he said.

The panel also discussed the role media play by sensationalizing terrorist acts and ignoring the work of peacemakers.

“If we had convened this panel to talk about how we can help ISIS, you can rest assured the response would have been overwhelming,” Westesson said with a laugh. “And this place would’ve been filled with the media.”

But that does not mean they should stop continuing the dialogue and promoting better understanding, Koca said.

“As Muslims, we should stand up against extremism,” he said. “We need to be bold and make sure our voices are heard.”


 

Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@ocregister.com

Source: Orange County Register , January 15, 2015


Related News

Turkish Repression Targets Americans

It’s an old story with dictators. If unopposed, they become ever more brazen in their aggression. Case in point: Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. On May 16, during a state visit to Washington, Erdoğan’s bodyguards beat up peaceful protesters, many of them American citizens, in front of the Turkish embassy. At least 11 protesters were injured.

The follower of Hizmet

In this video an anonymous follower, who is a teacher, of the Gulen Movement expresses her personal view points on its current affairs.

The 14th Annual International Language and Culture Festival

The 14th Annual International Language and Culture Festival, organized by Raindrop Foundation, was held at Hobby Center in Houston on Saturday. The Raindrop foundation is pleased to entail the tremendous success of the event. With a sold out venue of over 3,000 people combined from all walks of life…

A Rabbi’s meeting with Hocaefendi Fethullah Gülen

This week I was privileged to spend the night at the Pennsylvania compound of Fethullah Gülen, the Sufi influenced Turkish modernist. I had two sessions to ask him questions in front of his followers and was allowed to sit in on his evening meeting with followers as well as attend his two-hour class for his disciples in the morning.

EastWest Institute honors Gülen with 2011 EWI Peace Building Award

The EastWest Institute (EWI) honored well-respected Turkish intellectual and scholar Fethullah Gülen with its 2011 EWI Peace Building Award at an awards dinner held for his contribution to world peace. EWI Peace Building Award recognizes individuals who made great strides in building peace across borders and cultures.

Peacebuilders Conference – Call for Papers:

The Atlantic Institute, GA, is organizing a conference in partnership with the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. The conference’s main focus is non-violent peacebuilding, it is titled “Fostering Dialogues in Education, Ethics, and Non Violent Peacebuilding: Global Social and Religious Movements Today.”

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Businessmen, politicians, religious leaders come together at GYV iftar

Islam and Peace: Oxymoron or perfect match?

Video shows Malaysia detained Turkish expats at Turkey’s request

Islamic scholar Gülen offers condolences for those killed in Dağlıca attack

Gov’t cancels Kimse Yok Mu’s previously obtained permissions

A Rabbi’s meeting with Hocaefendi Fethullah Gülen

A Forum On Africa in Turkey (I)

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News