Laleh Bakhtiar & oh the French!
The Oldest Progressive Muslim Organization in America
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Laleh Bakhtiar & Oh the French!
We mourn the passing of Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar, a scholar, a giant
who has revolutionized fundamental aspects of the Quran that have
bettered women’s lives.
For many progressive Muslims who read the translation of the
Quran, the infamous 4:34 or the “wife beating” verse have been an
unsettling and sore point. How can a merciful Creator give
permission for domestic violence? Along comes Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar,
the first woman to offer a gender-neutral and inclusive
interpretation of the Quran. Her translation lit up women and
human rights groups such as MPV. We are taught that the word
“kafir” means “non-believers,” a word often spewed in hateful
tones at mosques, when it actually means “the ungrateful.” Dr.
Bakhtiar retranslated the word “deraba” from “to beat” to mean
“to separate,” which incidentally, was what Prophet Muhammad did
in an argument with his wife. Watch a short video of Dr. Bakhtiar
explaining her theology of “kafir” and “deraba” here ( [link removed] ).
Her gift to the world is immeasurable. We vow to honor her by
keeping her name visibly referenced in our work.
No to Islamism and to Islamophobia
Again, the fury of Prophet Muhammad cartoons have resulted in
deaths. The teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded, two Muslim women
stabbed, and three more killed in Nice. MPV in past years have
already addressed how blasphemy has no basis in Islam, and that
there areenough stories to show that the Prophet never killed
anyone for insulting him. As a Muslim organization, that’s where
it starts and ends.
The right to ridicule and scorn religion or even the death of a
toddler, Aylan, on the shores of Greece, says everything one
needs to know about Charlie Hebdo.
The purpose of going to the extent of showing you these images is
to show that there is no good side here.
Whether clinging to an absolute doctrine for freedom of speech or
the Islamists’ dogmatic and violent aversion to criticism, both
sides need to get over their pathetic self-righteousness and
arrogance.
To the European politicians: for years I have raised the issue
of foreign funding of mosques, to check on hate speech from the
pulpit, and the school curriculums that nurture intolerance of
“the other.” Your mistake stems from your fear of touching
religion and your love for absolute religious freedom. Radicals
now have the advantage over you. For real solutions to your
problems, involve your Muslim citizens who are vetted and
invested in human rights for all. Invest in them.
In America, and at Friday prayers, prominent religious leaders
are condemning the killing of the teacher Mr. Paty, and yes,
there is always an excuse with these “leaders”...”but the French
are such Islamophobes.” Unlike these American imams, here’s a
French imam who unapologetically spoke up “this is not Islam, it
is not religion, it’s Islamism, it is the poison of Islam.”
Please watch ( [link removed] ) and share it!
Given that the “honor” of Islam is being justified with violence
on a global scale, our human rights umbrella organization
Alliance of Inclusive Muslims ( [link removed] ), have
released this statement in English ( [link removed] ) and in French ( [link removed] ), which I hope you will read and share.
Onward and upward…
Ani Zonneveld
National Updates
December 10 is International Human Rights Day and we’ll be having
our Celebration of Life event featuring Keith Ellison (Attorney
General of Minnesota), U.N. Special Rapporteur Karima Bennoune,
Blair Imani (MPV Ambassador), performers Sophia Alone and many
more! Purchase your virtual event tickets here ( [link removed] ).
Chapter Updates
MPV-LA
As part of her advocacy through educating the public, Ani
Zonneveld was invited to speak to the Master program at the
Department of Marital & Family Therapy at a local university in
Los Angeles. Her talk addressed how the backbone, heart, and soul
to living a fulfilling life starts from being able to live out
your identity to the fullest. Without realizing it, by creating
an inclusive community, one that respected everyone, that in
itself is a healing space, alleviating even mental health
issues.
MPV-NY
On October 29, the MPV-NY team partnered with the DC community
for a discussion on Surat al-Imran. Organizers and participants
focused on the first seven ayahs of the chapter. These passages
are where the Qur'an distinguishes "clear" (muhkamat) from
"unclear" or "allegorical" (mutashabihat), touching on the idea
of how one should read and interpret the Qur'an. Building on the
whole idea of how one should read and interpret the Qur'an and
which verses are clear/unclear, we aim to discuss these ideas and
passages in the context of many contentious issues among Muslims
(e.g. is it obligatory for women to wear hijab, what is the/is
there a Qur'anic stance on LGBTQIA+ people, etc.). MPV-NY plans
to collaborate with our fellow east coast chapters in late
November.
In January, MPV-NY and MPV-Orlando chapter organizers will be
facilitating a discussion with scholar, writer, and artist
Karimah Rahman of Ryerson University. Ms. Rahman’s research
focuses on the intersectional marginalization, lack of
representation and anti-Muslim racism towards Muslim
Indo-Caribbeans in Indo-Caribbean, indentured diasporic, Indian
and South Asian spaces due to problematic purity/”authenticity”
politics. Karimah’s research includes the mental health impacts
and marginalization of Indo-Caribbeans and the indentured
diaspora by mainland South Asians/ Indians from an intersectional
perspective. Look for updates in the coming newsletters!
MPV-Boston
On November 6 , MPV-Boston, is hosting ‘Misogeny, Gender roles &
Islam’, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (ET). To RSVP, check out Facebook Page ( [link removed] ) for details.
For this event MPV-Boston is so excited to collaborate and
co-sponsor this event with MPV-Orlando. Main speaker of this
event is Hasnaa Mokhtar. Hasnaa Is a writer, Fulbright alumna,
Ph.D. candidate at Clark University, and the special program
director at Peaceful Families Project.
After graduating in 2015 with a M.A. in International Development
and Social Change, Hasnaa developed a passion for
transdisciplinary approaches to addressing gender-based violence
in Muslim communities. Her research, writings, and activism focus
on amplifying the voices of Muslim women and tackling the
injustices of gendered violence. Hasnaa is a storyteller at
heart. In 2006, she worked as a journalist in Arab News, and
later her articles appeared in several publications including
Fortune, Yahoo, Bustle, and Muslim Girl. Previously, Hasnaa
served as the executive director of the Center for Nonviolent
Solutions in Worcester, MA. Hasnaa is passionate about life,
personal growth, spirituality, and everything in between.
MPV-Orlando
On November 6, MPV-Orlando will be co-hosting the ‘Misogeny,
Gender roles & Islam’ event with MPV-Boston at 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
(ET). To RSVP, check out the Facebook Page ( [link removed] ) for details.
This will be the first event to kick off the beginning of our
chapter!
MPV in the Media
Publico | 28 facts about the Muslim vote in US elections ( [link removed] ) | October 28, 2020
India West | Indian American Muslim Council Holds Protest in New
Jersey Over India Gang Rape Killing ( [link removed] ) | October 15, 2020
In This Issue:
* President's Greeting
* National Updates
* Chapter Updates
* MPV in the Media
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