Muslim Brotherhood Prompts (Very) Temporary Outbreak of Malaysian Moderation
What an unedifying spectacle it is to watch the world's politicians struggle to describe the Muslim Brotherhood. You can see the cogitation at work: "Goodness, I hope they don't get into power anywhere near me. But they might, so I'd best not offend them."
I was in Washington, so I missed Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak's visit to Istanbul. He apparently made a clear, unobjectionable statement about the Brotherhood, at least as these things go:
Najib Razak said that the Muslim Brotherhood “shouldn’t be part of the process as long as they don’t reject violence and extremism.”
“Anyone who wants to be part of the political process should adopt values that are compatible with democracy,” Najib said in an interview in Istanbul, where he is speaking at a conference on moderation. “It’s not just about having a vote and choosing your leaders; it’s also part of imparting the right values for democracy to work, because there are failed democracies as well.”
Najib said he has “some concerns, deep concerns” about Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the Muslim Brotherhood’s spiritual leader. Those concerns center on Qaradawi’s support and justification for terrorism, which carries a great deal of weight given Qaradawi’s credibility as an Islamic scholar. It is exactly that type of Muslim leader that has led the Middle East astray, according to Najib. “We have lost a lot of ground to the extremists in the Middle East.”
Well good, I thought when I read that. Round of applause, in a soft-bigotry-of-low-expectations way. But, sadly, that's not where the story ends. Upon Najib's return to Malaysia, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (of internationally-reknowned-moderate-luminary fame) demanded that Najib take it back and apologize for slandering Qaradawi:
Prime minister Najib Razak's suggestion that renowned Muslim scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi was linked to violence and terrorism and therefore not suitable to lead a new Egypt has been condemned by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who urged Najib to apologise.
Anwar said Najib appeared to be questioning Qaradawi’s credibility and Islamic groups that participate in the process of democratization by telling that Egypt's Ikhwan Muslimin (Muslim Brotherhood) should not be part of the post-Mubarak reform process.
“I feel obliged to reprimand the Prime Minister for a view which is clearly isolated and which represents the far-right groups in United States. Is this part of the agenda of the advisory company to repair Najib’s image in United States,” he asked, referring to Israeli-linked firm APCO Worldwide, the Malaysian government's image consultant appointed by Najib. ...
“If it’s really proven that Najib Razak has slandered Sheikh Yusuf al Qaradawi, I demand he immediately apologise to him,” added Anwar.
And, sadly, rather than saying to Anwar, "You bet I said it. Go to hell and take Qaradawi with you, you Islamist scoundrel," Najib slithered away from his comments:
"I've never said that the Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist group. I said they could participate in the elections on the condition that they reject violence or extremist ideology as the general impression is such ... and it's not my opinion," he said ...
The prime minister said the movement needed to respect the law and the democratic process, and must love peace.
"If it says that it does not subscribe to extremist ideology and want [sic] to participate (in the elections) according to the democratic process, Malaysia has no problem with that.
"Anyway, it's not my decision, but the countries concerned. I am not saying they (Muslim Brotherhood) are a terrorist or extremist group. The thing is, they must erase the perception of the world about them," he said.
So where does Najib stand? Wherever the wind's blowing, I guess. But at least we now know exactly where Anwar stands, in case we were in any doubt before. (I wasn't, myself.) He's with Qaradawi.
Let me remind you all--once again--why this debate about Qaradawi's links to violence and extremism is a vile, demented joke:
Why is it so hard to say that this is a dangerous and evil man? It's not a hard call, surely.
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Dec '10
Re: Muslim Brotherhood Prompts (Very) Temporary Outbreak of Malaysian Moderation
It seems clear, to me. Per your post on approved cultural stereotypes, it is not OK to express caution about the Ikwhan, but it is fine to deride the far right in the United States.
What concerns me is Razak's walk-back. Bin Laden would be evaluating the horses in the paddock and I know where his money would be placed. I am concerned as I look down at the ticket for my bet, on the "far right" in the U.S.