Minnesota Somali Muslims Receive Support of Muslims for Progressive Values

Nov. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- The past decade has witnessed the polarization of American discourse on religious tolerance in reaction to the horrific events in New York City on September 11, 2001.  The Somali-American Muslim community has also witnessed its fair share of tragedies as young members have been targeted for recruitment by organizations preaching a theology of hate and advocating terrorism. If there was any community justified to speak out and push back against the radicalization of Muslim youth, it would be the Somali-Americans of the Twin Cities. We commend them for doing what is correct and upright by working with law enforcement in countering radicalism and highlighting the diversity of Islamic practice and theological understanding.  We in turn reject any Muslim organization who calls into question the qualifications, validity or intent of those within the Somali-American community, who speak the truth concerning these issues.  It is in the interest of every Muslim in America to counter radicalism and to offer solutions against this menace.  See news report: http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/ Minnesota/cair-claims-2-metro-somali-leaders-are-anti-muslim-nov-8-2011#ixzz1dEjWq8xy

In a recent Gallup poll titled “Muslim Americans: Faith, freedom and the future” published in August of 2011, respondents demonstrated the ineffectuality of any one Muslim organization’s ability to represent the interests of all American Muslims (1).   According to the data’s conclusions, CAIR, ISNA and other organizations, which claim to speak for American Muslims as a whole, can no longer claim to do so and they should cease silencing the diversity of voices within our community.

When it comes to the issue of countering radicalism among American Muslim youth, it is time we all work together rather than discrediting each other’s efforts.  If even one of our sons or daughters is drawn to these extremist ideologies and commits a heinous crime, we have failed him or her as a community.  Muslims for Progressive Values is working to counter the radicalization of our youth with the online project ‘Literary Zikr’, which offers fresh perspectives on religious scriptures and practices in a way that is more accessible than obscure pedantic texts.

To learn more about MPV please visit www.mpvusa.org

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To arrange for an interview with Ani Zonneveld please contact her at 323-842-2869 (PST) or ani@mpvusa.org

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) is a 501 (c) (3) founded in 2007. MPV asserts that Islam is inherently progressive, inclusive and egalitarian which is an understanding that informs the ten principles by which the organization is guided. In the short years since its inception, MPV has expanded to include chapter and affiliates in Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Atlanta and Philadelphia as well as in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. More information can be found at www.mpvusa.org.

(1) http://www.abudhabigallupcenter.com/148778/REPORT-BILINGU...

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Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) is a 501 (c) (3) founded in 2007. MPV has chapters and affiliates in Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Atlanta and Philadelphia as well as in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. More information at www.mpvusa.org.