As Western Muslims and American Muslims, we need to understand that the values and principles we promote are not only Muslim values. American Muslims live in a country where justice, dignity, freedom and equality are essential values. The Muslim contribution to the future of America is to not only speak out as Muslims, but to also speak out as citizens in the name of our common values. Our main contribution is to reconcile the American society with its own values, those that are not in contradiction to Islam. We have a duty of consistency.
TIM: There
is scant evidence that moral outrage or moral clarity have any impact on
American foreign policy. In politics, morality is the handmaiden of
special interests. America has stood by idly during genocides
(like Rwanda), but then invokes genocide as a rationale for intervention
(like ISIS) when intervention serves a strategic political or economic
goal. At the same time, there is ample evidence that well-organized,
well-funded political machinery can not only influence, but also
actually dictate American foreign policy. How do you expect your words,
or any words, to change what America does? Or is that not the goal of
what you espouse?
Ramadan: It is
important to understand that we are dealing with politics, and politics
is mainly about interests. As Muslim citizens, we understand these
interests but we should put principles and dignity beyond everything. As
Muslims, our interests are our values. In any society, be it in
Western or Muslim-majority countries, our duty is that of critical
loyalty: Staying loyal to our countries by always being critically
engaged in the name of the principles of justice, equality and human
brotherhood. We should be the ethical and moral voice wherever we are by
saying that, even though we understand economic and geo-strategic
interests, we cannot accept a violation of these principles by any
society. In the West or anywhere else, the treatment of people in an
undignified way (structural and institutionalized racism against Latinos
or African American citizens) as well as a dangerous dehumanization of
some people (in Palestine, Iraq, Africa or Asia) are simply
unacceptable. As Muslims, we must have an active presence based on
ethical and moral consistency. We need to be very vocal, to inform
people, to demonstrate when necessary. We need to write so that
the people understand that what they are getting from the media and
politicians is biased and not accurate. And this is true especially when
it comes to some communities within the U.S. or with respect to the
Middle East and Africa. This is what I am expecting from a new
generation of leaders: Meet these expectations of moral consistency.
TIM: Can Muslims be within the system?
Ramadan: American
Muslims are already within the system. We should stop isolating
ourselves by thinking we are powerless. The youngest generations of
Americans have a better opinion of Islam because they interact with
Muslims. Half of young American citizens now are supporting the
Palestinians rather than the Israelis. Things are moving. If you do your
work, if you are committed at the grassroots level, if you have a
vision for the long run (not only short-sighted interest), you can
change public opinion. You are within the system. But if you are only
concerned with international issues and/or the power of some lobbies
that are influencing American policy, then you are isolating
yourselves. You are powerless in your mind when you don’t understand the
meaning and quality of your own real power. This is the problem we have
with many Muslim leaders: They claim to differentiate between domestic
and foreign issues and they are obsessed with being accepted, at sitting
at the table of power in order to talk (or rather to listen) and to be
tolerated. This is the starting point of our weakness. It is in our
minds because we do not realize we are part of the system.
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