Imam’s Logic Defeats Radicalization

Saturday, June 6, 2015

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VIRGINIA – Offering a role model to Islamic preachers and scholars, Imam Mohamed Magid, the chief imam at the third-largest mosque in America, managed to dissuade many young Muslims who were planning to join fight in the Middle East by using logic and correcting their misinterpretation of Islam.

“I say, ‘can you explain to me, where in Islam you can burn someone alive?’ He couldn’t…There is no any evidence from the holy Qur’an or the teaching of the prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, allowing to burn someone alive. There is evidence against that!” Imam Magid told Think Progress on Thursday, June 4.

Magid, the imam of the ADAMS Center in Sterling, Virginia, was approached by a group of youth wishing to travel to Syria to join the so-called Islamic State (ISIL).

According to the imam, the militant group uses a distorted interpretation of the Qur’an and Islamic history.

Therefore, he found their argument as easy to deconstruct.

“One of the things they said to me, Muslims are being humiliated all around the world… And I said, do you think ISIS really is helping? ISIS killed more Muslims than any other organization,” the imam said.

“Why don’t you really be part of relief effort, as we did in Fairfax County. We gather blanket every winter and send them to Syria refugees.”

Magid described the teenagers he counseled as a vulnerable and insular, the same type of youth who join gangs.

He added that the ADAMS Islamic center coordinates with law enforcement officials when the danger becomes imminent.

“I don’t know why people do not consider the mental health factor when it comes to Muslims,” he exclaimed.

“They think Muslims don’t go crazy? If a guy who is not Muslim do something wrong, a teenager, the first thing they say, well, make an evaluation of their mental health. But a Muslim, no no. Mental health is good! You know, he has no disturbance mentally!”

Militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have been widely condemned by Muslims worldwide who staged several protests to express anger against the terrorist group.

Echoing Al-Azhar Grand Imam condemnation of the group, Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh has urged Muslims to take up arms against the militant group’s members, condemning them as aggressors who abuse people’s lives, possessions and honor.

Months ago, Egypt’s Grand Mufti Shawqi Allam also condemned the militants for atrocities they have been perpetrating in the countries and their violation of principles and teachings preached by Islam.

The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) has dismissed ISIL announcement of forming a “caliphate” in areas they control in Iraq and Syria, saying it lacked any Islamic or realistic aspects.

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest Islamic group has condemned ISIL, urging the government to take firmer action against the possible spread of the movement in Indonesia.

The Islamic Student Union (HMI) has also condemned Indonesian Muslims condoning and adhering to ISIL’s ideology.

“[ISIS’ narrative about Islam] is not an acceptable narrative. I’m creating the meta-narrative. The true narrative of Islam,” imam Magid said.

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