TOPIC 2
Are contemporary Muslim societies tolerant of religious minorities?
Today as questions arise around the integration and tolerance of Muslims in Western societies, there are many who criticize Muslim-majority societies for restricting the freedom of their own religious minorities. What is the situation of both Muslim and non-Muslim religious minorities within the wider “Umma”? Are they treated fairly by the states they live in? Does Islam as a faith restrict or promote tolerance of these groups?

Wassim Al-Adel

Blogger and commentator

Hence it comes about that all armed Prophets have been victorious, and all unarmed Prophets have been destroyed.” – Niccolo Machiavelli It is perhaps unfortunate that Death, that greatest of mysteries, keeps her lips tightly sealed regarding her secret. Man, in his infinite arrogance, seeks to escape the terror of the unknown that lies behind […]

Yazan Badran

Blogger and commentator

“The political emancipation of the Jew, of the Christian, of the religious man in general, means the emancipation of the State from Judaism, from Christianity, from religion generally. In its form as State, in the manner peculiar to its nature, the State emancipates itself from religion by emancipating itself from the State religion, that is, […]

Tarek Barakat

Blogger and commentator

By definition, all “religious” societies and most religions are intolerant to all other minorities. It’s that superiority complex inherent in any religion, in those little clause(s) which tells followers that he or she is better than another person because of certain beliefs. Of course, the level of intolerance in a particular society depends on that […]

Nabil Beitinjaneh

International Consultant

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to the graduation ceremony of a class of executive MBA students at a Montreal university.  Watching the parade of those who would become the next generation of business managers and leaders was quite inspiring. We were watching a true mosaic of ethnic backgrounds, upbringing and religions walking […]

Ayman Hakki

Prof. Plastic Surgery Georgetown U.

The situation of both Muslim and non-Muslim religious minorities within the Muslim world is dreadful. Today’s Muslims have developed neo-exclusivist tendencies in response to a world-wide wave of intolerance. Islam now reflexively prohibits tolerance of Christians, Jews and others. As a Muslim myself I’m sorry to have to say it, but today’s Islam is not […]

Ghassan Karam

Professor Economics

Logical internal consistency is a fundamental characteristic of a model that has withstood the rigours of investigation both empirical and otherwise. The advocates of an internally inconsistent model, especially one that suffers of an apparent logical fallacy are often chided for their position and for their inability to promote rational thinking. Such is the case […]

Taufiq Rahim

Political Analyst / Blogger

With the conclusion of the midterm elections in the United States, the so-called Ground Zero mosque controversy has started to fade into historical memory. While the story is longer on the front covers of America’s leading newspapers, a fierce debate still simmers about Islam in the West. Many commentators called for greater tolerance of the […]

Abufares Tartoussi

Blogger and Urban Planner

How could one answer a wrong question with the right answer? Such is my dilemma! A society which identifies itself as Muslim, Christian, Jewish or by any other color and flavor of religion cannot, by definition, be tolerant. The editor asked for 800 to 1,500 words, however, so I’d better dig deep in my secular […]