Franklin Graham: Hearing can prevent smearing

But will he listen?

A recent article by Robert de Neufville entitled “Smearing Islam” brings to light many things we should be willing to discuss freely. As a Muslim, Franklin Graham’s characterization of Islam as evil offends me, but we should all carefully consider the implications of the Pentagon’s decision to rescind his invitation to National Day of Prayer service.

I remember my own experiences while helping to organize a panel discussion titled “Muslims in the Mirror: Radicalism Series” at Queens College in Flushing, NY earlier this year. I wondered at the time whether the panelists would be allowed to speak at all. After Imam Siraj Wahhaj (of Masjid Taqwa in Brooklyn) was confirmed to speak, there were heated exchanges about whether he should be allowed to . Many non-Muslims believe that he was a co-conspirator to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Muslims are often denied access to discussions because of fear and prejudice. We gain little if we respond by rejoicing over the exclusion of other points of view.

By excluding Graham, we lose an opportunity to promote our case for reconciliation. As Muslims, how can we expect to engage in dialogue and promote discourse if we exclude people like Graham? What are we doing to help people see that they have misunderstood Islam?

In his 2006 keynote speech entitled “Changing the Tide and Islam in America” at the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Shaykh Hamza Yusuf argued that Muslims in America need to utilize their persuasive powers more effectively. He said, “Muslims need to begin to extend soft power – persuasive power that is overwhelming. This country can benefit from the teachings of Islam, whether they embrace Islam or not, just like it nurtured Europe out of the dark ages without Europe embracing Islam. God gives with gentleness what he never gives with violence.”

in a recent TED Talk speech titled “Political Change with Pen and Paper,” Omar Ahmad, the Vice-Mayor of San Carlos, California, discussed how people can develop a strategy in communicating with political officials. He also discussed the importance and usefulness of consistently applying that strategy over a course of time in order to be taken seriously.

One particular point during the discussion that intrigued me the most was Ahmad’s reference to preservation of values and influence. In my view, Muslims often place a strong emphasis on preserving their values, but do not always place an emphasis in influencing and shaping minds. By disinviting Graham – and similarly discounting former Alaska governor Sarah Palin’s comments supporting him – we fail to promote discourse and dialogue, and positively shape people’s perceptions of Muslims, and most importantly Islam. Islam, in my view, as a religion will “come off well” in open dialogue because it has resources that many people do not know.

Moreover, let’s think more about the implications of Palin’s defense of Graham. Palin said of Graham, “His comments in 2001 were aimed at those who are so radical that they would kill innocent people and subjugate women in the name of religion. In my years of knowing him, I’ve never found his tempered and biblically-based comments to be offensive – in fact his words have been encouraging and full of real hope. ” Although, there may be little doubt that Palin misinterpreted Graham’s comments, Muslims are not in a position to fully comprehend and interpret Palin’s underlying intentions and motives at this. Have we fully understood the basis for Graham and Palin’s commentary and remarks that we feel relieved to claim victory? With a politician’s support, Graham is in a position to demonstrate he can build coalition and consensus. Muslims are not at the stage where they can garner a similar level of support from politicians. Because of this, it is imperative that Muslims focus on utilizing existing platforms created to foster mutual understanding and respect.

Furthermore, ignoring religion can also have a negative impact on initiatives geared towards peace because many conflicts are often based on interpretations of Islam that promote violence instead. To achieve peace, it is imperative that we understand the role of religion from the Muslim side, as well as “Graham’s side”. By reaching the core religious values that people possess, we can use diplomacy in the U.S. and internationally to build coalitions geared towards peace.
We need to engage and maintain a positive relationship to ensure that we have a common vision focused on peace and pluralism. In effect, we cannot afford to “dismiss” Palin, nor her comments, only to find such dismissals part of “blind spots” that have a negative impact on our image and reputation 3, 5 or 10 years from today and beyond.

Core religious values can help steer U.S. diplomacy and help in building peace coalitions. Though we may want to, we cannot afford to dismiss Graham, and those like him. The core religious fabric underlying American politics must be grasped, and Muslims should position themselves strategically to communicate their faith and use it to understand the significance of these values.

Samiur Talukder is Founder and Managing Partner at The ESB Group LLC, which is a 2008 start-up microfinance venture offering social enterprise consulting and micro-equity, non-interest financing services to those at the economic, base of the pyramid (BoP) and to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in select countries in Africa and South Asia. Samiur also sits on the board of the Muslim Consultative Network, a New York, Muslim faith-based non-profit organization that works to strengthen and unify the diverse New York City Muslim community through education, collaboration, capacity-building and social justice advocacy.