![](\"https:\/\/www.altmuslim.com\/ee_images\/franklin_graham_NDP.jpg\")
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
A recent article by Robert de Neufville entitled \u201cSmearing Islam<\/a>\u201d brings to light many things we should be willing to discuss freely. As a Muslim, Franklin Graham\u2019s characterization of Islam as evil offends me, but we should all carefully consider the implications of the Pentagon\u2019s decision to rescind his invitation to National Day of Prayer service.<\/p>\n I remember my own experiences while helping to organize a panel discussion titled \u201cMuslims in the Mirror: Radicalism Series<\/a>\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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?<\/p>\n In his 2006 keynote speech entitled \u201cChanging the Tide and Islam in America<\/a>\u201d 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, \u201cMuslims need to begin to extend soft power \u2013 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.\u201d<\/p>\n in a recent TED Talk speech titled \u201cPolitical Change with Pen and Paper<\/a>,\u201d 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. <\/p>\n One particular point during the discussion that intrigued me the most was Ahmad\u2019s 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 \u2013 and similarly discounting former Alaska governor Sarah Palin\u2019s comments supporting him \u2013 we fail to promote discourse and dialogue, and positively shape people\u2019s perceptions of Muslims, and most importantly Islam. Islam, in my view, as a religion will \u201ccome off well\u201d in open dialogue because it has resources that many people do not know. <\/p>\n Moreover, let\u2019s think more about the implications of Palin\u2019s defense of Graham. Palin said of Graham<\/a>, \u201cHis 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\u2019ve never found his tempered and biblically-based comments to be offensive \u2013 in fact his words have been encouraging and full of real hope. \u201d Although, there may be little doubt that Palin misinterpreted Graham\u2019s comments, Muslims are not in a position to fully comprehend and interpret Palin\u2019s underlying intentions and motives at this. Have we fully understood the basis for Graham and Palin\u2019s commentary and remarks that we feel relieved to claim victory? With a politician\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u201cGraham\u2019s side\u201d. 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. 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. <\/p>\n Samiur Talukder is Founder and Managing Partner at The ESB Group LLC<\/a>, 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>, 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.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As Muslims, how can we expect to engage in dialogue and promote discourse if we exclude people like Franklin Graham, as the Pentagon recently did? What are we doing to help people see that they have misunderstood Islam?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3683","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nWe 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 \u201cdismiss\u201d Palin, nor her comments, only to find such dismissals part of \u201cblind spots\u201d that have a negative impact on our image and reputation 3, 5 or 10 years from today and beyond. <\/p>\n