Ahmadi Muslims Debate Sharia Law with One Law for All (Maryam Namazie) at UCL
On Thursday the 8th of December 2011, University College London Union Atheist Secularist and Humanist Society (UCLU ASHS) hosted a debate, the motion of which was “Sharia Law Negates Human Rights”. The two proponents of the motion (namely, Maryam Namazie and Annemarie Waters) were provided by UCLU ASHS from a campaign called “One Law for All”- a campaign to eradicate Sharia in all its forms and guises both in the United Kingdom and elsewhere abroad. The speakers against the motion were provided by the University College London Union Ahmadiyya Muslim Students Association (UCLU AMSA) and were the respected Khuddam members, Ayyaz Mahmood Khan and Jonathan Butterworth. Also present at the debate was Fahim Anwar, head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA UK), Dr. Aziz Ahmad Hafiz, deputy head of the AMYA UK, and Dr. Tauseef Khan, head of the AMYA Student Affairs Department UK. The entire proceedings were captured by Muslim Television Ahmadiyya (MTA), the official channel of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Categories: Debate, Secularism, Separation of Church and State, Video
I could agree with most that both sides were saying. My struggle is to find the happy medium and that is why the Muslim Times is promoting secularism in every country of the world.
The human struggle in such debates is that both sides do not fully acknowledge the position of other and talk over their head rather than about the real issues, accepting the frame of reference of the other.
For example, the Muslim speakers did not address, as to what to do with faulty understanding of “Sharia” which is playing havoc with so many and most Muslims have different understanding of Shariah and some secretly hope to implement it in their respective countries.
We seldom see the Muslim leaders promoting secularism when preaching to their own crowds.
The agnostic side has to give up stereotyping all Muslims and begin to see them as different sub-groups and deal with the ground reality in a more honest manner.
If moderate Muslims are for secularism they should take a clear and regular stance in favor of secular laws in their countries and in favor of Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
President Barack Obama on Religion and Politics
He says that we can draw our inspiration from our scriptures but we have to translate the message into a language that is understood by other fellow citizens from different religions.
One of the points President Obama makes is that the scripture has to be translated into a universal message by the believers, one that is befitting the realities of our global village.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvKX16Eygs0&w=420&h=315%5D
An Invitation to Other Religions: Demonstrating Human Rights and Universal Brotherhood from Your Scriptures?
Shariah and Constitution: A Personal Journey
About the 2nd video, God sent different Prophets at different times of the history according to the people needs.We agree with the President Barack Hussein Obama, but the same standard should be chosen for other countries as well.Any how a person closer to people is closer to God,a good person.
All the countries in the world have their armies. The parents sent their near,dear,loved ones,believing for a good cause.Is this not a modern day and way of sacrifice like Hadhrut Abraham (PBUH)?
http://quran.al-islam.org/
Shakir 14:1] Alif Lam Ra. (This is) a Book which We have revealed to you that you may bring forth men, by their Lord’s permission from utter darkness into light– to the way of the Mighty, the Praised One,
[Shakir 14:2] (Of) Allah, Whose is whatever is in the heavens and whatever Is in the earth; and woe to the unbelievers on account of the severe chastisement,
[Shakir 14:3] (To) those who love this world’s life more than the hereafter, and turn away from Allah’s path and desire to make it crooked; these are in a great error.
[Shakir 14:4] And We did not send any messenger but with the language of his people, so that he might explain to them clearly; then Allah makes whom He pleases err and He guides whom He pleases and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
[Shakir 14:5] And certainly We sent Musa with Our communications, saying: Bring forth your people from utter darkness into light and remind them of the days of Allah; most surely there are signs in this for every patient, grateful one.
[Shakir 14:6] And when Musa said to his people: Call to mind Allah’s favor to you when He delivered you from Firon’s people, who subjected you to severe torment, and slew your sons and spared your women; and in this there was a great trial from your Lord.
[Shakir 14:7] And when your Lord made it known: If you are grateful, I would certainly give to you more, and if you are ungrateful, My chastisement is truly severe.
[Shakir 14:8] And Musa said: If you are ungrateful, you and those on earth all together, most surely Allah is Self-sufficient, Praised;
[Shakir 14:9] Has not the account reached you of those before you, of the people of Nuh and Ad and Samood, and those after them? None knows them but Allah. Their messengers come to them with clear arguments, but they thrust their hands into their mouths and said: Surely we deny that with which you are sent, and most surely we are in serious doubt as to that to which you invite us.
[Shakir 14:10] Their messengers said: Is there doubt about Allah, the Maker of the heavens and the earth? He invites you to forgive you your faults and to respite you till an appointed term. They said: You are nothing but mortals like us; you wish to turn us away from what our fathers used to worship; bring us therefore some clear authority.
[Shakir 14:11] Their messengers said to them: We are nothing but mortals like yourselves, but Allah bestows (His) favors on whom He pleases of His servants, and it is not for us that we should bring you an authority except by Allah’s permission; and on Allah should the believers rel