Lots and Lots of groups

Sister Scorpion has a good post on her blog that is worth a read:

Salaamun Alaikum

I keep telling myself "do not be paranoid; do not be paranoid," and yet, I am. Has anyone ever heard the phrase "divide and conquer?"

New Rand study suggests exploiting Sunni, Shiite and Arab, non-Arab divides to promote the US policy objectives in the Muslim world

I basically call it the tribe creation policy.

Click here to read more

Click here to read the original Comment on the "Progressive Muslims Union, North America,"

PMUNA related articles

Here are links to several recent articles directly and indirectly related to the PMUNA.

In his end of the year report Abdus Sattar Ghazali points out:

The same moderate Muslim group launched the American Muslim Group on Policy Planning (AMGPP) on December 13, 2004 in Washington to play a pivotal role in helping build bridges of confidence, trust and communication between the US and the Muslim World. The AMGPP formation conference at the Brookings Saban Center for Middle East Policy was co-sponsored by one of the Board members of the Progressive Muslim Union, Dr. Muqtedar Khan and attended by the PMU Executive Director Mr. Ahmed Nassef.

It cannot be predicted what will be the impact of the Rand studies on the practice of Islam on the 1.3 billion Muslims around the world? However it may not be too harsh a judgment to say that the American Muslim community in the long run is likely to see intensive pressure to modify practice of Islam in the light of the Rand recommendations. The formation of the Progressive Muslim Union and the American Muslim Group on Policy Planning can be viewed in this perspective. Read more here

In another article Mr. Ghazali highlights apects of a new Rand Report

The recently released Rand study - titled “The Muslim World After 9/11” – was conducted on behalf of the US Air Force. One of the primary objective of the study was to “identify the key cleavages and fault lines among sectarian, ethnic, regional, and national lines and to assess how these cleavages generate challenges and opportunities for the United States.” Read more here

Check out Risama's point by point response and critique of Ahmed Nassef (executive director of PMUNA) article in the Christian Science Monitor:

Nassef: When Americans think of a Muslim American, most probably envision a bearded man or veiled woman, speaking accented English and holding traditional, conservative views of the world.

Risama: Thanks for reinforcing negative stereotypes! Why should Americans think that veiled women and bearded men can't speak proper English because we all know that wearing it means that you just got off of plane from (fill in the blank with Muslim country). Read more here

Also read Beware of Rand Robots, Tahir Ali identifies and describes the strategy of neo-cons, and neo-con Muslims to create a civil war amongst Muslims.

Three key factors are crystal clear about this (Rand) report:
1) The author of this report seeks to redefine Islam, 2) find and promote Muslim leaders and intellectuals of their choice and 3) involve Western governments in reorganizing and transforming Islam; by persuasion when possible and by force when necessary. Read more here