Moderate Islam voices in America? See list of names and organizations.

I really like the following. Having for the fist time read most of Koran … simply reading the Koran … the Koran seems quite anti-Other and quite violent. I as a psychologist, a woman and an American citizen do not want to go back to life and values of the 7th century.

I’m glad that that there appears to be “moderate” Islam voices in America.

The following list of persons says that only the individuals — not the organizations — support the organization. Then why not just put the names of the persons and not list the organizations? I do not get that. Do you?

My next question: how many in the list are women and how many are men that support this organization. I tried to identify woman names by last letter -a which is not a very good way. I know that full well as my first name is Cameron. Not easily guessed as male or female.

I hope that the organization can tell me what proportion of women are listed below:

“We affirm the right of free speech for Molly Norris, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, and all others including ourselves.

As Muslims, we must set an example of justice, patience, tolerance, respect, and forgiveness.

The Qurâ€an enjoins Muslims to:
* bear witness to Islam through our good example (2:143);
* restrain anger and pardon people (3:133-134 and 24:22);
* remain patient in adversity (3186);
* stand firmly for justice (4:135);
* not let the hatred of others swerve us from justice (5:8);
* respect the sanctity of life (5:32);
* turn away from those who mock Islam (6:68 and 28:55);
* hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant (7:199);
* restrain ourselves from rash responses (16:125-128);
* pass by worthless talk with dignity (25:72); and
* repel evil with what is better (41:34).

Islam calls for vigorous condemnation of both hateful speech and hateful acts, but always within the boundaries of the law. It is of the utmost importance that we react, not out of reflexive emotion, but with dignity and intelligence, in accordance with both our religious precepts and the laws of our country.

We uphold the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Both protect freedom of religion and speech, because both protections are fundamental to defending minorities from the whims of the majority.

We therefore call on all Muslims in the United States, Canada and abroad to refrain from violence. We should see the challenges we face today as an opportunity to sideline the voices of hate—not reward them with further attention—by engaging our communities in constructive dialogue about the true principles of Islam, and the true principles of democracy, both of which stress the importance of freedom of religion and tolerance.

SIGNATORIES:

1 Prof. Hassan Abbas, Quaid-i-Azam Chair, South Asia Institute, Columbia University
Anisa Abd el Fattah, Founder and Chairwoman, National Association of Muslim American Women (NAMAW)
2 Khaled M Abdel-Hamid, MD, PhD, writer
3 Ammar Abdulhamid, Executive Director, Tharwa Foundation
4 Imam Johari Abdul Malik, Director of Outreach, Dar-Al-Hijrah Islamic Center
5 Salma Elkadi Abugideiri, Co-Director, Peaceful Families Project
6 Aly R. Abuzaakouk, VP Minaret of Freedom Instit., Managing Editor “Democracy Watch” of CSID, Dir. of Foreign Relations: Network of Arab Journalists
7 Mehnaz M. Afridi, PhD, Adjunct Professor (Judaism, Islam & Genocide Studies) Antioch University
Asma Afsaruddin, PhD, Professor of Islamic Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington
8 Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, PhD, Director, Minaret of Freedom Foundation
9 Ahrar Ahmad, PhD, Professor of Political Science, Black Hills State University
10 Prof. Akbar S. Ahmed, PhD, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University
11 Osman Ahmed,PhD, President Islamic Society of Essex County, Newark, NJ
12 Prof. Parvez Ahmed, PhD, Fulbright Scholar & Assoc. Prof. Univ. of North Florida
13 Levent Akbarut, Steering Committee member, Islamic Congregation of La Canada Flintridge
14 Barbara Al-Bayati, Co-Founder, Orphan Whispers
15 Aman Ali, writer, stand-up-comedian
16 Javed Ali, founder and publisher, Illume magazine
17 Wajahat Ali, playwright, journalist, and producer of “Domestic Crusaders”
18 Sumbul Ali-Karamali, JD, LLM (Islamic Law), author of “The Muslim Next Door”
19 Shaykh al-Hajj Dawud Ahmad al-Amriki, Director, Muslim America
20 Salam al-Marayati, Pres., Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
21 Shahed Amanullah, Editor-in-Chief, Altmuslim
22 Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed An-Naâ€im, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law, Emory University School of Law
23 Patricia Anton, Board member, Muslim Peace Fellowship
24 M. Saud Anwar, Co-Chair, American Muslim Peace Initiative
25 Abdul Cader Asmal MD, PhD, Past President, Islamic Council of Mew England
26 Aref Assaf, PhD, President, American Arab Forum
27 Hussam Ayloush, Exec. Director, CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area
28 Robert Azzi, photojournalist, writer
29 Imam Yusuf Badat, Islamic Foundation of Toronto and Mathabah Foundation
30 Laleh Bakhtiar, PhD, Scholar-in-Residence, Kazi Publications
31 Hazami Barmada, Pres, American Muslim Interactive Network (AMIN)
32 Bahar Bastani, M.D., Professor of Medicine, S.L.U., Secy. General Shia Islamic Education Center, VP of IMANA-St. Louis
33 Victor Ghalib Begg, Senior Advisor, Chairman Emeritus, Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan
34 Zahra Billoo, Director, CAIR San Francisco Bay Area
35 Jannah bint Hannah, activist, al-Fatiha Foundation
36 Farah Brelvi, Board of Directors, ACLU-NC
37 Arsalan Bukhari, Executive Director, CAIR-WA
38 M. Ali Chaudry, PhD, President, Center for Understanding Islam (CUII)
39 Kamran Cheikh, Activist, Committee member, Muslims for Peace, Justice & Progress (MPJP), researcher for Deen Research Center (DRC)
40 Noor-Malika Chishti, Vice Chair, So. CA Committee for a Parliament of the Worldâ€s Religions, Representative, the Sufi Order International, Member, World Council of Muslims for Interfaith Relations
41 Sakina Cornell, Risk Management Coordinator, PSA Healthcare
42 Vincent J. Cornell PhD, Asa Griggs Candler Prof. of Middle East and Islamic Studies, Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, Emory University
43 Robert D. Crane, JD, author of numerous books
44 Prof Golam Dastagir, PhD, Visiting Research Scholar, New College, University of Toronto, Canada
45 Almoonir Dewji, blogger – “That We May Know Each Other”
46 Mustafa Stefan Dill, blogger;/PR/social media analyst for Muslim issues; musician
47 Ramsey El-Moslimany, member, Board of Directors, Islamic School of Seattle
48 Lamia El-Sadek, political and human rights activitist
Mohamed Elsanousi, Director of Communications and Community Outreach for the Islamic Society of N America (ISNA)
49 Mona Eltahawy, journalist
50 Dr. Hashim El-Tinay, President, International Peace Quest Institute (IPQI)
Aziz Enhaili, Political analyst, columnist for Tolerance.ca
51 Yusuf Estes, Chaplain ret., author of many books, public speaker
52 Prof. Mohammad Fadel, PhD
53 Fatemeh Fakhraie, Editor-in-Chief, Muslimah Media Watch
54 Ali Galedary, Assistant Principal, University High School, Los Angeles
55 Mike Ghouse, President, World Muslim Congress
56 Iftekhar Hai, President, UMA Interfaith Alliance
57 Asma Hanif, Executive Director, Muslimat Al Nisaa
58 Rabia Terri Harris, Founder and Coordinator, Muslim Peace Fellowship
59 Hesham Hassaballa, M.D., author, journalist, blogger – “God, faith, and a pen”
60 Amir Hussain, PhD, Professor of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University
61 Iftekhar Hussain, Chair, Board of Directors, CAIR-PA
62 Arsalan Iftikhar, author, human rights lawyer, blogger – “The Muslim Guy”
63 Jeffrey Imm, Director, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)
64 Ghazala Irshad, journalist, blogger – “The Floating Lotus”
65 Nakia Jackson, writer
66 Anjum Jaleel, writer
67 M. Zuhdi Jasser, MD, President, American Islamic Forum for Democracy
68 Safi Kaskas, President & CEO Strategic Edge
69 Mohja Kahf, PhD, Assoc. Professor of Comparative Literature, Univ. of Arkansas, author “The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf”
70 Dr. Asad U Khan, President, Islamic education Foundation of Manitoba
Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan, C.M., O. Ontario, President, Muslim Coordinating Council of the National Capital Region of Canada
71 Prof. Muqtedar Khan, PhD, author of several books, Blogger – “Globalog”
Farah Kinani, Journalist, blogger – “Global Voices”
72 Scott Kugle (Siraj al-Haqq), PhD, Prof. of Islamic Studies, Dept. of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, Emory University
73 Shaikh Ahmad Kutty, Resident Senior Scholar, Islamic Institute of Toronto
74 Faisal Kutty, Visiting Asst. Prof. of law, Valparaiso University School of Law and Adjunct Professor of Law, Osgoode Hall Law School (Toronto)
75 M. Junaid Levesque-Alam, writer, blogger – “Crossing the Crescent”
76 David Liepert, M.D., blogger and author of “Muslim, Christian AND Jew”
77 Afaun Mandol, Board of Directors, MuslimFest
78 Radwan A. Masmoudi, PhD, President, Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy (CSID)
79 Melissa Matos, President, Al-Ghazali Legal Society, Saint Louis University
Prof. Uzma Mazhar, writer
80 Shelina Merani, community activist, artist, blogger “Muslim Presence”
Ruxana Meer, Esq.
81 Yahya Merchant, Interfaith Worker, Outreach contact for Islamic Center of Conejo Valley CA
82 Melody Moezzi, JD, MPH, writer and attorney
83 Muna Abshir Mohamud, author, editor
84 Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore, author of many books of poetry
85 Ebrahim Moosa, Assoc. Professor of Islamic Studies, Dept. of Religion, Duke University
86 Ann El-Moslimany, PhD, Islamic School of Seattle
87 Lt. Col. Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad, U.S. Army Chaplain
88 Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, President Sound Vision
89 Arman Musaji, artist
90 Sheila Musaji, Editor, The American Muslim (TAM)
91 Muneeb Nasir, President, Olive Tree Foundation, Editor IQRA Canada
92 Q. Amin Nathari, National Representative, Islam in America Movement (IAM)
93 Ahmed Naumaan, PhD, Director, Karsaz Inc.
94 Imam Abdul Hai Patel, Dir. Interfaith Relations, Canadian Council of Imams, Muslim Chaplain University of Toronto & York Regional Police
95 Aziz H. Poonawalla, PhD, scientist and blogger – “City of Brass” on Beliefnet
96 M.Waheed-uz-Zaman Rana, Imam, Prof. Emeritus, Dept. of Surgery, Saint Louis University
97 Hasan Zillur Rahim, PhD, journalist
98 Shaykh Ahmed Abdur Rashid, The Circle Group
99 Prof Hussein Rashid, PhD, blogger – “Religion Dispatches”
100 Shafi Refai, President, United Muslims of America
101 Irfan Rydhan, Co-Founder of Muslim Unity Foundation
102 Muhamed Sacirbey, lawyer, diplomat, writer
103 Louay Safi, PhD, Common Word Fellow, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Christian Muslim Understanding, Georgetown University
104 Ghulam Abbas Sajan, Director Islamic Ahlul Bayt Assembly of Canada
105 Robert Salaam, blogger – “The American Muslim”
106 Raquel Evita Saraswati, activist, writer, blogger
107 Sarah Sayeed, President of One Blue
108 Vernon James Schubel, NEH Distinguished Teaching Professor of Religious Studies, Kenyon College
109 Sophia Rose Shafi, MA, MTS, doctoral candidate (Islamic Studies), writer
110 Shahla Khan Salter, Chair of Muslims for Progressive Values Ottawa, Canada
111 T.O. Shanavas. MD, Vice President, Islamic Research Foundation, author
112 S. Abdallah Schleifer, Distinguished Prof., Dept. of Journalism & Mass Com, American University Cairo
113 Ricka Shorish, M.S., R.N., volunteer/consultant, Avicenna Community Health Center
114 Jihad Shoshara, community organizer and activist, Chicago
115 Jafar Siddiqui, blogger – “Penjihad”
116 Prof. Laury Silvers, PhD
117 Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons, PhD, Sr. Lecturer, Islamic Studies & African American Religion, University of Florida
118 Prof. Ibrahim B. Syed, PhD, President of Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc., author
Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, Natâ€l Director, Office for Interfaith & Community Alliances, Islamic Society of N America (ISNA)
119 Dr. Mahmoud Shawky Taman, Islamic Society of Northern Wisconsin
120 Haris Tarin, Director, Washington DC Office Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
121 J.Tayeb, MD, President, CAIR-MI, ISNA founders committee member, Vice chair, HUDA free Clinic, Detroit
121 Pamela Taylor, Co-founder Muslims for Progressive Values, Panelist for On Faith
Tayyibah Taylor, Editor, Azizah Magazine
122 Mahdi Toourage, PhD, Assistant Prof., U of Western Ontaio
123 Tarik Trad, writer, humorist, photographer, artist and activist
124 Asma T. Uddin, Attorney, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and Editor, Altmuslimah
125 Joya Uraizee, Associate Professor of English, Saint Louis University
126 Wahida Valiante, President, Canadian Islamic Congress and Chair of Islamic History Month Canada
127 Jason van Boom, Host of “Islam and Authors”, writer
128 Amina Wadud, PhD, consultant on Islam and gender, visiting scholar Starr King School for the Ministry
129 Danya Wellmon, Co-Founder Women Transcending Boundaries interfaith group
130 Svend White, blogger – “Akramâ€s Razor”, activist, writer
131 G. Willow Wilson, author of “Butterfly Mosque” and “Air” graphic novel series
132 Ani Zonneveld, President, Muslims for Progressive Values

NOTE: If you are a Canadian or American Muslim and would like to add your signature, please send an email with your name, title, and organizational affiliation (if any) to tameditor@aol.com — The list of signatories will be updated daily and the most recent list can be found HERE.

NOTE: All signatories are signing as individuals and not on behalf of the organizations with which they are affiliated

Read more: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2010/09/29/good-news-north-american-muslims-take-a-stand-in-favour-of-free-speech/#ixzz12gAClWWu