Saturday, March 6, 2010

A Letter to American Scholars and Intellectuals - The Just War and Terrorism

The Just War and Terrorism

The West often speaks of the problem of terrorism and radicalism. In our view, this problem is a serious one for the world and a number of measures must be taken to deal with it. At the same time, we wish to emphasize the following points that appear to us very reasonable:

First, radicalism is not intrinsically tied to religion. Radicalism can take many forms, political, economic, or ideological. These should be given the same level of attention, because they seek to overturn the moral principles and the systems that secure human rights throughout the world.
Also, religious radicalism is not restricted to one particular religion. We admit there are radical elements among Muslims; we are also well aware that every religious persuasion in the world has its radical elements. Those who study religious thought and culture attest to this fact. Therefore, it is both unreasonable and unjust to irrationally push the issue of Islamic radicalism and then take a course of action that will further instigate it without dealing with all forms of radicalism in the world, both religious and otherwise.

Second, while we believe that the world is confronted by terrorism and radicalism in the broad sense that we have just described, we should also consider that there are a host of other problems that the world is facing with respect to rights, freedoms, and basic human needs like education, health, and nutrition. All of these need to be addressed.

We are on the realization that many of the extremist Islamic groups - as they are called - did not want to be that way when they started, but were forced into that category by political or military forces or their media machinery that blocked their access to channels of peaceful expression. Such powers were able to do away with any possible opportunity for moderation and to strike at the rights of people. This is the major cause for the extremism of Islamic movements and groups. We are also on the realization that this same situation is right now occurring under the guise of the Western program known as the War on Terror.

Stability is the basis for rights and freedoms throughout the world. When we deny people stability and force them to live in perpetual anxiety, oppression, and misery, then they become more likely to act in an immoral and unethical manner. Bitter reality is what sets down decisions. Moreover, it is sometimes what shapes people's thoughts. When people wait a long time without their rights being addressed, it becomes highly likely that they will behave in ways that are difficult to predict and that lead to uncertain consequences.

We seriously call upon the West to become more open to Islam, look more seriously at its own programs, and behave more mildly with the Islamic world. We also call upon them to earnestly review their position on Islam and to open channels of dialogue with prominent Islamic thinkers representing the broad current of Islamic thought and intellectuals and decision makers in the West.

It is important for the West to realize that most of the Islamic movements throughout the Muslim world and elsewhere are essentially moderate. It is necessary to maintain this situation. Moderate movements should have their rights respected. Nothing should be allowed to inflame situations for any reason. People need to be able to conduct themselves rationally and with a sense of security.

We are committed to fighting against terrorism, whether it comes from the Muslims or elsewhere. However, as long as the matter is being referred back to moral values, then why not mention other radical extremists? Why not talk about the Palestinians who are exposed, especially in these days, to most loathsome kind of terrorism possible? Their cities and refugee camps are being torn to the ground, mass murder is being carried out against them, and a suffocating siege is being imposed upon their innocent civilians. This is not being carried out by some individuals or secret organizations. It is being executed by the state of Israel, a member of the United Nations.

If the purpose is to pull up terrorism from its roots, then all out war is not the appropriate course of action, but peace and justice is. The world must seek this in Palestine and elsewhere.

Terrorism, according to the restricted meaning that it is being used for today, is but one of the forms of wrongful aggression being carried out against lives and property. It is immoral to focus on one form of aggression and turn a blind eye to all others, even though they might be more destructive and repugnant. This is a clear case of selective vision and the use of double standards.

Third, concocting conflicts does no good for either side. Those who represent conflict are not always the best representatives of this faction or that. There is nothing better than justice, consideration of the people's rights and adhering to our moral values to dispel the specter of conflict. These principles must be maintained even in times of war when we are forced to go down that road.

In the West, instigating conflict stems from considering and protecting national - if not partisan - interests, even at the expense of the rights of others. The truth is that this policy is what creates a dangerous threat to national security, not only for the West, but for the entire world, not to mention the tragic and inhuman conditions that it produces.

The men throughout the world who are behind these conflicts are, by their decisions and their policies, preparing the masses to turn against them. We must intelligently monitor their behavior and protect our civil societies and the rights and security of our people. We must realize that having conflict mongers in power around the world will bring about the worst situation possible for us in the present, as well as for the future generations who will have to face the effects of our personal calculations. Yes, we should be optimistic, but we must also be clear in accounting for our actions and assessing their affects.

Civil security is in a perilous situation throughout the world in the shadow of this scramble to create conflicts and draw up programs for dealing with them. We have to move beyond the slogans and realize that policies of conflict in the West are bringing about the destruction of civil security throughout the world in the name of fighting terrorism. The number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan because of American bombing increases without the American administration showing any kind of strain on its mores and values from its so-called "just war". In reality, it seems like they are merely creating circumstances in order to give a new validation for more confrontations here and there. And if the West considers September 11 as an affront to civil security in the West, then we can share with it that feeling and even the stance of rejecting attacks against civil security throughout the world. But it is important for the West to realize that civil security in the Islamic World has not seen stability for decades and a lot of the impediments to civil security have come about under the umbrella of Western policy and quite possibly due the direct actions of the West.

It is about time we realize that the use of military force or the power of the media provides no real guarantee for the future. Often matters take surprising turns, going off in directions that defy our estimation. It is as if the events of September 11 showed the uncertainty in this estimation.

Therefore, creating more avenues for dialogue and the exchange of ideas where scholars and thinkers can meet with each other is, in our opinion, the alternative to the language of violence and destruction. This is what compels us to write this letter and to participate in this discussion.

Signatories

Dr. Abd al-Muhsin Hilal
Professor of International Relations, Umm al-Qura University

Muhammad Salah al-Din al-Dandarawi
Jounalist and Publisher

Dr. Nurah al-Sa`d
Assistant Professor at the School of Arts, Department of Social Sciences, King Abd al-Aziz University

Suhaylah Zayn al-Abidin
Author

Nurah bint Abd al-Aziz al-Khariji

Dr. Riyad b. Muhammad al-Musaymiri
Professor at the School of Theology, al-Imam University

Dr. Sa`d b. Abd al-Karim al-Shadukhi
Professor of Education, Al-Imam University

Dr. Muhammad b. Salih al-Fawzan
Professor of Qur'anic Studies, Teachers College

Dr. Salim Sahab
PhD. Mathematics and Journalist, al-Madînah Newspaper

Fa'iz b. Salih Muhammad Jamal
Journalist, al-Nadwah Newspaper and al-Madinah Newspaper

Dr. Abd Allah Manna`
Author, Publisher, and Former Editor-in-Chief, Iqra' Journal of Media and Communications

Dr. Muhammad b. Sa`id Farisi
PhD. Architectural Engineering and Former Curator for the City of Jeddah

Dr. Umar b. Abd Allah Kamil
Author and Researcher

Umar Justinah
Journalist and Writer, Al-Hayat Newspaper

Dr. Ahmad b. Sa`id Darbas
PhD. Michigan State University and Associate Professor

Muhammad Sa`id Tayyib
Attorney, Publisher, and Political Activist

Dr. Su`ad Jabir
Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the School of Medicine, King Abd al-Aziz University, Jeddah

Jamil Farisi
Journalist

Thamir al-Mayman
Author and Journalist

Dr. Sa`id b. Nasir al-Ghamidi
Professor of Theology, King Khalid University

Dr. Sulayman b. Qasim al-Id
Professor at the Department of Islamic Studies, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Sami al-Suwaylim
Member of the Islamic Law Commission, al-Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation

Dr. Khalid al-Qasim
Professor at the Department of Islamic Studies, King Sa`ud University

Sa`ud al-Fanaysan
Professor of Qur'anic Studies and Former Dean of the School of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University.

Muhammad b. Abd al-Aziz al-Amir
Justice at the Jeddah Court of Law

Muhammad b. Sulayman al-Mas`ud
Justice at the Jeddah Court of Law

Dr. Nasir b. Sa`d al-Rashid
Professor of Arabic Literature, King Sa`ud University

Dr, Ibrahim b. Muhammad al-Shahwan
Associate Professor at the School of Agriculture, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Khalid b. Abd al-Rahman al-Ujaymi
Assistant Professor of Arabic Language, Al-Imam University

Abd al-Aziz b. Muhammad al-Qasim
Attorney and Former Judge

Dr. Sa`ud b. Khalaf al-Dihan
Researcher at the King Abd al-Aziz City for Science and Technology

Dr. Abd al-Aziz Nasir al-Subayh
Associate Professor of Psychology, al-Imam University

Dr. Abd al-Aziz b. Ibrahim al-Shahwan
Professor and Former Dean of the School of Theology, Al-Imam University

Dr. Lulu'ah al-Matrudi
Professor at the School of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Abd Allah b. Wukayyil al-Shaykh
Professor of Hadîth Studies at the Department of Prophetic Traditions, Islamic Theological College

Dr Abd al-Wahhab b. Nasir al-Turayri
Former Professor at the Islamic Theological College and Academic Director of the IslamToday Website

Dr. al-Sharif Hamzah al-Fa`r
Professor at the School of Islamic Law, Umm al-Qura University

Dr. Ahmad al-Umayr
Consultant at King Fahd Hospital

Dr. Muhammad b. Ahmad al-Salih
Professor of Graduate Studies at the School of Islamic Law and Member of the Academic Board, Al-Imam University

Dr. Abd Allah al-Khalaf
Assistant Professor at the Institute of Public Administration, Riyadh

Dr. Ahmad b. Uthman al-Tuwayjiri
Member of the Consultative Council

Dr. Awad b. Muhammad al-Qarni
Professor at the School of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Ruqayyah al-Muharib
Professor at the Department of Islamic Studies at the Girls' College

Dr. Imran al-Imrani
University Professor

Muhammad b. Salih al-Duhaym
Judge at al-Layth Court of Law

Dr. Rashid al-Ulaywi
Professor at the School of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Khalid b. Abd Allah al-Duwaysh
Professor of Electrical Engineering, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Abd al-Rahman b. Abd Allah al-Shumayri
Professor at the School of Islamic Law, Umm al-Qura University

Dr. Ali Ba Dahdah
Professor at the Department of Islamic Studies, King Abd al-Aziz University

Abd al-Karim al-Juhayman
Author and Journalist

Sami al-Majid
Member of the Teachers Board at the School of Islam Law, Al-Imam University

Muhammad b. Hamad al-Mani
Member of the Teachers Board at the School of Agriculture, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Abd al-Karim b. Ibrahim al-Salum
Professor at the School of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Salih Muhammad al-Sultan
Professor at the School of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Abd al-Rahman al-Zunaydi
Professor at the School of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Abd Allah b. Ibrahim al-Turayqi
Professor at the School of Islamic law, Al-Imam University

Salman b. Fahd al-Oadah
Former Member of the Teachers Board at the School of Theology, al-Imam University and General Director of the IslamToday Website

Dr. Umar al-Mudayfir
Head of the Department of Psychiatry, King Fahd Hospital

Dr. Muhsin b. Husayn al-Awaji
Associate Professor of Education and Founder/Director of al-Muntada al-Wasatiyyah.

Dr. Abd al-Aziz b. Nasir al-Mani
Professor of Arabic Literature at the Department of Arabic Language Studies, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Muhammad b. Sulayman al-Sudays
Professor of Arabic Literature at the Department of Arabic language Studies, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Salih b. Sulayman al-Wahbi
Associate Professor at the School of Arts, King Sa`ud University and Associate General Director, World Assembly of Muslim Youth

Dr. Muhammad b. Abd al-Rahman al-Hudayf
Author, Scholar, and Former Member of the Teachers Board, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Abd Allah b. Nafi Al Shari
Professor of Psychology Former Trustee, King Sa`ud University and President of al-Nafi Office for Academic Counseling

Dr. Mani b. Hammad al-Juhani
Member of the Consultative Council and General Director, World Assembly of Muslim Youth

Dr. Abd al-Rahman b. Hadi al-Shamrani
Assistant Professor at the School of Arts, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Marzuq b. Sunaytan b. Tanbak
Professor of Arabic Literature, School of Arts, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Mansur b. Ibrahim al-Hazimi
Professor of Contemporary Arabic Literature, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Malik b. Ibrahim al-Ahmad
Member of the Teachers Board, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Abd Allah b. Saud al-Bishr
Member of the Teachers Board, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Muhammad b. Sa`ud al-Bishr
Member of the Teachers Board, Al-Imam University

Dr. Muhammad b. Nasir al-Ja`wan
Founder and Director of the Hunayn School

Dr. Afrah al-Humaysi
Professor at the Department of Islamic Studies, Girls' College

Dr. Ahmad b. Rashid al-Sa`id
Member of the Teachers Board, King Sa`ud University

Abd al-Aziz al-Wushayqri
Justice at the Supreme Court, Riyadh

Dr. Nasir b. Masfar al-Zahrani
Member of the Teachers Board, Umm al-Qura University

Dr. Ibrahim b. Hamad al-Ris
Member of the Teachers Board, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Zaynab al-Dakhil
Professor at the School of Theology, Al-Imam University

Dr. Umaymah bint Ahmad al-Jalahimi
Professor of Comparative Religion, King Faysal University

Dr. Abd al-Rahman b. Abd al-Latif al-Asil
Professor of International Relations, King Fahd University

Muna bint Ibrahim al-Mudayhish
Lecturer at the School of Arabic Language, Al-Imam University

Dr. Sultan b. Khalid b. Hathlayn
Professor of Islamic Studies, King Fahd University

Sara bint Muhammad al-Khathlan
Author and Poet

Dr. Abd Allah b. Abd al-Aziz al-Yahya
Assistant General Director of Islamic Propagation

Sulayman b. Ibrahim al-Rashudi
Attorney and Former Judge

Dr. Ibrahim al-Fa'iz
Associate Professor at the School of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Khadijah Abd al-Majid
Saudi Intellectual

Dr. Nasir b. Abd al-Karim al-Aql
Professor of Theology, Al-Imam University

Dr. Abd Allah al-Zayidi
Professor at the School of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Khalid b. Muhammad al-Sulayman
Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the King Abd al-Aziz City of Science and Technology

Dr. Sulayman b. Abd al-Aziz al-Yahya
Dean of the School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Ahmad b. Ibrahim al-Turki
Professor of Microbiology at the School of Agriculture, King Sa`ud University

Muhammad b. Salih b. Sultan
Chief of Administration, al-Yamamah Institute of Journalism

Dr. Jawahir bint Muhammad b. Sultan
Lecturer and Education Director

Mahdi al-Hakami
University Professor and Regional Director of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth, Jizan

Dr. Muhammad al-Wuhaybi
Professor of Theology, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Muhammad Umar Jamjum
Professor of Civil Engineering and former General Secretary, King Abd al-Aziz University

Dr. Muhammad Umar Zubayr
Former General Director, King Abd al-Aziz University

Abd al-Rahman b. Abd al-Aziz al-Mujaydil
Member of the Teachers Board at the School of Theology, Al-Imam University

Dr. Muhammad b. Abd Allah al-Shamrani
Professor of Islamic Law, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Abd al-Qadir b. Abd al-Rahman al-Haydar
School of Medicine, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Muhammad b. Sulayman al-Buraq
Al-Imam University

Dr. Sulayman al-Rashudi
King Abd al-Aziz City for Science and Technology

Jawahir bint Muhammad al-Khathlan
Directorate of Girls' Education

Sulayman al-Majid
Judge at al-Ahsa Court of Law

Dr. Ibrahim b. Salih al-Salamah
School of Agriculture, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Fahd b. Muhammad al-Ramyan
Professor at the School of Agriculture, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Abd Allah b. Abd al-Karim al-Uthaym
Professor of Educational Development, Al-Imam University

Dr. Muhammad b. Abd Allah al-Muhaymid
Former Head of the Department of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Fahd b. Salih al-Fallaj
Professor at the School of Technology, Indiana University of Pensylvania

Dr. Ahmad b. Muhammad al-Sha`ban
Professor of Human Geography, Al-Imam University

Dr. Nabih b. Abd al-Rahman al-Jabr
Professor at the Department of Accounting, Al-Imam University

Dr. Khalid b. Fahd al-Awdah
Professor of Educational Theory, Al-Imam University

Dr. Abd Allah b. Ali al-Ja`thayn
Former Professor of Hadîth Studies, Al-Imam University

Dr. Muhammad Abd al-Aziz al-Awhali
Associate Professor of Physics, School of Science, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

Dr. Umar Abd Allah al-Suwaylim
Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at the School of Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

Abd Allah b. Abd al-Rahman al-Jibrin
Former Member of the Council for Legal Rulings

Dr. Abd al-Rahman b. Abd Allah al-Jibrin
Professor at the School of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Ibrahim Abd Allah al-Lahim
Professor of Hadîth Studies, AL-Imam University

Dr. Abd al-Rahman b. Salih al-Khalifah
Professor at the School of Agriculture, King Sa`ud University

Khalid b. Nasir al-Rudayman
Professor at the School of Agriculture, King Sa`ud University

Dr. Muhammad b. Sulayman al-Fawzan
Professor of Hadîth Studies, Al-Imam University.

Dr. Salih b. Abd Allah al-Lahim
Professor of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Khalid b. Ali al-Mushayqih
Professor of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Ibrahim b. Abd al-Rahman al-Bulayhi
Author

Tariq b. Abd al-Rahman al-Hawwas
Professor of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Ibrahim b. Abd Allah al-Duwaysh
Islamic Worker and Member of the Teachers Board, Teachers' College

Dr. Salih b. Abd al-Aziz al-Tuwayjiri
Professor of Theology, Al-Imam University

Dr. Abd Allah b. Hamad al-Sakakir
Professor of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Dr. Abd al-Aziz b. Salih al-Sam`ani
Professor of Linguistics, Technology College

Dr. Muhammad b. Ali al-Suwayd
Chairman of the English Department, Al-Imam University

Dr.Ibrahim al-Jam`an
King Fahd Hospital

Asma al-Husayn
Professor of Psychology, College of Education

Jawahir bint Abd al-Rahman al-Juraysi
Education Director

Dr. Hasan al-Qahtani
Consultant, King Fahd Hospital

Dr. Hasan b. Salih al-Humayd
Former Professor of Qur'anic Studies, Al-Imam University

Dr. Hamad b. Ibrahim al-Haydari
Professor of Islamic Law, Al-Imam University

Hamad b. Abd al-Aziz b. Abd al-Muhsin al-Tuwayjiri
Businessman

Dr. Safar b. Abd al-Rahman al-Hawali
Former Head of the Department of Theology, Umm al-Qura University

Dr. Ayid b. Abd Allah al-Qarni
Former Professor of Hadîth Studies, Al-Imam University

Dr. Abd Allah al-Hajjaj
Consultant, King Fahd Hospital

Dr. Abd al-Aziz b. Ibrahim al-Umari
Professor of History, Al-Imam University

Dr, Abd al-Aziz al-Fada
Consultant, King Fahd Hospital

Muhammad b. Marzuq al-Mu`aytiq
Former Appellate Judge and Chief Justice, Al-Zulqa Court of Law

Muhammad b. Salih al-Ali
Member of the Teachers Board, Al-Imam University

Muhammad b. Abd al-Aziz b. Abd al-Muhsin al-Tuwayjiri
Businessman

Dr. Muhammad Abd al-Latif
Consultant, King Fahd Hospital

Dr. Muhammad al-Zuwayd
Consultant, King Fahd Hospital

Dr. Muhammad al-Urayni
Consultant, King Fahd Hospital

Dr. Nasir b. Sulayman al-Umar
Former Professor of Qur'anic Studies, Al-Imam University

Dr. Yusuf al-Awlah
Consultant, King Fahd Hospital

Ahmad b. Abd al-Rahman al-Suwayyan
Editor-in-Chief, Al-Bayan Magazine

Abd Allah b. Abd al-Aziz b. Abd al-Muhsin al-Tuwayjiri
Businessman

No comments:

Post a Comment