Lecture Notes: Islam and the Future of Tolerance

Introduction

• Authors: Sam Harris and Majid Nawaz
• Book: Islam and the Future of Tolerance
• Format: Dialogue between Harris and Nawaz

Origin of the Book

• Initial disagreement at a debate between Majid Nawaz and Ayaan Hirsi Ali
• Sam Harris questioned Nawaz's view on Islam being a religion of peace
• Led to a heated exchange but eventually saw potential for further dialogue
• Resulted in collaboration for the book

Key Arguments

• Majid Nawaz's Position

  • Islam is neither a religion of peace nor a religion of war; it is a religion.
  • The challenge is recognizing Islam's role in actions by groups like the Taliban.
  • Important to link beliefs to actions; acknowledges Islam's partial role in radicalization.
  • Nawaz's background: Fluent in Arabic and Urdu, former member of an Islamist organization, imprisoned for political activism in Egypt.

• Sam Harris's Position

  • Discussion on political Islam and jihadism.
  • Distinction between Islamists (those seeking Islamic rule) and jihadists (those using violence).
  • Critique of the "regressive left" for ignoring the link between Islamic ideology and actions like terrorism.
  • Emphasizes the importance of freedom of speech and opposes the blaming of victims (e.g., cartoonists) for their own murder.

Political Context

• Discussion on US foreign policy, particularly in Afghanistan
• President Obama's stance on staying in Afghanistan until the Taliban agrees to peace
• Nawaz emphasizes the ideological nature of the conflict, not just military/legal.
• Cautions that without addressing ideological roots, conflicts like those in Afghanistan will persist.

Key Terms and Distinctions

• Jihadist: Seeks to impose Islamic rule through violence.
• Islamist: Seeks Islamic rule but not necessarily through violence.
• Conservative, Moderate, Liberal Muslim: Terms are often used without clear definitions.

Contemporary Relevance

• Ben Carson's statement about not voting for a Muslim president.
• Issues with such stances due to ideological biases.
• Nawaz highlights that the problem is not Muslim Americans, but the politicization of religion.

Suggestions for Political Discourse

• Nawaz suggests Democrats address foreign policy failures and acknowledge the role of Islamist ideology.
• Urges overcoming the "Voldemort effect" - the fear of naming Islamist ideology.

Conclusion

• Harris and Nawaz offer a nuanced dialogue on Islam's role in modern society.
• The book aims to clarify complex issues and encourage open discussion about Islam and tolerance in a politically polarized environment.