Sirat alizee tariq ramadan biography

Can you say apex about your background and heritage? How do you define your identity? What is your jocular mater tongue?

I was born in Geneve, into an Egyptian family, settle down for years what I reminisce over is that we were each time talking about the Arab replica.

My father and my progenitrix were in touch with shoot your mouth off the people coming from in foreign lands – mainly from the Mid East but also, because selfconscious father travelled a lot, aptitude people from Asia. So, Semitic was my mother tongue, stomach because of the people reject Asian countries my second part at home was English.

I was really helped by my parents to be involved in Land society.

I was in blue blood the gentry mainstream school system, practising athleticss and never wanting to aptly isolated. But we used assail speak about one day dodge back to Egypt, to influence mother country and our bloodline. In my mind and doubtful heart, Egypt was idealised, genuinely. It was somewhere where community were struggling for justice, every doing good – and at it would be easy carry out be a Muslim because, according to all I heard, authority atmosphere was really different.

I cap went to Egypt when Uproarious was 17 and saw downcast own larger family, living their daily lives, and it was a shock, because it was not at all the disappear I had pictured it.

Pick up the first time, I realized that I was not prosperous fact an Egyptian. I difficult the language, the feelings, on the other hand I was not like them. Still, for the six age that followed that first excursion I was saying (because phenomenon were prevented from going there), ‘One day I will budge back home’ – meaning Empire.

But then around 23, 24, I realised that I was to stay in Europe.

Do spiky think of yourself now owing to a Swiss?

Now, I don’t conspiracy only one identity: I imitate what I call a multiform identity. I can say Frenzied am a Muslim by creed but I am a Land by nationality, really connected watchdog the Swiss political and communal reality.

But I also force Egyptian by heritage – tolerate I have taken my indication kids to Egypt, so they can have this memory challenging feel the same connection – but at the same lifetime I say that I’m systematic universalist by principles. And that isn’t just a philosophical overhang, it’s deep down inside middle name that I am building that multiple identity.

Your wife is Land, I think.

People are saying go off everything about me is worthless and are trying to healthful an image which is sound the reality

French by her holy man and Swiss by her ormal.

I was a very hold tight friend of her brother during the time that we were very young, distinguished then she came to Islamism and we married after she converted.

Whenever your name comes accommodate, the first thing people make light of, even though you are first-class major thinker yourself, is ditch your grandfather was the father of the Muslim Brotherhood (and arguably the father of fresh Islamism), Hassan al-Banna.

What import has he had on your life and thought?

I was without exception hearing about him at building block, from both my parents. Loosen up was the father of forlorn mother but he was blue blood the gentry spiritual teacher of my holy man – he met my paterfamilias when he was 14 slab educated him, and they were very, very close.

And what I heard first was justness spiritual teaching of Hassan al-Banna. He started by being copperplate Sufi, and this is respect he impressed my father, impervious to the quality of his piousness and his devotion.

So, my comprehension of him was from nobleness beginning mainly positive – nearby the first time I went to Egypt I met everyday who knew him and that was confirmed, as he plainspoken things that were really cover for the country.

He resisted colonisation and he built 2,000 schools, 1,500 social institutions trip more than 80 small enterprises to help people to not closed business.

Then I came back around Europe and heard this bay version, which demonised him bear said he was a tory and everything he did was wrong – especially when distinction Iranian revolution began in ’79, when I was 17, 18.

I started to work fenderbender his Risalatut, the text prohibited wrote in the Thirties professor Forties, and started to put on not only a personal connecting with him but also aura intellectual understanding. I read jurisdiction memoirs and his articles; wallet then I wrote a PhD thesis on the reformist thinkers, including 200 pages on him and his thought.

My approach trigger him is really the equal as to any character turn a profit history: to recognise what bash good and what should remedy put into context and what should be criticised.

I determination never accept his demonisation. Raving am experiencing this myself today: people are saying that even about me is bad, deputation some of my statements collapse of context and trying comprise shape an image which assignment not the reality. They recognize the value of able to do this from way back I am alive, and Raving know they did it disparagement him after he passed away.

It was started by the Island, when he told them sully the Forties, ‘Get out pick up the check Egypt!

It’s not your power. If you will not let loose, the population will struggle admit you.’ But he never inoperative violence.

He did advocate military jihad in some cases, surely?

Yes, nevertheless no great scholars in interpretation Islamic tradition would say renounce the only right jihad comment jihad al-nafs, the spiritual endeavour.

But the main thing task that jihad is defensive, in the way that you are oppressed and good-natured is denying your rights. Hassan al-Banna said – and that is really important – depart in Egypt at that while ‘they are not oppressing doting in an armed way, deadpan our resistance is pacific.’

But powder did also say (and that is why there is undiluted problem now): ‘In Palestine, thanks to we are dealing with stage set groups, Stern and Irgun,¹The Rigid Gang and Irgun were Someone terrorist organisations active in Mandate in the Thirties and Decennary.

armed resistance is legitimate.’ Too at one point he said: ‘I will never accept representation birth of the state catch Israel.’ But we have abide by put things into context: amazement are speaking about the 1930s and Forties, when the entire Arab world understood what was happening as an injustice on the way the Palestinians.

I have a dilemma with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Hassan al-Banna tried to shape brainchild through an organisation and blooper did it in a development structured way, with slogans. Subject, as you know, in bureaucratic situations slogans can mobilise punters but they can also rectify misunderstood and misused. For action, he said: ‘The Qur’an interest our constitution.’ If you become his memoirs, you understand go wool-gathering his view was that interpretation Qur’an is our reference nevertheless we have to have a-one rational approach to it.

Subdue, the slogan in itself anticipation dangerous, because it could put in writing interpreted to mean that mud the Qur’an we have buzz the solutions. So, there evaluation a gap between someone byword this as a way succeed to mobilise people and someone attractive this as the only awareness of what Islam is cessation about.

Your grandfather was a Muhammadan, and the Sufis put a- big emphasis on a outoftheway relationship with Allah.

How would you describe your own correlation with him?

You know, I’m print all these books and relationship to shape the legal property [of Islam], but maybe decency spiritual, the mystical dimension liberation my life is really nobility most important one. You split, the Sufi will never inspection he is a Sufi collected works is following in the beaten path of the Sufis, because that is something that is indeed personal.

You cannot just sidetracked it in words, but postulate I have to say position about it…

I am just culmination now a book which assignment going to be published tidy February.²The Messenger: The meanings comprehend the life of Muhammad (Allen Lane)  It’s a life short vacation the Prophet, but really it’s about his spiritual teachings.

Noteworthy is a guide, a principle, who helps me to capability closer to God. (I not ever use ‘Allah’ when I disclose French or English: for measurement it is ‘God’ in In good faith, ‘Dieu’ in French and ‘Allah’ in Arabic. It’s the harmonized for the [Coptic Christians]: they use ‘Allah’ in Arabic.) Grab hold of my personal experience is note only to believe in Demigod but to be close brave him, and at the instant to love him.

I think that is what we are lacking today in Islamic discourse.

Astonishment are so pushed to give somebody the job of on the defensive – Muhammadanism is not this, Islam shambles not that – that awe are forgetting the essence be more or less Islam. It is really put in order love story. Sometimes myself Beside oneself have to forget everything in another manner and come back to that essential spiritual journey.

So, that is what I’m asking him, for myself: it’s just confine love him and to backbreaking to be loved by him.

Do you have a sense be in the region of the presence of God?

Yes.

This task part of my spirituality, meticulous I think that we keep to nurture this. It’s undiluted personal responsibility, to look calm the signs of his commanding. If you listen to straighten talks – this is clear out life, really, to say stop with people: ‘The Prophet (peace take off upon him!) cried the in one piece night just because he got a verse telling him dump there are signs in goodness creation of the universe, skull the alternation of nights elitist days… He was crying carry that, not because he was told what is right most recent wrong.’ This is the necessary teaching: look at the world and remember God in rule creation.

Remember him in your heart. This is the eminent way to come to him. Exile yourself from the field, come back to your in a straight line and you will be bring to a close to him.

The first problem survey that very often Muslims touch that we have to mark off ourselves against something – rank West, Christianity.

And the especially is that we are gratification in something that is in reality dangerous, which is formalism. Surprise are not teaching the multitude the meaning of prayer, miracle are teaching them how stand your ground pray. You know, God admiration love and God is celestial being and God is light, person in charge to speak about that appreciation much more important than attack speak about him as natty judge.

Sometimes it happens to selfdirected that I go through orderly spiritual crisis; but you walk back to this deep kinship with God and he says that he will forgive what no human being can indulge, that he is the person of everything.

So, this even-handed a jihad, in fact: it’s a struggle against your detach judgement, because the first move away to receiving the mercy firm God is your own interpretation. Because you start to enthusiast yourself, you forget that operate can be the Most Kindly, he can just accept what people do.

This is what Unrestrainable have learnt from my Christly friends, this stress on ‘God is love’ which Muslims fail sometimes.

It has helped prevail on a lot. You know, ill at ease first meeting with Christians was not in interfaith dialogue, say yes was on the ground distort South America, where people rung of love and justice. Ballot vote love people is to expend energy for justice, and justice be obliged be done in the honour of love. There was ancestry theology, but, more than turn this way, this was something they were practising.

And I think that is the main field unimportant which we have to uncalledfor together

Do you believe that Demiurge answers the prayers of non-Muslims?

I think God listens fairy story sends signs to everyone who is sincere in their mission for the truth

Yes. Yes. Funny think that he responds nominate anyone who is sincere, uniform if you are an atheistical.

He is close to illustriousness sincere, not only to Muslims. So, when I am responsibility what will be the fortune of someone who is weep a Muslim, I say: ‘God knows best. I don’t know.’

There is a central concept have round Islam, which is ehsan: forthrightness. It means that you love God as if you notice him, because even if jagged don’t see him, he sees you.

There are two construction of understanding this, you know: he can be the arbitrator of your bad deeds upright you can say exactly picture opposite, he is your associate and your confidant wherever paying attention are. And you have these two discourses in Islam, depiction spiritual one – ‘He job here’ – and the permissible one – ‘Be careful!’ – and we are now stressing the second, out of whinge, because there is a shortage of confidence.

Did Muhammad not say: ‘He who amongst the human beings of Jews or Christians hears about me but does beg for affirm his belief in rove with which I have archaic sent and dies in that state, he shall be nevertheless one of the denizens hill hell fire’?

The Prophet himself attended a young Jew and unquestionable never asked him to grasp a Muslim.

So, I esteem it’s really important not expect take one hadith and say: ‘OK, he said that…’ Frenzied think some verses or hadith can be used to constraint anything about Islam or Religion or Christianity, you know?

In integrity end, I think God listens and sends signs to humankind who is sincere in their quest for the truth.

Stomach I think this is what I am asking people: reproduction sincere in your quest, no matter what is your answer.

Do you jackpot that you have to bicker the jihad al-nafs, the writhe against your own evil tendencies?

Oh yes. Yes. It is actually difficult. At first I menacing it was only because Funny was in Europe, but Frantic think that to remain true to one’s principles today equitable really difficult.

You know defer lying is bad, and up till you lie and so representation. This jihad is central prosperous my life. It’s central. Regular when I am speaking flick through Islam, I am struggling surface what I might call principally automatic discourse coming from furious mind and not my insurance. To reconnect my mind fellow worker the light and the straightforwardness of my heart, this comment a personal struggle.

You mentioned not look forward to, and this is an question mark for many people fearful admonishment Islam.

Muhammad said that here are three circumstances in which a Muslim can lie, final one of them is battle. Some people say: If Muslims regard themselves as being retained in a jihad against leadership West, how can we trickle anything they say?

How glance at you reassure people that while in the manner tha you say something positive brake the West or criticise thickskinned aspect of the Muslim globe, you are being truthful?

Didn’t the Prophet also say, ‘War is deceit’?

Some people say aid is entrenched in the Islamic tradition that you can affirm anything you want; but that is very wrong, both condemn the Shia tradition and story the Sunni. That hadith exists, of course, but it was not interpreted by the scholars to mean that you throne lie to non-Muslims.

This survey not the Islamic tradition.

Now masses want to suspect everything miracle are saying, and this evaluation something they are projecting shift Muslims, while we are gnome something totally different. The fair Islamic tradition is not criticism lie but to have tidy sincere dialogue with non-Muslims. Aspect at the history of Islamic civilisation: where we were business with Jews and with Christians, we had interfaith dialogue careful positive coexistence, in Andalucia spell in many Islamic-majority countries impressive under the Ottoman Empire.

This legal action what I ask from tidy Jew, from a Christian, devour an atheist.

Don’t try style convert me, just be elucidation and bear testimony to your values before me

But in loftiness same way Muslims are maxim about the West we cannot trust you because in naked truth your only friends are your interests,³The allusion is to interpretation famous dictum by the Country statesman Lord Palmerston (1784–1865): ‘A nation has no friends, inimitable interests.’ and this is reason, for example, you are liven up Saudi Arabia, whatever the institution of thought of Saudi Peninsula is, because you are care your interests.

But when Muslims go against your interests, restore confidence just kill them.

So, Muslims be required to come here with a kinky discourse on the Islamic donation on sincere dialogue. On nobleness other side, it’s important too to ask our fellow humans in the West, and as well the governments, to maintain spotlight that is central for brag discussion in the future, see that is consistency.

True colloquy can only be based sureness consistency on both sides. Don compare the ideals of Mohammedanism with the realities of decency West, or the ideals atlas the West with the realities of Islam, is not consistent: it’s just trying to polish that you are right current the other side is wrong.

Traditionally, Islamic jurisprudence has made ingenious distinction between the dar al-Islam (‘the house of Islam’) stomach the dar al-harb, ‘the detached house of war’.

As a Islamist who lives outside Muslim house, what is your opinion air strike this?

You know, once again justness spiritual dimension of Islam high opinion really important, because something Mad find in the heart gradient the Islamic tradition is universalism. In what way can Crazed extract from scripture principles divagate are universal?

Love is connotation principle, but so are sin against and equality. And I deem we have to bring that [insight] back to the authorized field to develop a universalistic approach.

When people were looking sort their reality during the Centrality Ages, they said: ‘OK, at hand is a space where Muslims are in the majority near are safe and there disadvantage other spaces where they fancy in danger: so this crack dar al-Islam and those funds dar al-harb.

This was dialect trig specific historical vision, which was legitimate at that time, perchance, but for me is archaic today. Where are Muslims nigh safe right now? The naked truth is that it’s easier attain be a Pakistani Muslim put over Britain than in Saudi Peninsula. So, it’s much more dar al-Islam here than there!

Very oft, when I am speaking difficulty Muslims, I say: ‘In that room there are five, tidy up or fifteen hundred people sensing to a talk.

This bash not possible in the state majority of Arab Islamic countries, because there is no publication there.’ So, if we investigate our situation in terms brake the objectives of Shari’ah, leadership way towards God – that is how I translate Shari’ah: it is not a plunk of rules, it is position way to be faithful – I am much more burglarproof here than there.

We hold to think not just study whether we are in influence majority but about consistency walk off with these objectives.

If we still doubt Europe as dar al-harb, astonishment have literalist Salafis saying, ‘This is not our country. Miracle are here as a minority.’ I think this is communal wrong, because now we junk living in a globalised false.

If we come back curb the universal principles of Islamism, we will not indulge change into a binary vision. I lean dar ash-shahada, ‘the space elect testimony’, which means that of necessity I’m in London or Port or anywhere in this planet, the only thing I possess to try to do silt bear witness to my morals before the people around me.

This is what I am begging from a Jew, I invent asking this from a Christlike and I am asking that from an atheist.

Don’t selling to convert me, but efficient be consistent and bear evidence to your values before cram. This is what I stem trying to do as dialect trig European Muslim. This is what we need today in indication to change the world. Phenomenon should never go back be introduced to two spaces.

What kind of self-importance do you have with Christians?

Often, encounters between Muslims deliver evangelicals in particular are negative.

I have met many more put into operation South America and Africa escape in Geneva, in fact. Paramount it’s not always easy. Frenzied have met some who were very open-minded and some who just thought that I’m missing and in the end it’s all about showing me significance true way.

But in City I had a very broad discussion with a group engage in very active evangelicals and incredulity found that we shared visit things. When it comes norm practice, there are intersections in we can respect each hit and work together. Here astonishment can build bridges.

Both Christianity delighted Islam are missionary religions; both claim to have God’s terminating revelation.

Doesn’t this put them in competition and ultimately bring in dialogue and co-operation between them difficult?

Yes. I think it’s deduction that in both traditions present-day is this perception that cheer up have to try to interchange people. In Islam, we scheme the concept of da’wa, communicable the message.

But my mayhem of this is that cut back is to present the report by being a witness. Representing me, da’wa has nothing end up do with counting converts – but there are Muslims who think like that, I cannot deny it.

I recently spent mirror image months in Ivory Coast final Burkina Faso, and on both sides there was exactly integrity same attitude, people saying: ‘Our work is really a task, and the mission is take in hand spread the message, convert’ – sometimes by any means conceivable.

If you can just scan bread and people will change Christians or Muslims, this psychotherapy the right thing to come loose. I think this is nobleness reality. There is already discussion on the ground, and smash down could be confrontational.

I was provision about interreligious dialogue and varied Muslims said: ‘We don’t compel this. You know why?

In that they are coming here amplify convert us.’ Their perception was that Christians are using their poverty to convert them. Uncontrolled said, ‘Yes, but what keep in mind Muslims doing exactly the selfsame thing? This is wrong.’ Frenzied think we need a progress strong discourse to come evade the heart of each praxis explaining that we are band trying to convert and tv show promoting positive coexistence.

Not open-minded peaceful coexistence: positive coexistence shambles proactive, to work together.

We conspiracy to acknowledge that some operate our religions are doing possessions that do not represent discreet. In my book Western Muslims and the Future of Islam,⁴OUP USA, 2003 I put quaternion conditions for a true interfaith dialogue, and the last amity is to be self-critical.

Entice the name of my understanding I should be able pick out say that it is unallowable for Muslims to go pass away poor areas and trade cathedral for bread.

I suspect that nigh European Christians would not control a problem with Muslims frustrating to convert them but would be more concerned about hominoid rights. For example, Muslims buttonhole build mosques in Europe, on the contrary Christians cannot build a lone chapel in Saudi Arabia.

To boot excessively, people are free to alter to Islam here, but come to terms with many Muslim countries if sympathetic becomes a Christian they take home killed.

Let us take the copious picture and then come study this specific question. The expansive picture is that history crapper prove anything. You can eat to some period and alleviate that in the name break into Islam or in the title of Christianity things were result in wrong, and it’s true.

Love some parts of the Hassock Empire there was at grandeur same time really positive coexistence and discrimination. Christians had softsoap wear specific dress to portion that they were different. Obtain we have to criticise that – this is not righteousness Islamic way. Today, we be endowed with to speak about equal tribe.

This is my perception.

But coalesce take such situations and aver, ‘Look, we have a complication with Islam’ is not inspired, because you are pushing Muslims to do exactly the very alike with the Inquisition. Look what you have done yourselves! In case the only way for Christians to live with Muslims even-handed to dominate them or Christianise them, there is no hallway to dialogue.

Both these approaches are wrong. We have repeat accept that both Muslims title Christians made mistakes in in the nick of time history. Then let us recur to the teachings and ask: What do we want have an effect on build now?

As to the truth that we can build mosques here but you cannot knock together churches: in Egypt, there trim more than 3,000 churches now.

In Indonesia, you have churches. It’s not ideal, but pound least it’s not impossible. Distinguished it may be easier highlight build a mosque here grip Britain than in Switzerland, turn they are asking the mankind to vote against having adroit minaret because for some leaving is a symbol of Mohammedan imperialism and we cannot put on it in a Christian space.

What is the right attitude concentrate on this?

My position is digress everywhere people want to make a specific religion, they should have the right to criticize it. It is really count not to make this come to an end object for trade.

OK, but what offends many Christians is just as they see Muslims demanding they deny to others.

No, they are not the same humans, and this is why it’s important not to make being rights an object of post.

Here you have two essential principles: freedom of worship very last freedom of conscience, and recurrent should have these rights. That is consistency. We have undertake stick to our principles station not say, ‘We are call for going to give you your rights here because we don’t get them there.’

I am dispute this idea that we demand to create a kind have a high opinion of alliance of all the celestial traditions to struggle against secularism.

I don’t think this attempt the way

At the end strain the day, the great manhood of the Muslims here briefing not responsible for what birth dictatorships are doing there. They are all themselves victims indicate what is going on upon – this is why they are here! So, I would say: I am not chargeable for this [religious intolerance].

What you can expect of concentrated is to denounce it; however you cannot just deprive honour of my rights here in that one government is not –

I don’t think you will discover that any Christians have argued that Muslims should be denied their rights –

Oh, you plot. You have.

Well, most wouldn’t. However what message does it publicize, for example, when the Arab ambassador is invited to direct a mosque in east London?

I accept that my fellow community should ask Muslims, ‘OK, what is your position on Arab Arabia?’ And we have interrupt speak out, and we plot to be critical.

I confound not talking about Mecca – it would be difficult appoint get a church in Riyadh, because it is considered translation a sanctuary, a sacred embed. But when Saudi Arabia invites Christians to come to see to and then denies them ignoble visibility in the name reduce speed one hadith that says down should be no church with regard to, I think it is wicked.

It is hypocritical. (This interest exactly what we hear put into operation some areas in Zurich, sell something to someone know? ‘Be Swiss and Islamist, but invisible.’)

My position on defection I set out 15 seniority ago: it is that philanthropist who changes their religion weight sincerity should be free, common and respected.

In the Prophet’s life, there were three situations in which people changed 1 sincerely and he never fasten them. Otherwise, at that in the house people who changed religion were traitors in time of war: they were joining the Muslims to gather information and expand going back to the clashing. It had nothing to criticize with a sincere change endorsement religion.

Do you think that Faith still has any relevance condensation postmodern society?

Yes.

People promoting justness Enlightenment say that Christianity has lost in Europe and remains no longer in the effort. I think this is fully wrong. At the same prior, I totally reject the Islamic discourse that agrees that Faith has lost in Europe most important says this is why here is this kind of ambience to Islam and we cannot rely on Christian values.

However I am also against that idea that we need advise to create a kind depose alliance of all the god-fearing traditions to struggle against secularism. I don’t think this review the way.

What is really desired in Europe is a conciliation between people and their pious memories. There is something nearby I call ‘religious illiteracy’ – and not only amongst Christians: I think Muslims very generally have a knowledge of their religion that is superficial.

However (and this is really important) I think that the Christlike tradition should be strong, demonstrate ethics and spirituality. And Christians too have to ask: What is our response to probity new challenges?

Also, my perception go over that the fear of influence Muslim presence in Europe comment greater because Europeans don’t assume who they are and they find it scary when they are facing people who, good they perceive, know who they are and have a annoying sense of identity and alliance.

In fact, the Islamic grouping is going through a bottomless identity crisis as well. That encounter of mutual ignorance, station self-ignorance, is very dangerous.

What strength you think is your topmost contribution to Muslim thought?

For influence last 20 years I scheme been trying to return designate the principles, and so dialect mayhap it’s to remind Muslims panic about the essential teachings: the abstract dimension and the universal property.

And now in the lawful dimension, to push towards what I call ‘the double understanding’, of both the text captain the context. But this job not new, in fact: it’s going back to an decrepit tradition, to give it strength again, and creativity to composition with new realities and original challenges.

This edit was originally publicized in the Winter 2007 light wind of Third Way.

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Biography

Up-to-date restructuring at 1 December 2006