.... Furthermore, opposition to Hasan has been building due to a number of other factors, too, not just his support for evolutionary theory. In particular, his role as an official adviser to the government-funded Quilliam Foundation – a body widely viewed with contempt by many British Muslims – and his recent trip to Afghanistan on a Foreign Office junket have unsettled many of his hitherto supporters who are deeply uncomfortable with the UK's continuing involvement in the war there.
In my view, though, the controversy at Masjid al-Tawhid does highlight a fundamental problem. Muslims are rightly taught to respect ulama ("people of knowledge"). In practice, however, those regarded and treated as ulama are only those who have spent years studying ancient books in Arabic in traditional Islamic seminaries.
[COMMENT] The year is 2011 and Inayat …. is having to write a piece like this which he must find embarrassing. Just incredible that grown adults would threaten the life of someone for pointing out the bleedin' obvious. You're doing well to keep your faith Inayat, You're wrong but given the amount of stupidity in your midst you're doing well all the same. [Guardian Cif] Read more
