Up first in Introductory seminars #1
This is the first of 30 Introductory seminars. Let's start as we mean to go on. Dive straight into the deep end.
Seminar 1: The myth of "moderate Muslims"
How often have you heard or read something disturbing about Islam or Muslims and said to yourself, "at least moderate Muslims are not like that" or "only a handful of extremists do that" or even the "not all Muslims..." preamble? In this seminar we explore why we respond to Muslims as we do and uncover what this reveals about us. How do Muslims take advantage of our responses to them and how can we change this state of affairs? Catherine Perez-Shakdam asks:
What does it mean to be innocent? And whom do we owe protection to?
What makes moderate Muslims moderate, as opposed to not moderate? When we say "moderate Muslims," do we not, in fact, mean "innocent Muslims"? We ponder this question from different angles:
Are moderate Muslims moderate from the standpoint of Muslims who are not moderate?
If moderate Muslims are moderate/innocent, then are those who are not, then extremist/guilty?
Does the Qur'an make a distinction between "moderate" and "extremist" Muslims? If so, what is the distinction? To what end does the Qur'an make such a distinction?
When we speak of "moderate Muslims" and "extremist Muslims", to what end do we make this distinction?
How does making such a distinction help us/hinder us in dealing with the social strains that arise from Muslims changing the norms and character of our societies?
The outcome of this seminar is similar to that of learning a new language. After successful participation, you will begin to see and hear more and more of what has been around you all along. This increasing awareness alone will deepen your insights into what is going on, revisit what you already know and equip you to deal realistically, rather than idealistically, with Muslims, especially the moderate ones.
For this seminar, please read:
- www.murtaddtohuman.org/catherine-perez-shakdam-the-most-clear-honest-and-courageous-fighter-of-our-time/ Section 1.
- Qur’an 2:216. Recommendation: The Critical Qur'an, by Robert Spencer, available on Amazon. It has copious footnotes, cross-references and commentary.
- https://www.murtaddtohuman.org/moderate-muslims-the-handful-of-extremists-and-sharia/
- Reliance of the Traveller, Book O.9
1 September 2025
New York, USA - 08:00 / 8:00 am
Prague, Czechia - 14:00 / 2:00 pm
Jerusalem, Israel – 15:00 / 3:00 pm
Melbourne, Australia - 22:00 / 10:00 pm
- Zoom link will be sent before the course
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