Swamppundit

Dear Salam,

I know I don’t read as much as I should, and I suspect that if I were a more adventurous reader I could find what I am looking for, but really, why should this be so hard to find?

Why can’t I find a cogent analysis of Islam (and/or the Koran) that gives comfort to the West that an enlightened, non-violent, non-coercive Islam can and does exist, and that a devoted, faithful, Muslim can, and indeed, should, go about his or her life feeling no compulsion from his or her religion to physically coerce anyone else (anyone – family member, neighbor, clansman, infidel, anyone) to conform their beliefs or conduct in an particular way.

I am not looking for a model Muslim that is indifferent or neutral as to the beliefs or conduct of others. I am simply looking for a model Muslim that is committed to non-violence regarding the beliefs and conduct of others. This is not a very high bar I am setting. Every Rabbi I have ever met (or read of) meets this test. Any Methodist Minister meets this test. Every Baptist Bishop meets this test. The Pope meets this test. The Dalai Lama meets this test.

But I am not just looking for the person. It is equally important that find a knowledgeable writer who can convince the West that such a model Muslim is a devotee of the true Koran – that it is possible to be such a model Muslim without dishonoring the sacred text.

Where is the article that tells the touching story of the respected Muslim Cleric whose heart was broken when his daughter told him of her love for a Westerner, but who ultimately accepted the marriage. Okay, maybe “accepted the marriage” is a little too much to ask for. The article doesn’t have to say the Cleric “accepted the marriage.” The article can say the Cleric never approved of the marriage. The article can say the Cleric never spoke to his daughter again. But, the article must make clear that the daughter was not killed. Am I asking too much?

Some say that the true Koran is a militant, coercive Koran that demands that its true followers make non-negotiable demands on others. Some say that Islam cannot peaceably co-exist with other religions in a pluralistic free society unless large, currently important, sections of the Koran are ignored.

I hope they are wrong. I hope I soon read something that will convince me they are wrong. Can you convince me, Salam, that they are wrong? I hope you can. I hope you can send me the link to the articles I am searching for.

With love,
Clarence

UPDATE: This article in the New York Times isn't everything I was hoping for, but it is the closest I have found so far.