In April 2004, the Arab Center for the Study of Islamic Movements was founded by a group of researchers who were interested in Islamic movements, both, theoretically and practically. The aim of this center was to support tolerance and peaceful coexistence among different religions' followers. It also aimed at asserting concepts of citizenship, acceptance of others, refuting the allegations of political Islam, advocating democracy, rejecting violence, etc. The center put forth a very ambitious plan to achieve these objectives, publishing a six-volume encyclopedia on Islamic movements, and started a few important research projects. The center had among its essential principals to interact with all research centers, thus accepting a proposal by a U.S.-sponsored center to publish a series of booklets introducing Islam to America and the West. They decided that the first booklet would deal with Islam and freedom of opinion and expression. They wanted the booklets to be written in Arabic and translated into English for distribution in the U.S. and Western Europe, to present a scientific approach for the true Islamic discourse. These booklets are also meant to correct the prevailing distorted image of Islam. Islam and Muslims are now perpetually linked to extremism, violence and terrorism. These misconceptions are due to a general lack of awareness of the real Islamic principles. The first booklet was comprised of three chapters, the first of which dealt with freedom of opinion and expression in the Qur'an. The second included practices of the Holy Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) and freedom of opinion and expression. The third delved more deeply in the Islamic concept of freedom of opinion and expression. The core concept of this study was quite abridged to better highlight the true Islamic religion, a religion that upholds various thoughts and advocates freedom of faith. Islam also supports ideological debate and abhors foolish talk and understatements, as there is no coercion in religion and no aggression on peaceful others. It does not sanction the humiliation of others or the forceful adherence to a belief. The book also mentioned that if some Muslim behaviors seemed corrupted according to different historical periods, then these behaviors should not be attributed in any way to Islam. I had a very unpleasant surprise when I received the comments of the U.S-sponsored center on the booklet. It was returned to me after being revised by supervisors in this field of study. Their remarks revealed the true nature of the American vision which is not aimed at raising a true awareness of Islam, but rather devotes efforts to emphasize the negative, repulsive and falsified notions, and misconceptions already existing. The booklet was returned with remarks that needed to be "followed" in order for it to be published! The supervisor reviewing the booklets handwrote the following, "freedom of opinion and expression also includes the right for Christians and Jews to adhere to their religion without compromise to status. Therefore, an explanation has to be given to those sacred words that seem to contradict that principle. These holy verses should not be ignored as if they never existed. We mean here those verses advising Muslims not to befriend Christians or Jews, and also those rejecting leadership (wrongly written as Waliah in the text) of a non-Muslim to a Muslim." Those remarks were linguistically, poorly written, with many spelling and grammatical errors. What is the meaning of ‘aadam aakz'? In Arabic these words make no sense at all. How can an editor make such mistakes? Aside from these scandalous errors and abundance of ‘ready-made statements', it was in and by itself a clear example of misinterpretation. The booklet actually presented an objective and documented view of the relationship between the Holy Prophet and the Jews in Madina, and testified to the fact that he was fair and just in dealing with them. It is true that they were penalized after their treason during the famous Battle of the Trench (Al Khandaq). They had made a deal with the enemies of the Muslims to make a breach for them to enter from. Their deception played a major role in that battle which resulted in the killing of men and subjugation of women, according to the common practice between Arabs at the time. However, the punishment was not based on their religious belief. The editor had his eyes set on the strong Zionist influence in America while he penned "writing history from this viewpoint, will necessarily call for another contradictory version from a Jewish viewpoint." The booklet explained that the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) did not punish the Jews for religious reasons, but granted them the freedom to express their faith and perform their rituals. These privileges came to an end after they betrayed the land on which they were living. It is apparent that the American editor is not actually serving the ‘purpose' of the center in relating historical truths, but is more inclined to serve the ‘purpose' of the West. Not to anger Zionism and its powerful sway, he will not hesitate to question Islamic historical facts, putting forth only what has been recorded by western orientalists. The editor is bound to this prevalent, inevitable notion that Islam is against freedom of opinion and expression, and is based on oppression and coercion. He also thinks that the Holy Quran, the Sunnah and deeds of the Sahabah (companions of the Holy Prophet) contain evidence supporting his erroneous unscientific opinion. So, what does he say about the Holy Quran, Prophetic Sunnah and the Sahabah? God challenges the angels with his newly created Adam in preparation for granting him free will, in verses of the Quran illustrating the high regard in which He holds humanity. When the angels inquire about the privileges granted to humans, He answers "I know what you do not know". The same editor, with distasteful humor, comments: "is this a comprehensive answer to the angels?" This reveals a lot about his ignorance of how the Quran should be read, and the correct way to envision its meanings and goals. His remarks are filled to the brim with triviality and superficiality!
