NOTE: If this is your first time here, it is very important to keep in mind that many of the ideas expressed in this blog represent older versions of myself, and not necessarily my current self. After all, we evolve, and sometimes change our minds. In the meantime, enjoy lurking around, and watch the video trailer for my upcoming book here.

When Can You Say that a Person Is No Longer a Muslim?: Q&A with Professor An-Naim

by Drima on October 20, 2009

Cool video from a person who’s ideas have had a massive impact on my journey and intellectual development.



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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

1 lynne 10.21.09 at 1:24 am

I agree with Professor An-Naim. No state or group should decide who is a Muslim and who is not, and the state should not be involved with religion at all—so this goes for all religions and states. There should be total separation of state and religion. I work with people who are well-meaning, very religious and they cannot understand this view at all. They do not understand the harm that can occur from a lack of state-religion separation. They fail to understand that people can be manipulated and controlled through this.

2 ras babi babiker 10.22.09 at 1:14 am

This make me think of Ustahd Mahmoud Mohamed Taha.
Much respect.

3 Suzanne 10.22.09 at 10:36 am

Wow. And this applies to many other religions as well.

4 Suzanne 10.22.09 at 10:39 am

One more thing. He’s pro secular state. Obviously. Because what he says at the end cannot be done in a Sharia state where muslims and non-muslims are distinguished in law itself already.
(and this also applies to many other religions as well)

5 Steve Howard 10.27.09 at 12:54 pm

This was a talk recorded at Ohio University in May, 2008, sponsored by the “100 Years of Progressive Islam” project of the African Studies Program. The event itself was underwritten by a grant from the Social Science Research Council

6 Fake People ( Peace Be Upon Them ) 10.29.09 at 9:54 pm

A muslim knows when they are no longer a muslim. It goes for ANY person that’s part of ANY religion u know when your living right and when your NOT.
Most people aren’t what their religion say they are supposed to be and they don’t do what their religion say they are supposed to do. So with that, in reality there are very FEW religious people in the world no matter what religion they claim to be part of.
There aren’t many Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus etc. People make themselves believe that they are theses things but they really aren’t.

7 Howie 10.31.09 at 12:38 am

Fake People…

Hmmm…I don’t quite agree…I lean towards the idea that some people exploit religion and others, to VARIOUS DEGREES, attempt to do what is right, and will always fall short…

I love Drima’s comments about “cherry-picking” as well…but yeah..I do understand what you are trying to say.

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