PragerU Video: Where Are The Moderate Muslims?

The Left repeatedly claims that the vast majority of Muslims are “moderate” and only a small percentage embrace radical Islamist views. But researcher Hussein Aboubakr argues that a lot of so-called “moderate” Muslims aren’t actually moderate. “If moderation means you tolerate freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, women’s rights and gay rights, moderate Muslims are a distinct minority,” says the Cairo-born writer.

In PragerU’s latest video, Aboubakr explains that being raised in Cairo, Egypt, in what the Left would generally describe as a “moderate” Muslim culture, he was inculcated with Islamist propaganda about the need to establish an Islamic caliphate and that apostates should be put to death. He also witnessed “joy” coming from his “teachers and my mosque imams” when the 9/11 terror attacks occurred.

Aboubakr then cites poll numbers highlighting that this not out of the norm in Islamic countries:

My experience was typical, and there is data to prove it: According to the Pew Research Center, 88% of Muslims in Egypt, 62% in Pakistan, 86% in Jordan and 51% in Nigeria believe that any Muslim who chooses to leave Islam should be put to death. Similar, if not identical, numbers are in favor of stoning people who commit adultery, severely punishing those who criticize Muhammad or Islam, and chopping off hands for theft.

All of these practices are a part of the penal code of Islamic law, which is known as Sharia. And 84% of Muslims in South Asia, 77% in Southeast Asia, 74% in the Middle East and North Africa and 64% in Sub-Saharan Africa support Sharia as the law of the land. Less drastic, yet significant, percentages are to be found even among Muslim communities in the West.

Aboubakr returns to his own personal experience with so-called “moderate” Muslims, who attempted to shut down back-to-back speeches of his, to no avail.

“It is not Islamophobic to note the tragic fact that, at this time in history, the Muslim world is dominated by bad ideas and bad beliefs,” said Aboubakr. “That is why millions of so-called moderate Muslims do not rise up to denounce Islamist terror – because the word ‘moderate,’ as we understand it, doesn’t really apply. If moderation means you tolerate freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, women’s rights and gay rights, moderate Muslims are a distinct minority. Of course, they exist. Millions of them. But among believing Muslims, they do not represent anywhere near a critical mass.”

Aboubakr concludes the video by noting that it is crucial to speak out on how Islamist values are incompatible with Western values of freedom and that the religion is in need of reform in order to truly defeat Islamic terrorism once and for all.

“I do believe that reform is possible,” said Aboubakr. “It can, of course, only be done from within Islam. The West can be a part of that reform, but only if it faces – and tells – the truth.”

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