Tariq Ramadan - The Western Muslim (1/3)
Summary
TLDRThe speaker, a European Muslim with a PhD in philosophy, emphasizes the importance of European Muslims embracing their dual identity and not succumbing to a victim mentality. They argue against the 'us versus them' narrative and advocate for a shared European identity that includes Muslims. The speaker challenges the notion of Muslims needing to integrate, asserting that they are already part of society and should focus on contributing to it. They also highlight the historical presence of Islam in Europe and the need for a pluralistic understanding of European history. The speaker concludes by encouraging Muslims to adopt seven 'C's: Confidence, Criticism, Communication, Contribution, Citizenship, and Creativity.
Takeaways
- 😀 The speaker identifies as both European by culture and Muslim by religion, emphasizing that Europe is home for them and other Muslims.
- 🗣️ The media's portrayal of Islam and Muslims is largely negative, with a normalized discourse linking Islam to extremism.
- 🚫 The speaker criticizes the victim mentality that some Muslims adopt in response to this negativity and calls for rejecting it.
- 👥 The 'us vs. them' narrative, where Muslims are seen as outsiders in Europe, is deemed unacceptable. Muslims are part of the European 'us.'
- 🤝 Muslims should not focus on 'integration,' as they are already integrated, but rather on contributing to the future of European society.
- 📜 The speaker asserts that Islam has been part of Europe's history for a long time, alongside Judeo-Christian traditions.
- 📚 Revisiting European history to acknowledge the Islamic contribution is crucial to building a pluralistic present and future.
- 💡 The speaker advocates for the promotion of seven key values within the Muslim community: Confidence, Criticism, Communication, Contribution, Compassion, Citizenship, and Creativity.
- 💬 Confidence is critical for Muslims in Europe to feel at peace with their identity, as this internal peace allows for external peace.
- 🌍 The speaker stresses the need for Muslims to be both fully Muslim and fully European, without any contradiction between these identities.
Q & A
What is the speaker's stance on the distinction between being a 'Muslim in Europe' and a 'European Muslim'?
-The speaker emphasizes that being a 'European Muslim' is an identity that reflects both a cultural and religious dimension. He argues that Europe is home for Muslims and that they are an integral part of European society, rather than outsiders. He opposes the term 'Muslim in Europe,' which implies a sense of foreignness.
What does the speaker suggest is the dominant portrayal of Muslims in the media?
-The speaker highlights that the portrayal of Islam and Muslims in European media is predominantly negative, focusing on radicalism and often conflating Islam with extremism. This portrayal contributes to widespread misconceptions about the religion.
How does the speaker propose Muslims should respond to negative perceptions in European society?
-The speaker suggests that Muslims should reject a victim mentality and instead focus on their rights, self-respect, and responsibilities as citizens. He encourages Muslims to assert their presence and contribute to society rather than isolating themselves.
What does the speaker criticize about the discourse surrounding 'integration'?
-The speaker criticizes the concept of 'integration' because it implies that Muslims are not already part of European society. He argues that Muslims are already integrated and should focus on contributing to the future of their countries, rather than striving for acceptance.
How does the speaker define 'contribution' in the context of being European Muslims?
-The speaker defines contribution as active participation in building the future of European society. He urges Muslims to move beyond discussions of integration and focus on contributing to social, cultural, and political life as full citizens.
What historical perspective does the speaker offer regarding Islam's role in Europe?
-The speaker argues that Islam has been part of Europe's history for a long time, alongside the Judeo-Christian tradition. He criticizes the selective rewriting of European history that excludes Islam, calling for a recognition of Islam's contribution to European heritage.
What are the 'seven Cs' the speaker promotes for Muslims in Europe?
-The seven Cs are confidence, criticism (critical thinking), communication, contribution, creativity, citizenship, and credibility. These principles are intended to guide Muslims in their roles as European citizens and help them contribute positively to society.
What is the importance of 'confidence' according to the speaker?
-The speaker stresses that confidence is essential for Muslims to feel fully integrated into European society. Confidence in one's identity as both fully Muslim and fully European is crucial for fostering peace within oneself and contributing to the broader society.
Why does the speaker advocate for a critical mindset (criticism) among Muslims?
-The speaker advocates for a critical mindset to ensure that Muslims are intellectually engaged and able to question and analyze societal norms and their own traditions. This critical thinking is essential for meaningful contributions to society.
How does the speaker view the concept of 'us vs. them' in European discourse?
-The speaker rejects the 'us vs. them' narrative, where Muslims are seen as outsiders in Europe. He emphasizes that Muslims are part of the European 'us' and should not be treated as separate from the broader European community.
Outlines
🇪🇺 Being a European Muslim: Identity and Culture
In this paragraph, the speaker reflects on his personal experience of studying in Switzerland and how he initially studied Nietzsche's philosophy but later lost his ability to speak German. He delves into the question of whether to identify as a European Muslim or a Muslim in Europe, emphasizing that for him, Europe is home. He rejects the notion of being a Muslim in a foreign land, stating that his European culture and Muslim faith coexist. The speaker discusses the importance of embracing this dual identity and facing the reality of being both European and Muslim in society.
📺 Negative Media Representation of Islam
The speaker addresses the widespread negative portrayal of Islam and Muslims in the media, particularly in Europe. He highlights that this negativity creates a perception that the problem lies with Islam itself rather than radical elements. Far-right parties perpetuate this sentiment, causing Muslims to feel alienated. The speaker strongly discourages Muslims from adopting a victim mentality, as it plays into the narrative of exclusion. Instead, he calls for Muslims to stand up for their rights, self-respect, and responsibilities as citizens to challenge racism and promote mutual respect and understanding.
🤝 Rejecting the 'Us vs. Them' Mentality
The speaker challenges the 'us vs. them' narrative that positions Muslims as outsiders in Europe. He emphasizes that Muslims are part of the European identity and must be recognized as equal citizens. The speaker argues that discussions about integration are outdated and that Muslims should no longer be seen as needing to integrate but instead focus on contributing to the future of their societies. The key message here is shifting from integration to active participation and contribution, fostering collaboration for a shared future.
📜 Islam as a Part of Europe's Historical Legacy
In this paragraph, the speaker stresses that Islam is not a foreign element but an integral part of Europe's history. He refutes the notion that Europe’s heritage is solely based on Greek, Roman, and Judeo-Christian traditions, asserting that Islam has played a significant role in shaping European civilization. The speaker calls for the inclusion of Islam in Europe’s historical narrative and emphasizes that excluding Islam from this past hinders a pluralistic present. This recognition is vital for acknowledging the presence and contributions of Muslims in Europe today.
💡 The Seven C's for European Muslims' Success
The speaker outlines seven key principles (the Seven C's) that Muslims in Europe, particularly in Austria, should embody: Confidence, Criticism, Communication, Contribution, Citizenship, and Creativity. He stresses the importance of having confidence in being both fully Muslim and fully European. By embracing their identity and values, Muslims can contribute positively to society. The speaker encourages Austrian Muslims to engage in critical thinking, foster effective communication, and participate actively as citizens to build a future rooted in collaboration and shared responsibility.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡European Muslim
💡Victim Mentality
💡Common Citizenship
💡Contribution
💡Integration
💡Far-right Parties
💡Islamic Values
💡Self-respect
💡Historical Legacy
💡Pluralism
Highlights
The speaker studied Nietzsche's philosophy in Switzerland but lost much of that knowledge over time.
The distinction between being 'European Muslims' versus 'Muslims in Europe' highlights the speaker's identity as both European and Muslim.
The speaker emphasizes that being Muslim in Europe should not be seen as 'otherness' but as a natural part of European culture.
Media coverage of Islam in Europe tends to be negative, leading to a distorted perception of Muslims in mainstream discourse.
Far-right parties in Europe are pushing a narrative that Muslims should withdraw from society, which the speaker argues against.
The speaker urges Muslims not to adopt a victim mentality but to stand up for their rights as equal citizens.
The 'us versus them' mentality, where Muslims are seen as separate from Europeans, is harmful and should be rejected.
The focus should not be on 'integration' as if Muslims are outsiders, but on 'contribution' to the shared future of European societies.
Islam has been a part of Europe's historical legacy, alongside Judeo-Christian traditions, and should be recognized as such.
A pluralistic European identity requires acknowledgment of the Islamic contribution to Europe's past and present.
The speaker proposes the 'Seven C's' approach for European Muslims: Confidence, Criticism, Communication, Contribution, Creativity, Citizenship, and Courage.
Confidence is essential for Muslims to feel at peace with their dual identity as both fully Muslim and fully European.
Critical thinking is key to engaging with both Islamic values and modern European society in a meaningful way.
The speaker calls for open communication between Muslims and non-Muslims to foster mutual understanding and respect.
Muslims should actively contribute to European societies by participating in civic life and shaping the future together with others.
Transcripts
foreign
i'm i'm sorry not being able to speak in
german
i studied six years in switzerland
and my first phd was on nietzsche's
philosophy
and i lost everything so this is the
first thing to take which is not my
example
for getting a language you have studied
at school
and unfortunately i'm obliged
to speak in english i was asked to speak
about
do we have to speak about
being european muslims or
being muslims in europe and i think
it's not by accident
15 years ago when i first wrote a book
to be a european muslim
i got some reactions from my fellow
muslims saying
no you have to say being a muslim in
europe
and i say no i am a european by culture
i am a muslim by religion i am a
european muslim
so it's not to be a muslim somewhere
else
this is home for me and this is home for
you
and this is home for us
as an introduction i think it's really
important to face the reality of
being muslims in
european muslims in our countries
and i heard of course that your
situation in austria
may be better than others in other
european society still
if you look at what is going on now
in the media and the mainstream media
and media
tv channels around the world and
especially in europe
what we have to say is that the coverage
of islam and muslims is mainly negative
so the perception the people around have
on islam and muslims is negative
and we are facing this
every day just arriving here
reading in a newspaper a uk newspaper
the times
an article saying the problem
is not with radical muslims the problem
is with islam itself because
radical muslims are in fact following
the true message of islam you know that
we have far-right parties
and something which has been normalized
in the discourse in europe about this
so the muslims have two choices
the first one is to say okay look the
people
around us don't like muslims and they
don't like islam
and to nurture something which is a
victim mentality
they don't like us they don't like islam
let us be among ourselves
to withdraw into ourselves and to be
muslims far from the society
this is the wrong answer this is exactly
what
far-right parties want in our
european society what
we have to do
could i ask you something as i have only
20-25 minutes avoid uploading during the
discourse and then at the end if you
want
because you are taking of my time i will
not be able to say whatever i want to
say
thank you now
so what i wanted to say is that
what the muslims should do is to refuse
the victim mentality it's not a question
to be liked or not to be liked it's a
question of rights
it's a question of understanding it's a
question of self-respect
it's to stand up for our
responsibilities
as citizens as muslims and to say look
we are not going to accept you to target
you to promote a new races
it's now time to live together to
respect each other and to know each
other
so today to stand up for our
responsibilities the only
right islamic and positive answer the
muslims should promote
and not the victim mentality which is
sometimes around
in the muslim communities in europe the
second point
is that what we have now normalized in
the discourse
is people coming to you and saying you
muslims and us as europeans
this us versus them it's not acceptable
i am part of this new us i'm not outside
europe it's us
as europeans and us as europeans
muslims atheists jews christians
and whatever you want to be you are
european so
so that's okay i won't get it
so the problem here
is to say look it's a question of common
values and common citizenship
and be careful because still now
even though you are less advanced as to
the history of the muslim presence
in in austria as for example
in france or in the two
in in the two ahead countries in in
europe with you know
decades of muslim presence we still have
people
saying you have to integrate and i think
that we have to be cautious with the
concept of integration
because people are nurturing this you
have to integrate you have integrate
nurturing in their own minds and in our
minds
that to be integrated still means that
you are not part of us
so we are waiting for you to be part of
us what we have to say
we are sorry we are already integrated
our main concern today is not to be
integrated
it's to contribute to the future of our
society
so we don't dare now integration is a
word of the past
the word of the future and the word of
the present is
contribution what could we give
as citizens austrian citizens european
citizens to our country
stop talking about integration talk
about
living together acting together
contributing together
for the sake of our common future so the
last point
is really something that we have to say
maybe some don't want to to listen to
this
islam is a european religion islam is
part of the european landscape by the
way it's not new
for all the people who now are building
a new past
to europe and saying we want to talk to
you
as people coming from outside we have to
tell them look
you have to revisit your own past
because it's not true that the european
history
is only based on greek or roman and
jewish
judeo-christian legacy it's wrong
the the past of europe is
judeo-christian islamic
and we are part of europe for a long
time so what we are trying to do with
our presence
is to reconcile yourself with your own
past because by having an
a selective approach of your past you
are not
building a pluralistic present so this
is something which is really important
and this is our business to come to
something which should be important in
our uh curriculum in the schools
we have to integrate this past as part
of the european legacy
if you put us outside your past it means
that you have difficulties
to consider us as part of your presence
so we have to take this as something
which is a deep challenge
what i want to say is now not only to
speak about
our fellow citizens but as we are here
as a very
impressive gathering of uh the muslim
community the austrian muslim community
is to come to something with from within
what do we have to say to ourselves to
come from a victim mentality to
our responsibilities as you austrian
muslims are european muslims
i want to share with you the promotion
of seven c's
seven c's the first one which is really
important
is confidence the second one
is criticism critical mind
the third one is communication
the fourth one is contribution the fifth
one
uh the sixth one is citizenship and the
last one is creativity
let me go very quickly through all this
and share with
with the muslims here the young and the
not so young muslims
something which should be heard by our
fellow
europeans your fellow austrian citizens
in order to build the future together
the first one which is really important
if now you don't get
this confidence that you are
at the same time at the same time fully
muslim
and fully austrian and there is no
contradiction between being a muslim and
being a
austrian and you are at peace with
yourself you will not
spread peace around you farch
as we say in arabic if you don't get
something you cannot give it
so the point here is to be confident
with our own values
the islamic values are not are not are
not
minority values
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