It’s The Theology, Stupid

Yesterday, the Observer carried an interesting opinion piece by Hassan Butt, calling on his fellow Muslims to renounce terror. Butt was, until recently, a member of radical group Al-Muhajiroun, raising funds for extremists and calling for attacks on British citizens. He appears to have had a change of heart.

 

What I found most interesting about his piece was that he downplays the role of Britain’s involvement in the Iraq war as a major factor in the radicalisation of young British Muslims. In effect, he says it’s the theology, stupid. That seems to be to be the crux of it. Yes, Iraq has been, and continues to be, a disaster, but until we manage to focus on the real wellsprings of power – the theology itself and the life-destroying interpretations of it that currently hold sway – little progress will be made. Rachel picks up on this theme over at her blog.