Islam without Compromise with Moazzam Begg

The War on Terror, a US-led strategy that saw deadly interventions in the Muslim world, has transformed a generation of Muslims. Some, like my guest today, unwittingly got caught up in this mindless campaign and 21 years after the events of 9/11, we still feel the aftereffects of programmes that placed every Muslim in categories, moderate or extreme, good and bad, loyal or disloyal.
Moazzam Begg, a former Guantanamo detainee upon his release, has been a tireless campaigner for the truth, exposing its lies and deceits. In the process, he and his organisation CAGE international have tactically contacted non-Muslim sympathisers and wider Human Rights organisations. But I asked him about the risks involved in this strategy. Many a time, Muslims that receive such support are forced to compromise. The left wants Islam to change and come with various social positions we find problematic. The right often possesses a chauvinism that calls upon Muslims to accept a secondary role in society. We ask Moazzam to conceptualise how he navigates these binaries.
We also ask Moazzam to update us on the current state of the war on terror. Is it over as a US state policy, and if so, what does this mean for us?
As always, you can comment your thoughts below.
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The Thinking Muslim Podcast Episode 82
0:00 - 0:33 - Highlights
0:33 - 1:58 - Introduction
1:59 - 3:59 - Have things improved for you
4:00 - 5:07 - What grounds do they keep stopping you
5:08 - 8:28 - How has CAGE nurtured support form Non Muslims
8:29 - 9:26 - Muslim countries being used for War on Terror
9:26 - 12:41 - Aafia Siddiqui
12:41 - 15:42 - What are the Red Lines when dealing with Non Muslim sympathisers
15:43 - 18:18 - The Left and their Anti Imperialist stance
18:19 - 20:30 - Muslim countries blocking Uyghur debate. Why they fear China
20:31 - 23:33 - Some say any form of alliance with Non Muslims means a sell out
23:34 - 26:21 - How do you deal with the views of the left on social issues like Gender, Marriage etc
26:22 - 28:29 - How do you navigate the Left and the Right
28:30 - 30:56 - Should people have a good Islamic background first
30:57 - 33:18 - Are the terms we use loaded Equality, Rights, Freedom
33:19 - 36:31 - How much effort does CAGE put into education especially those influenced by the left
36:32 - 38:42 - Muslim University Societies
38:43 - 41:28 - Is US War on Terror now over because of new focus on China and Russia
41:29 - 45:46 - Afghanistan retreat and the Taliban
45:47 - 50:06 - How can we focus our attention on the Uyghur issue
50:07 - 52:48 - Turkey what sort of support do they offer to the Uyghur issue
52:49 - 55:57 - CAGE is non government org how do you see its role in comparison to State actors
55:58 - 57:30 - CAGE rebranded to CAGE International
57:31 - 1:00:33 - Is Britain relatively speaking a better safer place for Muslims
1:00:34 - 1:01:45 - Labour Party
1:01:46 - 1:02:57 - Second stage of War on Terror
1:02:57 - 1:06:30 - India CAGE Response
1:06:31 - 1:07:40 - What motivates you

[@CAGEInternational]

A must watch!

[@zamangha9031]

Allah humma aizzal islama wal musilmeen ❤

[@zamangha9031]

Allah grant us unity and pious leaders

[@TheThinkingMuslim]

Salam all, we had to repost this video, the earlier one seem to have a slight sound issue for some viewers.

[@mop6279]

My respect for Mozzaam Begg increased. I have heard him speak in bits and pieces but this is the first time that I've listened to him speak at length. Excellent set of questions by bro Jalal, and equally, articulate responses by bro Begg. May Allah bless them both and their work. Ameen On a main note, when you mentioned you had Kashmiris approach CAGE on how to go about fighting the good fight, and your advice was to organise themselves. Please understand the work you do is inspirational otherwise they wouldn't have come to you. So with your life experiences of being in Guantanamo to launching this org and growing it to being impactful, maybe you can develop a political activism course to teach Muslims globally how to organise themselves? Maybe???

[@NoorRoxana]

Im from Romania, a recent revert, and my brother my soul breaks for what this people have done to you. There is no excuse, it hurts my heart for what they have done to you. Even before I was a revert and i was 21 years old I always stood up for minorities though I am not one, my heart told me since I was 6 years I think it was Allah voice telling me I should judge no one, based on anything else but theyr soul, I hope and always pray people will change and I hope one day maybe I will live and see it. And is not just the US only but definitly the biggest one maybe the biggest one is US because it is so powerful. But please people stop doing this anuy animal, human, plant is the creation of Allah and you have no right to do this to anyone or anything.

[@manazon6945]

That's sad. Reverts are the most mislead

[@usersifu6082]

I'm so impressed with your words my dear brother, my Allah keep you on right path and all of us Ameen

[@ioana7929]

Alhamdulillah islamul crește în România

[@porphyry17]

​@@ioana7929si ce e asa frumos in asta? continua sa crezi intr-un sarlatan v1olator p3d0fil ucigas din desertul Arabiei. care a plagiat la greu si improvizat cea mai tampita religie din istorie.

[@justlooking4202]

May Allah bless and continue to guide you towards goodness

[@lovelaugh_lina]

SubhanAllah that last question on what motivates him...made me self reflect on myself I did not go thru what he did not even a moment .. may Allah accept ALL his deeds ameen

[@gunterblum9088]

im a german revert and i love this refreshing podcast mashallah, please invite a german muslim to give you the inside of germany and islam

[@Siwahib]

Respect to Brother Moazzam and his likes.. this is the real struggle- challenging the mainstream agenda

[@mpatel4815]

Assalamualikum. Moazzam bhai I admire you for speaking out and may Allah reward you for what you went thru and for your efforts in speaking the truth.

[@ahmedajmi6936]

Articulate and thought provoking conversation. Well worth a listen.

[@isafisabilillah8324]

Love these podcast Selamualeykum from Germany

[@TheThinkingMuslim]

Walaikum salam jzk

[@Nusaybah459]

Subhanallah you are a mumeen, who actually feels the pain ofhis fellow muslims. You my brother truly do follow Allahs path. May Allah reward you abundantly and protect you from harm.

[@raffatperveen3150]

The brother Mozzam speaks the truth Alhamdulilah

[@user-xh8ui7hw1u]

The host is really well spoken alhamdulillah. Allahumma barik. May Allah increase him in goodness. Ameen

[@shamimhuq4141]

Masha’Allah mashallah, very informative and thought provoking. Alhamdullilah!! May Allah preserve and protect you. Ameen. Need to see more Muslims coming forth like you all inshallah. Get united for the sake of Allah.

[@waqaasakhtar155]

This podcast was incredibly insightful, hope we don't have to wait too long for part two. I must admit however, the success of the Chinese regime, to systematically strip Muslim(s) off of their Islam, is quite unsettling from a theological standpoint. It would appear to be a meaningful, akhira-effecting victory of the disbelievers over the Muslims. This is in contrast to say a martyr, who will be admitted into paradise. It would be helpful to know how to make sense of this reality. Perhaps a question to bear in mind for a future guest iA.

[@raffatperveen3150]

Brother Beg is absolutely right that lndian Muslim has to stand up and join hands ln Sha Allah

[@truthPrevails-hg6dj]

Taqabbal Allah... Jazak Allah Khair. Ya Akhwaan

[@Nusaybah459]

Subhanallah Alhamdullillah may you be successful in this dunya and the Akhira.

[@raffatperveen3150]

Brother Beg knows the soul of lslam Alhamdulilah

[@user-kx3cn6zz7c]

The sunnah is to always be thankful to individuals who do us good regardless of their religion.

[@user-je1bu6wh5o]

It's hard to wrap my mind around the statement, "Britain in comparison to these guys is tame. It is more tolerant"

[@zraruko9683]

Thinking Muslim is, after all, a believing one.

[@muhammadrafiqakhtar4566]

Allaahu Akbar !

[@muhammadrafiqakhtar4566]

Jazak Allaahu fa ahsanal jazaa Honorable Sir

[@m.ghani0939]

Only in seven seconds InshaAllah We can catch and can control our think which come by out side

[@Ellemiaaa]

May Allah reward you Akhi ❤! We appreciate your work. Beautiful and much important discussion! Thanks for making conversation with brother Moazzam wanted really to hear more about these injustice history!! Jazakallahu khair

[@user-kx3cn6zz7c]

Love between relatives who adhere to other religions is natural and cannot be prevented and we are not judged for it unless it drives us to do haram.

[@naseemkad]

I think Britain is still one of the best countries for Muslims to practice their faith. I blame Tony Blair and Bush for causing havoc as their personal agendas against Islam and dragged Britons with them under false pretence. As a Muslim I rather be in the UK than anywhere else.

[@lilyrosesoul0077]

Now pple supporting Palestine may be arrested and labelled terrorists in UK. Seems like free speech is vanishing in UK?

[@BashirAhmadBakhtiar-mj5qp]

What minute is the first sentence 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@isagoge]

Repost?

[@TheThinkingMuslim]

Yes the earlier video had a slight sound problem for some viewers

[@isagoge]

@@TheThinkingMuslim Thanks :)

[@zeenatkazi8992]

Great appreciation for brother. But disagree with the analysis done on India. Looked like there is still a big disconnect with the reality. Indian Muslims have tried to come together and united and tried to do things for the sake of greater cause. Unfortunately the government has come down heavily on them every time they made an effort. Organisations that actively work for Muslim community in an organised, legal way and comprise of educated young Muslim are given bad publicity by media for days and then declared banned organisations. Young people have been languishing in prisons for years. It was good to see Muskaan doing what she did but she is not the only one. It is sad to see how little we know about the reality of Muslims in India. Have we heard about Umar Khalid’s case? Siddique Kaplan? There are many. It sounded a little bit like putting blame on Muslims for their condition without knowing about their real struggles.

[@lilyrosesoul0077]

Sounds very similar to Israel govt and also how IDF operate in illegally occupied Palestine. This why Modi is pro Israel. He is following Netanyahu & even helping to disseminate misinformation in India to increase discrimination and hate against Muslims in India.😢

[@davidhodges1699]

And they looked down lied upon spat urinated upon their wickedness is being repaid to them who denied allah his message and the final prophet are being defeated little by little alhumdulilaha

[@JR-iw8du]

Seems the logical thing for people who dislike the west, is to go live where people are of the same relgion mindset and culture. I would never choose to live in an Islamic country. I have travelled widely in the Middle East, Pakistan and North West India incidently. I would prefer a country such as Australia or Canada where culture and values are similar to my own. Does that not make sense?

[@strawberrytomato1305]

We also have gontanabo in pakistan control by pk army

[@syedmaricar9946]

Money talked for a while.

[@zamiluddin637]

A fantastic discussion Jalal questions so good and well articulated. Mozam begg a true inspiration May Allah (swt) reward both the brothers Ameen

[@m.ghani0939]

Let's think for a little Deen dunya and jannat. Deen dunya and akhirat

[@anshuraj4277]

Why are such jokers in West if they hate it

[@aoamcmxviii]

Yeah sure… destroy nations and wonder why there’s an influx in your nation ? Are you deliberately acting stupid? Personally, I find it irritating and surprising that people still move to the west.

[@m.ghani0939]

As'kumm Deen dunya and akhirat. Falsapa science /education. Deen dunya aur jannat. Falsapa knowledge /quran So why we peoples don't try to applai the real one true falsapa knowledge

[@rockersstone619]

China is smart. No need to use force to eradicate other ideology or Religion but using a systematic method. Having said that likewise this is how mostly Islamic countries implement their political system & Religion. Actually Communism & islamism are more or less the same.

[@na-mj2xj]

Bullshit

[@Antaracavill]

How many Islamic countries you have been ???

[@user-hh2rw7vu6b]

_Religion has NO power in China._

[@luluah1198]

Communism and Islam is not the same. Moronic thinking

[@asha802]

Isn't this the same Muazzam Beg who was openly supporting jehadists in Syria not too long ago? Definitely, the authorities need be keeping an eye on him. The guy who carried out the attacks on the Manchester arena, also happened to be from an Islamist militant background in Libya. The problem is the British Government uses such people to instigate regime change civil wars abroad, without considering the long term consequences.

[@luluah1198]

You’re just making things up. Sounds like a lot of Daily Mail excrement

[@anshuraj4277]

Go to. Afganistan then🤣

[@aoamcmxviii]

You really are lacking intellectually…

[@logicalthinker48]

See here is the problem with you people: This guy said that girl in india was a hero and she was fighting against Hindu thugs. That just shows me that you are not properly educated on topics and start spreading these hates which effects the social fabric of a culture and country. That girl is demanding to wear burkha in a private education institution where students are required to wear similar dresses as prescribed by the institution. She is free to wear religious costumes anywhere in India but private institutions have their own rules. If she can't stop herself to wear burkha then she can take admission somewhere where it is allowed like madarsa etc. Those Boys which he refer them as "Hindu Thugs" are Students of that institution. So don't give sweeping statements and read more. This is all done by oppositions to get votes and hype these normal muslim girls to protest for burkha in a private institution so that they can get muslim votes in elections by portraying them as victims. My message to people in muslim community who are understanding enough is this: If you want to achieve something in your life, you have to leave this victim mentality. Many communities are coming out of it but south asian muslims are still behind. Please introspect and make yourself a leader in science, technology, engineering and maths. Then only the things will change for south asian muslims🙏🙏

[@zeenatkazi8992]

Thank you for your well intentioned advice to Indian Muslims. However, this simplistic solution is far removed from reality. Blaming a community for the atrocities done towards them shows your insensitivity towards the plight of your fellow beings. The case of Burkha ban is far more nuanced than presented here. So what would you say about a school teacher in UP who asked students to slap a Muslim boy really hard and made some derogatory racists comments? If you choose to openly ignore the atrocities against minorities and backward classes in India, that’s your choice, but do not trivialise such incidents by saying it’s the opposition plot. No one is playing the poor victim game here. Muslims don’t need mercy, they just need justice and equal rights as citizens of a democratic country.

[@logicalthinker48]

@@zeenatkazi8992 muslim maulanas and their poisonous words are the biggest reasons for every religious crime because they force other religions to be aggressive even when they are not 🙏🙏

[@1goal1]

​@@zeenatkazi8992i dont really know about the topic that is being discussed here, but, i believe Muslims have been the ppl that least played the feel sorry for us we are the victims game ever. All the things our ppl have been through. The world until recently didnt even know Islam existed. Look at what has happened to Palestinians. You dont learn about that in school. Palestinians themselves never talked enough about it, i have learned more about the struggle of the Palestinians by non-Muslims. The Muslim history is not very known around the world. So no, they never spoke much about us, when they did it was to call us terrorists, and we didnt make enough noise to defend ourselves.

[@goldenbrown3283]

The best islamic scholar is ADAM SEEKER on KZbin . Learn the Qur'an and hadiths from Adam Seeker on KZbin for free . Watch his videos and debates and learn the Qur'an !!!.