Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi: Refuting ISIS [VIDEO]

[shaz619]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">To defeat ISIS, we need to destroy its extremist ideology.<br>Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi on ISIS.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Manchester?src=hash">#Manchester</a> <a href="https://t.co/u2x7KmeyJz">pic.twitter.com/u2x7KmeyJz</a></p>— Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi (@Shaykhabulhuda) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shaykhabulhuda/status/867082069456949248">23 May 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The message in the video deserves a thread of its own. Not many Muslim scholars speak so clearly and passionately about refuting ISIS.

Key points from the video:

You cannot stop extremism based on the council given by security experts, intelligence experts or defence experts. You need Muslim Scholars telling you how to save the minds of our next generations from being brainwashed.

War starts in the minds of people. We may defeat ISIS now, but if we don't defeat it's ideology , we have another generation coming to fight us again.

This is why it's time for Muslim governments to have scholars deciding on how to defeat the ideology of ISIS.

And this would be only by reviving Sunni Islam; mainstream Islam. Islam of the four schools of thought, Islam of Sufism not extremism; Islam of mercy and Islam of wisdom. That Islam which survived for 14 centuries, will survive to the end of time. That Islam has a room for every human being, that Islam has room for every difference. That Islam allows everyone to express his or her opinions with the best and most respectful way. That Islam brings life not death, brings light not darkness!

Conclusion:

This thread is the sequel to criminalising Salafism but instead offers the best of solutions to bring extremism to an end and that goes beyond foreign policy, this is why it so important for people to recognise the implications of overcoming the ISIS ideology above ALL.

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=139150]aliasad1998[/MENTION] [MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] [MENTION=23613]90MPH[/MENTION] [MENTION=136193]Adil_94[/MENTION] [MENTION=48620]Cpt. Rishwat[/MENTION] [MENTION=140459]SandyB[/MENTION] [MENTION=107620]s28[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION]

 

[shaz619]

Now I hope people understand why Ideology is a bigger problem then foreign policy in this current moment in time and with regards to our long term future. This shaykh world re-known and highly respected given his vast knowledge and understanding of the problems we face today, we need more people like him and we must heed on his advice and not fuel tensions which already exist

 

[shaz619]

For those interested in watching the full hour long video:

 

[Rayyman]

Of course. I took a course on Terrorism. The main thing I learned is that you have kill the ideology.

Even though I wrote my essay on how the US should send ground troops to beat ISIS. Was funny because my teacher raged on how that was exactly what we weren't supposed to write.
He gave me a C+ on that terrorism essay.

Still got a B- in that terrorism class.

Anyways, yes. You have to get rid of the radical/extremist philosophies.

 

[shaz619]

Am not even that religious these days tbh And have fallen out of love with faith but the guy in the OP is a legend, he's very wise and someone we should all look up to for muslims and non-muslims; top top bloke!

 

[Adil_94]

Sheikh Yaqoubi has done a lot of work at de radicalising youth especially who are deceived by ISIS ideology. Especially in the Middle East he has seen it first hand. Foreign Policy is just one of the factors ISIS use to attract people. The ideology of ISIS and Salafi Wahhabism especially in its violent form is being used to split apart societies across the world by misusing and warping Islam for their own benefits.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Their ideology is warped to say the least but is not a bigger problem than foreign policy.

People with such ideology existed since the early days of Islam, they were known as the Kharijites. The Shaykh is well respected and far more knowledgeably than anyone on here. What he is saying is correct and people should take heed before falling for this misguided version and frankly backward interpretation of the great faith esp the youth.

I haven't watched it but I doubt the Shaykh would imply foreign policy has no bearing on attacks in Europe.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Of course. I took a course on Terrorism. The main thing I learned is that you have kill the ideology.

Even though I wrote my essay on how the US should send ground troops to beat ISIS. Was funny because my teacher raged on how that was exactly what we weren't supposed to write.
He gave me a C+ on that terrorism essay.

Still got a B- in that terrorism class.

Anyways, yes. You have to get rid of the radical/extremist philosophies.

Sure but how?

 

[shaz619]

Sheikh Yaqoubi has done a lot of work at de radicalising youth especially who are deceived by ISIS ideology. Especially in the Middle East he has seen it first hand. Foreign Policy is just one of the factors ISIS use to attract people. The ideology of ISIS and Salafi Wahhabism especially in its violent form is being used to split apart societies across the world by misusing and warping Islam for their own benefits.

If anything the shaykh has more reason then anyone else to be disgruntled by foreign policy! that is his homeland, but being aware of the ground realities in addition to his vast knowledge he has the best understanding of the situation we are faced with and it is the Ideology which needs to be defeated before the poison spreads to the point of no return

 

[shaz619]

Their ideology is warped to say the least but is not a bigger problem than foreign policy.

People with such ideology existed since the early days of Islam, they were known as the Kharijites. The Shaykh is well respected and far more knowledgeably than anyone on here. What he is saying is correct and people should take heed before falling for this misguided version and frankly backward interpretation of the great faith esp the youth.

I haven't watched it but I doubt the Shaykh would imply foreign policy has no bearing on attacks in Europe.

Sure it plays a part and I doubt he would say it has no bearings at all but what we should be concerned more with is preventing the ideology from spreading which is his main point and if am honest besides Yaqoubi there are very few scholars out there who are determined to prevent the youth from being radicalised and repeatedly emphasise the importance of fundamentals which completely prevent the potential for radicalisation he works very hard to achieve this and I have so much respect and admiration for him but we need more like him

 

[KingKhanWC]

Sure it plays a part and I doubt he would say it has no bearings at all but what we should be concerned more with is preventing the ideology from spreading which is his main point and if am honest besides Yaqoubi there are very few scholars out there who are determined to prevent the youth from being radicalised and repeatedly emphasise the importance of fundamentals which completely prevent the potential for radicalisation he works very hard to achieve this and I have so much respect and admiration for him but we need more like him

He is a scholar not a geo-political analyst. He will focus on the theological part.

Let me ask you this.

If the UK had an average army, no nukes and no air force. Say we were like Iraq in military terms but had our own culture. If China or Russia dropped economic sanctions for 10 years which resulted in 500,000 deaths of children alone. Then invaded and occupied us , not once but twice. Used chemical weapons which resulted in babies being deformed. Installed one regime which was the minority who oppressed , butchered the rest. Do you really think some people in Britain wouldn't resort to terrorism in China and Russia? Seriously?

 

[shaz619]

He is a scholar not a geo-political analyst. He will focus on the theological part.

Let me ask you this.

If the UK had an average army, no nukes and no air force. Say we were like Iraq in military terms but had our own culture. If China or Russia dropped economic sanctions for 10 years which resulted in 500,000 deaths of children alone. Then invaded and occupied us , not once but twice. Used chemical weapons which resulted in babies being deformed. Installed one regime which was the minority who oppressed , butchered the rest. Do you really think some people in Britain wouldn't resort to terrorism in China and Russia? Seriously?

A geo-political analyst is not necessarily above a theological specialist and am sure the shaykh is well equipped on both fronts even more so being from Syria his homeland, he has more reason then a Brit like me to be disgruntled when you look at his country with so much rich history in complete ruins.

But those are not the reasons why ISIS resort to terrorism, they use those excuses provided by the west to recruit soldiers. But if we cut the neck of the beast then we find ourselves in a great position of strength, if the ISIS ideology is defeated then these people who resort to terrorist attacks would not exist

 

[Adil_94]

[MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION]

They have murdered thousands of their own people in Iraq and Syria for disagreeing with their ideology and their interpretation of Islam for worshipping in the wrong way for doing "bid'ah". They have blown up tombs of scholars and saints and other sects houses of worship. We see their ideological brethren in Pakistan blowing up Easter festivals, murdering Qawwals and blowing up Darbars. They dont do this simply because of foreign policy. This killing is based on their theological understanding.

They have committed mass murder against native minorities in their own lands Yazidis Kurds n Christians.

All the Shia Sufi Christians all the minorities they killed in their own homelands werent NATO soldiers or members of an occupying force.

This is the ideology that has destroyed society and inter faith and inter community relations in places like Iraq and This ideology has been around since before Afghanistan and Iraq War even happened. but they were often underground until then now they are out in the open not helped admittedly by botched Western intervention in the M.E.

Sheikh Yacoub being Syrian has seen how this ideology has destroyed his own society.

If Britain and America stopped all foreign interventions that wouldnt stop them from blowing up Shia or forcing Christian girls into slavery and all the horrors they are doing in their own lands.

They arent like an IRA or a Hezbollah who primarily fight a foreign enemy. They are a genocidal fascist group who seek to eliminate those who are different from within their own societies.

 

[Rayyman]

Sure but how?

If I knew, I would've gotten an A.

There is more basis to the argument of foreign policy. Which is why that's what I wrote about.

Still, I believe that changing the ideology is the right way; But I agree with you on that there is no clear way of doing this.

 

[Adil_94]

to defeat the sectarian massacres and the hatred for other religions and sects the message of an Islam that accepts pluralism in belief like what Sheikh Yaqoubi is preaching is needed to de radicalise individuals.

 

[KingKhanWC]

A geo-political analyst is not necessarily above a theological specialist and am sure the shaykh is well equipped on both fronts even more so being from Syria his homeland, he has more reason then a Brit like me to be disgruntled when you look at his country with so much rich history in complete ruins.

But those are not the reasons why ISIS resort to terrorism, they use those excuses provided by the west to recruit soldiers. But if we cut the neck of the beast then we find ourselves in a great position of strength, if the ISIS ideology is defeated then these people who resort to terrorist attacks would not exist

In this instance a scholar is less qualified to analyse the subject. MI5, Jeremy Corbyn and even Boris Johnson have stated foreign policy caused a backlash. Yes he's from Syria but he's against Assad correct?

It's the other way round bro. You will get no or little recruits if there is nothing to stir their emotions.

As I said if it was the other way round or if Nato bombed North Korea, China, Russia or any other Non-Muslim country(ies) people there would do the same . It has nothing to do with religion. Otherwise you're heading down a path which is suggesting Islam is the problem, just as some idiot Douglas Murray today suggested on the BBC. Check out his views and tell me if you agree?

 

[KingKhanWC]

[MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION]

They have murdered thousands of their own people in Iraq and Syria for disagreeing with their ideology and their interpretation of Islam for worshipping in the wrong way for doing "bid'ah". They have blown up tombs of scholars and saints and other sects houses of worship. We see their ideological brethren in Pakistan blowing up Easter festivals, murdering Qawwals and blowing up Darbars. They dont do this simply because of foreign policy. This killing is based on their theological understanding.

They have committed mass murder against native minorities in their own lands Yazidis Kurds n Christians.

All the Shia Sufi Christians all the minorities they killed in their own homelands werent NATO soldiers or members of an occupying force.

This is the ideology that has destroyed society and inter faith and inter community relations in places like Iraq and This ideology has been around since before Afghanistan and Iraq War even happened. but they were often underground until then now they are out in the open not helped admittedly by botched Western intervention in the M.E.

Sheikh Yacoub being Syrian has seen how this ideology has destroyed his own society.

If Britain and America stopped all foreign interventions that wouldnt stop them from blowing up Shia or forcing Christian girls into slavery and all the horrors they are doing in their own lands.

They arent like an IRA or a Hezbollah who primarily fight a foreign enemy. They are a genocidal fascist group who seek to eliminate those who are different from within their own societies.

You're not a Muslim and you are crictical of relgiion as it is. I don't know why you feel the need to spend time writing stuff which is common knowledge.

I suggest you discuss the point. As I have stated to brother Shaz.

Why did MI5 warn there would be attacks after the Iraq war? Why not in 1995 or 1990?

 

[Musakhel]

It is normally criminal minded youth who are attracted to Such groups, many are ex gangsters, wanabe bad boys with violent tendencies and low iq who are attracted in this us against the rest of the world message.

 

[shaz619]

In this instance a scholar is less qualified to analyse the subject. MI5, Jeremy Corbyn and even Boris Johnson have stated foreign policy caused a backlash. Yes he's from Syria but he's against Assad correct?

It's the other way round bro. You will get no or little recruits if there is nothing to stir their emotions.

As I said if it was the other way round or if Nato bombed North Korea, China, Russia or any other Non-Muslim country(ies) people there would do the same . It has nothing to do with religion. Otherwise you're heading down a path which is suggesting Islam is the problem, just as some idiot Douglas Murray today suggested on the BBC. Check out his views and tell me if you agree?

I'd say that when we discredit shaykhs we have a big problem because geo-political analysts do not understand theology and its implications when it comes to the ideology which is poisonous. Am a Muslim just like Shaykh Yaqoubi and am not saying Islam is bad or that foreign policy doesn't play a part but there are certain extremist strands which have been causing turbulence for centuries and are more deadly at present , if we do not heed on the shaykh's advice we will self destruct because the foreign policy rhetoric opens the doors for radicalisation because as you said before why wouldn't x or y resort to terrorism because they have their justifications, we have to understand that there is no such justification in the Quran or Islam that's my main point bro

 

[KingKhanWC]

I'd say that when we discredit shaykhs we have a big problem because geo-political analysts do not understand theology and its implications when it comes to the ideology which is poisonous. Am a Muslim just like Shaykh Yaqoubi and am not saying Islam is bad or that foreign policy doesn't play a part but there are certain extremist strands which have been causing turbulence for centuries and are more deadly at present , if we do not heed on the shaykh's advice we will self destruct because the foreign policy rhetoric opens the doors for radicalisation because as you said before why wouldn't x or y resort to terrorism because they have their justifications, we have to understand that there is no such justification in the Quran or Islam that's my main point bro

As I mentioned these strands have been around since the 7th century. Yet there was no attack in the UK until the UK helped to bomb Afghanistan and Iraq, followed on by Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Pakistan and Syria.

These criminals and murderes don't care about the Quran bro. Do you really believe they would listen to the Shaykh and suddenly change their mind. No, their biggest motivation is not religion because they can't understand the basics of Islam which is peace.

A very well written article here.

In the aftermath of the tragic attack on Manchester Arena, Muslims have naturally responded just like any other community with Muslim taxi drivers seeing the victims home, Muslims raising funds for the victims , Muslims taking part in vigils, Muslims offering free rooms, Muslim doctors treating the casualties, Muslims showing support and generally rallying around the community because Manchester is our home too and this has affected us just as deeply as anyone else. But why do we have to prove our humanity?

Once again we are forced to bear the burden of collective responsibility due to the actions of one individual, with the reputation of an excellent mosque at stake. A mosque that has been at the forefront of building community relations: that has opened its doors to all faiths and backgrounds; that has led blood donation and health campaigns with the NHS; that has led multi faith initiatives; that has worked with the police, local authorities, and a multitude of organisations to help build a strong community.

But this shouldn’t even be about Muslims. This time should be a time for the families and their victims to be allowed to grieve and for the community to process what has happened. This is a time to speak the truth about why this happened for the sake of everyone who has been affected so we can avoid it happening again. For the sake of every innocent person who has ever been the victim of such attacks, from Europe to the Middle East. Yet once again the truth is being buried under the garbage of vile attacks directed against Didsbury mosque.

From what has been revealed about him, Salman Abedi appeared to be a member of the general Manchester community. He accessed many places, he went to Burnage High School, he attended Salford University, he went to bars and night clubs and he most likely attended many mosques across Manchester. Did he attend Didsbury mosque? I don’t know — as a regular worshipper there for many years I have not seen him, but even if he did, what difference does that make?

Mosques are public places of worship that people access throughout the day, mainly to fulfil a requirement of the Muslim faith: the five daily prayers. Those accessing the mosque come from all over the community — students, professional, men and women across all backgrounds and ages. It is not possible to regulate who comes in and out.

But regardless, why is it significant whether Abedi attended the mosque or not? No one questioned which church Jo Cox’s murderer attended or the church of the IRA bombers of 1996 who struck right in the heart of Manchester. Why is it that when a perpetrator is a Muslim his place of worship becomes significant?

The implication here is that if he attended a mosque that somehow must mean Islamic extremist ideology has led to his radicalisation. I reject that implication. The truth is that this attack had little to do with Islamic ideology and more to do with Western foreign policy framed in the narrative of the ‘war on terror’.

For one thing Abedi was not a devout Muslim, he drank, partied and took drugs. He was also reported as having random rages, social problems, a ‘split personality’ and being ‘mental’.

Secondly Abedi’s sister spoke of how he wanted revenge when he saw Muslim children dying everywhere — a motivation that clearly speaks of grievances over Western foreign policy.

New research has shown how ISIS targets young men looking for redemption from crime, drugs or gangs. A psychologically disturbed individual with social problems and grievances over Western foreign policy in Muslim lands, who knew little of his religion, made him a perfect target for ISIS recruitment.

ISIS have made it clear that part of their strategy is to fuel the grievances of Western foreign policy and the hatred and division that is Islamophobia, in order to legitimise their ‘Clash of Civilisations’ narrative that facilitates their recruitment.

Yet here we are once more burying that reality by putting Islam under the spotlight again. I am sure this suits our governments ‘war on terror’ narrative as it takes the spotlight off them and allows them to justify their unethical foreign policy and heavy handed counter terrorism measures. It is easy to put the spotlight on the Muslim community and convince Europe that there is something threatening about Islamic ideology that must be addressed, bombarding the masses with narratives of ‘Muslim terrorism’ so Muslim kids buried under rubble as a result of Western bombs are barely noticed.

Are foreign policy grievances an excuse to commit atrocities? No. Does it make the world an unsafer place increasing the likelihood for atrocious acts? Yes. Some of the world’s top terrorism experts have drawn this connection. For example, Eliza Mannigham Buller, the General Director of M15, from 2002–2007 confirmed that the invasion of Iraq led to an increase in the threat of terrorism. She has also said that our involvement in Iraq radicalised a whole generation of young people. Furthermore extremists of a Muslim background usually cite political justifications for their crimes, not ideological ones.

A leaked MI5 study in 2008 reported that far from being Islamic fundamentalists, violent extremists are ‘religious novices’ who do not practice their faith and some are even involved in drug taking and drinking alcohol, very similar to what we know about Abedi. However what is most interesting about this report is that it evidenced that a well established religious identity actually protects against radicalisation. So why are we dragging a mosque through the mud rather than recognising these factors?

If we want to reduce the threat of terrorism we should not be questioning a place of worship about whether a man called Salman Abedi went to pray there. Rather we need to do two things: firstly recognise the fact that Islamic teachings are key to preventing radicalisation and that mosques are in a prime position to give young Muslims a strong Muslim identity. Secondly we need to address the fact that the ‘war on terror’ narrative isn’t working because it isn’t keeping us safe in Britain or for that matter, in Europe or Turkey, or Pakistan or the Middle East.

As a friend recently said, the sad truth is that we will never be able to make this world a safer one, let alone a better one, until the kids killed by British cluster bombs in Yemen, or American drones in Pakistan, are afforded the same human value as the British kids killed by a man with a Muslim name in Manchester. Till we do not understand that I am afraid that all of us, Muslims and non-Muslims, will carry on paying the price.

https://medium.com/@s_ayubm/salman-abedi-was-motivated-by-foreign-policy-446c4eb1c414

 

[shaz619]

As I mentioned these strands have been around since the 7th century. Yet there was no attack in the UK until the UK helped to bomb Afghanistan and Iraq, followed on by Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Pakistan and Syria.

These criminals and murderes don't care about the Quran bro. Do you really believe they would listen to the Shaykh and suddenly change their mind. No, their biggest motivation is not religion because they can't understand the basics of Islam which is peace.

A very well written article here.



https://medium.com/@s_ayubm/salman-abedi-was-motivated-by-foreign-policy-446c4eb1c414

Maybe certain people won't listen to the shaykh but we have to protect the future, Muslim scholars need a united front which prevents a young mind from being radicalised and ensuring their development as such that the Islam they learn among all the school's of thought completely eliminates radical tendencies, I've seen in our own city shaykh's benefit youngsters positively who were struggling you must have heard about Saqibi. If we protect these people as a united front then ISIS's strength will decline, we can only do this by recognising the implications of ideology. Now am not saying foreign policy is perfect we should protest against it, hope Corbyn comes in power and other forces leave because they are not playing a positive role in the middle east but ideology is a huge problem; if we admit that we're not going against our faith we're merely speaking out against strands which are poisonous and not in line with our own views, if we don't recognise this we won't be able to protect young minds

 

[Adil_94]

[MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION] MI5 knew that Jihadists sympathisers in the U.K would use the Iraq War as a way to try radicalise people with their ideology to commit terror.

Islamist Jihadists have done attacks like the Manchester attack in Muslim countries before, attacking cafes cinemas bars musicians for spreading what they deem to be 'unislamic' sinful behaviour and values. Its not because of Bush and Blair that people commit acts like killing concert goers that is much more an ideologically motivated attack against a perceived decadent moral system.

You and many others oppose British foreign policy does that justify you or me or anyone tomorrow going to blow up our fellow Britons due to anger at the policies of government.

If it was Iraqi nationals who were killing Brits and Americans who had seen family members and friends killed by NATO Bombs it could be rationalised a lot more as abhorrent as it would be because they have seen their country decimated since the 03 invasion and their whole lives destroyed. but the jihadists who have committed terror attacks on British Soil since 9/11 not one has been an Iraqi who directly felt the brunt of the invasion in 2003.

the 7/7 attacks were done by 3 Brit Pakistanis and one Jamaican Brit again they werent rained on with British bombs no they got their roti their whole livelihood from Britain yet still turned on the country to murder 52 of their fellow citizens.

The Lee Rigby murderers again two men of Nigerian descent who were actually converts to Islam and who followed a radical interpretation of the faith and were indoctrinated into this hatred.

Khalid Masood again a Briton of afro caribbean descent who converted.

Salman Abedi a Briton of Libyan origin.

All these attackers not one were from Iraq.

Its just an excuse for them to hide behind. Theres plenty of people who disagree with the Iraq War but they havent used that to attack other innocents.

 

[Adil_94]

[MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION] Foreign Policy is just but one of ISIS grievance narratives. They are against any belief system ideology or way of life that goes against their narrow interpretation of Islam.

its not western civilians who are the most at risk of their ideology. Its Sufis mainstream Sunnis Shias Yazidis Christians Womens Liberals within middle eastern countries that are at most risk of ISIS ideology. Thats why an assault on their ideological narrative and legitimacy by scholars like Sheikh Yaqoubi are the most important to discredit ISISs narrative especially within the countries where it actually is ruling and controlling territory.

 

[Red Devil]

Excellent message, totally agree with Shaykh Yaqoubi. More mainstream Islamic scholars need to fearlessly speak up against these nutjobs.