March 30, 2013

“The fact that Sheikh Muhammad Hassan wrote the introduction to my book does not mean that I am a Salafi.

Just because I read Sun Tzu doesn't mean I'm a Buddhist.

Just because I liked the ideas of Imam Hassan al-Banna does not mean that I am a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Just because I admire Che Guevara's struggle to stand with the poor doesn't mean I'm a communist.

Just because I admire the asceticism of Sufi sheikhs does not mean I am a Sufi.

Just because I have liberal friends doesn't mean I'm a liberal.

Just because I read the Old and New Testaments doesn't mean I'm a Jew or a Christian.

Just because I read for anyone, regardless of their religion, does not mean that I am of the same religion.

Bottom line:

You will not find in this world anyone who matches your thoughts and goals, even if it is your father and mother. I love to read and mix with all cultures, taking from them what benefits me and leaving what contradicts my values, principles and goals and does not harm my religion.

I don't like anyone to put me under a specific trend. There are all trends that I agree with in some opinions and others that I disagree with in some opinions. I am not fanatical about a specific trend, as this is the reason for our division and weakness.

Rather, I say that I am a Muslim who supports the truth, regardless of its direction.”