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Monday, December 7, 2009

Conscience and Radicalization: Muslim reformer, Dr Hamid Tawfik

In this video, Dr. Tawfik Hamid, a Muslim reformer, testifies to his earlier radicalization as a medical student. This was, he says,  due neither to poverty nor lack of education, but to religious passion – "my dream was just to serve God."  This dream was then formed and shaped by "religious teaching," which radicalized him. However Dr Hamid's conscience led him to renounce the radical path.

On responding to radicals:
"Never give concessions to radicals.  The more you give concessions, the more they attack you."

On human rights:
"Human rights values and women's rights were the first enemy for us."

Watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2wvqDfitLY


Mark Durie
markdurie.com