Hmmm…

KUALA LUMPUR: The concept of “moderate Muslim” was invented by “enemies of Islam” aiming to undermine and exert control over the Muslim world, a leader of Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) claimed today.

Suriani Sudi, the deputy chief of the group’s women’s wing, urged Muslims to be uncompromising when defending their religion.

Suriani, also a lecturer at Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Selangor, said it is unfair to label Muslims who are simply defending their religion as “extremists.”

“The word ‘moderate’ has been made a weapon where anybody who opposes the moderates will be labelled conservative, extremist and extreme,” Suriani said in an article carried by Isma’s website.

“It is as if among the Muslims, it is the Moderate Muslims who are right, true, moderate, non-extreme, modern, up-to-date, and parallel with human rights.”

The term “moderate Muslim” has been used to refer to reformist and progressive movements in Islam which had started since the 7th century but was renewed following the rise of fundamentalist and militant Islamic groups, especially after the September 11 attack in 2001.

Suriani alleged that despite his modest demeanour, the Prophet Muhammad had acted uncompromisingly in order to defend the rights of Muslims.

Muhammad had acted sternly when he exiled a clan for trying to assassinate him and when Jews had betrayed him, she said.