Not in my Backyard!

Therefore, I'm not invited.

Upon attending a meeting for residents near the proposed Jamatkhana in Hoover, I was initially warmly greeted and assured that my lack of an invitation wouldn't likely be a problem, and then refused entry. To these Agakhanis credit, I had an "I read mohamhead comics" cap on during the registration. I'd even forgot to doff it at the door like a southerner should. But could their cordial nature just be further evidence that these ismailis aren't careful readers. -perhaps they had to send a picture to the Aga Khan for interpretation- In any event, I remembered to take off my hat and had some interesting conversations with the members of this nominally muslim community before I was shut out from the meeting.

In typical fashion most often they defined what I believed and then simply said, we're the same. One even had the discretion to ask what I was, before defining my tradition for me. -I gave a perhaps dated answer- It was very disappointing. I explained how there are radical differences between the central texts of islam and Christianity, and assured them that I didn't really think they were real muslims anyway. I had noticed that they were so consistent, in their dishonest interpretations of islamic texts, as to tell the same story to their believers that they told us unbelievers. I asked how they protected against a more literal interpretation of the koran, and, in keeping with what I'd read about this ismaili sect, they pointed out that the Aga Khan interpreted for them. But isn't that shirk? I was informed that they'd heard the shirk charge before. Having heard the charge before, evidently didn't give them enough time to also have an answer ready.

The fact is, I am sincere when I say that these nominal muslims are not adherent to the faith created by mo'. Its not just something that I've said to try to get a rise out of them. (they were unfailingly polite) I just wish that if as we have so often heard, that islam isn't a monolith, then it would not be defended as such. I can't see that these Aga Khani cultist really have much invested in the general defense of islam. The koran says what it clearly says. The hadith likewise. That these people don't believe any of that would be a great relief.

I guess what was so disappointing to hear, through the shut door, was traditional dissembling from apparently non-traditional people. Don't tell me that jihad isn't the problem that I think it is. Don't give me the line about a tiny minority of extremists. Just admit that you are the minority. Telling each other, the koran doesn't say, may work for you, but I can read without the aid of the Aga Khan.

(lot of useless pronouns but I did not intend to quote anyone, conversants likely had that assumption, and I recall only a few names and would likely misapply them)

Infidel Dawa

Infidel Dawa shall again occur at the Dairy Queen US 31 & AL 119 at 7pm thurs. I shall wear a "I read mo... comics" cap and display a blue scarf.

If you have questions regarding islam or answers you think I might have overlooked please come. DegreeofMadness has begun a list of books in the possession of our membership to be loaned to interested persons. And I would be glad to receive any other book contributions.

If you can't make it to our meeting you might consider a similar "Covenant Zone" in Vancouver.
Alternatively, invite your own neighbors to informal public discussion of the challenge of islam and the West's crisis of identity that it helped to expose.

You should never assume that the avenues of information that are your favorite websites will always be available. Recently "Gates of Vienna" was censored by google. Even if such meetings are redundant to the discussions that occur online, they are necessary as such.

No Infidel Dawa at the Queen.

At least I won't be there. Which I suppose doesn't stop other infidels from meeting there.

I'll return next Thurs at 7pm at the Dairy Queen at US 31 and AL 119.

Jamatkhana proposed in Hoover, Alabama

It seems that there is both good news and bad news concerning the proposed Jamatkhana at the intersection of Al Seier Rd and Sulphur Springs Rd. It is not a mosque (no that would be the BIS site on Hackberry Ln, which has caused confusion to some bloggers) and the ismailis may not be muslims. The bad news is that they do claim to be muslims in their constitution.

(A) The Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims affirm the Shahadah 'La- ilaha illallih, Muhammadur Rasulu-llah'. the Tawhid therein and that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Salla-llahu alayhi wa-sallam) is the last and final Prophet of Allah. Islam, as revealed in the Holy Quran, is the final message of Allah to mankind, and is universal and eternal. The Holy Prophet (S.A.S.) through the divine revelation from Allah prescribed rules governing spiritual and temporal matters.

The trouble -or is this good news?- is that they go on to say that,

"(H) By virtue of his office and in accordance with the faith and belief of the Ismaili Muslims, the Imam enjoys full authority of governance over and in respect of all religious and Jamati matters of the Ismaili Muslims."

"(I)1.1 Mawlana Hazar Imam has inherent right and absolute and unfettered power and authority over and in respect of all religious and Jamati matters of the Ismailis."

"(I)1.2 Mawlana Hazar Imam has the sole authority to: (a) determine all questions that may arise as regards the meaning and interpretation of any religious or jamati tradition or custom of the Ismailis and amend or discontinue it at any time"

While the "Imam of the Time" may not be recognised as a "prophet" of ismailism , he is invested with undisputed powers of interpretation. Effectively such "full authority" means that mo' is not actually the "last and final" prophet of ismailism as is stated in article (A). And, I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing, but I'm pretty sure it is shirk in islamic tradition.

Hopefully it means that ismailis are not as stuck on the principle of the murderous pedophile being al-insan al-kamil. And, the, apparent pluralist and philanthropic, words and deeds of the Aga Khan do suggest that ismailis might have been provided, by their Imam, with more flexible interpretations of violent koranic verses than those read by more traditional muslims. But flexibility does not necessarily entail that the current Imam will always be one with the image of a jet setting philanthropist. Nor does it settle whether the Aga Khan prevaricates as a pluralist or as a muslim. He surely prevaricates about his finances.

And while his speeches and philanthropic ventures might suggest that he is truly accepting of the infidels right to live, a Der Speigel interview of October 12, 2006 is full of beguiling non-answers and gentle redirection of any blame toward islam. He said in regards to;

the Jylland's Posten cartoons,

"Anyone who knows the faith of Islam, for example, would have known that the caricatures of the prohet were profoundly offensive to all Muslims."

Hamas,

"Now, it's true that Hamas has a record of conflict ..."

spreading faith by the sword,

"All faiths at some time in their history have used war to protect themselves or expand their influence, and there were situations when faiths have been used as justifications for military actions. But Islam does not call for that, it is a faith of peace."

democracy

"My democratic beliefs do not go back to the Greek or French (thinkers) but to an era 1,400 years ago."

All typical muslim prevarication, but then he gets to interpret the koran for the ismaili sect. So perhaps ismailis aren't quite the ticking time bomb as are muslims that can read the koran for themselves. Or, maybe he's lieing to us.(Taqiya)

In any event, when the supreme leader of a cult can't answer direct questions regarding the violent nature of source materials used in his syncretic blending of islam and Hinduism, one can expect that his, at least nominal, muslim followers would observe some "fear" and "distrust" from the citizens of Hoover, Alabama.

The citizens of Hoover are invited to meet me in an informal meeting that I have been participating in for some months to discuss islam and the subservient attitudes of Western dhimmis. It is at 7pm on each Thurs. and is being relocated to the Dairy Queen in Pelham for the convenience of past attendees and the residents of Sulphur Springs Road. I would like to discuss the planned Jamatkhanna with those that it will neighbor. I'm the fan of mohamed comics (black hat) and I will carry a blue scarf. I would also like to invite the participation in the local online forum, Bamalogue.