Video: Moderate Muslims sing!
posted at 9:10 pm on August 9, 2007 by Allahpundit
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Via INDC Bill. It’s off the radar screen in the U.S. but a big deal where it desperately needs to be a big deal. Think of it as a Pakistani “We Are The World”: treacly, brimming with celebrities, incapable of solving the crisis it’s addressing, but a welcome step in the right direction. Signal jamming, if you will. Socially conscious pop makes Osama cry.
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That’s cool. I don’t expect CAIR to be singing it anytime soon, but that’s a welcome expression, to say the least.
Spirit of 1776 on August 9, 2007 at 9:28 PM
This is what we’ve been wanting. Moderate muslims who are willing to take a stand. I’m glad to see this.
Kowboy on August 9, 2007 at 9:32 PM
This is the whole point about the problem is NOT the people. The problem is the ideology of Islam.
Most Pakistanis (even the very nice, kind, and good PEOPLE) are brought up as Muslim and they are taught that Christianity and Judaism are corrupt in their Mosques and at the kitchen tables of families who have been brought up with this ideology. This is the problem. It is against the law for them to change religion – so changing religion is inconceivable to them simply because it is illegal.
They won’t even allow a Bible in Saudi Arabia (even if it is your own and you are vacationing there). This attitude is dangerous.
The PEOPLE are wonderful, kind, considerate, beautiful. THIS is why any concept of ‘genocide’ or ‘kill em all’ is absurd. HAVING SAID THAT, the ideology that is preached with the endorsement of RELIGION as well as the GOVERNMENT must be confronted for the world to remain free.
Open criticism of Islam and the Koran as well as the acceptance of other religions and ideologies are necessary for ‘this is not us’ to become ‘WE ARE FAMILY’. We are all God’s creatures. Muslims are not bad PEOPLE. But ISLAM and the GOVERNMENTS that enforce Islam’s teachings IS a bad ideology.
ThackerAgency on August 9, 2007 at 9:46 PM
This is the most encouraging thing I’ve seen in regards to the GWOT in…..hmm…ever?
What’s more, and I’m totally shocked I’m saying this, the chorus is really catchy.
But question: How long before American libs do a cover of this song with a montage of American “shock troops” and Bush with a Hitler mustache running in the background?
mjgreco on August 9, 2007 at 9:47 PM
Is this halal?
Kini on August 9, 2007 at 9:58 PM
Great post Thacker. I agree with everything you said.
madne0 on August 9, 2007 at 10:10 PM
Socially conscious pop makes Osama cry.
LOL That has to be a understatment, I expect this will put him and the rest of jihad into a rage. Hopfully there will not be a backlash.
I hope that this will spark a trend in other muslem groups to stand up in opposition as well.
Will this make it into our msm??? unlikly
allrsn on August 9, 2007 at 10:13 PM
Do they mean….
“This is not us…not us.” (we are not all terrorists)
“This is not us…not us.” (you ignorant bigots)
“This is not us…not us.” (we condemn radical Islam)
?
Zach on August 9, 2007 at 10:21 PM
So when can we expect the Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens) version of this? ;)
Also, you hit the nail on the head, Thacker. Very well said.
2Brave2Bscared on August 9, 2007 at 10:22 PM
Watching it made me cry a little, but in that cynical portion of my brain, the thought came – “Isn’t this what they WANT us to believe?”
I don’t really believe that this was done to fool us…but the fact that the thought occurred to me, shows just how scary this world is right now.
I wish them all well, and thank them for making a welcome gesture…even if it means nothing concrete. Keep it up, Folks. Stand up and we’ll stand with you against terrorists.
tickleddragon on August 9, 2007 at 10:45 PM
Are you pretty sure this is anti-terrorist? If so, it’s of the vaguest sort imaginable.
Kevin M on August 9, 2007 at 10:57 PM
Healthy and balanced observation is good, however I think you are off base with that comment.
There are many Muslims that believe their religion has been highjacked by the extremists.
This is a great step in the right direction.
Kudos to AP for posting…
Just remember..yesterday on YouTube, today on HA, tomorrow all over the world.
It’s a small world. The internet world is even smaller.
Keep that in mind because those that produced that video
will be reading your comment thread.
Mcguyver on August 9, 2007 at 11:35 PM
Good on ‘em.
I buy Stuck Mojo stuff even though I have no attraction to their musical sound. I will seek out Iraqi goods when they hit the market.
Trade will be the answer, someday.
RushBaby on August 9, 2007 at 11:54 PM
I would like to show in the music video scenes from atrocities in Israel, that’s how I’d know they trully mean to change things. If They were to say, “this is not us” this is not who we are, about Hamas, and Hezbollah, about the murder of Jewish Children, that’d really get us somewhere…that said, Deeyah is awesome, she’s a brave women and deserves all the encouragement in the world for speaking up for women abused in the Muslim world as well as freedom of speech
repjew on August 10, 2007 at 12:00 AM
I think this has 100x more impact than a “We Are The World” or “Save Planet Earth By Electing Al Gore” concert.
Why?
The people in this video made it despite the very real threats to their lives. If I understand some islamic law correctly–specifically Sharia–a female singing with men, or singing at all, is a crime. In any case, it won’t make them popular with some nefarious types…whereas the posh, privileged and hugely hypocritical western singers and actors do such things with no risk to themselves. Some of them do it for noble reasons, but more often than not, they are just self interested swine. Live Earth was a joke–this song, a great start.
Many of us in the West have asked moderate muslims to say something against the violence perpetrated by their radical bretheren. To stand up and be heard, so that we do not despair that all muslims are radical and evil. Seems some have. Let’s hope they represent the soon-to-be-not-so-Silent-Majority.
So I’ll stand up and applaud these folks for now. Good job.
Montana on August 10, 2007 at 12:04 AM
What struck me was that all of the performers were dressed in western clothing. Even the girl was dressed and acting non-Islamic. No hijab or veil. So, since they are clearly mimicking western music, clothing, coed dancing and performing, can it be said that they like us a lot more than they let on and are embracing western values or can we expect these people to suffer a major backlash from the “real” Muslims? Seems like “we are not that” refers to “we are not Islamic”.
Guardian on August 10, 2007 at 12:15 AM
*to the tune of “We are the World”*
We are Islam
We’ll kill the children
We are the ones who’ll make the Dhimmis pay
So let’s start killing
It’s a choice we’re making
We’re wasting our own lives
It’s true, we’ll make the Dhimmis pay
Just you and me
Forgive my cynicism but Islam itself is radical. During WWII we didn’t just fight the “radical” nazis but we fought all of Germany. The jihadis are the foot soldiers but we’re really fighting all of Islam. Islam can’t clean its own house because they view the Koran as true. If the Koran is true then the moderate Muslims are wrong. If the Koran isn’t true then all Islam is wrong. It’s a lose/lose or a lose/lose situation.
Mojave Mark on August 10, 2007 at 12:20 AM
One of the artists featured in the video is Deeyah. A year ago, she was threatened by the fundamentalist Muslims in Britain for one of her songs in which she strips off a burkah and is in skimpy clothing. I can’t seem to find the music video though.
Even so, at least she is for real when she adamantly says “Yeh hum naheen”. And I’m sure the other artists are too. It sucks to be in the middle. I do hope they come to the right side against the fundoos.
mram on August 10, 2007 at 12:33 AM
The way the moderates see it that in the Judeo-Christian Bible
God instructed the Jews to kill all that were against the Jews.
So they see the Koran’s dictate as just that, outdated.
And don’t even argue this point with me because that’s the way it is, dude.
Mcguyver on August 10, 2007 at 12:53 AM
Deeyah Music Video
repjew on August 10, 2007 at 12:59 AM
It’s more than “we are the world,” since it takes on a specific problem in the artists’ home country. Also, it uses a medium (pop music) that it’s opponents (islamist terrorists) hate, since they see it as too Western. Sure, this one song won’t solve the crisis, but a whole lot of songs like it just might.
Big S on August 10, 2007 at 1:02 AM
sorry here’s two links, the second is a short excerpt from a documentary about Deeyah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToMhfMEmxaA&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqshMIr5Wbo
repjew on August 10, 2007 at 1:03 AM
Other than the *This is not us* mantra..did anybody listen to the words ??? Those words did not state or define anything…blah…blah…blah.. Filler.
redrock on August 10, 2007 at 1:39 AM
Isn’t music haram? I expect to see a fatwa coming.
BKennedy on August 10, 2007 at 1:50 AM
“There are many Muslims that believe their religion has been highjacked by the extremists. -Mcguyver on August 9, 2007 at 11:35 PM”
No doubt. I just missed the word ‘extremist’ ‘religion’ ‘islam’ ‘jihad’ ‘peace’ etc. I heard more along the lines of ’some people are doing some things and we generally disagree.’ Vague.
Kevin M on August 10, 2007 at 4:52 AM
The EXACT same thing happened to me.
The problem is Islam – NOT the people. Until an idealogical schism occurs within the muslim faith, and the radicals are purged, there will not be any progress. The Soviet purges during the communist revolution were a valiant effort, but a terribly flawed ideology. The Inquisition was rooted with good intentions, but again terribly flawed.
Unfortunately, the willingness to do what is necessary to survive, has historically been overcome by the desire to dominate.
Moderate muslims have their work cut out for them, should they choose to really take a stand… If we are not diligent, global warming denialists will be the next targets as the religion of global warming seeks to dominate the western world.
singlemalt_18 on August 10, 2007 at 8:03 AM
Sorry, I screwed up a quote by “tickleddragon” in the post above…
I too, had some tears in my eyes as I wondered if it was only propaganda.
singlemalt_18 on August 10, 2007 at 8:09 AM
Actually made me misty. Dammit.
Seriously though, a great and long overdue message. To the naysayers, I ask: What will satisfy you? These people are probably just as afraid of our enemies as we are. No doubt if you question them, you get the exact same treatment. I think this is the first step as well, Allah. Hearts and minds are still important, and even those who live next door to those who blow themselves up can see what is wrong about murder.
On another note, anyone else think the woman shown singing several times during the chorus was blue flame hot?
MadisonConservative on August 10, 2007 at 8:38 AM
Precisely.
Not to sound apologist here, and I know my buddy Hitch won’t approve, but ANY religion can be practiced by peaceful, rational people without hurting a soul. By the same token, ANY religion can be turned into a vile, hate-filled rationale for murder, domination, and power. We need to work on eliminating the latter, not including the former in our sights.
MadisonConservative on August 10, 2007 at 8:43 AM
“This is not you?” The eye with which we look at you? The name we call you?
Sorry, what, exactly, is not you? You seem to be objecting to your perceptions of my perceptions of you. Could we have something a bit more specific?
morganfrost on August 10, 2007 at 9:22 AM
Regarding complaints about “lack of specificity”: there are pictures with newspaper clippings of terrorist attacks in the video, in case the metaphor escapes anyone. It’s a pop song, not a terrorism white paper. Pop songs use poetry and metaphor.
BillINDC on August 10, 2007 at 9:47 AM
Way wrong. The children of Israel were told in specific times and specific places to kill like that. It was never a general edict to kill everybody who doesn’t believe like you do, and it was always tied to land not religious belief. The rest of the time they were given peace on their borders. Muslims are taught in a GENERAL sense to ALWAYS kill everybody who disagrees with you or enslave them. There’s simply no comparison between the Bible and the Koran. I’ve have read the Bible through a couple dozen times and your point is completely wrong.
God loves the world but occasionally judges people in the here and now instead of the hereafter.
Mojave Mark on August 10, 2007 at 9:47 AM
They are going to have a tough time spreading this message to areas that deem music illegal and “unislamic”.
The girl in that video is gorgeous by the way.
Zetterson on August 10, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Dang, that video was amazing…she has part of Van Gogh & Hirsi Ali’s movie Obsession & Irshad Manji holding tape over her mouth.
Given Deeyah’s ‘track record’ & the Western style of all the artists (and the metaphors and the line about our pain), I’m inclined to applaud this effort.
I wish them luck in handling the undeserved consequences that may hit.
Miss_Anthrope on August 10, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Crap in one hand and wish in the other. See how far that gets you.
thareb on August 10, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Thanks for those links. I feel better about Deeyah’s effort. She may not do my kind of music, but I applaud her for her guts. But Muslim Madonna? ASIAN J-LO?? Are you kidding me? If threatened with violence, Madge and J-Lo would fold like a deck chairs. Empty rebellion…that’s what American pop artists are.
tickleddragon on August 10, 2007 at 1:52 PM
I’m specifically talking about our LIBERAL pop stars, btw…
tickleddragon on August 10, 2007 at 1:53 PM
Charming little song sung by peiople soon to be beheaded for apostasy.
thejackal on August 10, 2007 at 2:02 PM
Crap in one hand and wish in the other. See how far that gets you.
thareb on August 10, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Actually, it’s “Crap in one and wish in the other. See which piles up first.”
However, point taken.
thejackal on August 10, 2007 at 2:41 PM
Being Indian (Sikh) I can tell you that the words they use are not exclusivly “Pakistani” you’d find such language in any Bollywood film… however it being translated into Arabic is an entirly different story.
And why is this important? Becuase while the language they speak is understood (albeit minimally) by almost 1 billion people between Pakistan and Inidia and maybe Afghanistan, the rest of the Arab world will need a proper song in their language to get the message.
PresidenToor on August 10, 2007 at 5:06 PM
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