Listen to the Intellectuals, whether you agree with them or not, you may learn something. Just because other people have different opinions from your own, they are not your enemies. This is how you create a divide within yourself, with others in the society and with other diverse people: listening to social media or main stream media such as FOX or other right wing sources . I have always wondered about the dearth of Right Wing Intellectuals, if such an oxymoron an exist.
Christopher Hitchins who died in 2013 is a American-British Public Intellectual. If you have time to listen to this debate, 90 minutes long, you will understand his thoughts on the position he takes whether Islam is a religion of Peace? Tariq Ramadan, An Europe Born, Religious Muslim grandson of the founder of Islamic Brotherhood of Egypt has become very polemic not because of his less than respectful regard for women (he has an Islamic explanation) but for the multiple convictions for rape in various countries and he remains unwelcome. I doubt we would hear much from him in the future. He has been described both as Brilliant and Slippery.
If you want to watch the video in its original HD quality, here is the link,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMraxhd9Z9Q
Christopher Hutchins being British and educated in the UK, speaks beautifully and for those students of English, it would be a nice exercise to listen to him
here is the reduced quality video of the debate between Christopher Hutchins and Tariq Ramadan
I watched this video twice, mesmerized by Hutchins' elocution and logical thinking. Ramadan is a native Arabic Speaker still his English is impessive. To me, Hutchins made his point very clear, Islam is not a Religion of Peace. Ramadan tried his best but he could only offer his personal example of integration into the west (rape ?) but couldnt defend treatment of Women and Minorities in Muslim Majority countries, hanging of Gay people in many muslim majority countries and the lack of ability of the population to question their faith which is fundamental in the west and the freedom to leave if you like. If you leave Christianity, no one will call you an apostate but in Islam you would be referred to as an apostate.
Once again, a good debate. Memory of Hutchins lives on..
PS if the audio is not working, please watch the original in you tube. it runs 90 minutes
