Open Letter
From Sami Yusuf to Yvonne Riddley
17/06/06
Dear Yvonne,
Peace and blessings of God be upon you.
Your recent article on ‘Pop Culture in the Name of Islam’ has been brought to my attention. I commend you for voicing your opinion and raising some very important issues – albeit in a very provocative manner. I thought it would be useful to share some of my thoughts with you on this matter.
As a Muslim artist, I regularly seek clarification and advice from world-renowned scholars on art, music, singing and culture. Be informed that the subject of music is one of the most controversial topics in Islamic Jurisprudence. I respect those who consider music to be haram. Yes eminent scholars of our past have opined such. However, I respect and follow the opinion of other eminent scholars – classical and contemporary, who permit singing and the use of musical instruments. The well-established jurisprudential rule states that ‘in matters where there is ikhtilaf (differences of opinion) there is to be no condemnation of either opinion.’ This is from the beauty of the religion of Islam. The diversity of our cultural, legal and social traditions is something we are in dire need of celebrating not condemning. So let’s agree to disagree on this one.
The obsessive fascination of fans towards any celebrity - be it in arts, music, politics, media, etc - to the point of hysteria and hero-worshipping is definitely unhealthy not to mention un-Islamic. Of course, as Muslims, we are required to abide by certain etiquettes in whatever situation we may find ourselves in. However, I definitely did not see girls dancing or behaving indecently in any of my concerts. To state otherwise is a gross exaggeration if not an outright fallacy. And if indeed that did take place then let’s deal with it in the true Prophetic tradition - a tradition that imparts love, mercy, tolerance and wisdom. Let me share with you the story of the Bedouin who came to the Prophet’s mosque and started urinating in the mosque itself. The Companions rushed to grab him and give him a ‘good beating.’ But the Prophet did not allow them to do so and told them to let him be. After the Bedouin had urinated, the Prophet asked his Companions to bring a bucket of water and wash the place. Afterwards he called the man and with gentleness and affection explained to him that this was a place of worship and that it should be kept clean. Though I have to say that had the Bedouin been around today he would be lucky to get away with just a ‘good beating’!
Indeed the state of contemporary mainstream music is one dominated by celebrity worship, materialism and the constant promotion of a consumerist culture that seeks only to derive instant emotional and physical gratification. The arts industry in general – and the music industry specifically – is being commercialised at the expense of art itself. We don’t value good art or good music anymore – it’s about what can sell most in the market. In the midst of all this, it is upon all conscious and responsible artists who look beyond the commercial to work in refining arts and music. Apart from entertaining audiences, music is a powerful medium to communicate values and social messages. In these times where heinous crimes against humanity are being committed, we as artists – Muslims or non-Muslims, British or non-British – have a duty to use this medium to bring some sanity to this world of unrest, fear, violence, terror and war. Human life and dignity are values that should be cherished and championed by all. Had you listened carefully to the songs in my latest album which is actually entitled ‘My Ummah’ before hastily passing judgements, you would have noticed my modest attempt at addressing issues facing the global Muslim community – such as regaining our lost legacy in all spheres of human life, oppression in different parts of the Muslim world, Aids, landmines, poverty and freedom to wear the hijab.
This leads me to another important issue which you raised – that of identity and culture. Who are we? How do we define ourselves? What do we stand for? Let me remind you again – I am a British Muslim. Proud to be Muslim and proud to be British! Why? Because this is what Islam teaches me to be – loyal towards my faith and my country. Throughout our rich history, wherever Muslims settled they adopted and fused the best aspects of the local culture/society with Islamic teachings and traditions. As Dr. Umar Faruq Abdallah, a leading American Muslim scholar and thinker writes in ‘Islam the Cultural Imperative’:
In history, Islam showed itself to be culturally friendly and, in that regard, has been likened to a crystal clear river. Its waters (Islam) are pure, sweet, and life-giving but—having no color of their own—reflect the bedrock (indigenous culture) over which they flow. In China, Islam looked Chinese; in Mali, it looked African. Sustained cultural relevance to distinct peoples, diverse places, and different times underlay Islam’s long success as a global civilization.
At a time when leading Muslim scholars and thinkers have reached an advanced stage in crystallising theories of citizenship and positive integration into Western societies, any discussion of renouncing parts of our identity is simply ridiculous, dangerous and destructive – especially for someone who has no other homeland. Such emotional fist-pumping and chest-pounding about renouncing our British identity may seem attractive to a minority of Muslim youth, but as Muslims in positions of influence like yourself, we should not play to these base instincts. Rather, we should try to be more far-sighted and responsible in our discourse and not sacrifice this in the pursuit of tabloid-style sensationalist journalism.
Do you not see the Prophet of Islam shedding tears whilst migrating from Makkah – his beloved homeland to Madina despite the persecution he suffered at the hands of its people. Britain is my home. I was raised here as a child, I went to school here, most of my friends – Muslims and non-Muslims - are British and my earliest as well as fondest memories are rooted here. Does being British mean I take pride in the oppressive and exploitative colonial past of Britain? Does it mean I support the British invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq? Does it mean I support the Anti-Terrorism Act? Does it mean I support the erosion of civil liberties and human rights? Of course not! But Yvonne, let us be fair and not forget that it was in Britain that the world witnessed the largest anti-war demonstration – a testimony to the moral consciousness of the British public. I too was in that demonstration voicing my discontent over the foreign policies of our government. Although we have our fair share of racism, Islamophobia, discrimination, under-representation – and in no way am I claiming that we live in a utopian society, but I still believe that British society is amongst the most tolerant, open, liberal, multi-cultural and inclusive societies in the world. We don’t need to go far but Muslims in the Continent would envy the liberties and opportunities that British Muslims take for granted. Actually the real debate that needs to take place is how are we to shape this emerging British / European / Western Muslim identity and what direction it should take. I see my work a humble contribution towards that end.
You are critical of my mention that the Metropolitan Police is inclusive of Muslims. By God, who are you depending on to protect and safeguard our streets? Yes, there is no doubt that the Metropolitan Police have committed a series of grave mistakes and blunders – the recent Forest Gate incident is one such example and the Police must be held fully accountable for their actions. But we as Britons and Muslims have a religious and civic obligation to help maintain a safe and secure Britain. This actually raises serious questions about the participation of British Muslims not just in the Metropolitan Police but in mainstream civil society. We have three options as a community: [1] To assimilate and lose our cultural, ethnic and even religious roots. [2] To ghettoise and divorce ourselves from society and face extermination. [3] To positively integrate and contribute to society whilst remaining loyal to both faith and country. I – like the vast majority Muslims – have chosen option three. We need to build trust and partnerships with civil institutions and engage with them. This path entails that we be active members in our communities and societies; that we participate at all levels of society from politics to sports, from academia to arts, from business to media; that we reserve and exercise the right of dissent and criticism; that we join our fellow citizens in building a safe, peaceful, tolerant and pluralistic society that embodies the values of freedom and justice. Thus I commend you for standing in the last European Elections, General Elections and the recent Council Elections as a candidate in order to get your views heard, to make an impact, and to represent British people – although I hope you have better luck next time. Positive engagement – not anarchist ranting -– is the path we must tread.
It is true that the state of the global Muslim community is saddening but are we meant to live in perpetual grieving and lamenting and dress in black? Despite all the oppression and persecution suffered by the Prophet, he would always find time to celebrate the different joyful moments in life such as marriages, births, Eids and other happy occasions. He, peace and blessings of God be upon him, also found time to enjoy poetry and even had appointed a personal poet – the notable companion Hassan ibn Thabit.
Maintaining balance and adopting the middle way is the key in these troubled times of ours. Extremism and extremists have no place in Islam and in our civil societies. “Perished are the extremists” is a famous Prophetic tradition. Extremism is not a problem unique to Islam. Every religion, every way of life, every ideology has its puritans and those willing to distort and misinterpret it to meet their own agenda. And these are no different to those that commit acts of terror, who preach extremism, and who sow seeds of hatred in the name if Islam. There is no denying that Muslims in places like Palestine, Iraq, Kashmir and Chechnya are facing oppression and tragedy every day, and both the Muslim world and the West need to come together to solve these problems in the greater interest of humanity. Western governments in particular must understand that to help the majority of Muslims defeat the minority of extremists, they must assist us in eradicating the daily humiliation faced by Muslims across many parts of the world. Ending this humiliation is the only way forward for us.
You have every right to criticise and disagree with me or anyone else for that matter, and I always welcome any advice and constructive criticism for I know my defects and shortcomings are many. I am guided by the ancient wisdom which states ‘May God have mercy on the one who shows me my defects – for that is the best gift he could give me.’ However, in the Islamic tradition there are adab (ethics) of criticism and disagreement. I know you wrote your article with sincerity and zeal, but on a more personal level, I was deeply pained and saddened by the hostile tone and the vulgar style of your language that was brimming with sarcasm and was clearly un-Islamic, indecent and a gross violation of the beautiful teachings of our beloved Prophet who said “I was not sent except to perfect your manners.” Using words such as “astagfirullah dude,” “lap-dancing,” ‘whooping and dancing,” and describing the volunteer stewards as “pipe cleaners” and “bulldozers” are inappropriate to say the very least. What shocked and even angered me was the way you shamelessly insulted our pure innocent sisters who were supporting a charity concert by describing them as “fluffers”! (Incidentally, these very sisters managed to raise over £100,000 for orphans all over the world.) I – like the vast majority of those who read your article – was blissfully ignorant about the very existence of this disgusting obscene word, and I would question the wisdom of introducing it to the vocabulary of your readers. As to my performances, I always consciously endeavour to be responsible, respectable, modest and dignified on stage.
It has been my approach that whenever personal criticism is levelled at me I ignore it and get on with my work, as my philosophy in life is to build and not destroy, and to unite not divide. However, on this occasion I felt duty-bound to respond because of the dangerous ideas and notions contained in your article. Yvonne, let us work together as fellow Muslims and Britons in building a better future for our community and all human beings and strive to make our world a safer, more peaceful, tolerant and prosperous place.
Yours faithfully,
Sami Yusuf
wow
Islam needs more voices like him and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, people who are from the 'west' and are positive in their approach, and adopt the moderate path
Subhanallah
The Lover is ever drunk with love;
He is free, he is mad,
He dances with ecstasy and delight.
Caught by our own thoughts,
We worry about every little thing,
But once we get drunk on that love,
Whatever will be, will be.
ɐɥɐɥ
I was gonna write exactly that.
Well maybe with a few exclamation marks... and I have a fondness for the three dots...
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
:shock:
Ya ALLAH Madad.
Haq Chaar Yaar
Source?
(and Med, why the long face? impressed? antagonised? surprised? too many ways it can be read)
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
bemused.
Ya ALLAH Madad.
Haq Chaar Yaar
me too, wow indeed, now that's what i call a great answer with manners, wow!
Someone must have wrote it for him...
I expect a response hopefully from Sis Yvonne. She was right in what she said.
Despite being insulted he didnt stoop to her level.
Looks like singing top nasheeds is not the only thing he's good at....
:roll: I suppose if you could pick points out of her massive ad-hom tirade sure.
Sami Yusuf is a good guy - a really good guy, and a smart one. But that letter blew me away, never thought he was THAT smart. I tried to think of something to say three times before I settled upon "wow" - nothing more to say really.
Oh - and second that to everything Sirus and Angel just said
Yea seriously - I guess there is a reason he's so popular. Interesting to see how Yvonne took some liberalities - at first I thought her point was somewhat reasonable when she described the "fluffers," but as it turns out they were raising money [i]for orphans[/i]. Looks like she retained that sensationalist media edge to her writing.
Is Sami Yusuf saying Sis Yvonne was lying? :roll:
She says she saw Muslim women dancing about and standing on chairs and being encouraged by the people on stage. She SAW this happen!
Her suggestion that islamic events be controlled and calm was a good one.
Her point about Britain being involved in Afghanistan , Iraq and to some extent Palestine are valid aswell.
She was also right to say many people should spend as much energy as they do in a Nasheed concert than on the real issues of the Ummah.
It is mainly the western world and "democracies" that are inflicting this oppression so how can Muslims "come together" with them.
Does he suggest that Muslims come together with and embrace Israel to solve the problems of palestine?
I think he should leave the political side of things to Sis Yvonne. She's got more of a brain fr such matters.
Do not do personal insults please, by commenting on their levels of intellect.
No he is not saying she is lying, but saying that instead of going after the artists, the actual people breaking Islamic Ettiquette should be dealt with.
And wether you like it or not, we ARE british. There is no point denying it. Its not all bad, and its not all good. But being British, we have some responsibilities.
instead of throwing our dummies out when something does not go our way, we should work within the system to fix it. That will be far more effective than just spitting our dummies out, or sucking our thumbs.
And people are allowed to enjoy themselves. This life is not a punishment, but a gift. Something to cherish.
His rebuttal was far more political than her original article. Instead of just ranting back, it was well thought out, and put across his points, backing them up as and when needed.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
My friend went to a speech by Yvonne in Harrow today.
Apparently she ranted a lot about lazy Muslims dancing and singing while terrible oppression goes on unabashed.
The fact that she is a white convert to Islam seems to give her some kind of kudos among certain Muslims.
I think that Yvonne has spent too long with the Taliban; she seems to think that Muslims should be gloomy and angry at all times.
I think the issue is not that, but rather us born Muslims have been in touch with these issues for a long time. We have come to deal with it in our own ways.
I remember how angry I used to get when reading up on things.
Now when someone accepts Islam, their whole life needs to be reevaluated. Old principles need to be rethought out. The balance of life reevaluated.
Now couple with that the new realisation of what is happening around the world to fellow Muslims will be a shock. Something that was previously witnessed from afar, will now hit home as if it is happeijng to close family.
Its a new feeling. Not somethign that can immediately controlled. And there is anger at others who it seems are not worried about this global family. It is not easy to realise others have come to terms with it in their own ways. Some good, some bad, some indifferent.
So I do not think it is the same as everyone else thinks, but it will take her some time gain a balance on everything.
But the added dificulty for her is that she is now almost a celebruty, so unlike others who will go through this process privately, she is going through it in public.
What are the steps in the event of a catastrophe/personal issues/whatever itrs called?
1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Acceptance?
its something like that aint it? Just let her follow the path. It will take time.
and remember: Do not judge others unless you want to be judged by others yourself.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
That's true, but is she really in a position to be condemning things she appears to know little about?
My “problem” (for want of a better word) is that she is being elevated to a high status simply because she is relatively well known woman who converted to Islam.
She is a shouty journalist/politician in the George Galloway style. Some fair points but a lot of unfair point scoring rhetoric.
I havent insulted him.
As a well-travelled experienced journalist , it is natural that Sis Yvonne will know more about political issues than most. Its not an insult to him to suggest that Sis Yvonne knows more about politics than him.
Yvonnes didnt just blame him. In fact she asked the question , who is to blame?
Is it the sisters , is it the organisers or is it the artists? My view is its probably a mixture.
Theres a difference when you are asked to show nationalistic pride in being British.
said we should give up our pride in nations:
The Prophet
[b]"He is not one us who calls for `Asabiyyah, (nationalism/tribalism) or who
fights for `Asabiyyah or who dies for `Asabiyyah."[/b]
[b]"He who calls for `Asabiyyah is as if he bit his father's genitals"[/b]
So there is no need to ask people to cheer about being proud of being british.
I believe the Sis is trying to fix it.
She called for more awareness about the real issues for our Ummah in her article so she is trying to do her bit.
Its not her skin colour , its what she says that gives her support.
I dont think you understood the original article if you thought its message was all Muslims should be "gloomy and angry". Read it again.
There is also a hadith which defines 'nationalism'. The definition is supporting your people in something which is wrong. So basically supporting the Iraq war, when we know it is wrong is not allowed. But saying we are british, and working within the british system where we improve the system, or support what Britain is doing right is allowed.
By throwing dummies out, I did not mean her. She has said her piece. as a journalist that is all one expects of her. I mean the rest of us picking sides, and either insulting one or the other.
A journalist is a journalist, not a politician. It does not mean one will know more about politics than the other.
And Latifah, Humility is something Muslims learn over time.
I doubt its classed as a good thing amongst non-muslims not to big yourself up. It probably takes time to lose that habit. and she is a journo, so she will say what she is thinking in the public. Its her job.
We should just try to see through it, and take the good, leave the bad.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
I read it again.
She is objecting to Muslim girls dancing and singing to “Muslim boy bands” while oppression goes on around the world.
Does that mean that Muslims are not allowed to show emotions at happy events?
She also failed to mention the rather important fact that large sums of money were raised for charity.
Her article was unfair. You should ream Sami Yusuf's article again.
Very true, but it doesn’t meant that she is right.
She seems to be given a lot of respect simpy because she is a minor celebity.
True, but at the same time, she should not be slaughteres to the level that she was in the [url=http://www.therevival.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1822]original topic[/url] discussing her article.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Theres a difference between being happy and dancing around on chairs!
The money issue is important but it doesnt justify that behaviour , does it?
In fact i think most Muslims seem to agree with Sis Yvonne
This is from the follow-up article from Sis Yvonne:
Full article:
[url=http://www.muslimsweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2...
Exactly.
Islamic relief managed to raise over £120,000 for the poor and needy around the world in the London concert alone….God knows how much they have raised altogether.
That’s why I don’t understand why Yvonne failed to mention that in her article, esp since her main argument was the fact that Muslims are turning a blind eye to all the suffering that is going on around the world.
And I agree with Latifah, a convert friend of mine mentioned the same point…namely that Yvonne gets away with a lot mainly cos she’s a white convert…
Most Nasheed concerts, esp the ones Sami Yusuf performs in raise money FOR the Ummah.
Its is possible that she didnt know of the money , however that doesnt justify what the sisters were doing. If you give a bit of money , it doesnt mean you can start dancing on chairs.
Everyone seems to be mentiong this.
What exactly is she getting away with? :?
Noone has even tried to justify that. SOme people MAY try to justify it in some way, somewhere... but it has not happened here.
What most have said is you cannot just blame that on the artist. And her others points were not valid.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
She's a journalist...its her job to know what she's writing about.
Of course nothing justifies the actions of sisters dancing in Nasheed concerts....however, her attack on Sami Yusuf is unjustified as well, esp since he doesnt encourage sisters to behave in that way, he hardly moves himself when performing on stage.
We need to take responsibility for our own actions.
Bang on
The Lover is ever drunk with love;
He is free, he is mad,
He dances with ecstasy and delight.
Caught by our own thoughts,
We worry about every little thing,
But once we get drunk on that love,
Whatever will be, will be.
ɐɥɐɥ
dancing on chairs....a slight exxageration dont u think!!!
i was there, and i can tell you it wasnt as bad as vedono and yvonne make it out to be
and of course it was for charity, she knew that...it was organised and called Islamic Relief! hundreds of thousands were raised over several cities.
this arguement aout yvonne v sami can go for ages, especially with her fans on here :roll:
sami's reply says it all, and the way he speaks....yvonne should take some notes
The Lover is ever drunk with love;
He is free, he is mad,
He dances with ecstasy and delight.
Caught by our own thoughts,
We worry about every little thing,
But once we get drunk on that love,
Whatever will be, will be.
ɐɥɐɥ
Or with HIS fans :roll:
But i guess your right , the arguement could go on forever. Best to leave it probably.
Speaking of the white convert effect what is up with Muslims and white people?
I have read countless articles about so and so's "piercing blue eyes" or "flash of blonde hair" while they read the Qur'an as a recent convert to Islam - white women especially. Admittedly it's a bit creepy reading articles like those since... I am blonde haired and do have blue eyes - however I It seems more than what I initially thought it was - a preemptive attempt to tell me "Islam isn't just for black people." There is a real obsession with getting more white converts - I don't see this kind of celebratory attitude about black converts.
And what really gets me is that while Muslims seem so obsessed with gaining more blonde haired blue eyed people to write about - Muslims who are every bit as white as me in places like Chechnya or Bosnia were completely left behind by the Muslim community. I've never heard any Muslim organization put Chechnya higher than Palestine on the imminent threat meter.
So what's the deal? Why is there such a dire obsession with white converts?
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