Dawah and Interfaith

A Model of Anti-War Journalism

Published

August 19, 2007

Omar Usman

As Muslims we have a problem of getting over-emotional when discussing issues of politics, especially with those who disagree. I want to bring to light an example of journalism in this country that shows how to make an anti-war point in a calm and respectful way. It is in a way that we should learn because it teaches us how to deal with people who are quite pro-war in the west. The irony of all ironies is that this excellent example of journalism comes from a Jewish comedian.

The Daily Show (and Colbert Report) to me has seriously become the only beacon of ‘normal’ news in America. They seem to be the only ones who can see through the Nazi like hatred of other ‘journalists’ like Papa Bear.

The first video is with Stephen Hayes, a biographer of Dick Cheney. The second is a video with Bill Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard. Both show excellent candor in interviewing, and expressing your point without getting overly emotional and giving in to their propaganda.

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Related Topics:Dawah Interfaith Society

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Omar Usman

Omar Usman is a founding member of MuslimMatters and Qalam Institute. He teaches Islamic seminars across the US including Khateeb Workshop and Fiqh of Social Media. He has served in varying administrative capacities for multiple national and local Islamic organizations. You can follow his work at ibnabeeomar.com.

10 Comments

ulma haryanto

August 19, 2007 at 6:38 AM

yes agree.. the daily show has been my favorite as well :)

Reply
Hassan

August 19, 2007 at 9:15 AM

I really liked this video as well, its from Colbert:

(link)

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ibnabeeomar

August 19, 2007 at 3:14 PM

hassan thats a good one

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abu ameerah

August 19, 2007 at 10:15 PM

@ ibnabeeomar

I agree. Even though the Colbert Report and the Daily show present the news — or at least something made to resemble news — with a great deal of humor … there ultimately seems to be a bit more honesty and candor from both then we might get from FOX Noise, for example.

Reply
Solomon2

August 19, 2007 at 10:21 PM

As Muslims we have a problem of getting over-emotional when discussing issues of politics, especially with those who disagree.

Are you sure this is a “Muslim” issue and not simply a cultural one, in the same way the normal distance between speakers is larger in America than in Europe and parts of the Middle East?

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Amad

August 19, 2007 at 10:35 PM

Solomon2, can you explain the distance thing you mentioned? I am not sure I quite get that.

I agree that it may not be a “Muslim” issue as much as cultural. Like for instance, even between the North and South in America… people tend to be louder and more animated in the North than the South.

I also think Pakistanis are the most emotional ppl when it comes to any politics, esp. Masjid politics. Or the politics of “halal food” (consider how judging Doritos to be halal is driving some Pakistani uncles nuts, esp. the “food scientists” who believe that “we-know-better-than-ulema”).

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Solomon2

August 19, 2007 at 10:38 PM

You know, face-to-face conversational distance. A Spaniard or Frenchman may be “in your face” more than an American might. One could misinterpret such things as aggressive behavior, rather than normal assertiveness.

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Amad

August 19, 2007 at 10:43 PM

Interestingly, the first thing my boss told me when I moved up in the Northeast (of USA) from Texas is that what you may consider a heated argument back in the South is probably a casual discussion in the North…

Reply
Solomon2

August 19, 2007 at 11:06 PM

Yes, that’s the sort of thing I’m talking about.

Reply
ibnabeeomar

August 20, 2007 at 1:17 PM

this isnt worthy of a whole post, but i thought itd be appropriate to add to the comments here:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6580

its what ronald reagan put in his diary about W.

Reply