Aymann, I’ve found your work to be sincere and open to unconventional perspectives as a Muslim. I truly appreciate that about you. Here, I would encourage to actually watch some of The Masked Arab’s videos in full, for yourself, instead of relying on the spin created by others.
I hope you don’t consider me a bigot. And if so, give some pause as to why it is that I, someone who is not bigoted towards Muslims, supports The Masked Arab’s work and his analysis. I urge you to give some real thought about whether your cursory assessment based on his Muslim detractors, is actually warranted.
It’s easy for people to say “bigot” against those who critique Islam from the theology. It’s also an unfair charge when these ex-Muslims critiquing Islam espouse nothing of the kind. I believe that this would be clear if you watched the very video from which all of the recent discussion emanates.
Surely you believe it’s possible for people to leave Islam, and not just because they were abused, but based on making informed choices? Do you think it impossible for devoutly religious Muslims to have in their own exploration of the theology, ultimately found it wanting and unpalatable? Surely you don’t think that all people who critique Islam are bigots?
To believe that, would be like believing that all Muslims are secretly enemies of democracy and human rights. That would be a pretty bigoted assumption, wouldn’t it? And I agree with you.
By the same token, don’t you see that you’re at risk of making the same kind of judgment here with respect to The Masked Arab and the entire ex-Muslim movement? By that token, would you presume that most Muslims are bigoted against ex-Muslims? Which bigotry do you think is more rampant between these two groups?
Surely you’re above such tribalism. Why not fact-check the arguments and assertions yourself from these videos before passing judgment? Why not explore if there’s a “there” there?
Cite us a passage from anything The Masked Arab has done, that is bigoted toward Muslims. You’ll see bravado and accusations in the very video The Masked Arab is responding to. You’ll also see straw men, which the Masked Arab calls out in his videos. Surely he’s entitled to respond in kind? If you’ve not watched the accusations against him in video, can you really judge excerpts of his full response based on tone alone?
What I see here is an attempt from many Islamic apologists to dissuade people from watching The Masked Arab’s video in full. Having previously been a deeply religious Muslim, and now theologically at least, an ex-Muslim, I can see why that is. I believe that the full response video, in its entirety, lays out the case quite decisively.
I’m not going to suggest like some people do on social media, that you must talk to or interview me, but I would encourage you to have a public dialogue with an ex-Muslim who you feel is worth your time and not bigoted, about the movement, and of our theological critique of Islam. Especially the work of The Masked Arab.
Wishing you continued success and peace,
Reason on Faith