14th August 2007

Muslim website launches in an attempt to marginalise extremists

A group of Muslim activists have decided to take action to try to repair the damage done by extremists to the image of Islam. The new website known by the acronym MUAT, for Muslims United Against Terrorism, allows web users to go online and submit entries for their online petitions. The main petition aims to demonstrate to the world that most Muslims are against terrorism of any kind, whether perpetrated by states or individuals. Having gained more than 250 signatures in its first few weeks, it is gradually gaining strength and recently launched a new petition against the Saudi authorities for their promotion of extremism. The website has in essence a single objective which is to show the world that those extremist elements that belong to or sympathise with terrorist organisations are a fringe group and worlds apart from the moderate adherents to the world's second largest faith, which constitute the vast majority.

The website quotes a saying from one of the most famous Islamic figures after the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Ali, who tells his followers: "People are of two kinds - either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity". This short phrase is quoted by the UN¹ to recommend Muslims to adopt his teachings. No doubt this website will be received by Muslims and non-Muslims alike as a welcome response to the usually negative publicity the religion and its adherents have received since 9/11.

The website can be found at www.muat.co.uk

References
1 Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article
http://www.un.org/rights/50/dpi1937.htm