Islam produced Shari'a scholars and jurists like Rumi, who is also the all-time best selling poet in the west.

Yeah, Rumi was a Shari'a scholar. There would be no Rumi without the Quran and Islam.

The extremist clowns whom the western oligarchs and imperialists have armed and whom Salafists and Wahabbists have brainwashed and radicalised aren't Islam. There's nothing Islam about extremism.

Maybe if the most disingenuous among you asked those of us who actively practise Islam, rather than those who no longer do and consider themselves ex Muslim—about the nature of Islam ...

The people you turn to for expertise on Islam reflect your vision. When you ask a known anti Muslim ex Muslim about Islam rather than a learned and pluralistic Quranic scholar who is also an interfaith scholar, you've indicated the story you want to tell about Muslims.

Own that.

Everyone acknowledges that Zionist extremists aren't representative of Judaism, or Christianity. So, extend the same courtesy to me, please.

I am a Muslim. I am fierce and independent and compassionate and everything you see here because I am a Muslim.

Those extremists harm me too. There is no community for me, even if I wanted one. Islam does have a problem, the separation of Sufism from Islam. And yes, Muslims are insular. I'm not included, like many who weren't born Muslim. And I'm othered in non Muslim circles.

There are many like me. Floating Muslims who aren't tethered to a particular community, who continually navigate the world on a razor's edge. I often feel as though walking on foot in an arena of moving bumper cars, trying to avoid getting squashed.

But all you see is your outrage. And you are happy to hold me and other Muslims to account for violent disturbed men and those who radicalised them.

Hey geniuses, Muslims have by far been the largest victims of Islamic extremists. And the west has stoked and continues to stoke

that by indulging Arab tyrants.

There are voices who know. There is a growing body of knowledge and work.

Your western ideas aren't the only ones which work. Make room for growth. Western essentialists you are mediocre because you're ideologues.

Every decision involves two choices:
1. Truth (or God if you believe)
2. Ego

That's it. Every decision.

It's easier to choose ego, aka dopamine hits.

Most find it a hardship to choose truth, as you can see from present-day activism and governance and journalism.

/end thread