Progressive Muslim Union
Encyclopedia
The Progressive Muslim Union of North America (PMU) was a liberal Islam
ic organization. The group officially launched on November 15, 2004 in Manhattan
but was disbanded in December 2006. In May 2007, a new organization—Muslims for Progressive Values—was launched with the support of hundreds of PMU community members.
(including "based on social and cultural commitments" according to PMU's principles) differs radically from the usual definition, which is purely based on faith
. While some Muslims on the far left
accused it of cozying up to pro-Bush Administration
personalities, traditional Muslims are uncomfortable with its liberal positions, which include a call to jettison those parts of traditional Islamic scholarship that are seen as "wrong" according to Western mores
, as well as a call by some to "reform" Islam by ignoring those parts of the Qur'an
that seem archaic. Other Muslims objected to the call by some PMUNA members to define atheists with cultural or social affinities to Muslims as "Muslims."
A number of the original Board members departed the Progressive Muslim Union in the summer of 2005 due to an inability to reach agreement on a number of controversial issues, most notably the degree to which Progressives should engage more conservative Muslim organizations and scholars. Former Board members Omid Safi and Laury Silvers continue to support Progressive interpretations of Islam outside of PMU but taking a more tradition-oriented approach.
. The prayer was co-sponsored by the progressive Muslim online magazine Muslim WakeUp!
and Asra Nomani's Muslim Women's Freedom Tour. The event, which was attended by about 150 congregants in New York City and heavily covered by international media, became a huge controversy, galvanizing both supporters and detractors around the world.
Opponents, in particular M. A. Muqtedar Khan
, argued that reform should be restricted to social matters, not matters of worship. Supporters, however, asserted that nothing in the Qur'an, the Muslim holy scripture, prevents a woman from leading mixed-gender prayers, and that restrictions are based on outmoded cultural and patriarchal notions.
PMU's co-chair, Pamela Taylor, reinforced PMU's position when she joined hands with the Muslim Canadian Congress
and the United Muslim Association to be the first woman to deliver the Friday sermon and lead the mixed-gender congregation in a mosque on July 1, 2005.
. In July 2005, board member Muqtedar Khan resigned. In August 2005, three of the four founding members, Omid Safi, Hussein Ibish and Sarah Eltantawi resigned along with Laury Silvers and Michael Muhammad Knight (Ahmed Nassef was the fourth founding member). When Michael Muhammad Knight
resigned, he predicted that PMU would collapse within one year.
In December 2006, chair Pamela Taylor and executive director Ani Zonneveld resigned from the board, citing unreconcilable conflicts with board member Tarek Fatah
. Soon after, Fatah, who controls PMU's e-mail discussion list, blocked posting by list members.
Two of the original eighteen leaders of PMU, Ani Zonneveld and Pamela Taylor, created a new organization, Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) in May 2007.
Liberal movements within Islam
Progressive Muslims have produced a considerable body of liberal thought within Islam or "progressive Islam" ; but some consider progressive Islam and liberal Islam as two distinct movements)...
ic organization. The group officially launched on November 15, 2004 in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
but was disbanded in December 2006. In May 2007, a new organization—Muslims for Progressive Values—was launched with the support of hundreds of PMU community members.
The Progressive Muslim Union (PMU) is the result of almost two years of conversation and collaboration between a group of North American Muslims who are committed to representing and renewing our community in all its social, ideological and political diversity. PMU members range from deeply religious to totally secular, sharing in common a commitment to learning, political and social empowerment, a commitment to justice and freedom and a concern and love for the Muslim community.
Controversy
The PMU was a controversial organization. PMU's definition of MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
(including "based on social and cultural commitments" according to PMU's principles) differs radically from the usual definition, which is purely based on faith
Iman (concept)
Iman is an Arabic term which denotes certitude or adherence to an idea. In Islamic theology, it refers to the inner aspect of the religion, and denotes a believer's faith in the metaphysical realities of Islam. The term Iman has been delineated in both the Quran as well as the famous Hadith of...
. While some Muslims on the far left
Far left
Far left, also known as the revolutionary left, radical left and extreme left are terms which refer to the highest degree of leftist positions among left-wing politics...
accused it of cozying up to pro-Bush Administration
George W. Bush administration
The presidency of George W. Bush began on January 20, 2001, when he was inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United States of America. The oldest son of former president George H. W. Bush, George W...
personalities, traditional Muslims are uncomfortable with its liberal positions, which include a call to jettison those parts of traditional Islamic scholarship that are seen as "wrong" according to Western mores
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
, as well as a call by some to "reform" Islam by ignoring those parts of the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
that seem archaic. Other Muslims objected to the call by some PMUNA members to define atheists with cultural or social affinities to Muslims as "Muslims."
A number of the original Board members departed the Progressive Muslim Union in the summer of 2005 due to an inability to reach agreement on a number of controversial issues, most notably the degree to which Progressives should engage more conservative Muslim organizations and scholars. Former Board members Omid Safi and Laury Silvers continue to support Progressive interpretations of Islam outside of PMU but taking a more tradition-oriented approach.
Woman imam
These differences came to a head in March 2005, when PMU endorsed a mixed-gender prayer led by a woman imam, Professor Amina WadudAmina Wadud
Amina Wadud is an American scholar of Islam with a progressive focus on Qur'an exegesis . As an Islamic feminist, she has addressed mixed-sex congregations, giving a sermon in South Africa in 1994, and leading Friday prayers in the United States in 2005...
. The prayer was co-sponsored by the progressive Muslim online magazine Muslim WakeUp!
Muslim WakeUp!
Muslim Wake Up was a website founded to promote progressive and reformist ideas within Islam. Their website was cofounded by Ahmed Nassef and Jawad Ali in January 2003. It published articles contributed from affiliated collumnists as well as guests on its main page as well as opinions on its blog...
and Asra Nomani's Muslim Women's Freedom Tour. The event, which was attended by about 150 congregants in New York City and heavily covered by international media, became a huge controversy, galvanizing both supporters and detractors around the world.
Opponents, in particular M. A. Muqtedar Khan
M. A. Muqtedar Khan
Dr. M. A. Muqtedar Khan [محمد عبد المقتدر خان] is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science, a Sufi and International Relations at the University of Delaware. He is also the founding Director of the Islamic Studies Program at the University of Delaware...
, argued that reform should be restricted to social matters, not matters of worship. Supporters, however, asserted that nothing in the Qur'an, the Muslim holy scripture, prevents a woman from leading mixed-gender prayers, and that restrictions are based on outmoded cultural and patriarchal notions.
PMU's co-chair, Pamela Taylor, reinforced PMU's position when she joined hands with the Muslim Canadian Congress
Muslim Canadian Congress
The Muslim Canadian Congress was organized to provide a voice to Muslims who support a "progressive, liberal, pluralistic, democratic, and secular society where everyone has the freedom of religion." The organization claimed to have 300 dues-paying members prior to its 2006 split.-Origins:It was...
and the United Muslim Association to be the first woman to deliver the Friday sermon and lead the mixed-gender congregation in a mosque on July 1, 2005.
Current state
PMU is now defunct, due to a schismSchism (religion)
A schism , from Greek σχίσμα, skhísma , is a division between people, usually belonging to an organization or movement religious denomination. The word is most frequently applied to a break of communion between two sections of Christianity that were previously a single body, or to a division within...
. In July 2005, board member Muqtedar Khan resigned. In August 2005, three of the four founding members, Omid Safi, Hussein Ibish and Sarah Eltantawi resigned along with Laury Silvers and Michael Muhammad Knight (Ahmed Nassef was the fourth founding member). When Michael Muhammad Knight
Michael Muhammad Knight
Michael Muhammad Knight is an American Muslim novelist, journalist, and performance artist. His writings are popular among American Muslim youth...
resigned, he predicted that PMU would collapse within one year.
In December 2006, chair Pamela Taylor and executive director Ani Zonneveld resigned from the board, citing unreconcilable conflicts with board member Tarek Fatah
Tarek Fatah
Tarek Fatah Urdu: طارق فتح is a Canadian political activist, writer, and broadcaster. He is the author of Chasing a Mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State published by John Wiley & Sons. In the book Fatah challenges the notion that the establishment of an Islamic state is a necessary...
. Soon after, Fatah, who controls PMU's e-mail discussion list, blocked posting by list members.
Two of the original eighteen leaders of PMU, Ani Zonneveld and Pamela Taylor, created a new organization, Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) in May 2007.
External links
- Muslims for Progressive Values
- ProgressiveIslam.Org an on-line Muslim commons now affiliated with Muslims for Progressive Values.
- PMUNA Debate A critical look at PMUNA and other Progressive Muslim related matters
- What is Progressive Islam? - Article by PMU co-founder Omid Safi
- ProgressiveMuslims.com offers critiques and alternatives to the PMUNA-style movement, on the basis that "progress" means social justice for all