Today’s Gospel reveals Jews desperately seeking a strong and bold leader to save them from Roman persecution. They ask Jesus, “Are you the one?”
Islam also needs a leader. Why did Islamic Radicals commit these horrible crimes in France? Well, they also seek leaders to save them from a secular western culture and regain their lost status as a world power. So what should be done?
In Cairo on New Year’s Day, the leader of Egypt, Abdel Sisi, gave a remarkable speech to over one thousand Islamic leaders (Imams) at Al Azhar University, the most important university in the Middle East. Egypt is also the most powerful Islamic state, with 70 million Muslims (and 10 million Catholics). Sisi feels that Islam is under intense persecution and desperately needs leadership. However, he feels the threat is coming from within Islam itself …from Islamic Radicals. That is a big difference! Look at this excerpt…
“It’s inconceivable that the ideas that we hold most sacred should cause the entire Islamic world to be a source of anxiety, danger, killing and destruction for the rest of the world. Impossible! Is it possible that 1.6 billion Muslims should want to kill the rest of the world’s inhabitants, so that they themselves may live? Impossible! I say and repeat again that we are in need of a religious revolution. You, Imams, are responsible before Allah. The entire world, I say it again, the entire world is waiting for your next move… because this Islamic world is being torn, it is being destroyed, it is being lost—and it is being lost by our own hands.”
Bravo for Abdel Sisi! But how did this happen to Islam? It all began a few centuries ago. There was a time when all the Middle East and North Africa was one Islamic State, but then it all collapsed. Today, the whole region is failing dramatically in every area; economically, socially, and politically. 50% of the population is under 30 and 50% of them are unemployed. They wonder why, and who will lead them back to success.
Islamic Radicals want to recreate that state. Al Qaeda formed decades ago to make that happen by demanding ultra-strict Islamic law and attacking enemies, near and far. They felt western powers caused Islamic collapse and so the West, symbolized by the USA, as the “Far Enemy” was attacked on 9-11. However, the USA, took the offensive in both Afghanistan and Iraq and stopped Al Qaeda from any more attacks here. Recently, new groups, like ISIS, see westernized states like Syria and Iraq as the “Near Enemy” and fight to overthrow them now. ISIS took advantage of our troop pullout and moved in virtually unopposed, with beheadings and cruel executions. True Islamic leaders like Abdel Sisi oppose both groups and Pope Francis affirmed recently that violence and religion can never be linked. The battle against Islamic Radicals continues.
Jesus was certainly the leader the disciples were looking for, and He led them to success through love and service to all people. That worked well. The Roman Empire converted in just a few generations. In a beautiful gesture at Christmas, Abdel Sisi, a devout Muslim, attended midnight mass in Cairo as a sign of Christian and Islamic solidarity. He is the strong and bold leader Islamic people should follow now!
(For more info, see my article “Why do Radical Islamic people hate America?” and my University Sessions on the Middle East on Feb. 23rd and 26th at 7:30pm at St. Julie’s Church in Newbury Park.)
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Wow, that was powerful, especially after Nigeria and Boko Haram this week….thanks, Val
You are welcome!
Excellent leadership comparison of today and yesterday. We are signed up and looking forward to your University sessions.
great piece – we need MORE Adel Sisis in that Islamic world!!
looking forward to your presentation at St. Julie’s
See you there!
See you at the University!
I was waiting for this article. Wow. I wish you would go on FOX News and explain the situation so simply. Why won’t others do that? Thank you so much. I’ll pass this on to my friends.
God bless,
Jeanie
Please feel free to give this to anyone.
Positive change always must come from within…be it an individual, a nation or a religion. Anyone else, even with the best of intentions, will always be seen as meddling or having their own agenda. I hope the Islamic faith has the courage to find and follow leaders like Sisi.
Thanks, Fr. Dave! You are the “voice of reason” for the Catholic/Christian world. Looking forward to
University Classes.
Bob and Rose Mary
Well said!
P.S. Subscribing to online publication, AL MONITOR, as you suggested in your last years’s classes on this subject will offer further exposure to those with moderate approaches in the Arab world.
Bob and Rose Mary
Well said!
This is a dangerous world. Let us pray that Abdel Sisi and Pope Francis remain unharmed in their efforts to make the world a better place for all to live.
Blessings to you and success to the University Series!
Wes
I am confident that the Pope will be safe. I am not that certain that Sisi will survive. He lives in a very difficult environment of Islamic extremists. Remember that the Muslim Brotherhood assassinated Anwar Sadat because of his peace treaty with Israel. Sisi is a brave man.
I’m thrilled to hear that a muslim leader like Abdel SiSi exists. It was also hopeful to see what the president of Egypt said!
See ya soon!
See you soon!
Is it just a coincidence that Sisi spelled backwards is Isis?
I never noticed that! That is an amazing coincidence that I missed. Perhaps we can say that anyone who is the “opposite” of ISIS must be good!
Very astute of you to remark upon Al Sisi’s extraordinary speech. A truly remarkable demonstration of courage and leadership!
I just hope that Sisi does not go the way of Anwar Sadat, who was killed for signing a peace treaty with Israel. This is a very important opportunity for Muslim leaders right now, but so far, Radical extremist Muslims never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity!
The new ruling team in Saudi Arabia looks even better! With Saudi and Egypt aligned, I think we are in for some welcome good news over there.
, Thank you for the wonderful reflection *Islam needs a Leader*
The Islamic Radicals and the entire world is in need of a religious revolution,
a bold leader who will lead them to recognize and worship the true God.
Looking forward to seeing you at the University, Fr. Dave.