The Good News

EuropeNews recently put out an article asking why there is no good news about Muslims in Europe.

Really, what about the good news? Islamic scholars try to explain away the negatives of Islam. Individual Muslims are trying to explain the benefits of religion, but fail to answer to even the smallest bit of concrete criticism. That is hardly good news.

The kind of good news we would like to see would be that of a reformed Islam. Islam compatible with democracy. Islam giving women equal rights, abandoning the idea that women are owned by the family and must wear specific clothing. An Islam that willingly let people convert to other religions and abstain from religious violence.

But other kinds of news would also be good. Like Islam inspiring a new agricultural program feeding more hungry mouths. Islam inspiring generosity for emergencies (Israel was a main donor to Indonesia after the tsunami - not the Arab countries). Arab countries accepting to take Palestinians away from the overcrowded West Bank or Gaza. Islamic leaders preaching forgiveness towards the infidels, respect for science and tolerance of Jews. Islam inspiring better schools, university education and scientific progress.

Any of this would constitute good news. And any of this *will* be published on EuropeNews. If you come across any, please tell us at EuropeNews Tips.

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I think there's no denying that most news about Muslims is bad news, but I think it is incorrect to say that there is absolutely no news about Muslims in Europe who want to integrate, who do good deeds, or who argue with their fellow Muslims in support of Western liberal standards.

These stories barely make the news. It is much more interesting to write about a Muslim man who attacks male doctors trying to treat his wife than it is to write about a Muslim organization demanding that doctors don't put 'religious freedom' above human rights. Journalists (and bloggers for that matter), know what sells and they often give radical Muslims a stage.

I've been thinking about this issue recently, and EuropeNews' question is indeed in place. To help those looking for such stories, I added a new categorization label to my blog: "Good News". I realize 'good' is subjective, but these are news stories that I think would be seen by most people as positive.

For those people looking for a reformed Islam, I suggest you take a look at Ali Eteraz's blog. Unlike other reformers in the news, Eteraz approaches reformation from a religious Muslim point of view. His latest article is Opposing Sharia Arbitration Courts in UK, though I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for "Muslims oppose Sharia law in the UK" headlines on British news sites anytime soon.