All of us should condemn terrorism--whether the perpetrators are Muslim extremists, white supremacists, Marxist revolutionaries, or our own government. But it's time for us to stop asking Muslims to condemn terrorism under the assumption they are guilty of harboring terrorist sympathies or promoting violence until they prove otherwise. Renowned expert on Islamophobia Todd Green shows us how this line of questioning is riddled with false assumptions that say much more about "us" than "them." Green offers three compelling reasons why we should stop asking Muslims to condemn terrorism:1) The question wrongly assumes Islam is the driving force behind terrorism 2) The question ignores the many ways Muslims already condemn terrorism.3) The question diverts attention from unjust Western violence. This book is an invitation for self-examination when it comes to the questions we ask of Muslims and ourselves about violence. It will open the door to asking better questions of our Muslim neighbors, questions based not on the presumption of guilt but on the promise of friendship.
Todd H. Green teaches religious studies at Luther College and is a former U.S. State Department advisor on Islamophobia. He is a sought-after speaker and has been interviewed by a variety of media outlets, including CNN, NPR, and Al Jazeera. He is the author of The Fear of Islam: An Introduction to Islamophobia in the West (Fortress Press, 2015).
Acknowledgements Foreword by Eboo Patel Introduction Part 1: Assuming Islam Is the Cause of Terrorism 1. The True Roots of Terrorism 2. Monitoring, Managing, and Maligning Muslims Part 2: Ignoring Muslims Who Condemn Terrorism 3. Muslims Speak Out 4. Muslims Take Action Part 3: Diverting Attention from Western Violence 5. The Sins of the Fathers 6. A Written Memorial 7. Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story Conclusion: Assuming the Best of Our Muslim Neighbors Suggested Further Reading
"Todd Green demonstrates that all of us--as people of different religions and worldviews--are responsible for condemning oppression, violence, and terrorism as detrimental to human flourishing, just peace, and the well-being of creation." --Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America "Presumed Guilty counters the false and damaging narratives of Islamophobia informed by a Christian perspective with clarity and humanity. A must read." --Ebrahim Moosa, University of Notre Dame "Presumed Guilty is timely, necessary, and an incredibly useful book." --Moustafa Bayoumi, author of How Does It Feel to Be a Problem? Being Young and Arab in America "Strongly recommended for members of the media, policy makers, and anyone interested in interfaith conversations." --Omid Safi, director of Duke Islamic Studies Center "Todd Green offers a nuanced perspective on the history and place of Muslims in America, and a crucial corrective against the rampant and dangerous stereotyping of this group of fellow Americans." --Jill Jacobs, rabbi and executive director of T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights "Extraordinarily thought-provoking!" --Thom Hartmann, host of The Thom Hartmann Program "Essential reading for anyone still asking Muslims to coddle bigots with reassurance. Green makes a clear case for why all people should be afforded the assumption of basic human decency." --Dalia Mogahed, director of research at Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
