Jeffrey Goldberg comes to the defense of Dalia Mogahed.
Mogahed was a phone-in guest on the show, and only after did she learn that it was affiliated with Hizb ut-Tahrir, which advocates for very ugly things. Instantly, it was assumed by some of the more reflexive critics of anything Muslim that Mogahed herself was an advocate for extremism. Well, I know Dalia Mogahed, and if she’s a Muslim extremist, then I’m the King of Sweden. From everything I can see, Dalia went on the show in her role as a pollster, and, in the conversation, stuck to her polling data. I’ve heard her present the same findings she presented on British television on two separate occasions. I’m sure some people are freaked out by Dalia’s appearance — she covers her hair and dresses very traditionally, though she is not a “veiled woman” in the language of some of the more ridiculous posts on the subject — but I know her as a devout, modest and sensible woman, someone who likes being American very much, and someone who even has — shocking though it may seem — Jews to her home at Ramadan (that would be moi, along with Mrs. Goldblog and several smaller Goldblogs). Do we agree on much? Nah, especially on Middle East politics. But so what? I don’t agree with this guy on everything, and I don’t think he’s a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir.
thabet 1:46 am on October 28, 2009 Permalink |
See our earlier thread too on the reporting in the Daily Telegraph and where the story may have originated.
She also wrote a letter to the DT which the newspaper did not publish.
null 4:59 am on October 28, 2009 Permalink |
I hope this all blows over soon and isn’t too hard on Dalia’s reputation by those who would wish to misrepresent her.
Abu Noor 8:14 am on October 28, 2009 Permalink |
I wouldn’t worry about Ms. Mogahed. She is almost universally beloved amongst Muslims and being criticized by right wing Islamophobes or being seen as being used by HT, a very unpopular group amongst most Muslims in the west especially influential Muslims will probably be nothing but good for her.
I don’t know if she has some larger ambitions beyond the Muslim community, but May Allaah (swt) continue to guide her.
She is so popular (amongst Muslims) that even being embraced by a figure that I personally find as repellent as Jeffrey Goldberg will not hurt her. I just really find that guy’s whole m.o. so distasteful.
Dan 8:21 am on October 28, 2009 Permalink |
How would the defence from Goldberg be bad? I don’t know, I figured it would seem like a change of heart for someone like him. I figured it would say a lot when Goldberg of all people comes out to defend her. Anything is possible when LGF ceases its anti-Muslim platform and derides the Islamophobes on a regular basis.