“Since the uprisings in the Middle East many scholars have come out saying that freedom comes first before the Shariah. There is also something important that we must keep in mind in our understanding the Shariah, and that is the room for what is permissible should be as wide as possible. So we should leave it open to let people be creative.” PeopleShouldMindFirstsImportantUnderstandingRoomsCreativeMiddleWideEastScholarMiddle EastBe CreativeUprising Author:Tariq Ramadan
“What we also need to have a discussion on the philosophy of art: so we must ask what is it that we want in the first place? Is it just about saying and doing whatever you want, or is it about something more? We should let the artist be free, but we must also question how exactly he deals with freedom. Is it arts for elevation or arts for destruction? Is there dignity in the process?” WantNeedsShouldFirstsArtPhilosophyArtistAsksProcessDealsDignityDestructionDiscussionElevationSaying And Doing Author:Tariq Ramadan
“We should not fool ourselves. When the Quran says wa la qad karamna Bani Adam ["we have honored the Children of Adam"] so yes we should all be free but this should not mean that we must act against the dignity of human beings.” ShouldHumansMeanChildrenHuman BeingsFoolDignityAdamHonoredQuran Author:Tariq Ramadan
“I'd say that the modern social sciences are just showing us why the conditions for implementing Hudud are so demanding, and thus Hudud should only be for the absolutely last resort.” ShouldLastsSocialModernConditionsResortsSocial ScienceImplementing Author:Tariq Ramadan
“We have to reconcile ourselves with philosophical questions in every field. Every field should be open to inquiry and knowledge.” ShouldFieldsPhilosophicalInquiryReconcilePhilosophical Questions Author:Tariq Ramadan
“The problem, once again, as in all sciences is the attitude of the mind that is dealing with whatever field. The problem is not philosophy but the lack of intellectual humility. It is when reason becomes arrogant that we lose track. But intellectual humility with science: this is spirituality - this is the way we are with God. So we should not be scared and we must reconcile ourselves.” WayShouldMindReasonPhilosophyProblemSpiritualityLosesAttitudeFieldsHumilityIntellectualTrackScaredArrogantReconcileIntellectual Humility Author:Tariq Ramadan
“The point for me is people who are atheists or are coming from different religious traditions; they are coming from their own sources and specific roots. We should analyze these.” PeopleShouldDifferentReligiousSourceTraditionRootsAtheistReligious Traditions Author:Tariq Ramadan
“I wanted to understand. I'm not here to support one, but I am here to criticize all, on a principled position. I very much value the position of counter power. I think this is where ethics should be, in front of power as I said in Radical Reform. The power of counter-power is very important.” ThinkingShouldSaidImportantWantedValuesSupportFrontsPositionEthicsRadicalReformCriticizePrincipled Author:Tariq Ramadan
“You cannot limit the debate to being solely in favour or against. It should be more complex. When you condemn, you need to understand what led to it. In general, if it is our responsibility to condemn terrorist actions after they had happened, we have an even greater responsibility beforehand to make sure they won't happen.” IfsNeedsShouldHappensActionResponsibilityGreaterHappenedLimitsComplexesDebateTerroristFavour Author:Tariq Ramadan
“I don't think we should take the emotional reactions of a few people as more representative than those of the millions of people who took to the street in a non-violent way against dictators.” PeopleThinkingWayShouldMillionsStreetsEmotionalViolentReactionsRepresentativesDictatorNon ViolentEmotional Reactions Author:Tariq Ramadan
“When I am talking to people from Germany, we should know that there are certain things and certain histories that are very important for people. If you look at all the Muslims living in the West, they didn't react in a violent way. They don't like what they saw but they are citizens like you and me and they look at it and say: "This is a silly video but we are not going to react."” PeopleIfsKnowsWayShouldLooksImportantCertainTalkingSawsLike YouCitizensWestSillyViolentVideoGermany Author:Tariq Ramadan
“The collective psychology is something very close to being sacred - we can do it but we don't do it. We should understand that the Holocaust in the European conscience is reaching a point which is very close to what is sacred for people in the Southern countries, whether they are Muslims or not. Because of that we need to try to have intellectual empathy.” PeopleNeedsShouldTryingCountryCan DoPsychologyIntellectualEmpathyConscienceSacredReachingCollectivesSouthernHolocaust Author:Tariq Ramadan
“For me, equal citizenship for Muslims, Christians, Jews, Atheists and Agnostics is an indisputable principle. Whoever you are, you should get the same rights with no discussion and no compromise.” ShouldChristianPrinciplesRightsEqualAtheistJewCompromiseDiscussionCitizenshipNo Compromise Author:Tariq Ramadan
“We should say to the West: "You have been supporting dictators for too many years. Don't expect the people to introduce democracy over night. It is going to take time." It took time with the French revolution, it took time with the Eastern European revolutions. And it is going to take time there.” PeopleShouldYearsHas BeensNightDemocracyRevolutionWestIntroducingTake TimeDictatorEasternFrench Revolution Author:Tariq Ramadan
“The West hasn't been naïve, it has been patronizing the South by imposing its own views on what should be done - ironically after having been so close and so supportive of dictators who were not respecting the people.” PeopleShouldHas BeensDoneViewsWestSouthDictatorSupportiveImposingPatronizing Author:Tariq Ramadan
“The problem is that the constitution should have been and was an opportunity, exactly as Moncef Marzouki tried to do, to bring together the secularists and Islamists.” ShouldHas BeensProblemTogetherOpportunityShould HaveConstitutionShould Have BeenIslamists Author:Tariq Ramadan
“There is something which is going to be one of the main challenges in the Muslim world today, in the Muslim-majority countries in the Arab world, is the religious credibility. How are you going to react to what is said about Islam? So, by touching the prophet of Islam, the reaction should be, who is going to be the guardian?” WorldShouldSaidCountryTodayChallengesReligiousMajorityIslamReactionsProphetTouchingGuardianCredibilityWorld TodayArab WorldMuslim World Author:Tariq Ramadan
“We should know that the American administration is very much involved with the Egyptian army. And when you talk about the Egyptian army, we don't only talk about, you know, political power, we talk about economic power.” KnowsShouldPoliticalEconomicInvolvedArmyAdministrationPolitical PowerEgyptianEconomic Power Author:Tariq Ramadan
“Politics is mainly about interests. As Muslim citizens, we understand these interests but we should put principles and dignity beyond everything.” ShouldInterestPrinciplesCitizensDignity Author:Tariq Ramadan
“As Muslims, our interests are our values. In any society, be it in Western or Muslim-majority countries, our duty is that of critical loyalty: Staying loyal to our countries by always being critically engaged in the name of the principles of justice, equality and human brotherhood. We should be the ethical and moral voice wherever we are by saying that, even though we understand economic and geo-strategic interests, we cannot accept a violation of these principles by any society.” ShouldHumansCountryValuesNamesVoiceInterestJusticeAcceptingMoralPrinciplesEconomicDutyMajorityWesternCriticalLoyaltyOur CountryEngagedStayingEthicalBrotherhoodLoyalViolationStrategicJustice Equality Author:Tariq Ramadan
“American Muslims are already within the system. We should stop isolating ourselves by thinking we are powerless. The youngest generations of Americans have a better opinion of Islam because they interact with Muslims. Half of young American citizens now are supporting the Palestinians rather than the Israelis. Things are moving.” ThinkingShouldMovingYoungHalfOpinionGenerationsCitizensIslamPalestinianPowerlessAmerican Citizens Author:Tariq Ramadan
“The link between domestic policy and international affairs is essential: We cannot say we care about domestic issues and we leave international politics, and the opposite is wrong as well. Both are connected and should be addressed together.” ShouldWellsCareTogetherIssuesPolicyEssentialsOppositesAffairInternationalConnectedLinksInternational AffairsDomestic Policy Author:Tariq Ramadan
“Shouldn't the American leadership be addressing what is happening in America, with its domestic policies on racism, discrimination, illegal monitoring, solitary confinement, torture, Guantanamo Bay and any other social and political issues related to the American society not directly connected to Islam? American Muslims must speak out and be involved as well in international policies and, through their institutions, they should raise their voice. This is the way you serve the community.” WayShouldWellsAmericaPoliticalSpeakSocialVoiceCommunityIssuesPolicyInvolvedRacismHappeningsRaisesInstitutionsIslamInternationalConnectedDiscriminationRelatedTortureIllegalSolitarySpeaks OutAmerican SocietyConfinementMonitoringGuantanamoPolitical IssuesSolitary ConfinementGuantanamo BayAmerican LeadershipDomestic Policy Author:Tariq Ramadan
“I understand the need to serve the community by talking about marriage or halal food. But you should also lead with vision, wisdom and courage.” NeedsShouldCommunityTalkingVisionHalal Author:Tariq Ramadan
“Religious symbols should be visible in public space, in a dignified and non-provocative manner. Christmas trees here, Jewish menorahs there and, further along, a minaret - these symbols represent human life in all its diversity.” ShouldHumansReligiousSpaceTreeDiversitySymbolsHuman LifeVisibleProvocativeChristmas Tree Author:Tariq Ramadan
“If there is a smoke, there is a fire, the saying goes, That is quite true, but one should find what the fire is, and who lit it.” IfsShouldFireSmokeLit Book:What I Believe Source: What I Believe
“The 'fires'n that produce thick, rarely innocent, often strategic smoke should therefore be scrutinized. they should be known and identified; and when they involve dishonesty, lies, or manipulation, they they should be ignored.” ShouldLyingKnownFireProduceInnocentSmokeManipulationThickIgnoredStrategicDishonesty Author:Tariq Ramadan
“I have learned that one should say "Peace!" to those who shout their hatred for one's being and presence or at one's passage.” ShouldHatredPassagesI Have Learned Book:What I Believe Source: What I Believe
“A Muslim should be sincerely religious AND politically aware.” ShouldReligiousSincerely Author:Tariq Ramadan
“We need to realize that we should be on the side of any human being who is oppressed.” NeedsShouldHumansSidesRealizingHuman BeingsOppressed Author:Tariq Ramadan
“We should not treat people as they treat us, we should treat them better.” PeopleShouldTreats Author:Tariq Ramadan
