"Yes, al Qaeda is an Islamic organization," affirmed Imam Zaid Shakir to a group in Logan Hall on Tuesday night, "in the sense that it is an organization associated with Muslims."
But Shakir was anxious to divert the audience's attention to "the very real question of whether such an organization actually exists, or whether the U.S. has created 'a legal fiction' to justify rounding up those involved in 9/11."
Speaking as part of Penn's Islam Awareness Week, Shakir, an American convert to Islam and scholar at the Zaytuna Institute in California, went on to diminish the degree to which 9/11 was a turning point for Muslims in the U.S.
"There are going to be difficult times [such as post-9/11] and easy times," he explained, "But in the end it's all just time, and time is God's."
And besides, a bit of struggle is good, he added.
Shakir used an analogy to explain his idea. He contrasted a professor who assigns little or no work, lets student sleep in class and at the end of the semester rewards everyone with A's, against one who gives regular tests and quizzes, ensures readings are done and hands out weighty assignments.
Students in the first class may enjoy the easy ride but will eventually feel cheated, he claimed. As for students in the second class, although they may feel challenged, it is all worth it for the satisfaction they will derive from completing the class.
Likewise God tests us, Shakir said, and although we may sometimes struggle, the final reward makes it worthwhile.
Shakir went on to explain how Islam provides a comprehensive tool kit for facing this struggle and the egotistical mindset that pervades modern American society. He drew on the circumstances of his own conversion as an illustration.
In a country gripped by a "decadent" pop culture and rampant religiosity that "endorses invasions and conquests," he spoke of how an Islam that "tells you to do something, to be a person of substance and to prepare for the afterlife" enabled him to overcome what he labeled as America's "'I want more' mentality."
Shakir then described how the current financial crisis would never have happened in an economy based on the Islamic financial system.
First, a re-institution of the gold-standard would limit the effects of inflation. Also, a ban on the use of money itself to make more money, as in hedge funds, would rule out the dangers inherent in speculation.
"The teachings that are in Islam are those that will encourage the betterment of this world," he stated.
When questioned on whether he believed everyone should convert to Islam, Shakir answered that "although everyone has the right to freely choose whatever [religion] they want, I believe anyone who approaches Islam with an open mind will find it extremely attractive."
His message appeared to be well-received by the mostly Muslim audience.
"I definitely thought he was a good speaker," said Engineering junior Mohammad Zohaib. "I've seen his lectures on YouTube before, but I was impressed with him in the flesh."
