The problem is fundamentalism. It doesn't matter what its manifestation is; fundamentalist Islam, Christianity, National Socialism, Communism etc. they are all just different facets of the same thing. They seek to impose an ideology on everyone, an ideology that is incompatible with democracy and the values of a modern society.
Agree 100%. The word
impose is key.
With Islam, the incompatibility is more stark as it is not just a belief but a way of life where their religion impacts on everything they do from how they dress to what they eat and who they mix with.
IMHO this makes it very difficult for them to integrate into a Western / mainly Christian society where, for example, girls are being sent to Western-style schools wearing clothing (purportedly mandated by their religion) which does not conform to the school's uniform policy. They also do not wish to partake in PE if there are communal changing areas, 'immodest clothing' being worn, male PE teachers, etc. etc.
Calling for Irish schools to change their policies on uniforms, gender segregation, PE rules, to be excused during lessons to pray etc. etc. to accommodate the beliefs of a few is definitely not the way to go.
Children of most other faiths can leave their beliefs behind when they go to school allowing them to integrate easily with their peers. My son went to a multi-denominational secondary school and had friends from all sorts of religious backgrounds and they all got along really well.
Good question. I think that Ali Selim is Sunni, I have no idea if Shia have a similar outlook.
Despite the Quran's call for unity, there are many different branches and divisions of Islam, some moderate and some very extreme.
It's always the extremists who get the headlines, but the moderates need to speak up against the extremist actions and views.