Progressive Muslims Take Heat From...the Left?

Vancouver, British Columbia -- The newly formed Progressive Muslim Union of North America knew it would be drawing criticism from conservative imams and their allies. But most of the heat has been coming from Muslims who don't think the network of moderate Muslims is progressive enough.

The Progressive Muslim Union of North America, which has been making international headlines since it was formally launched Nov. 15 in New York City, devotes itself to women's equality, gay rights and religious tolerance.

But instead of being attacks by the "reactionary" and "paranoid" conservative imams the new organization is trying to circumvent, the most vigorous protest against the group has come from an international group of noted scholars and activists who say the Progressive Muslim Union (PMU) shouldn't include supporters of the war against Iraq.

The goal of the PMU is to reform Islam from within, say the group's co-founders, Colgate University Prof. Omid Safi, editor of the best selling book, Progressive Muslims, and Ahmed Nassef, editor of the immensely popular website,

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The two prominent U.S. Muslims began PMU to encourage free-thinking Muslims to "stand up to those whose God is too small, too mean, too tribal and too male." At this stage in history, Safi writes, "our primary responsibility is to come to terms with the oppressive tyrants and fanatics inside our own communities, our own families and our own hearts."

However, while conservative Muslim leaders in North America have expressed some concerns about the liberal goals of the PMU, criticisms from Muslim activists such as Canada's Itrath Syed and Cincinnati scholar Farid Esack have been provoking widespread debate among Muslims.

The dissidents are challenging the way the PMU invited active participation and board membership from both left- and right-wing Muslims, including staunch supporters of President George W. Bush and the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

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