Over the years I’ve become a great admirer of Dr Taj Hargey the historian and Islamic theologian who has promoted, in the teeth of great opposition from within Islam itself, a liberal current within Islam. Dr Hargey is one of those rare Islamic clerics who I admire and I admire him in large part because he is attempting to formulate an Islam that is compatible with both the modern world and with the freedoms of that world. I also have time for Dr Hargey as he’s not afraid to call out Islamic practises that go against basic freedoms, such as imprisoning woman in chadors or niqabs etc.

Unlike some Islamic clerics he’s willing to wash Islam’s dirty linen in public when it is correct to do so.

Dr Hargey has recently popped up on Britain’s Talk TV talking to Julia Hartley-Brewer about recent figures relating to alleged ‘hate crime’ against British Muslims being put out by the mendacious grievance mongers of Tell Mama. In his interview with Ms Hartley-Brewer Dr Hargey when asked why the figures put out by Tell Mama looked so high he partly blamed Muslims themselves for the hostility that they were getting. Dr Hargey said that the for blame much of the bigotry directed at British Muslims rests with British Muslims themselves because too many Muslims see themselves as victims.

Dr Hargey criticised the Islamic clerisy for much of the problems in British Muslim society. He blamed ‘the Mullahs, Mosques and Madrassas’ for promoting a ‘them and us’ attitude among Muslims.

This was a fascinating interview although much too short in my view about a very important subject from a man who bravely goes against received wisdom.

Here’s the link to the video@

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Six35Oo1UTI

Link

Biography of Dr Hargey from the Battle of Ideas Festival website

https://archives.battleofideas.org.uk/2024/speaker/dr-taj-hargey/