For me I made it clear that I wanted to meet with both sides of the political spectrum. Tariq Ramadan More Quotes by Tariq Ramadan More Quotes From Tariq Ramadan If you look at how great artists of the past, like Beethoven, for example dealt with art and morality, you see that there was torture and pain in their work, but there was also dignity in the way that was dealt with. So I don't buy this contemporary notion that the only way to be artistic is to be arrogant, offensive or immoral. Tariq Ramadan pain past art I think what we are seeing is a vicious circle: by covering the controversies and the conflicting realities, it creates a much distorted perception of Islam and Muslims. When a minority is being taken as a majority, it creates a wrong image. Tariq Ramadan taken reality thinking This simple truth is the essence of my message to Muslims throughout the world: know who you are, who you want to be, and start talking and working with whom you are not. Find common values and build with fellow citizens a society based on diversity and equality. Tariq Ramadan essence simple talking As Muslims the way we show respect to the creator is by respecting creation and this is why we have to reconcile ourselves with the objectives of the Revelation and the objective is really to honor nature as part of Creation. Tariq Ramadan creation honor way As Muslims, we must have an active presence based on ethical and moral consistency. We need to be very vocal, to inform people, to demonstrate when necessary. We need to write so that the people understand that what they are getting from the media and politicians is biased and not accurate. And this is true especially when it comes to some communities within the U.S. or with respect to the Middle East and Africa. This is what I am expecting from a new generation of leaders: Meet these expectations of moral consistency. Tariq Ramadan media expectations writing Just take Germany and the suffering of Jews during and after the Second World War. It would be legal to ridicule and to laugh at this suffering, but since it was such a trauma on the European conscience, no one is going to do it. It is an open scar, an open wound, an open reality. Tariq Ramadan laughing war reality Every country in Europe needs immigrants for its economic survival. Tariq Ramadan survival europe country Lack of consistency is a weakness shared by all nations. Tariq Ramadan consistency nations weakness Teach the heart not to give way to proud emotions and arrogant thinking; bring the mind to heart-soothing solutions that make it possible to control oneself gently and wisely. Tariq Ramadan heart giving thinking The month of Ramadan is the world's most widespread fast and yet its teachings are minimised, neglected and even betrayed (through literal application of rules that overlooks their ultimate objective). Tariq Ramadan ramadan teaching world Our pluralist society must provide its citizens with the tools to understand religions, their symbols and their practices. Tariq Ramadan citizens tools practice Always walking along despite the dangers and adversities, despite the injustices and horrors, trusting in God so as not to despair of men and events. Tariq Ramadan despair adversity men We need more citizens that are committed and courageous. Tariq Ramadan courageous citizens needs No civilisation can claim to have a monopoly on universal values and no one can claim to be always faithful to his own values. Tariq Ramadan faithful monopoly claims The only way to resist colonialism is through education. Tariq Ramadan colonialism way Saying that I am talking out of both sides of my mouth just proves my very point. Politicians would bypass real social issues by referring to my grandfather, who founded the Muslim Brotherhood, or to my brother, currently chairman of the Islamic Centre in Geneva. Tariq Ramadan islamic real brother Unsettled Middle East, in these times where the people are trying to find their way towards democracy, could be interesting for many reasons - for weapons to be sold, for new geostrategic interests to be protected, and something that we are not talking about, which is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The people who are lost in the whole discussion here are the Palestinians. We have demonstrations in Palestine in West Bank. Nobody is covering this. It's as if they don't exist anymore. And this is, in fact, central. And Israel is silent. Tariq Ramadan israel talking interesting In the West or anywhere else, the treatment of people in an undignified way (structural and institutionalized racism against Latinos or African American citizens) as well as a dangerous dehumanization of some people (in Palestine, Iraq, Africa or Asia) are simply unacceptable. Tariq Ramadan iraq racism people What we get from all religions especially from the Prophet's life, peace be upon him, is that there is no way to reach peace if we are not ready to sacrifice, not ready to strive, not courageous enough to face the powers here and the dictators who don't care about humanity or human life. Tariq Ramadan sacrifice care humanity There must be a very clear understanding that you cannot work for peace if you are not ready to struggle. And this is the very meaning of jihad: to manage your intention to get your inner peace when it comes to the spiritual journey. In our society, that means face injustice and hypocrisy, face the dictators, the exploiters, the oppressors if you want to free the oppressed, if you want peace based on justice. Tariq Ramadan struggle spiritual mean
