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The problem with what we call the 'Arab spring' is that these are very nationalistic experiences. Tunisians are concerned with Tunisia, Egyptians concerned with Egypt and so on.

Tariq Ramadan

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Tariq Ramadan
Age: 62
Born: 1962
Born: August 26
Islamicist
Philosopher
Theologian
Writer
Genève
Spring
Concerned
Call
Tunisia
Problem
Egyptians
Nationalistic
Arab
Egypt
Experiences

More quotes by Tariq Ramadan

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Anyone who tries to separate or divorce domestic politics from international politics does not get it, and that might be dangerous for the future of Western Muslims.
Tariq Ramadan
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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
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I don't think we should take the emotional reactions of a few people as more representative than those of the millions of people who took to the street in a non-violent way against dictators.
Tariq Ramadan
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Even the concept of the infidel is misleading, because the infidel is normally someone with a different faith, someone who refuses to recognize the truth of the words of the Koran, as revealed by God. He has every right to do so, as long as he does not question my right to believe in my truth.
Tariq Ramadan
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Our emotions are often beautiful, but they can also be dangerous. They represent our spontaneity, and seem to speak to us of our freedom.
Tariq Ramadan
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Islam came to teach us that there is no faith without intelligence and here we are: destroying our intelligence in the name of faith.
Tariq Ramadan
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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
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Man is certainly free, but he is responsible for this freedom before God as before men. This responsibility is inevitably moral. In order of this morality, to be free is to protect the freedom of others and their dignities.
Tariq Ramadan
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If people who cherish freedom, who know the importance of mutual respect and are aware of the imperative necessity to establish a constructive and critical debate, if these people are not ready to speak out, to be more committed and visible, then we can expect sad, painful tomorrows. The choice is ours.
Tariq Ramadan
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Saying that the origin of the Islamic State (IS) is within the Muslim Brotherhood organisation only strengthens IS.
Tariq Ramadan
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No one can deny that some Islamist groups have credential and popularity. But that does not mean they are a majority. If we are serious about democracy we cannot blame the people for choosing what they want. We must promote the kinds of procedures and processes that are helping the people move ahead.
Tariq Ramadan
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You cannot limit the debate to being solely in favour or against. It should be more complex. When you condemn, you need to understand what led to it. In general, if it is our responsibility to condemn terrorist actions after they had happened, we have an even greater responsibility beforehand to make sure they won't happen.
Tariq Ramadan
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There is a Sufi trend, a madhabi Sufi trend, and I don't have any problem with this. What is not acceptable is that, first, some scholars are trying to show to the audience that they are open to other trends. However, when it comes to the retreat or the panels, they don't want to be with some of us because they are scared of being exposed.
Tariq Ramadan
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National politics and elections are dominated by emotions, by lack of self-confidence, by fear of the other, by insecurity, by infection of the body politic by the virus of victimhood.
Tariq Ramadan
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In sha Allah, God willing, must be the expression of humility of the active actors and it must never be the justification of the passive observers
Tariq Ramadan
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To live is to love,to serve, to forgive. Love the One, love and serve humanity. To learn to love oneself and to love is to learn to forgive
Tariq Ramadan
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Your country needs religious leaders and religious politicians
Tariq Ramadan
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What I'm advocating is an intellectual revolution - it's a different mindset concerning the ethical benchmarks by which we live.
Tariq Ramadan
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The most dangerous prisons are those with invisible bars
Tariq Ramadan
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Do not respond to attacks with attacks. Respond with Mercy & Respect
Tariq Ramadan