Butch Ware’s interview was refreshing, but…
My thoughts on a memorable interview and brilliant guest
My perspective on the US Green Party has not shifted radically, even after my interview with the brilliant Professor Butch Ware. As I said previously, for US Muslims at this moment in time, the party has got to be a repository for our pro-Gaza votes. However, I agree with Imam Tom Facchine, who argues that there remain too many severe challenges to their policy platform and positions, from a reticence to call out China and Russia by the wider party to social matters that impact and hinder the Muslim community and our wish to bring up families rooted in the faith. Many on the political left have too many blind spots and intolerances, and I remain unconvinced the Green Party is currently a long-term prospect.
Gaza is the focus, and the Greens help us to weigh our votes. We want the media to repeat the day after the election that the reason Harris lost, and hopefully this is realised, is because, in crucial swing states, the Muslim pro-Gaza vote harmed it for her and her sorry band of genocide flag-wavers.
However, Butch Ware was refreshing. Incisive, brave and intelligent are not words you often utter about someone standing for high office in the United States. As a Muslim, he kept true to his values and openly declared how his Islam informs him as a human being and his political radicalism. He was a breath of fresh air in a secular public square that all too often coerces people of faith to dilute their words, let alone their values.
Ware puts it down to the open nature of the Green Party. I doubt this. Many on the left tolerate Islam for tactical reasons. To make electoral inroads. I am not convinced that someone like Professor Ware will survive the party post-election. But I may be wrong. For now, don’t vote for Harris or Trump - bank your anti-genocide votes in the Green Party
Take a look at some of the YouTube comments we received on the Butch Ware interview:
I couldn't agree more with all the sentiments shared.
I was definitely voting, and definitely 3rd party, but I was on the fence as to who.
My dear brother came to our community to speak and I was blown away with his words and his passion. Because it's a faith based nonprofit politics were at a minimum. I even had the chance to speak privately with him - turns out we were both in MN at the same time (he probably heard me on the radio).
Fence sitting no longer. I voted Green and he's why.
بالله توفيق
Assalamu alaikum, brother Jalal why is there so much of an emphasis on social issues such as LGBTQ? Generally Muslim authorities allowed minorities to follow their own cultural practices under their rule, even when they were heinous practices, such as Sati in India. We are minorities living in a majority non Muslim land, so then why are we so focused on these issues at the expense of much more important issues? I haven’t listened to all of your interviews, have you ever interviewed someone about the effects of climate change and the link between our religion and caring for the environment? I haven’t heard you bring up universal healthcare, or more fair taxation policies which the Green Party advocates for. Yet you have repeatedly brought up these supposed negatives in pretty much everyone of your discussions on the Green Party. I’m in no advocating for LGTBQ & don’t want it taught in schools, but we have far more important issues to worry about