Some sources on Hizb al-Tahrir

There's a been quite a bit in the news lately regarding Hizb al-Tahrir (Party of Liberation), of the group who has made Islam into a political slogan. Not much is known about the Hizb, their background and historical origins and how they operate in the United Kingdom. One example of this is a recent article in the Independent, suggesting that the Hizb act as a 'conveyor belt' for more violent groups. Further, in the wake of the London bombings, Blair has said that the Party should be banned. In light of this there are two good sources worth reading:

1. I came across a paper on the web entitled "Hizb ut-Tahrir -- the Next Al-Qaida, Really?" by Jean-François Mayer of the Geneva Institute of International Studies. Meyer challenges the idea that the Party are a 'conveyor belt' for al-Qa'ida. However, this does not mean, he says, that they do not pose a challenge to ideas such as democracy in Muslim countries; nor does it mean they do not have the use of violence as an aim in spreading their ideological beliefs (but then which ideology doesn't acknowledge the use of violence?).
2. A Fundamental Quest: Hizb al-Tahrir and the Search for the Islamic Caliphate by Suha Taji-Farouki (published by Grey Seal, London, 1996) is a detailed study of the Party, which outlines their policies and historical origins by an expert in Islamic modernities at University of Exeter.

Of course, people are welcome to read their many websites. There was also a news report by Newsnight in 2003 which went undercover with Hizb party members. Imran Waheed, head of the Hizb in the UK, also appeared with Tim Sebastian on BBC NEws 24's HARDTalk (I would bother to examine Waheed's statements, except that I've heard enough Hizb rhetoric to last me a life time, should God give me such a lengthy life).

My point here is not to defend Hizb al-Tahrir nor suggest that they are navel gazing innocents. It wouldn't surprise me that Party members in the UK might even be pleased to gain acknowledgement from the media -- the ban will only allow give them crediblity by claiming that are being silenced in Blair's self-declared 'war on ideas'. Anyone who knows me in person, knows where I stand with respect to this organisation and it is definitely not on their side. And I think anyone who has half read this blog understand where I am in relation to 'political Islam'. Nonetheless, I am a firm believer in the idea that to perform a critique, one that is effective, one must appreciate the internal logic and truth claims of groups, peoples and beliefs. Resorting to fallacious and misleading arguments can only harm my aims in this respect: the 'conveyor belt' claim is not wholly accurate. Further, banning them does not really achieve anything (they will probably just operate under a different name). It is worth remembering that "the most perfidious manner of injuring a cause is to vindicate it intentionally with fallacious arguments" [Friedrich Nietzsche, The Gay Science].

Comments

[George Carty]

As I mentioned on Yusuf's blog, Hizb ut-Tahrir could be considered the "Bolsheviks" to al-Qaeda's "nihilists".

The Bolsheviks and Hizb ut-Tahrir are both "vanguard party" type organizations, while groups like Hamas and al-Qaeda, like their 19th century Russian predecessors in Narodnaya Volya (The People's Will) carry out acts of terrorism, originally in the hope radicalizing the masses through the inevitable brutal state reprisals, but later on turned into death cults exalting in violence as an end in itself.

[Iqbal Khaldun]

Well said, Underprogress. An interesting anthropological analysis there George. I tend to agree.

[caesar]

agree that banning is counterproductive. but must note that their logic and rhetoric is deceptively attract to new recruits to islam or people under that initial missionary zeal phase. and cannot denote the fact that most easy to read- islam lite publications (i.e. those who dont have the sophistication to read western philosophy)have a tone of contempt and hatred towards west and an totalising view of islamic polities. this delusional khalifat dream needs to be destroyed once and for all for the practical, unromantic road of active engagement mired as it is politics and compromise. and also how about some good old fashioned spirit/soul/sufism? starting to think the christian concept of God/caesar divide is a good one.

[MCB Watch]

MCB Watch also have a recent posting on Hizb ut-Tahrir, examining why the MCB are now standing up for radical Islamism.
http://mcbwatch.blogspot.com/

[reformist_muslim]

Agree with Caesar in that while banning is unproductive, the Muslim community must completely discredit the notion of a caliphate as a viable option for muslim self-government.

In my opinion, a lot of the problems stem from the fact that when Islamic history is studied by Muslims, a disproportionate focus is placed on the time of the prophet and the rightly guided caliphs giving a sense that utopia is possible.

If more attention was placed on what happened to the various muslim caliphates after that, then the ridiculousness of having a pan-islamic caliphate would be obvious.

Finally, it seems that HT amongst other things use the perfect solution fallacy. So their stop Islamophobia campaigns and general recruitment start with - our civil liberties are being restricted, blair is a bad prime minister, look at what's happening in Iraq, hence we need to return to shariah and a caliphate.

Anyways, I've gone on for too long. Will check back for replies.

[George Carty]

What Islamic societies (indeed all non-Western societies) really need to do is determine which areas must be Westernized for the society to compete in the modern world, and which aspects of traditional society can be retained.

It's an extremely difficult task - the only country that really pulled it off well was Japan....

[Eli]

Let us not use the word "Westernised", but replace it with "modernised"

[George Carty]

If more attention was placed on what happened to the various muslim caliphates after that, then the ridiculousness of having a pan-islamic caliphate would be obvious.

Yes, the Khulafa' Rashidun were brilliant men, but the system in which they operated was fatally flawed even at the time (which is why it didn't last very long). The Western equivalent of Hizb ut-Tahrir would be an organization trying to re-create the ancient Roman republic.

[Adeel Naeem]

The de facto role of the US armed forces will be to keep the world safe for our economy and open to our cultural assault. - Major Ralph Peters, US Military

“I left the post of the ruler of Caliphate only because of the obstacles and threats on the side of people who call them – Young Turks. The Committee of Unity and Progress obsessively insist on my agreement to form a national Jewish state in the sacred land of Palestine. But in spite of their obstinacy I strongly refused them. In the end they offered me 150 million English pounds in gold, but again I refused and said the following to them: ‘If you offer me gold of the world adding it to your 150 man, I won’t agree to give you the land. I have served Islam and the people of Muhammad (S) for more than 30 years, and I won’t cloud the Islamic history, the history of my fathers and grand fathers – Ottoman Sultans and caliphs.’ After my definite refusal they decided to remove me from power, and after that they told me that they would transport me to Salonika and I had to resign. I praise my benefactor who didn’t let me bring shame on the Ottoman state and the Islamic world. I want to stop at this. I praise the Almighty once again and finish my letter.” - Sultan Abdul-Hamid in a letter - Sept 22 1911

"We must put an end to anything which brings about any Islamic unity between the sons of the Muslims. As we have already succeeded in finishing off the Khilafah, so we must ensure that there will never arise again unity for the Muslims, whether it be intellectual or cultural unity" - The British Foreign Minister addressing the British Prime Minister shortly before World War II.

"It’s a hard choice, but I think, we, think, it’s worth it." Her response to a May 11, 1996 60 Minutes question about the over half a million children killed by the [Iraqi] sanctions. - Madeleine Albright 64th U.S. Secretary of State - US policies

…after greeting your majesty we wish to inform you that we have heard of the great progress which the institutes of knowledge and industry in your country enjoy its pure abundance.…So, we wish that our sons learn of these virtues so that it serve as a good beginning in following your example for the sake of spreading the light of knowledge in our country which is surrounded by ignorance, from all sides. We have placed our niece, princess ‘Doubant’ at the head of a delegation of girls of the English nobility to have the honour of kissing the trimmed fringes of the throne and imploring the kindness, so as she and her girl companions be the object of your highness’ attention. The young princess has been provided by a modest gift to your majesty…we wish you accept it. With glorification, and sincere love….signed: your humble servant, George II. - Letter from George II, king of England to the Khaleefah Hisham III

“Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people.” - Oscar Wilde

Caliphate is coming soon, Inshallah!

[Adeel Naeem]

Misapplication of the system does not make a system flawed. Mistakes commited do not make a system flawed...There were mistakes committed in the past(By usman r.a. for not regularly changing the Waliz), system was misapplied( Incase of Muawiya r.a.). One aspect of the system( bayah) was misapplied.

Hizb Ut-Tehrir is doing a great job.Mashallah.

[Eteraz]

Please see my post relating to islamic theocracy on my blog.

good to have you back thabet!

[JD]

I agree with Eli's comment. Japan did not "westernize," they modernized. Likewise, Korea is modernizing, not westernizing (I lived there for a year). Singapore (where I currently live) has both westernized and modernized.