Two years ago Stephen Schwartz created the Center for Islamic Pluralism to promote moderate Islam. Here from Schwartz is an update on CIP’s successes as well as its plans to overcome the obstacles in its path, notably “the claims of Islamic radicals to stand as the sole representatives of the faith, and the corruption of academics that legitimize this charade.” Under the direction of Salim Mansur, a professor at the University of Western Ontario, CIP is strengthening its presence in Canada, “a center of Western Muslim dissenters favoring Western democracy and social reform in the Muslim world.” CIP also intends “to cosponsor conferences with universities in Europe and Asia.”
CIP’s efforts deserve our attention and support.