Sending Their Message through Satellite

Preaching the Middle Way

Malak Kira

For the past years, Muslims have thought of Islam as either black or white; a split of either mad religious fanatics who isolate themselves from the rest of the world, or the secularits who want to undermine the role of religion. Now, a new generation of preachers has arisen in the Arab world preaching the middle path. Ahmad El Shugairi, Moez Masoud, and others like them are promoting a moderate and inclusive strain of Islam.

These preachers live in the West. Nevertheless, they think of the Quran as a modern ethical guide. They appeal to the people because they explain to them their own struggle with the issues of decadence and extreme faith. They suggest a way to reunite a world completely divided between East and West, pleasure and duty, the strictness of the mosque and the limitless freedom of the twenty-first century. Their moderate message is the best way to fight extremism, advocating that thinking moderately is the track to follow. They prove to the people that Islam is not about living in caves and being isolated from the world, but it is rather about being broadminded and contemporary. They inspire the people to identify with their religion instead of clashing with it. They also reassure the young generation that there is no conflict between modern life and religion.

Over the past decade, the number of satellite channels committed entirely to religion has increased from one to 30 channels. Preachers in these channels have succeeded in persuading the young generation to search for their religious identity and not become totally separated from both politics and the traditional religious beliefs.

The proliferation of Internet sites and Facebook groups has alo helped spreading the message of the new generation of "satellite sheikhs" across the Arab world. They appeal especially to the young generation because they share the same mind and education as they do. They share their experience and explain to the youth what drove them to Islam. These preachers explain to them how they can live their lives, retain their independence, and at the same time be good Muslims.

They believe that "Islam’s greatest strength comes from its diversity and its openness to new ways of thinking". It is very important to have role models like these preachers share their experiences with the Arab youth and lead them on the right track. They preach moderation, and prove that religion is not static. As the world changes, we change and so do our interpretations of religious tradition.