Comments on: The Guantánamo Files: al-Istiqamah interviews Andy Worthington http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2008/05/06/the-guantanamo-files-al-istiqamah-interviews-andy-worthington/ Investigative journalist, author, filmmaker and Guantanamo expert Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:40:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Umm Uthmaan http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2008/05/06/the-guantanamo-files-al-istiqamah-interviews-andy-worthington/comment-page-1/#comment-28229 Umm Uthmaan Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:34:17 +0000 http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/?p=288#comment-28229 Hi Steve, Islam does not forbid us to interact with the opposite gender, but it lays down conditions. So I could have interviewed Andy in person, but the only condition would be that another individual, e.g. his wife, my husband, etc be present too. Due to his hectic schedule, and my nervousness at interviewing a journalist :) , I felt that an interview via email was the best option. You apologise for asking so many questions, but they are more akin to statements. I think the problem is that people such as yourself find it hard to comprehend that Andy can feel outraged at the treatment of the Gitmo detainees without being a closet Muslim or a "terrorist sympathiser" - or perhaps the two are synonymous in your eyes :) Best regards, Umm Uthmaan Hi Steve,
Islam does not forbid us to interact with the opposite gender, but it lays down conditions. So I could have interviewed Andy in person, but the only condition would be that another individual, e.g. his wife, my husband, etc be present too. Due to his hectic schedule, and my nervousness at interviewing a journalist :) , I felt that an interview via email was the best option.

You apologise for asking so many questions, but they are more akin to statements.

I think the problem is that people such as yourself find it hard to comprehend that Andy can feel outraged at the treatment of the Gitmo detainees without being a closet Muslim or a “terrorist sympathiser” – or perhaps the two are synonymous in your eyes :)

Best regards,
Umm Uthmaan

]]> By: Andy Worthington http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2008/05/06/the-guantanamo-files-al-istiqamah-interviews-andy-worthington/comment-page-1/#comment-28111 Andy Worthington Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:17:06 +0000 http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/?p=288#comment-28111 Hi Steven, It was an interview by email, which followed some interesting and articulate email exchanges over several months. I respect the followers of Islam, as I respect the followers of all religions, if they are decent people, who understand the kind of civilized behaviour that enables human beings to get along. People who believe in a God often have this sense of a "place" in the world that enables this kind of perspective (though many, of all faiths, don't, of course). As for the '"War on Islam," I believe I addressed that question in the interview. Best, Andy Hi Steven,
It was an interview by email, which followed some interesting and articulate email exchanges over several months.
I respect the followers of Islam, as I respect the followers of all religions, if they are decent people, who understand the kind of civilized behaviour that enables human beings to get along. People who believe in a God often have this sense of a “place” in the world that enables this kind of perspective (though many, of all faiths, don’t, of course).
As for the ‘”War on Islam,” I believe I addressed that question in the interview.
Best,
Andy

]]> By: Steven http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2008/05/06/the-guantanamo-files-al-istiqamah-interviews-andy-worthington/comment-page-1/#comment-28110 Steven Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:46:32 +0000 http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/?p=288#comment-28110 Hi Andy, May I ask how was the interview itself conducted? As in the environment- was she free to ask as she pleased and likewise were you able to answer freely? I ask as Muslims tend to be on the larger part strict when it comes to interaction with the opposite gender that arent relatives and this Umm Uthman I presume is a Muslim woman interviewing you which would make things somewhat tricky, thereby I would have thought al Istiqama would have opted to send a Muslim male to carry out an interview especially in person? Oh and what are your thoughts on Islam as a religion- barbaric/ stoneage/ misunderstood/ has truth to it? Ever considered converting (though that would be career suicide- not that you're interested in that)? And lastly what's your take on how some Muslims have come to percieve the 'WOT' to be actually a War on Islamic faith (according to them)? Particular to the right wing media demonising/ sensationalising of all things to do with them, how seemingly they are the ones who foreign policy is shaped against and the ones arrested/ detained, etc.? Sorry to ask so many questions, Take care. Hi Andy,

May I ask how was the interview itself conducted? As in the environment- was she free to ask as she pleased and likewise were you able to answer freely?

I ask as Muslims tend to be on the larger part strict when it comes to interaction with the opposite gender that arent relatives and this Umm Uthman I presume is a Muslim woman interviewing you which would make things somewhat tricky, thereby I would have thought al Istiqama would have opted to send a Muslim male to carry out an interview especially in person?

Oh and what are your thoughts on Islam as a religion- barbaric/ stoneage/ misunderstood/ has truth to it? Ever considered converting (though that would be career suicide- not that you’re interested in that)?

And lastly what’s your take on how some Muslims have come to percieve the ‘WOT’ to be actually a War on Islamic faith (according to them)? Particular to the right wing media demonising/ sensationalising of all things to do with them, how seemingly they are the ones who foreign policy is shaped against and the ones arrested/ detained, etc.?

Sorry to ask so many questions,

Take care.

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