He has also been called on to give advice by the US government and this has opened him up to attacks from certain quarters of the Muslim community. Controversies: Despite being in the public eye for over three decades, Sheikh Hamza has managed to stay clear of most controversies and continues to reach a large, diverse audience. Some personal attacks have questioned his advice to a US President or his ties to the UAE government, yet he remains one of the most beloved scholars in the world, and arguably the most intellectually widely-read and formidable Western Muslim scholar in the world.
The real faith is when one becomes patient with tribulations. Leading Islamic voice for English- speaking Muslims. Introduction Persons of the Year Tokyo A Selected Survey Sheikh Hamza is at the peak of his public career, and the next ten years or so will likely define his legacy. His transformation is in some ways the opposite of that of the medieval luminary al-Ghazali.
While the latter retired from public life in his later career, Sheikh Hamza was highly critical of those in power in his early career, and has so far been effusive in his praise of Arab autocrats in his later career. Sheikh Hamza Yusuf has the opportunity to decide what he wishes his legacy to be.
Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints and editorial policies of TRT World. We welcome all pitches and submissions to TRT World Opinion — please send them via email, to opinion. Usaama al-Azami is a British academic and a lecturer in Islamic Studies.
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Can we give Yusuf the benefit of the doubt given his history of perpetuating imperialist propaganda and defending rights repression? But when does naseeha end and accountability begin? For how long do we need to hold on to the idea that his intentions are good and he should be kindly advised rather than condemned?
He undoubtedly understands the harm the Trump administration has already done and can still do if it is allowed to re-define the interpretation of human rights law in the US. If Yusuf wants to join the ranks of human rights abusers, at the end of the day, that is his prerogative.
But he cannot do so as our representative. If we continue to remain silent, we will be complicit in the very violence that he is enabling. We cannot afford to wait until Yusuf personally helps Trump develop a new Muslim ban.
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