Sharing Information About Islam With Police Officers and Politicians

---

Sharing Information About Islam With Police Officers and Politicians Posted: 20 Feb 2015 02:29 PM PST An activist in Australia sent us the following note, and we have his permission to reprint it here. His approach is unique. He is directly influencing people in power with a psychologically sound, emotionally intelligent approach. Here's what he said: There's an article I've been sharing with police officers and politicians which helps them understand just how big the problem of radical Islam is: Salafis and the Muslim Brotherhood: What is the difference? When I see politicians I take a hard copy. I start by asking how much time I've got. Once they tell me I hand them the article and tell them that this explains what I'm concerned about. I ask them to read a few pages, then I tell them that, "Some politicians have been deceived by members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Don't be one of them." If they tell me Islam is peaceful. I tell them I'm not talking about Islam. I'm talking about members of an organisation called "The Muslim Brotherhood." Then I tell him or her to finish reading the article in their own time and that I'll be back in a few weeks. (They are likely to do this because they've already seen that the article is well written and informative.) When I return I loan them a copy of the DVD "Honor Diaries" and say, "These ladies are asking for our help. Some people ignore them because most of them are Muslims. But that's not right. They're human beings with feelings like the rest of us. We should at least listen to what they have to say." I also give them a copy of Mark Durie's book The Third Choice. (The author of that article above) Anyway, some food for thought. Keep up the good work. Regards, Brad I wrote back with some questions for Brad: How do you share this with police officers? Go to the police station? When you see them on the street? Or are some of them friends of yours? And when you see politicians, you're visiting them at their offices? Local politicians? Brad answered: I make appointments with politicians; and walk straight into police stations. I've started putting the following at the end of Mark Durie's article (hand written): 'This guy has given a brilliant talk on-line called "Understanding Islam." If you find him to be rude, or obnoxious, or he comes across as a racist, just stop watching.' I think that almost tempts them to watch it. Regards, Brad That's really smart: To directly address what the other person must be thinking, but do it in a way that invites them in: "If you find the person rude or racist, just stop watching." Brilliant.  And how he invites someone to watch the Honor Diaries is also clever. He dispels the idea that he is a bigot: "These ladies are asking for our help. Some people ignore them because most of them are Muslims. But that's not right. They're human beings with feelings like the rest of us. We should at least listen to what they have to say."