The question often rises, “Are there moderate Muslims?” I believe there are, but many are faced with intimidation by militant Muslims (“Islamists”). The left-wing/liberal establishment does a great disservice to Americans and Europeans by generally providing an overly positive view of Islam (e.g., “Muslims are oppressed so we’ll feel guilty, look the other way, and let them do whatever they want.”) So what’s the truth? Are all Muslims extremists or are there truly moderate Muslims in the world? For answers, I turn to Daniel Pipes, a well-known expert on the Islamic faith.

Pipes pointed out today in FrontPageMagazine.com how the press pumped up a so-called Muslim “Rally against Terror” held in Phoenix on April 25. Dr. Pipes notes,

[Zuhdi] Jasser [the event organizer] found support for his efforts as close as the Arizona Republic, which correctly judged this event to be "the nation's first Muslim rally against terrorism," and as far away as the country's capital, where a Washington Times editorial ended with, "We salute Dr. Jasser, American patriot."

But Pipes was not so rash as to eat up the media’s portrayal of the event. He did his homework and found that Phoenix has a Muslim population estimated at 50,000 people. Pipes also pointed out the event sponsors boasted that 500 to 1,000 people would attend. The good Dr. Pipes revealed what really happened:

But then the event was held (an audio of the 50-minute long event can be heard online) and reality set in. Estimates vary. The Arizona Republic counted 250 in attendance, the police 400. The number of Muslims, I heard, was between 30 and 100 persons. Most participants were not Muslim but (the Arizona Republic recounts) "people like Michael Fischer, 18, of Glendale, who wanted to denounce the stereotyping of Muslims; and Grace Clark of Apache Junction, who wanted to promote peace." One correspondent of mine judged the event "a total disaster."

Daniel Pipes was not completely cynical about the disappointing turnout:

It was a humble beginning that can grow into something large and strong. Jasser points out to me that "The beginnings of every great movement in our great nation's history of freedom began in a small way." He notes also that American Muslims, being predominantly first-generation immigrants, are still getting grounded. With time, he expects, "the vast majority of American Muslims will listen to the message of our rally and find complete agreement with its statement of faith."

Until then, however, there is the stark reality that very few Muslims did show up. And those who did held up "peace" and "anti-war" signs, not anti-terror or anti-Islamist signs.

So the event didn’t turn out in reality to be what the press had trumpeted it to be. I find this to be the modus operandi of the press: Solicitously play up Islam’s positives while sweeping the negatives under the rug. How many people have seen a headline report on the CBS, NBC, or ABC news about the recent massacres of Black Africans by Sudanese Muslim Arabs? But I’m sure the same people all heard about Israel’s targeted killings of Palestinian terrorist masterminds. The bias goes far beyond the mainstream press.

European and American academic institutions are also generally uncritical of militant Islam. In fact, many are becoming hotbeds of Muslim radicalism. I’ve read too many useless essays painting Muslims as being in danger of persecution from the western world. In truth, it is the western world which is threatened by Islamism.

Again, Pipes weighs in documenting a “study” which claimed that the majority of American Muslims are “moderate.” Of course, the study was trumpeted by the press. But when Pipes dug deep, he found that this survey actually showed that American Muslim views “indicate anything but moderation.” The study actually found that 67% of American Muslims believe that "America is immoral," and that 85% disapprove of President Bush’s job performance. Pipes explains at length -- and very rationally -- how the study’s results were distorted. So what do I conclude; that there are no moderate Muslims?

Pipes, despite all the accusations hurled at him by extremist Muslims, reminds us that Islam is not in and of itself diseased, but it is Islamism that is the true threat:

If Muslims by nature are hostile, how does one explain Turkey, with its militantly secular culture and abiding good relations with the West?

If all Muslims accept Koranic precepts, how does this account for the tens of thousands of Algerians who lost their lives resisting Islamic rule? …

Fortunately, it [militant Islam] appeals to only about 10% to 15% of Muslims, meaning that a substantial majority would prefer a more moderate version.

This implies a simple and effective strategy: weaken militant Islam around the world and strengthen the moderate alternatives to it. Fight it militarily, diplomatically, legally, intellectually and religiously. Fight it in Afghanistan, in Saudi Arabia, in the United States--in fact, everywhere.

Moderate Muslims will be key allies in this fight. Yes, they are weak and intimidated these days, but they are crucial if the Muslim world is to leave its current bout of radicalism.

Make no mistake, there are moderate Muslims. I can think of two very vocal, well-known examples: Arab journalist and scholar Fouad Adjami and frequent Fox News commentator Mansoor Ijaz. But two moderate Muslim voices does not make for a moderate Muslim groundswell. I just don’t see any evidence of it. When I see masses of Muslims demonstrating against terrorism -- not railing against Israel -- I’ll believe there’s a groundswell.

The propensity of the press and academia to hide Islamist evils is a destructive force. It will only help reinforce the fears of moderate Muslims who wish to speak out. Islam needs to stand up to its own extremists, and not leave the hard work to American soldiers. If we don’t start cultivating moderate Muslims soon, the extremists will surely win, and we’ll end up with a situation like that in Western Europe. According to the New York Times,

Militants in Europe openly call for jihad and the rule of Islam. The call to jihad is rising in the streets of Europe, and is being answered, counterterrorism officials say.

Think about it. Do you want to live under Islamic law? Do you want to see your daughters, mothers, girlfriends, etc., disenfranchised and forced to wear burkhas? Do you want to be killed for being Jewish, Christian, and Buddhist? Do you want to lose our precious democracy?