Dr. Barret in an interview with Rasa:

Supreme Leader realizes West is ripe for Islam

Rasa - Dr. Kevin Barrett said: “I think the Supreme Leader realizes that the West is ripe for Islam. Many observers, from hostile (Zionist MI6 Orientalist Bernard Lewis) to friendly (Murad Hoffman) have predicted the Islamization of the West.”

News ID: 2114

Date: 11 February 2015 - 01:38

RNA - In an exclusive interview with Rasa News, Dr. Kevin Barrett said: “I think the Supreme Leader realizes that the West is ripe for Islam. Many observers, from hostile (Zionist MI6 Orientalist Bernard Lewis) to friendly (Murad Hoffman) have predicted the Islamization of the West.”

The full text of the exclusive interview is as follows:

Rasa News: Why do you think Iran’s supreme leader decided to address the American and European youth directly?

Kevin Barrett: I think Ayatollah Khamenei realizes that young people are more idealistic and more open to new information than older people. Also, young people are more familiar with internet-based alternative media than older people and are more aware that Western mainstream media are untrustworthy. Since the mainstream media will block or distort his message, he is bypassing the censorship by speaking directly to Western young people.

Rasa News: When Ayatollah Khamenei asks the western youth to read about Islam, don’t you see it as a step toward Islamization of the west? Elucidate your opinion.

Kevin Barrett: I think the Supreme Leader realizes that the West is ripe for Islam. Many observers, from hostile (Zionist MI6 Orientalist Bernard Lewis) to friendly (Murad Hoffman) have predicted the Islamization of the West. One reason is that despite the decline of Christianity and Judaism, Islam is still very much alive and guiding the lives of almost two billion people, and its spiritual riches are awaiting discovery. Also, of the three major Western monotheisms, Islam is most compatible with reason and scientific approaches to knowledge.

There are, however, many issues that prevent Westerners from understanding and appreciating Islam. One obstacle is the translations. Most translations of Islamic material in Western languages are either unfriendly (the non-Muslim ones) or clumsy (the Muslim ones). Another obstacle is that the Saudis have spent billions of dollars spreading their Wahhabi version of Islam, which Western people generally find unappealing. Most Western people tend to like the more mystical and sophisticated approaches of Sufism and (potentially) Shia Islam.

But the biggest hurdle is Zionist domination of Western media. The Zionists are basically at war with Islam, so they portray Islam in a negative light. The Supreme Leader's message attempts to avoid the censorship and reach Western youth directly.

Rasa News: In your opinion, which part of the letter was the most important one? Why?

Kevin Barrett: I thought the sentence "Don’t allow them to hypocritically introduce their own recruited terrorists as representatives of Islam" was a very important response to the false flag campaigns demonizing Islam. I would like to see the Supreme Leader convene a conference on False Flag Terrorism and Islamophobia. This is a key issue of our time, and it is the achilles heel of the Zionists and imperialists.

Rasa News: What was the reaction of the average western youth regarding the message?

Kevin Barrett: I don't know how the average youth would react, or even if there is such a thing as an average Western youth. I am sure that many Western young people are so swamped with information that they will not give it the attention it deserves. But some will read it and think about it, and of those, some will decide to explore Islam. My own teenage sons liked the message and thought it was wonderful that a top political leader can speak so eloquently and truthfully.

Rasa News: How effective do you think this message can be, especially among the youth?

Kevin Barrett: There needs to be follow-up for this message to have maximal impact. High schools, universities, and youth groups should be contacted directly, with an offer to have Western Muslims address these audiences and discuss the Leader's message.

Rasa News: Do you think the message has been delivered properly?

Kevin Barrett:
I think it was delivered properly as a first step; but again, there should be a follow-up campaign to encourage more discussion. In today's world, people have to hear a message at least a dozen times before it starts to sink in. So I hope the Supreme Leader and those working on this campaign will continue to patiently and persistently engage Western youth.

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