The Abrahamic Movement in Iraq
Words by scholar Abu Musa al-Iraqi, with the participation of teacher Tom Wegner
Statement
The Abrahamic Movement in Iraq has followed what was published by Hizb ut-Tahrir’s Central Media Office in Tunisia under the title:
“The Abrahamic Movement: From Normalization Agreements to a Project to Reshape the Middle East”
signed by engineer Wissam al-Atrash.
Starting from our belief that intellectual disagreement does not justify hostility, we respond to what appeared in the article with dialogue and evidence—not accusations of betrayal, takfir, or insults against people or religions.
God Almighty said:
“Good and evil are not equal. Repel with what is better, and then the one between whom and you there was enmity may become as though a devoted friend.”
(Fussilat 41:34)
We choose to make our response through argument and evidence.
We disagree with you because you take rigidity as a means and an end for imposing mistaken views about Islam and religious tolerance. But we do not consider you unbelievers; this is, in our view, part of the ethic of our forefather Abraham in dealing with others.
The first problem in the article is that it begins from the assumption that every project calling for dialogue among Muslims, Christians and Jews is necessarily a political project to change the identity of the region.
That conclusion requires evidence.
The Qur’an itself presents human difference as a reality through which people are tested, and it does not command Muslims to turn every difference into war and violence.
God Almighty said:
“Had your Lord willed, He could have made mankind one community, but they will continue to differ.”
(Hud 11:118)
And He said:
“For each of you We have made a law and a way. Had God willed, He could have made you one community, but He tests you in what He has given you; so compete in good works.”
(Al-Ma’idah 5:48)
The existence of difference does not prevent cooperation in what is good.
Does “Abrahamism” mean a new religion?
Here the article makes a basic conflation.
The Abrahamic Movement does not claim that Islam, Christianity and Judaism are one religion in doctrinal terms. Rather, it speaks of one Abrahamic, hanif tradition.
Abraham, peace be upon him, is a central figure in the Qur’an and in Islam.
God Almighty said:
“The creed of your father Abraham.”
(Al-Hajj 22:78)
Using Abraham’s name for dialogue among Abrahamic communities is therefore not the invention of a new figure, nor an attempt by one side to appropriate Abraham.
At the same time, we affirm that the term “Abrahamic” should remain clear and should not lead to the dilution of doctrines.
This is a legitimate discussion that can be debated intellectually; it is not a religious crime.
Dialogue with the People of the Book is not an innovation
The article says that the Abrahamic project is an attempt to reshape the identity of the region.
But the Qur’an itself instructs Muslims to engage the People of the Book in the best manner:
“Do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best way.”
(Al-‘Ankabut 29:46)
And it says:
“Say: O People of the Book, come to a common word between us and you.”
(Aal ‘Imran 3:64)
Dialogue is not a surrender of Islam.
Getting to know one another is not adopting the other person’s creed.
Coexistence is not the unification of religions. At the same time, Islam shares with Judaism many matters of law, what is permitted and forbidden, and Moses, peace be upon him, holds a great place in Islam. Of the 25 prophets named in the Qur’an, the statement notes that 16 are from the Children of Israel.
This is a central point in understanding our project.
Does respect for Jews conflict with religion and Sharia?
On the contrary, we see ourselves as belonging to one Abrahamic lineage through Isaac and Ishmael, the descendants of Abraham.
Here the position must be clear.
It is neither logical nor religiously justified to turn criticism of a policy into religious hatred.
Yes, there is an intellectual and political relationship between contemporary Abrahamic discourse and the environment that developed after the Abraham Accords.
The Movement itself presents materials connecting its project with discussions of peace and regional cooperation, and it includes teacher Tom Wegner’s book “The Abrahamic Revolution” among its intellectual resources.
As for teacher Tom Wegner, he is an important intellectual figure in the project and president of the global Abrahamic movement and peace initiative.
But turning a person’s professional biography into proof of a “conspiracy to re-engineer the Middle East” is, in our view, illogical and poorly considered. Every person’s private relationships are protected and should not become a reason for defamation or distortion.
We believe the ideas presented by Tom have unsettled extremist projects that use killing and terrorism as means to pursue objectives contrary to sound human nature.
We accept intellectual criticism of our writings and welcome it, away from suspicion, conspiracy theories and accusations of betrayal. The statement sharply criticizes the Muslim Brotherhood, jihadist Salafi movements, Hamas and Hezbollah militias, which it says have brought destruction to the Middle East and humanity.
Iraq is not a “testing ground”
Iraqis reject having their country viewed merely as a testing ground for the projects of others.
Iraq is the land of Abraham, the land of the civilizations of Mesopotamia, and a land of Jews, Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, Sabeans and others.
Our call in Iraq is therefore not the importation of a foreign identity.
It is an attempt to revive the Iraqi capacity to live with other Iraqis—Muslim, Jewish or Christian—through an Abrahamic perspective that is tolerant of the other.
God Almighty said:
“O humanity, We created you from a male and a female and made you peoples and tribes so that you may know one another.”
(Al-Hujurat 49:13)
And if there is indeed a new regional order centered on new security arrangements for the Middle East that serves humanity, then The Abrahamic Movement in Iraq supports that new direction.
The statement argues that such a direction can help spare bloodshed and move beyond what it describes as Iran-led militant projects and militia organizations that have departed from the purposes of Islamic law and the divine truth in the human soul.
Abrahamic peace brings us together.
Peace for the Middle East.
Peace for all humanity.
The Abrahamic Movement in Iraq — Abu Musa al-Iraqi