freemindfade: I have tried to make exactly that distinction (a moderate Muslim vs. an Islamist, moderate Islam vs. Islamism) for a week on this forum and I get called a left-winger every time; be careful!
It's a tough subject. The moderates have a huge role in insulating the radical fundamentalists IMO. This obsession we have created with not criticizing Islam is protecting the fundamentalists. So I understand the slippery slope.
Case and point, Maajid Nawaz, someone who's activism (much like an exjw activist, or a leah remini with Scientology), his voice could go a long way in changing the religion, but he is silenced by who? Extremists? no by moderates, and institutions in America. He has been put on the SPLC list of anti-islamic extremists... that is insane! He is also not welcome to speak on CNN as far as I know, can't confirm it, but I know he is not liked.
So while there is a difference between a 'Muslim' and an 'Islamist' its time the moderates step up to clean their own house, and they do that by allowing the religion to be subject to criticism, satire and free speech.