Sunday, March 8, 2009

Note To Readers : Is this Web Site Anti Muslim?

There are many web sites that are anti Muslim. They express proper moral indignation at the Nazi style Jew hatred, abuse of women and intolerance of dissent of those who proudly proclaim their Islamic credentials. The loudest voices from the Islamic world conform to this image. those who espouse tolerance and coexistence are whispers in a hall full of shouting angry men.

It was not always so. There have been times in Jewish history when it was the Muslims who opened their doors to Jewish refugees. There were times in Spanish Muslim history when dhimmitude was interpreted with sufficient elasticity to allow Jews prominence and prosperity.

Conversely, there were times when Christians were every bit as intolerant and murderous as many Muslims are today. There are even such Christian voices today.An overview of Jewish history is like a room full of swinging pendulums. In a single generation the climate of religious freedom can go from free wheeling and easy going to oppressively intolerant.

A historical perspective is desirable if it opens one's eyes and mind. But the Islam that was dominant in past generations is not what predominates today. The rhetoric of genocide is becoming more and more dominant in Islamic circles. Doc's Talk, a prominent pro Israeli blog quotes Egyptian Muslim cleric Muhammad Hussein Ya'aqoub as follows.


Lest this quote leave any doubt , consider the following quote as well.



I will be completely frank about the beliefs that guide this blog and my other site, Rudi I believe that Orthodox Judaism is a religion made by G-d. All other faiths and any adulterations of Judaism are man made religions. I am also aware that many make the same claim for their respective faiths. I believe they are wrong. They believe I am wrong. If they want to discuss our disagreement, if they want to curse me out, that is fine with me. If they want to kill me or outlaw the practice of my religion, then they are my sworn enemies. It's that simple. Hizbullah and Hamas are out to kill every Jew they can. Anyone who says we can not fight ack is their accomplice.

Then there are scum like PETA who want to ban kosher slaughter and Christopher Hitchens who want to ban circumcision. I will not quote them or use their skill in fighting Islamic haters of Jews. They are my enemies as well. They must be fought through marginalisation and rebuttal. They are spiritual and not physical enemies. But I will not use the wit and wisdom of Christoper Hitchens in fighting radical Islam. He is tainted. He is not worthy of the respect that a fighter against bigotry should command.

I describe behavior. I do not traffic in labels. If someone beheads his wife, I will describe the crime and its motives. If those motives are religious, then I will include such information. Quoting a criminal is not defamation. If there is a pattern of violence in the name of Islam, it is not my fault that I report it. There were devout Muslims who saved Jewish lives, particularly in Albania. I have eagerly shone a spotlight on this as well.

This is not an anti Islamic web site. It is pro Jewish. It is also in favour of freedom of speech, religion and political association. This is not only rooted in my American education but in my religious faith. G-d has chosen to conceal himself sufficiently to allow freedom of choice. I believe that persuasion and discussion is the best way. Coercion takes away our G-d given freedom. I oppose it on political and religious grounds.

I hope that moderate Islam will regain its voice. I will be happy to report such occurences. Beyond that, I hope and pray for the coming of Moshiach, which will put our doubts to rest. Until then, I am working in my small way for the best world possible under existing circumstances.

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