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Muslim Hypocrisy

Reader comment on item: Are the Palestinians the World's Most Radicalized Population?

Submitted by Olle (United Kingdom), Feb 8, 2006 at 22:07

Living in London with many friends being Muslim, I find it difficult to understand the current Muslim anger with regards to the cartoons. I actually get very upset, not only do I feel that my values of free speech, tolerance and multi-culturalism are under threat, but also that moderate Muslims are being tainted with the same brush - i.e. they are all extremists wishing to IMPOSE their will upon everyone else. If I wanted to live in a place ruled by religious figures, I would move to Iran; not impose my beliefs upon everyone else (the majority ... for now) in the host country that I live in.

What I cannot stomach is that they call the cartoons so objectionable when I see daily on the news Muslims burning national flags, effigies of Western politicians, attacking embassies, publishing far worse cartoons and images of non-Muslims (and in particular of Jews). So I presume that they deem it acceptable to call for the annihilation of the entire Jewish race, the state of Israel, "Death to America" and so on and so forth.

What astounds me is how many Muslims I know in London consider themselves true Muslims and thus do not sell Christmas cards, but it is alright to sell alcohol?! From the little I know of Islam, my understanding is that it is wholly unacceptable to drink and sell alcohol, and for example in Saudia Arabia, you would be flogged in public if you got caught selling alcohol. To me, it seems as if many Muslims want to have the cake and eat it at the same time. If they live in a Western democracy, I believe that they ought to respect our laws and values, like we would have to do if we visit a Muslim country like Iran or Saudi Arabia. If a woman travels to Saudi Arabia or Iran, they have to at least wear head scarves. At least we in the West respect other religions and faiths even if we have free speech that allows caricatures of more or less anything. If a Saudi woman comes to London and wish to wear the Hijab, she can do so without threat of imprisonment.

I can't stand hypocrisy. Sure our democracies in the West are not perfect, but at least we have free speech and can object and voice our disquiet without fear of being tortured. Wonder what would happen to me if I went to Iran and shouted "death to all Muslims". But it seems acceptable to some Muslims to shout "death to all infidels", etc.

I have always lived in a multi-cultural environment, but the reactions and attitudes that I see on the news and hear from my Muslim friends, is alienating me rather than bringing me closer. Rather than wishing to find out more about Islam, I am beginning to resent the faith which scares me. I have never been anti-anything before up till now. Is that what Muslims wish to do? Alienate the moderates away from their religion because that is what they are doing, at least with me.
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Reader comments (14) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Reformist Muslims Announce a Cartoon and Drawing Competition [147 words]Edip YukselFeb 18, 2006 18:1136252
Muslim Hypocrisy [514 words]OlleFeb 8, 2006 22:0734525
A Wrong Turn In Ramallah, Reflections On A Savage People (2 of 2) [375 words]orange yonasonJan 13, 2006 16:5531585
Where can i find that video? [10 words]IlJan 15, 2009 05:2631585
Terror Central Leadership, Then and Now (pt 1 of 2) [347 words]orange yonasonJan 13, 2006 15:5031579
"Palestinian" Mufti Ekrama Sabri incites Muslim mob who stone Christians on Temple Mount [profile] [1014 words]ThaliaFeb 20, 2012 23:0131579
Western sight [34 words]S.C.PandaJan 13, 2006 10:3731567
America are helping terrorists [166 words]F. ShakkiJan 1, 2006 22:5630918
Where is Islam in Israeli consciousness? [53 words]deegeeDec 31, 2005 04:4730832
MODERATE ISLAM? [144 words]DONVANDec 30, 2005 11:5530787
MODERATE ISLAM? [259 words]IanusDec 30, 2005 17:0330787
Surveys and sincerity [201 words]IanusDec 27, 2005 15:5030649
Make them make their own survival products [162 words]DavidDec 30, 2005 12:3130649
Palestinians: Most Radicalized and Most Mollycodled [168 words]jeff burkeDec 27, 2005 12:5030636

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