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Islamophobia: An Unfortunate, Contemporary Reality

Reader comment on item: Bibliography – My Writings on Not Trusting CAIR

Submitted by Pro-Israeli Democrat (United States), May 29, 2006 at 23:25

In my opinion, Daniel Pipes is right about CAIR. I agree: CAIR is NOT to be trusted due to its approval of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Even as a liberal/liberatarian, I believe that the organization is more or less illigitimate. Yet, I sincerely believe that Islamophobia is an unfortunate, contemporary reality, albeit moreso in Europe than in the United States, Canada, and other liberal democracies. One cannot underestimate the impact of Islamophobia, for other groups have faced similar obstacles. To do so would be to make a grave error.

Now, I am not a Muslim (in fact, as my name may sugest, I am a Jew...of Polish origin, albeit a non-practicing one who supports Israel nonetheless; you CAN classify me as an agnostic or perhaps even an atheist). Still, in light of what has gone on in Europe recently, I have acquired a great deal of sympathy for them (perhaps moreso as Arabs, Indonesians, Pakistanis, etc. than as Muslims). It is easy for me to identify with the Muslims, for at one time, the fear of Jews led to the most disgraceful instance of modern genocide: the Holocaust. As a firm believer in secularism and freedom of speech, I supported (and continue to support) Denmark during the cartoon controversy. Why should we bend over for a bunch of religious fundamentalists? We face the same problem here in America, although less so from Muslims than from Fundamentalist Christians. On issues such as this, there should be no compromise for religion by us secularists. Fundamentalists, both Christian and Muslim, wish to dominate the world. We must work to make sure that neither do, otherwise we will face a very unhappy little future.

Nevertheless, Islamophobia is a very real problem. It is not a new one, either, for it arguably fueled the Crusades (which, contrary to what Robert Spencer claims were NOT defensive wars...they killed Jews, Muslims and even fellow Christian...that is NOT a defensive war). There are two forms: 1) regular islamophobia and 2) islamistphobia. Am I islamistphobic (to quote a fellow atheist)? Yes; and I think Mr. Pipes can identify with this sentiment, for most garden-variety Westerners, both liberal-centrist and conservative-centrist are (as indeed they should be). Islamists terrify me. Regular islamophobia, though, is a very real problem which must be addressed. Overcoming it is an extremely important key to a victory in the war on terror.

The primary battlegrounds here are free, democratic countries such as Italy and France, where Arabs and Muslims are clearly treated as second-class citizens. Once they are made to feel as if they belong, they will overcome their isolation. Europe, already great, will become better. How do I know this?? Well, I don't, but I have had the privilege of going to college and making friends/acquaintances with several Muslims, mostly immigrants. These include Afghans, Egyptians, Palestinians (who were probably the most SECULAR of all), and an Israeli-Iranian who opted to follow Shiite Islam, although that her mother was Jewish would have made her Jewish by default. All were lovely people, and in meeting them, I overcame a lot of the grievances I had held against Muslims since well before the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Where had I acquired these grievances from? Probably the media.

We did not always agree politically; I favor the Israelis; most of the Muslims made their cases for a Palestinian state (although not ONE voiced approval for Hamas). Yet, that is the nature of debate. Will I stop being your friend because you favor the Palestinians? The answer is as follows: NEVER. I MUST emphasize that Palestinians, too, have legitimate claims, and deserve a state (or several miniaturestates on the border with Israel; Gaza and the West Bank for example...sans Hamas, of course) although it is clear that Jerusalem is best off under Israeli control (and this is a secular, logistical concern; not a relifious one). I will, however, question whether the Palestinians can create a secular, democratic state that co-exists peacefully with Israel and is ruled by LAW, rather than by Saudi-style DECREE (and neither will occur under Hamas).

Granted, CAIR is a disgrace. Yet, American and Canadian Muslims are a great success story: Tarek Fatah, Hamza Yusuf, Khaled Abou el Fadl (who I do NOT consider a "stealth islamist"; "stealth islamists" do NOT own dogs...Sami al-Arian, on the other hand IS a stealth Islamist-who backed Bush's 2000 Presidential campaign and even posed with him; I have the picture!), and above all Irshad Manji (whom I admire greatly and would love to meet one day). 9/11 has, in my opinion, drawn America CLOSER to its Muslim population. Let's set an example and start a trend which Europe can follow. We should lead by example. To criticize Islam is one thing (and I am certainly in a good position to say so, for I criticize Islam all the time), and so is criticizing any other religion (I criticize conservative Christians every bit as much). Yet, to single out and isolate a person...any person, on the basis of their religion (whether they be Jew, Christian, Muslim, Zoroastrian, Bahai, Hindu, Buddhist, or atheist) is simply wrong. The War on Terror is a battle of ideas, and this includes a battle with our own. It should bring us closer together, not further apart.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (44) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Eye for and eye..... [45 words]Mary MorganNov 24, 2006 10:1267159
Islamofascist [26 words]terrorfreeAug 23, 2006 11:2053833
Why CAIR Is Not o Be Trusted [69 words]S.C.PandaAug 1, 2006 02:4151354
CAIR [28 words]therionJun 16, 2006 21:4847804
1CAIR is a Muslim version of KKK [316 words]ChristinaJun 11, 2006 13:3447456
Attempt to Attack the Truth of Islam" [204 words]PeaceNov 16, 2009 20:2447456
Islamophobia: An Unfortunate, Contemporary Reality [881 words]Pro-Israeli DemocratMay 29, 2006 23:2546669
Why Cair is not to be trusted [60 words]mikeJun 7, 2006 17:2546669
Defending Democracy [337 words]Pro-Israeli DemocratJun 8, 2006 08:5546669
To the pro israeli democrat [157 words]mikeJun 8, 2006 19:0046669
Clarifying "isolation" [719 words]Pro-Israeli DemocratJun 9, 2006 20:1546669
Pro-Israeli Democrat : A few questions that require a few answers, please [229 words]InfidelSep 7, 2006 02:5546669
To Infidel [1004 words]Pro-Israeli DemocratSep 8, 2006 10:0346669
The Bridegroom and the Bride [639 words]MichaelSep 9, 2006 21:1446669
People are very thin-skinned here [213 words]Pro-Israeli DemocratSep 10, 2006 19:4046669
Veritas [800 words]MichaelSep 17, 2006 22:5146669
Veritas addendum [128 words]MichaelSep 18, 2006 22:0346669
Yes and No... [569 words]Pro-Israeli DemocratSep 20, 2006 00:2046669
To see requires a willingness [183 words]MichaelSep 20, 2006 21:0646669
Naked and exposed [136 words]AbijahSep 24, 2006 14:4446669
Its a Matter of Free Will [419 words]Pro-Israeli DemocratSep 24, 2006 19:1146669
And by the way... [130 words]Pro-Israeli DemocratSep 24, 2006 19:2846669
secularism did cause 9/11 [61 words]fundamentalistSep 24, 2008 16:4546669
"Muslims and Christians would have lived in peace if it weren't for the secular thoughts that plagued the western world IMO. " -- fundamentalist [39 words]KristaSep 25, 2008 10:5746669
fundamentalist what? [58 words]bosSep 25, 2008 13:4246669
The best tactic with respect to CAIR is exposure, and more exposure [153 words]SullyMay 28, 2006 21:5646595
Let's stop this smear campaign against CAIR [606 words]HQCMay 27, 2006 16:5546533
Wolves and Rabbits [61 words]InfidelSep 7, 2006 12:4546533
Give me a break! [105 words]MichaelSep 8, 2006 21:5046533
CAIR - AGENDA AND MOTIVES [220 words]Lou StouchMay 17, 2006 20:0245835
Teaching Christian Values to Muslims [157 words]InfidelSep 7, 2006 13:0745835
CAIR -- the fifth column of Islamic Jihad in America [84 words]Dr RJPMay 16, 2006 21:1145764
What 'CAIR' is Really An Acronym For... [9 words]RobertMay 15, 2006 16:1545666
Islamophobia? [187 words]Ruth LowryMay 14, 2006 22:1545611
It's Nazism Redux with an Islamic Face [456 words]MichaelMay 14, 2006 19:2845598
pre - islamic culture was boycoted [45 words]cyrusMay 15, 2006 15:5745598
Thank you Michael [166 words]Ruth LowryMay 15, 2006 20:2045598
Cyrus is Eternally Memorialized [318 words]MichaelMay 16, 2006 22:3145598
thank you michael [56 words]cyrusMay 17, 2006 15:5645598
Ignorance in America [300 words]MuslimJun 1, 2006 02:0645598
The Best is Yet to Come! [305 words]MichaelJun 1, 2006 20:3945598
Response to Muslim, Is islam really religion of peace? [117 words]N. KhanJun 16, 2006 17:4045598
Michael, Muslims are not terrified [215 words]InfidelSep 7, 2006 13:5945598
I know that my Savior lives! [188 words]MichaelSep 7, 2006 22:0345598

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