The big picture problem

Submitted by moderate Muslim (United States), May 6, 2007 at 21:41

Anti-Semitism is not inherently Islamic. In Islam it teaches that Jews are people of the book, and are therefore to be respected as followers of God. I am not going to lie here. There are a sizeable amount of Muslims who are rather anti-Semitic, be they leaders or simple folk. However, many are this way simply because what they have witnessed. Watching Israelis turn Gaza into an internment camp is horrific, and those who see that happen are emotionally sensitive to the point where they blame Jews. This is not an excuse. I think that it is more of an Arab sentiment of anti-semetism than a Muslim one.

I know many non Muslim Arabs who, while they are not anti-semitic, obviously associate Israel and its policies with Judaism. It is unfortunate that this sentiment of anti-semitism persists in so many minds. However, one should ask, where are the articles about anti-Islamism. (Yes I did just invent a word just there).

The Arabs do horrible things to the Israelis, but the Israelis reciprocate with an disproportional response. (If you have time watch the episode of the West Wing "A Proportional Response") Muslim leaders, especially in the Arab region, where anti-Semitism is most prevalent, should teach people how Jews are to be respected, but that Israeli policy is not the will of the Jewish faith, and that one does not have to like Israeli policy.

What it boils down to is that people of all religions should be allowed to condemn the atrocities committed by the state of Israel and by the members of Hamas. However, one must make sure that this conflict does not reflect poorly on the Muslim or Jewish faith.

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