| Reform Jewish leader tells U.S. Muslims that Islam is being demonised |
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| Monday, 03 September 2007 | |
 The president of the Union for Reform Judaism accused American media, politicians and religious groups on Friday of demonising Islam.Addressing the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America, Rabbi Eric Yoffie said Muslims have been turned into "satanic figures." "There exists in this country among all Americans, whether Jews, Christians, or non-believers, a huge and profound ignorance about Islam ... there is no shortage of voices prepared to tell us that fanaticism and intolerance are fundamental to Islamic religion, and that violence and even suicide bombing have deep Koranic roots," he said. Yoffie said his organization is discussing with Muslim leaders a dialogue and education program in the near future to increase understanding between the two faiths. He said Americans need to know "how far removed Islam is from the perverse distortions of the terrorists who too often dominate the media, subverting Islam's image by professing to speak in its name." Yoffie also called for an end to racial profiling and legal discrimination of any kind against Muslim Americans, and urged North America's Muslims to keep condemning violence committed in the name of Islam until the message sinks in. In his address, Yoffie said "to all those who desecrate God's name by using religion to justify killing and terror, let us say together: Enough." "No cause in the world, and surely no religious cause, can ever justify murdering the innocent or targeting the uninvolved ... You cannot honor God if you do not honor the image of God in every human being; and you cannot get to heaven by creating hell on earth," he said. "We have expressed these views, and so have you, with your clear statements condemning terrorist attacks. But let us agree that this task will not be done until the message is heard, and others in the Muslim world join with [you] in ringing denunciations of terror that will be heard throughout the globe." Yoffie's progressive wing of Judaism describes itself as the largest Jewish religious movement in North America, with more than 900 congregations and 1.5 million Jews. The annual convention of the largest U.S. Muslim group draws about 30,000 people. Source: Haaretz    Readers have left 20 comments.
Harry:
The problem is not outsiders demonizing Islam it is Islam demonizing it's self with it's violence,lying,blaming others for it's troubles,etc. Fix those problems, or Islam will get no respect, just disrespect and outright hatred in return.The choice is Islam's to make. No one outside can fix it.
(1)
2007-09-03 01:20:23
shlomo:
I hope readers will now stop making the Antisemitic stereotype of Jews being a single mono-culture represented by bear-wearing orthodox Jews, what I call "The Topol Syndrome".
Judaism is reformed and updated to better integrate with host cultures, in fact learning from its diaspora how to survive. It is right to distinguish between the beauty of Islam (in which I hold an image of Alhambra in Spain) and the radicalised savagery between sects in Iraq, blowing-up of non-Muslims around the globe and the beheadings and stonings. Its difficult to sometimes distinguish what form of Islam people support when we see polls of how many support bombings in the UK, how many believe that Jews are a legitimate target in the conflict in Palestine. Now look at MPAC UK articles. Are they just news or are they selective articles designed to anger its readers? Wouldn't some of them tip somoene on the edge to take dangerous action or adopt a feeling of hate towards other people?
(2)
2007-09-03 07:42:25
Yunus Yakoub Islam:
Core Muslim beliefs and practices - such as those detailed in something like Murata and Chittick's 'The Vision of Islam' - are not in need of reform. They represent a beautiful and profoundly spiritual faith that requires no apology or defence. By contrast, closed representations of Islam - what The Runnymede Trust describe as Islamophobic - should always be challenged:
http://www.bayyinat.org.uk/headscarf.htm
(3)
2007-09-03 08:43:05
AA:
What Shlomo and friends are trying to do is neutralise the message of the article. It is about the incitement to hatred and dangerous demonisation of Muslims that is in mainstream media that is designed to push people over the edge and causes children in schools to get bullied, women in streets to get their head scarves pulled and get spat at and imams to get brutally attacked. It is the Islamaphobia and paranoia spread by this "mainstream" media that is leading to demonisation but people are pretending it is acceptable now just like the demonisation of the Jews in Germany became mainstream because of media manipulation and brainwashing.
Don't you try and turn that around. The Rabbi is clear in his message. This demonisation needs to stop, so please listen to him.
(4)
2007-09-03 10:01:29
Mohammed Abbasi:
Salaam/Shalom
Rabbi Eric Yoffies statement is yet another call for more cooperation between Jews and Muslims - in urging to jointly defend both religions from extremists who use the Jewish, Islamic - and I must add Christian religions as excuse to attack and insult others - we need to have a common platform to challenge not only the terrorists, pro-terrorists and those that encourage terrorists directly or indirectly but also educate and inform one another about common issues of concern - and issues that effect us all like the abuse of mother earths resources and the damage to our environment. We need to work for the future of all our children - Inshallah as brothers and sisters working with each other we will. We also need to bring in our brothers and sisters from all faiths and those who believe they have none - to work towards peace and our common destiny
(5)
2007-09-03 11:09:27
shlomo:
AA, I am NOT trying to neutralise the message. I certainly would be against Islamaphobia as I am sure you would be against Antisemitism.
I point out that there is both Peace and Jihad within the sphere of Islam. Some Jihad is in response to perceived injustices (Palestine/Iraq/Afghanistan) and some puirely for the sake of imposing fundamentalist Islam by establishment of a Caliphate. I also point out that polls of Muslim attitudes show an alarming support for violent Jihad whether it is bombing or believeing that Jews are legitimate targets. Explain how the World makes a summation of these two competing sides of Islam so we can make a single statement about it that is true. Inside the hearts of people some will say "What is he talking about? I feel only peace inside" - yes, many Muslims do subscribe to the "Religion of Peace" mantra but clearly some don't. Societies will always turn their attention to what threatens them and not that which is benign and passive.
(6)
2007-09-03 11:20:16
shlomo:
shalom:
"some puirely for the sake of imposing fundamentalist Islam by establishment of a Caliphate." [schlomo]. " You asked me to justify this (while denigrating me, the messenger) The references are easy. Anjem Choudray and the remenants of Al Muhajiroun, The Muslim Brotherhood, Hizb ut Tahir - all have a policy of exploring th espread of Islam in order to eventually establish a Caliphate. Ask leaders at MCB and MAB is they would wish the UK to come under Shariah Law or see the flag of Islam fly over Downing Street. In the USA CAIR have stated that they would like to see the their flag fly over the White House. I read, I research quite a bit about Islamic affairs across the Globe.
(7)
2007-09-03 12:21:21
ROB:
shlomo do you understand the words i would like to see,those words are what we wish for.
i wish to be a billionaire or i would like to see myself to PM of Great Britain. so what happens to be freedom of speech shlomo,it is ok for people to insult and slander muslims,but when muslims use that freedom of speech than it is wrong and sinister. it is for the muslim countries to decide how they wish to live and under which syytem,just as it is for the british people to choose how they wish to live and under which system. if they want khilafa good for them,we should not force our way of life or beleif syytems on any one else,this includes muslims and non muslims.
(8)
2007-09-03 12:46:46
Mohammed Abbasi:
Shlomo my brother, thank you for your comments. On the subject of Jihad - the best Jihad and most perfect Jihad is against oneself, the ego and its negative impulses. So yes I try to be a Jihadi - I try to purge my anger for others and what they do to each other or me - especially in the name of our creator. Brother, we are no enemies and have no enemies - simply people who wish to control us for whatever purpose - politically or religiously oe economically. We belong to the same source and we will go to the same one day. But the question is my brother where will the human race be in say 2100? will we have learned to look beyond our labels and hatred or will we be in the same kind of mess? Lets look forward and find common ground.
(9)
2007-09-03 13:24:59
shlomo:
Shalom, your wrote:-
####shalom: Where is violent Jihad in the UK/USA? Stop trying to use the expressions interchangeably. Stop trying to play mind games#### What 'mind games'? You should have read what I wrote and not read what youi THINK I wrote. Here is what I wrote:- ###... also point out that polls of Muslim attitudes show an alarming support for violent Jihad whether it is bombing or believeing that Jews are legitimate targets.#### I NEVER said "violent Jihad" in the UK. Surely, bombing on 7/7 was a piece of Violent Jihad (Violent Struggle) in order to force the UK Govt to take troops out of Iraq. We go by the video left by one of the bombers. Violent Jihad is simply any physical act that is seen to be positive towards Islamic political agendas and done for Islamic reasons. (My definition)
(10)
2007-09-03 13:26:43
shlomo:
ROB: you wrote)
####so what happens to be freedom of speech shlomo,it is ok for people to insult and slander muslims,but when muslims use that freedom of speech than it is wrong and sinister.##### Do give us an example. I can feel you are aching to say something but don't want to get banned. ####it is for the muslim countries to decide how they wish to live and under which syytem,just as it is for the british people to choose how they wish to live and under which system.#### I agree with you. Hence, you are 100% against any organisation that hopes for or works towards establishing Shariah as the system for the UK. But, why is Hamas trying to force Shariah on Gaza residents? ####if they want khilafa good for them,we should not force our way of life or beleif syytems on any one else,this includes muslims and non muslims.#### You can wish for a Caliphate but do so in Islamic countries. As you imply, it will be much easier.
(11)
2007-09-03 13:31:41
ROB:
i am sure no one is talking about establishing a khilafa in britain.
as to muslims wishing to be tried using sharia law then that is their freedom to request that,whether they are granted that request or not is for the government to decide. if a person wishes to be tried by islami law rather than secular law,why should that effect me,the punishment will be onm that person not me if he is found guilty. hamas is the government of palestine as voted by the people,it for them to enforce the laws of the land,this is the basic job of any government in the world to enforce laws of the land. shlomo your problem is you wish to force your views on other people in their countries,i on the other hand say that let them live how they see fit,as long as i am not forced to follow them in my country.
(12)
2007-09-03 14:40:25
Megan Lewis:
Where do you get the impression that Eric Joffee speaks for all Reform Jews? He has absolutely no right to place the onus of "reaching out" solely on Jews. He carefully forgets the demonisation which comes from Islam - the hate-filled literature and the lies propogated by Islamists.
It takes two to reach out. He can reach out if he wants but if I was Jewish I would like to be assured of far more before I did the same. Most Brits are not at all ignorant about Islam but are justifiably worried about some aspects of it. Shariah Law is definitely not a choice in this country, and it would not be my choice. We have had our own laws for centuries. If people live in this country they should abide by the laws of this country. End of.
(13)
2007-09-03 21:33:45
Jay:
Again the only response to Islam that works is Biblical Christianity and it's spread as a counter to Islam.
(14)
2007-09-03 22:48:25
Mohammed Abbasi:
Thankyou sister Megan, I appreciate your comments. Indeed dialogue is a two way street- as is listening to each others concerns.
On the topic of Sharia or Khilafah etc - I always ask brothers or sisters who preach this if they have it over themselves first? for example those that preach jihad - have they struggled against their own selves first? or they wish to have others live by certain laws and beliefs - would they live sincerely under those laws and beliefs themselves first? in nearly all cases they have issues and concerns themselves about other things which they can't tackle and this kind of 'projection of personal dissatisfaction' exists within most people muslim and non- muslim, then these same people are whipped up by their emotions by religious, political people towards their own ends. We need to understand ourselves before we begin understanding others, life is too important to live trying to control or hate others. Allah knows best
(15)
2007-09-04 11:57:28
shan:
yes brother abbasi some of us speak from honesty,i do not drink-smoke-lie-deceive-fornicate-i give zakah and do my best to folow the sunnah,in other words i live by the sharia as best as i can even though i do no live in a muslim country.
as for khilafa i practice that within my family,if one is effected by outside sources we become one to deal with that matter. if one of us is weaker in something we help him out,so i can say that i do not just preach about sharia or khialfa i practice it ot the best of my abilties. now brother if you will inform us whether you agree with sharia and khilafa.
(16)
2007-09-04 12:10:04
Mohammed Abbasi:
My brother Shan, I agree with nearly everything you say - but I say also from my point of view brother that sharia and khilafa is something that various muslim schools are debating as when and how the khilafa can be brought about and as muslims we need to have common platform to engage with each other and discuss.
There is an Arabic saying not a Chinese - 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step...' let us start from individuals and families and grow from that - in reality everything belongs to Allah, also on the issue of leadership - in reality we are all leaders in some way or another, are we not? Allah knows best
(17)
2007-09-04 12:37:07
Mohammed Abbasi:
Gone With The Wind - you know best!
(18)
2007-09-07 11:19:49
Ariel Sharon (no relation):
Its Is Zionism That Is The Real Enemy Of The Jews
Judaism Is a Great, Sacred and Tolerant Religion
(19)
2007-09-07 18:59:54
shlomo:
I happen to believe that Islamism is a hateful ideaology that is damaging to Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindu's and Sikhs
(20)
2007-09-08 11:34:24
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