Opinion
Fear of bigotry, not Islam
Sinem Tezyapar
Published: 29.03.13, 13:37
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1. A refreshing new voice in Islam
Tahl   (03.29.13)
Finally a Muslim who does not rush to blame Israel and the West for Islamophobia, but instead takes a bold and brave look inside her own Islamic culture to find the true reasons for it. It really is a shame that such enlightened, intelligent, peace-loving and culture-loving voices are found in such scarcity in the Muslim world. I am sure many Muslims feel similarly, but are simply too scared to speak their mind out, intimidated by threats from their fellow Muslims. Sadly the face of Islam today is still as violent and barbaric and intolerant of others, as it has been for the last millenium and a half, and her voice is like a tiny mockingbird, drowning amongst a sea of wolves roaring Jihad. But who knows? It could be a start. I believe the vast majority of Muslims are normal people just like us, who were simply misled by their crazy fanatic leaders. If enough people like Sinem speak out, we just might see a change. Sending you a big hug, Sinem :))
2. sinem
american american ,   istanbul, turkey   (03.29.13)
please watch valley of the wolves 1 and 2
3. i respect and applaud what you have written
JL   (03.29.13)
but there are 1.5 billion muslims in the world and almost no one excepting a few like you speak up against what is going on..and you are even endangering yourself by publicly stating you are a friend to jews and christians
4. Fear of bigotry, not Islam
George Weiss ,   Teaneck, USA   (03.29.13)
So how many of your true Moslems are there? Can they be counted on the fingers? I say that true Islam is what the majority practices in the present. Also, why are there dothers like you who speak up against these "radical Moslems". I suspect that you are trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the world by describing a fictional Moslem for Western consumption.
5. More lies from the Taqqiya Barbie
Cameron ,   USA   (03.29.13)
6. A nice voice , but Oh so lonely !
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (03.29.13)
If Islam is as she writes , where are the voices of high ranking clerics who openly condemn those violences and hatred ? Yes , there were some French Imams who visited Yad Vashem , others claim that the Shoa didn't happen . And the latter are probably the majority . The Koran can be full of love , but we don't see much of this . Only a tiny minority listen to those words [ if they exist ...]
7. Silent muslim majority should speak up
Rami of Nazareth ,   Israel   (03.29.13)
Silent muslim majority should speak up against hatered wether it is against jews, christian arabs, or any human being. Muslim societies should move toward civil society and be part of the free world.
8. Oh, if only this were the "true Islam"
Raymond in DC ,   Washington, USA   (03.29.13)
I have to laugh when Western leaders who are neither Muslims nor particularly knowledgeable about Islam try to tell us what's "true" Islam vs. it's "hijacked" version. But nor can we take the contention of a practioner that their own humanistic, enlightened understanding of the faith is the "true" one. Rather, we must look both to the established teachings of the faith's scholars and the historic record of its followers. On both scores, the claims of this author, however heartfelt, fall short. First, on the basis of both the "sacred" Islamic texts starting with the Quran itself and their understanding as expressed by Islam's scholars, Islam is a supremacist and expansionist faith, dividing the world into believers and non-believers, with the former directed to dominate the latter - to make them "submit". Second, the historic record shows that Islam has worked to put these directives into effect, driving Christians and Jews out of Arabia (after first despoiling, enslaving or killing many of them), then expanding to take over a huge swath of territory from Iberia to the Indian Ocean. If Islam is as enlightened as the author claims, where are the Islamic scholars and institutions of higher learning that promote such a faith? If Islam is truly humanistic, why are most Egyptian women subjected to genital mutilation? Why, if there's such respect for Jews in Islam is there such widespread hatred of Jews in Malaysia and Indonesia, where scant few have ever met a Jew? Given that Islamic fundamentalists like Wahhabists have a very different sense than the author of what true Islam is, perhaps we should instead be talking of mainstream or normative Islam -the one that's taught and widely held. And we know what that one is like.
9. #2 valley of the wolves
Dmitry ,   Israel   (03.29.13)
Yes, please watch it. It's a good example of racist Islamist propaganda that comes out of Turkey. Thus we can see that extremist bile and falsehoods are not only confined to the Arab world.
10. Islam tolerance
M. Wad ,   Amman-Jordan   (03.29.13)
What this writer says is non sense . At the contrary those Salafist and Jihadi's understand Islam more than any one else,the passive Muslims are the ones, who do not understand their religion very well,..just read about the abrogated verses in The Koran,You will realize that all the Harsh verses overrides the passive verses i.e:- the Harsh ones terminate the passive verses...that's when islam became very Harsh and cruel
11. If this is true ...
Devorah   (03.29.13)
where, oh where, is the "loving," "compassionate" and outraged condemnation of Sept. 11, 2001 to be found anywhere in the muslim world? I-T I-S N-O-T T-H-E-R-E. Besides, Sinem, you worship a different god who calls for the killing of Jews. Stop trying to put clean clothes over dirty underwear.
12.  Fear of bigotry, not Islam
jules klayman ,   Mia   (03.29.13)
As much as I would like to agree, this is a pipe dream you and most civilized nations and people want to believe in. Almost one third of the world is Islam, and not once has there ever been a leader from any of their countries decrying islam's must stop there teaching of antisemitism against jews and christians. Stop chopping christians and jews heads off, stop blowing up cafe's, stop blowing up buse's. This is no different than my dream of winning the lottery!
13. Out of 1.2 billion Muslims
Gee ,   Zikron Yaakov   (03.29.13)
There are how many "true Muslims". You and who else exactly? Bigotry, anti-Semitism and apartheid are the core of 56 Islamic fascist regimes in the world, yet according to you they are not "true Muslims" - maybe you are the one out of step with the vast majority in an ocean of hatred.
14. Bigotry
Eric ,   Luxembourg   (03.29.13)
While i can agree with this article 100%, i have to point out that, even in Judaism or Christianity, those "Bigots" exist. This is not solely a Problem of Islam.
15. Where would the prophet Muhammad be today?
Steve   (03.29.13)
I think even a cursory reading of the Qur'an, Hadith, etc., indicates Islam's prophet would side with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egypt's new Muslim Brotherhood President Morsi, Egyptian theologian Yusuf al-Qaradawi (who endorsed suicide bombings against innocent Jews) and with other devout Muslims. It was Muhammad who wrote that (some, if not many) Jews are the sons of apes and pigs. PM Erdogan called Zionism a crime against humanity. Moses today would identify with the Zionist movement in Israel; with those faithful Jews who are living in and building up the land, especially Judea and Samaria. Moses would have never given up Gaza, which is part of Biblical Israel. According to Prime Minister Erdogan, Morsi and other "Islamists," Moses was and is a criminal. Muhammad would side with Erdogan; Moses would side with Zionism, no question about it.
16. who is to say what a "true Muslim" is
bob ,   md usa   (03.29.13)
Muhammed was "true Muslim" when he murdered the Banu Qurayza Jews and when he murdred and expelled the Jews of Khaybar. The Muslims of the so-called "Golden age" of Spainwere "true Muslims" when they maswssacred the Jews of Cordoba and Granada. For non-Muslims, living under Muslim rule was like living with an abusive spouse: one is very careful not to "provoke" the abuser. And what about the treatment of Jews in Palestine before the "Zionist invasion"? The massacre in Safed, for one example? the author simply is taking his personal world view and projecting it on what he thinks a "true Muslim" is.
17. Sinem Tezyapar
Ege Berk Korkut ,   İzmir, Turkey   (03.29.13)
Daniel Pinner has written a very good article about Sinem Tezyapar, named “Peace between Islam and Israel? Response to Ms.Tezyapar.“ Please search for it. What Sinem Tezyapar write is nothing but unrealistic.
18. Not all Muslims are terrorist, But ALL terrorists are
Jorge   (03.29.13)
MUSLIM, simple as THAT, MUSLIM RELIGIOUS leaders are the worst. Most Muslims are TOTALLY INTOLERANT of other religions and it is not getting better, but worst, nice try, but no dice
19. #13 I Agree With You!
(03.29.13)
Just Where Are the true muzzies, And Why do All The muzzie cuntries, EXPELL the native Jewish Poplulation, STEAL ALL THEIR MONEY AND PROPERTY? And Never Offered Compensation, Destroy arab SHULS? Because Their Bigots? No because their isslimic!
20. Got to start somewhere
Ben ,   Chutzlaaretz   (03.29.13)
The author should be commended for calling the issue out and for bravely stating the facts. I am astounded by the talk backs on here claiming "too little - too late" and "where are the others". this woman just took a courageous step, perhaps others will follow. The fact that a woman (And in this culture this is significant) shows more bravery stating this message than all the "men" around her that know this to be true but are too fearful to speak says mountains about how cowardly they are. Let's hope she just provided some of them with a spine!
21. A jew would never admit to prejudice. The chosen believe th
(03.29.13)
22. "The aforementioned are crimes that Islam clearly opposes"
HaifaGuy   (03.29.13)
Nice try, Taqiyah Barbie. Clearly? Opposes? Where??? Who??? Give me one name, one man/woman(lol) of any weight in Islam who "clearly opposes" the "aforementioned". Its time you named the baby by its name: ISLAM. ISLAM IS THE PROBLEM, secularism is the SOLUTION. salamat.
23. Courage, but a question
M ,   UK   (03.29.13)
One must have great respect for the writer's personal courage and for the clarity with which she writes. The issue is whether it is true, as she claims, that the fanatics' pseudo-religion has no relation to Islam whatsoever. Of many inciteful statements, the Hadith included in the Hamas Charter's article 7 is only one of the better-known ones. Since that point cannot really be argued against, the question is, if one puts to one side all such anti-Jewish and anti-Christian, mysoginistic and otherwise negative precepts, is there anything at all revelatory that distinguishes Islam from Judaism or Christianity in a positive way?
24. One does wonder ....
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (03.29.13)
.... why there are no "true Moslem" imams issuing fatwas against the bigots. Their silence is deafening.
25. oh and by the way sinem wants a caliphate to rule jerusalem
jack bauer   (03.29.13)
she wants a turkish caliphate to rule all the middle east. and get this, for the end time story where the jews all convert or die, there is even the desire for the mahdi and the rebuilding of the temple on the mount, where in the end all jews will become muslims. If any of you think that she is a moderate and our friend, you are deluded. She is a wolf in a pretty sheeps clothing... far more dangerous then the wolves who simply admit the truth about their agendas
26. Hi there Taqiyyah Barbie
Iranian H   (03.29.13)
As usual, i will always respond to you. Ok let's pretend you're right for a moment. Those are not muslims but are bigots. So let us curse them together ok? May those that are bigots and kill jews out of false accusation of betrayal and blood libel be damned and be ripped apart. May those that are hateful and invaded non muslim countries be damned and ripped apart, even if they are caliphs. May those that are child rapers and pedophile and called themself prophet be ripped apart. True Islam is not pro pedophilia (i am playing your game). Seriously taqiyyah barbie, do you really expect people to believe all this? you can only fool gullible people that don't know islam, but me, as a former muslim, i know how to counter everything you say. ANd also lastly. May bigots that believes non muslims go to hell be ripped apart and damned.
27. @18 Jorge - What about A. B. Breivik?? Or Timothy...
Gunnar ,   Gothenburg, Sweden   (03.29.13)
...McVeigh? Or UNA bomber Ted Kaczynski? Or all the "green" environmental terrorists? Not to mention all the nationalist extremists like the IRA and the ETA that have committed countless terror attacks? A report from Europol conducted that of all the terrorist attacks in the last 15 years in Europe, less than 10% were perpetrated by Moslem groups. Your comment shows that you are either very blind or very ignorant.
28. It is very clear in Islam, that jews are to be killed
jack bauer   (03.29.13)
this article is outright lies. The proof about islam is in mohameds own life, where he killed entire cities beheading all the boys and men and taking their wives sisters, mothers, daughters as sex slaves,.... it is clear in their end time propecy that all jews will be forcibly converted to islam or they will be beheaded. If a muslim says that that is not true then they are either 1 ignorant of their books, or 2 intentionally lying (taqkiya) this author is lying intentionally
29. islamophobia and true islam
mr ,   nj, usa   (03.29.13)
With all due respect to the author of this article, his reasoning is flawed. He admits that a mindset of bigotry and hatred and desire for domination of others is widespread among muslims. His solution of combating justified islamophobia is to convince nonmoslems that this does not represent true islam does not solve the - problem he admits, nor would others be wise to let go of their "phobia" until the problems of moslem, intolerance have been solved. Better he should advise "true" moslems to focus on reeducating their bretheren.
30. "That is NOT Islam"? No kidding!!!!!!
Harry Wright ,   UK   (03.29.13)
I will go with what the imams, teachers, parents and government officials promote. If you have another concept of what Islam is, go and pick it up with them. I fail to see your rationale in presenting it to non-muslims who don't care one way or the other whether yours or their concept is correct. Go and talk to your nearest Imam and he will put you right as to what is and what is not Islam. Next stupid article, Ynet. Things getting desperate huh?
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