News
Muslims combating anti-Semitism
Anav Silverman, Tazpit
Published: 30.05.13, 12:15
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
18 Talkbacks for this article
1. Sad, but true
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (05.30.13)
"If you are Jewish, they will hate you no matter what" Tell me something I don't know.
2. An Awakening
Moshe of Rockville ,   Rockville,MD USA   (05.30.13)
A glimmer of peace must be encouraged to expand among the different Muslim communities around the world. It is a beginning.
3. Peer pressure
Sherlock Holmes ,   London England   (05.30.13)
Jews and Israelis are used to the widest range of opinions, both in the media and in the Knesset. Muslim society tends to limit the boundaries of free speech, which makes these exceptional people so significant. Perhaps we need a campaign to send Western Muslims to visit Israel and see how it compares to neighbouring Islamic states.
4. Karim Hafeez & friends
tiki ,   belgium   (05.30.13)
These people should be awarded the NOBEL PRIZE for peace! These are people who had the courage, despite their upbringing, to change course (in a hostile environment) and become fighters for moral justice. That's not an easy thing to do and deserves acknowledgement, for it may help other Muslims to see the Israeli value for light & life instead of the celebration of death & darkness in their Muslim world.
5. hate you no matter what?
chris (munich)   (05.30.13)
Sure, there are anti-Semites. And then there are people who object to what Israel has done and is doing to the Palestinians. The second group is probably much larger, and should not be overshadowed by the primitive racists in the first.
6. Bravo!
Bertram ,   London, UK   (05.30.13)
I applaud the courage of these Muslims who are prepared to open their eyes and their minds. As I understand it, Islam, historically, has not been monolithic but much gets lost in the midst of wars and empires. There is a responsibility on the part of Islam, just as there is on the part of Christianity, Judaism and other religions, to draw on the outward-looking and progressive elements within their traditions which are often eclipsed by extremism and intolerance. It is not easy, especially when your very identity is defined in ethno-religious terms. On the other hand, the 21st century offers opportunities for people to communicate with each in ways never imagined even a few decades ago. Let's do it!
7. This is very nice&important, but mainly to Mr.Hafeez himself
tom ,   tel aviv   (05.30.13)
He may be saving his soul, but voices such as his are fewer than palm trees in Sahara desert. If he's lucky they will leave him alone, if not...... Allah Akhbar! Again, as a personal journey of discovery and enlightenment: chapeau Sir!
8. the UK is the only country who has anti semitism
ghostq   (05.30.13)
not by the muslim immigrants but by the white anglo saxon people.
9. Rain
Jordan Ariel ,   USA   (05.30.13)
May blessings from the most high G-d rain down on these men and people like them. I believe that He meant it when He said "I will bless those who bless you" in Genesis 12. May these brave Men be richly blessed in all things beyond measure.
10. To No. 7
Bertram ,   London, UK   (05.30.13)
Do you know, if your doom and gloom perspective had dominated the early Zionist movement Israel would never have come about. Listen, I refuse to listen to those who make the category error of equating Islam with Nazism. Nazis chose their political identity, whereas most Muslims, just like most Jews, are born into a tradition. But within those traditions there are, in practice, variations with, for example, secular Jews as well as Muslims whose religious involvement is marginal to their everyday lives So, for the sake of future generations, I urge you to turn away from your negativity. How about being part of the solution - or, at least, the road to a better future - rather than part of the problem?
11. 7.
Birdi ,   Israel   (05.30.13)
It's time for you to wake up & open your eyes. Muslims want to enlarge their hold on the rest of the world by shoving Islam down our throats. Whether they do this by violence, terror or plain influence, you need to realize that soon you will be out-numbered by them. Take a walk down Oxford Street, listen to the languages, English is hardly heard! The Muslims in UK would be thrilled to bits if there were no British Jews in the UK. Yes most Muslims are born into the tradition of hatred for Jews & hatred for Israel. Dont bother trying to water down the facts here. I urge you to open your eyes & ears.
12. To Nos. 8 & 11
Bertram ,   London, UK   (05.30.13)
I guess you must get some kind of perverted thrill from publicly parading your ignorance. Strange, but whatever turns you on. To No. 8, that's a bit like saying Israel is the only country anti-Arab racism perpetrated by Israeli Jews. True. But were you trying to say that anti-Semitism is a perpetrated by non-Muslims - as in some Eastern European countries. Also true. What is your point, exactly? To No.11, you have an overblown sense of your own self-importance and an overblown imagination. Where to start? Take a walk down Oxford Street and, guess what? It's full of tourists! Why? Because it's a tourist attraction. And guess what? They tend to speak languages other than English. What a surprise. Now, to the Muslims. You obviously know all of them intimately, at least sufficiently to be aware of their opinions on British Jews. Come on, Birdi, confess. You have no such knowledge. Just for the record, the few Muslims I have been in contact with in London either regard Jews and Israel as irrelevant to their lives or have a quite admiration for them. Yes, there is anti-Semitism, but for the most part the world, Muslims included, have more important concerns than hatred for Jews.
13. Drummer
Lior ,   Jerusalem, IL   (05.30.13)
Try explaining the open tolerant british muslim community to the family of the soldier brutally murdered on the streets of an Engkish city.
14. Kudos to Mr. Hafeez and El Shafie for speaking up!!
Carl ,   USA   (05.30.13)
We need many more such Muslims (or former Muslims) willing to escape the stranglehold of hateful Arab propaganda and incitement.
15. #8
(05.31.13)
and from your numerous comments about ''brits'' it is clear that you have an ugly racist hatred of Anglo-Saxons. Presumably the mangled unintelligible English in your comments is part of your revenge on the Anglos.
16. What animosity?
marcelo tuchman ,   rio,Brazil   (05.31.13)
So, one more proof that jewish muslins totally hate for each other is a lie. Shalom,Salam.,
17. ALL Muslims I know personally
Friendly Jew ,   Houston US   (05.31.13)
are moderate, & I know dozens & work with dozens. Like any other group, Jews included, there are a few bad apples, but they are bad in the usual way. One wound up in jail for assault, no different than any other group, which also has its jailbirds. Not a one would blow up buildings or ask that any mass of persons be killed. That's all, well, part of primitive societies.
18. It's good to see that there are sane voices
Yousef Samadie ,   London UK   (06.01.13)
To show some sort of balance these guys should be writing about Israel for the Guardian,almost every single article from the Guardian and it's racist posters about Israel are full of smears lies and provocative sick cartoons and articles about Israel. Most of these anti Israel articles and cartoons are nasty and racist.....
Back to article