Fighting West's Islamophobia [PUKE! Again and again]

YNet ^ | May 12, 2007 | Levi Brackman

[Alouette]

Muslim groups in US should battle Islamophobia by explaining how America, Islam in fact share same values

Published: 05.12.07, 15:15 / Israel Jewish Scene

After six Muslims were arrested this week for plotting a terrorist attack on an American army base I heard an interview with a representative of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

He was expressing concern for the safety of his community and thus stressing that these six were in no way representative of Islam or American Muslims and he criticized the media for portraying them as such. As a Jew who has suffered from anti-Semitism I felt instant sympathy for this man’s cause. However, it was undeniable that he did not say enough to calm the nerves of his audience.

People have questions about the way Muslims think precisely because they are unclear about who represents the faith. Most Jews and Christians I know living in the United States feel their countries’ core values, such as equality, the respect for human life, freedom of religion, and justice for all, are in step with their religion. This should come as no surprise; most Jews and Christians are taught this from childhood onwards.

Islamic values correspond with America's?

Whereas, it is true that many of the basic values of democracies are biblical, these are not exclusively Judaic or Christian. In fact one prominent American Muslim I know when asked which countries’ values are closest to those of Islam without hesitation he replied the values of the United States of America.

This is where people get confused. Because if this is in fact true why is it that six Muslims were arrested this week for plotting to attack the United States and slaughtering hundreds of US soldiers in Fort Dix to “defend their religion”?

The answer is because the radicals do not see American values as dovetailing with those of Islam. However, while it is clear to me, as a person who has relationships with Muslims, that the overwhelming majority of Muslims living in the United States share American values as their own, many Americans still need to be educated.

This is demonstrated by a conversation I recently had with a former member of the United States government. He claimed that whilst it is possible for Muslims to live as minorities in predominantly Christian countries this was not the case for Christian and Jewish minorities in Muslim countries.

When I pointed out that Jews live very peacefully in countries like Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan—both have Muslim majorities—he was astounded and replied, “Well I did not know that and am very pleased to hear it.”

Terrorism harms Islam

Sadly the voices of those Muslims who preach tolerance and human rights are drowned out by the shouting of the terrorists. Because of terrorist attacks carried out in the name of Islam around the world many people wrongly label Islam as a terrorist religion and all Muslims as terrorists or as potential terrorists. Although this type of bigotry and stereotyping is as repulsive any other types of fascism, it can only be effectively countered with the cooperation of the Muslim community.

Americans and non-Muslims need to hear the voices of those prominent Muslims who say that classical American values and Islamic values are one and the same. The message needs to be loud and clear: we are on the same side. The fact that we are not hearing this enough is partly the fault of the Media, but organizations like CAIR are also to blame.

A different message

CAIR and others must begin to take a different approach to the unacceptable levels of Islamophobia in the West. In addition to the interview I listened to this week, a quick survey of their website shows that they focus mainly on the anti-Muslim bias in America and parts of its media. By doing this they ensure that their communities feel threatened which feeds the hate and resentment some Muslims feel towards the USA. They actually reinforce the impression that Islam is under siege by the USA when in fact it is not. This strategy must be modified.

In addition to their campaign against Islamophobia and the statements against terrorism in the name of Islam which they make regularly, organizations like CAIR must explain how America and Islam in fact share the same values.

This message must be stressed in public, to the media and within their own communities especially to the youth. This way young Muslims living here can feel that, despite the imperfections of America, the United States is still their country, and the average non-Muslim American can know that most American Muslims are on the same side as they are. Undoubtedly this would go a long way to remove much of the fuel that drives Islamophobia.

[Alouette]

FReepMail to be added or removed from this pro-Israel/Judaic/Russian Jewry ping list.

Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.

[Mr. Mojo]

Muslim groups in US should battle Islamophobia by explaining how America, Islam in fact share same values

Couldn't make it past this headline.

[OKIEDOC]

ROFLMAO...............

[babygene]

“Muslim groups in US should battle Islamophobia by explaining how America, Islam in fact share same values”

Except that we don’t....

[bronxboy]

Mickey mouse to the rescue!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Joe Boucher]

World would be a better place without mooselimbs.
Can’t say that about America.

[Jeff Chandler]

which countries’ values are closest to those of Islam without hesitation he replied the values of the United States of America.

Freedom, tolerance, respect for women-all Islamic values.

many Americans still need to be educated.

Oh, yeah...

[Baladas]

As long as you don’t link anything negative to the religion of Islam: http://www.cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=2736&theType=NR

Propoganda only the MSM could love.

[kcvl]

Rabbi Levi Brackman, 28, was born in London, England and studied in Yeshivot in Israel, America and Canada.

Levi is also a founding member of The Movement for a Tolerant World, an organization that offers young people in Asia, the Middle East and internationally a positive and tolerant ideology and through that the opportunity to make real and positive changes in their world.

The Movement for a Tolerant World is a brainchild of two young activists, Mr. Levi Brackman and Mr. Imran Aziz.

The Movement for a Tolerant World (TMTW) was the brainchild of two young activists one from the USA and the other from Pakistan. Imran Aziz a Muslim living in Lahore, Pakistan.

Levi Brackman a Jewish writer and rabbi (spiritual guide) who resides in Colorado, USA was writing about issues relating to the combating of terrorism and the need for tolerance.

" Inequality and injustice, including poverty and marginalization can be factors of terrorism. "

[Mr. Blonde]

Maybe they should work on their Americaphobia first. It would be a lot easier to come together when one side isn’t constantly trying to blow up citizens of the other.

[Free ThinkerNY]

[aynrandfreak]

He should go to a Muslim country to share his philosophy. I’m sure he’d be safe since we all share the same values. /sarc

[Nachum]

When I pointed out that Jews live very peacefully in countries like Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan—both have Muslim majorities—he was astounded and replied, “Well I did not know that and am very pleased to hear it.” .

Jews don't live so peacefully in quite a number of other Muslim countries. Nice try though.

[clamper1797]

IMHO Rabbi Brackman is a drooling idiot

[ApplegateRanch]

Love that cartoon!

Joooooz giving you cramps?
Christians upsetting your stomach?
Cartoons making your head throb?
Rioting, looting, and burning giving you muscle aches?

Feel better fast fast FAST!

Take two Allah-Seltzer, and behead an Infidel in the morning.

[Old Student]

“IMHO Rabbi Brackman is a drooling idiot”

NO, NO, NO. He’s an idealist. Same effects, really, but it’s because he sees only the best in people. Unfortunately for him, he’s going to bump his nose on reality someday. I don’t believe that all Muslims are evil, but I don’t believe that all Americans are good, either. I’m afraid, however, that the evidence indicates more evil among the Muslims, right now. It’s not Islamophobia, it’s a right and proper caution.

[litehaus]

"By doing this they ensure that their communities feel threatened which feeds the hate and resentment some Muslims feel towards the USA."

Calling AL SHARPTON! Calling Je$$e JACKSON!