Posted on 01/15/2009 10:18:41 PM PST by Nachum
More than 20 prominent British Muslim leaders have signed a letter denouncing the rise in anti-Semitic attacks resulting from Operation Cast Lead and calling on Muslims to help prevent attacks on Jews in the UK.
The Community Security Trust (CST) has reported a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents in recent weeks, with more than 150 reported attacks on Jews, Jewish-owned property and even an arson attempt on a London synagogue.
"We are deeply saddened to hear about anti-Semitic assaults on British Jews, and a recent arson attack on a London synagogue. Although the perpetrators are yet unknown, we unreservedly condemn attacks on innocent British citizens and the desecration of all places of worship," the Muslim leaders wrote.
Signatories to the letter, which is being circulated to more than 1,200 mosques and Islamic centers around the UK, include internationally renowned imams, writers, academics and community activists. The signatories also number members of all major Islamic groupings including Sunnis, Shi'ites, Deobandis, Barelwis, Salafis and Sufis.
"The ongoing killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza by Israeli forces has angered us all. However, this does not, and cannot, justify attacks on our fellow citizens of Jewish faith and background here in Britain," the letter reads.
It goes on to say that British Jews should not be held responsible for Israel's actions: "Most Muslims are completely against such behavior. However, we call on all Muslims to continue to remain vigilant against attempts to bring our own faith and community into disrepute. British Jews should not be held responsible for the actions of the Israeli government."
"We warmly welcome this statement from prominent British Muslims condemning anti-Semitic attacks," said Mark Gardiner, CST's communications director. "There have been over 150 anti-Semitic incidents throughout the country in just over two weeks. This is a completely unprecedented figure, and whilst most of the incidents consist of graffiti, threatening e-mails or verbal abuse, it is still extremely disturbing, especially as we have seen extreme violence on anti-Israel demonstrations. In this context, the statement from Muslim leaders is not simply a question of public relations or interfaith, it is a case of their showing both moral and physical courage and leadership at a very difficult time."
"We are grateful for this straightforward, unqualified condemnation of anti-Semitic attacks," said Jon Benjamin, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. "Our communities have at different times both been subject to intolerance and worse, and singling out groups on the basis of faith or ethnicity is wholly unacceptable and should be condemned."
Riiiiiiight....
They could stop the hatred for Jews in days if they'd all just say it.
Spare us the publicity stunts. The anti-semitism of your people grows in the hothouses of your mosques.
I work with Jews and Muslims in the healthcare industry and many are very close friends with each other. The militant wing of Islam is not widely accepted by everyday Muslims. I think this is a big step for these guys to step to the plate
I’m confused. I thought anti-semitism was a cornerstone of their (islam) religion, hating Jews was taught and required.
Agreed - we’ve been waiting for the Muslim community to come forward to denounce terrorism, anti-semitism, etc. It’s overdue, but we should welcome it. I only wish the average Joe in the Muslim community felt safe and strong enough to take a public stand, and organize others to do the same.
At first reading this warmed my heart but they say this now. Why now? This action correlates with Obama ascending the throne, er, presidency. This statement scares me more than anything else.
Blue jeans and rock’n roll will solve the problem.
Color me skeptical as to whether this action is really intended to curb violence against Jews, or just provide Islam in the UK with PR cover so it can keep going ahead with full government support. No surprise if all the head imams at mosques, and honchos at Islamic centers, look at the letter, chuckle or roll their eyes, and pitch it in the trash without further ado. I suspect they’d be understanding the whole point of it correctly.
“Taqqiya”..Deception..
such courage is certainly to be applauded.
Perhaps so, but here on these boards there have been calls for Muslims to denounce all the extremism and the terrorism for years. It seems churlish to still be criticising now that it has actually happened.
Perhaps so, but here on these boards there have been calls for Muslims to denounce all the extremism and the terrorism for years. It seems churlish to still be criticising now that it has actually happened.
There’s no way that Salafis would ever sign on to this if it were at all sincere.
It is actually a frequent complaint amongst ordinary muslims that the moderates come out against extremists all the time, but the media doesn’t care, because it doesn’t sell as many newspapers as an ululating nutter with an eyepatch and a hook screaming ‘death to the Jews/Infidels/West etc’......
Yes, that has a ring of truth to it too.
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