Understanding the Islam in Islamic Antisemitism

http://www.newenglishreview.org/custpage.cfm/frm/39207/sec_id/39207 ^ | Andrew Bostom

[ventanax5]

During February of 2007, nearing completion of the manuscript version of The Legacy of Islamic Antisemitism, I took a brief hiatus and posed the following two questions, based upon my research, to a cadre of academics, independent scholars, theologians, journalists, and activists who opine, in writing and speech, about Antisemitism, generally, and/or within the Muslim world, specifically. I asked (via e-mail correspondence), “In your opinion, would this quote (below) exemplify racial, or at least ethnic Antisemitism? Moreover would you please hazard a guess as to where and when it was written, based upon the contents?” Here is the quote:

Our people [the Muslims] observing thus the occupations of the Jews and the Christians concluded that the religion of the Jews must compare unfavorably as do their professions, and that their unbelief must be the foulest of all, since they are the filthiest of all nations. Why the Christians, ugly as they are, are physically less repulsive than the Jews may be explained by the fact that the Jews, by not intermarrying, have intensified the offensiveness of their features. Exotic elements have not mingled with them; neither have males of alien races had intercourse with their women, nor have their men cohabited with females of a foreign stock. The Jewish race therefore has been denied high mental qualities, sound physique, and superior lactation. The same results obtain when horses, camels, donkeys, and pigeons are inbred.

[Nachum]

Read his book. It is important reading.

Even though his research is solid and the book was lengthy, I had the feeling that there was much more to be said.

[sr4402]

The quote is from ‘al-Jahiz (described as a “skeptic”, who harbored “indifferent views toward religion in general”) included these sociological observations.’.

I got that off google.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you'd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

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[forkinsocket]

An odd quote to highlight, since most Muslim anti-semitism is religious & political, not racial.

[Drammach]

I always understood that the basis for Muslim antisemitism was Muhammad himself.

His attempts to get the Jewish community to convert to Islam was summarily rejected and he reacted by declaring Jihad upon the Jews.

It is understandable, as Judaism was the majority religion of the Middle East at the time.
Rejection by the Jews meant a hard uphill battle for Muhammad and his new religion.
He was already having a hard time converting Zoroastrians, Christians, and even Pagans, and it was the final straw.
I imagine the Jewish community leaders were probably not very polite in their rejection either, being familiar with what sort of a scumbag Muhammad was. ( Bandit, Thief, Murderer, Rapist, etc. )