No More Calling Jews “Pigs” (For Now)

Arutz 7 ^ | 11 March 2003

[anotherview]

No More Calling Jews “Pigs” (For Now)

Sheikh Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, spiritual head of al-Azhar University and the leading Sunni imam in Egypt, has convened al-Azhar’s Islamic Research Academy, which issued a new fatwa, or edict, regarding use of the descriptor “monkeys and pigs” in reference to Jews. According to the new ruling, it is now forbidden to describe “present day Jews as ‘monkeys and pigs’,” reports Albawaba.com, the Arab news web portal.

This ruling would seem to represent a major shift in Tantawi’s view: last year, he delivered a sermon - like so many others delivered by various religious leaders throughout the Middle East - wherein he called Jews “the enemies of Allah, sons of pigs and apes.” The apparent shift, however, may be explained as a public relations maneuver. According to Albawaba.com, the International Islamic News Agency reported that the ruling “was adopted following a request by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that indicated that the embassy in Washington had learnt that there was objection among Americans to the use of this description of the Jews in sermons....”

While the new fatwa may forbid insulting Jews, it does nothing to forbid killing them in terrorist attacks. In April 2002, Tantawi preached that suicide bombings (“martyrdom”) carried out against Jews are the highest degree of jihad asked for in Islam and the Koran. He explained that anyone who blows himself up and an Israeli Jew is a martyr who will go to Paradise. That statement has yet to be reversed.

[ellery]

Well, that's big of him.

[swarthyguy]

Whoa! I guess the USA's araboutreach campaign is working.

This is extemely positive and significant. HA!

[Nachum]

But dogs, well that's another matter entirely...

[dep]

aha! another diaperhead falls for the diabolical "i know that you are but what am i" strategy!

dep

[rickmichaels]

According to the new ruling, it is now forbidden to describe “present day Jews as ‘monkeys and pigs’...

...but calling them apes and swine is perfectly OK.

[DoughtyOne]

The middle-east is saturated with this mindset. One person would be a beginning. I doubt this guy has reversed a lifetime of thought in a single momment. Moms and dads, schools, mosques, newspapers and government policies have set this tone. It's laughable to think this could be changed in less than a generation.

Just stop teaching the children to hate. You'll get there.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

You think some Democrats got a hold of him and had him chill out just a little bit...."psst..hey you're hurting us politically.."

[Tacis]

Check me out on this. The fatwa forbids the faithful from calling Jews "pigs," but, surely it doesn't apply to demcrat Congressman Moran, does it? He can still say anything he wants about Jews, can't he?

[anotherview]

Since Congressman Moran isn't Muslim I would guess he won't obey the fatwa.

I'm not sure Congressman Moran is even conscious that his statements can be seen as anti-Semetic. I'm not sure he has enough brain power for that.

[EternalVigilance]

Quite big of the dogs.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

put a little hog lard on it muslims.

[Mister Baredog]

While the new fatwa may forbid insulting Jews, it does nothing to forbid killing them in terrorist attacks.

Sounds like a Liberal solution. Say one thing and do another.

[Slings and Arrows]

In April 2002, Tantawi preached that suicide bombings (“martyrdom”) carried out against Jews are the highest degree of jihad asked for in Islam and the Koran. He explained that anyone who blows himself up and an Israeli Jew is a martyr who will go to Paradise.

I fart on your beard, pig.

[MarkL]

While the new fatwa may forbid insulting Jews, it does nothing to forbid killing them in terrorist attacks.

Well this certainly makes me feel better! Now, when Jews are murdered by islamists, they won't feel bad about themselves during their last moments, since they will not be insulted by the murderers!

Mark