It is time for Muslims to begin a deep self-examination

WaPo ^ | Yasmine Bahrani

[RoosterRedux]

Recently, I asked my students what they thought about commentary that appeared in the Guardian newspaper in November suggesting that France and Britain had failed their immigrants through clumsy -- and ultimately alienating -- efforts to promote multiculturalism (in Britain's case) and assimilation (in France's). In this way, author Kenan Malik said, French and British policies gave Islamism an entree into isolated Muslim communities.

Nearly all my students rejected the premise, arguing that immigrants were responsible for their own actions whether they were isolated or not. Of course, many of these students come from families who fled countries terrorized by Muslim extremists and have no sympathy for them. But they don't blame Western multiculturalism for the rise of home-grown Islamism. "That's silly," shrugged one Syrian girl.

Why, then, I asked them, don't Muslims march in the streets of London, Paris and New York loudly condemning the Islamic State? Because, they answered, mainstream Muslims are too scared that the extremists would come after them. The class brainstormed about what could be done instead. Most concluded that they, too, would be afraid to call attention to themselves.

When I asked another class what responsibility we have to explain to others that terrorists don't represent all Muslims, the response was mixed. One Saudi student said it was not at all our responsibility. "If a (Western) person wants to learn about Islam, he should Google it," she said. Another, an Egyptian, was angered by the question: "If I hear one more time that Muslims have not done enough to condemn terrorists. . . ." Many Muslims are weary of such criticism.

[theBuckwheat]

“...whose name Israel means wrestle with Gd.”

But to what end? When Jacob wrestled with God, it was to secure his birthright blessing.

24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And... (Gen 32)

[aposiopetic]

OK, so Isaiah 1:18 provides an example (”let us reason together”)of another sort of wrestling.

[theBuckwheat]

A person who is a student of Torah is willing to reason with a person who asks an honest question. Should the answer not be acceptable, he knows to leave the conversation peacefully. Torah can only be accepted by those who want to accept it.

Compare and contrast to conversions to Islam made under extreme duress. It sickens me the way that secular people refuse to make the delineation, even as the knife is starting to slit their throat.

[Yaelle]

Well, as we see it today, in Judaism it is ok to be angry at Gd, to talk, pray, and struggle with Him and His plan or His creation. On the one hand Gd has honored us to be part of His plan to make the world better; it is what we are put here to do. But on the other hand, this life is DIFFICULT. There are a lot of times when we turn away from Him or at the very least struggle with our tasks or our mistakes. And we should. Children assert themselves with good, loving parents as well. Gd welcomes our struggles and is there for us. Gd put a tiny spark of Him into us (made in His image isn’t about looks) and knows we will give Him some (pardon my French) crap. Lol.