Christchurch Vigils, Opportunities For Some

In the aftermath of the brutal shootings in which 50 Muslims were murdered in Christchurch, New Zealand, vigils were held all over the world. People gathered, generally at Mosques to show support and fellowship, people left flowers at entrances to Mosques. The upsurge of sympathy and support was almost overwhelming for most Muslims including myself. It was disappointing that our local imams could not gather their wits enough to tailor their sermons around the murders and help their congregations try to figure out what to do about all this Islamophobia. Even today, over a week after the murders, Imams do not have the nerve or the wits to talk about the murders.

Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) did organize a gathering  for people of all faiths and persuasions, to mark their support with their presence. I got there a little early and even so, was confronted by crowds of people coming into the auditorium. To my surprise, there were some snacks also available. On such gatherings, I am always delighted to meet some friends I have not met in ages; people I love but Life does not permit an intersection of our paths. This was such an event as well but it was so well-attended that I could not meet as many people as I had hoped, some I saw from a distance only.

The evening began with recitation of passages from the Quran followed by words of support and sympathy from some faith-leaders and politicians. I saw many I knew including some with whom I had cordial relations, almost every faith was represented. It was a fine demonstration of support.

I noted a few politicians who were very clear about condemning what had happened in New Zealand but were absent and silent when Muslims were being persecuted right here in Washington State.

When Hate and Fear bite back…

“Is Louis Farrakhan Tearing Apart The Women’s March?”  Aiden Pink

Dear Aiden,

I read with interest, your March 13th article on The Forward about women’s March and Rev Farrakhan, It was in a link in the latest Forward .

“Why Jewish Women Should Stand By The Women’s March – Farrakhan Or No” by Sara Bobkoff

Clearly, these are bad times for minorities…Jews, Muslims, Hispanics, Blacks, everyone. After the tragic butchery at the Pittsburg Temple, I hear a lot of anguished voices from may Jewish leaders, writers and organizations and quite rightly, the remains of the racial biases and hate that the Trump regime and the Republican Party are promoting will stay with us for at least a generation or more.

My disappointment however, is with some Jewish organizations and Temples.

Interfaith visit to Israel

Every year across the US, the pro-Israel Jewish leaders run a campaign of getting Muslims to visit Israel (“The Holy Land!”) on an interfaith basis with Leaders from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. Every year enough gullible Muslims can be found to validate the “interfaith-ness” of the tour for which they pay with their own money. The tours are guided, structured and little time is permitted for the visitors to actually do some digging of their own, into the miseries being suffered by Christian and Muslim Palestinians…those who are in Gaza, world’s largest Concentration Camp or, those on the West Bank who are surrounded by State-supported Jewish killers whose goal is to kill or terrorize the Christian and Muslim Palestinians out of Israel. People return from the trip hoping to have made an impression on their Jewish friends, that they are indeed, “moderate Muslims” while the right-wing Christians return with more fervor to help raise more money for Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. None of them are exposed to the dark underbelly of the Jewish state where Palestinians are battered, maimed and killed at will, by Israeli military their security services and their civilians.

I strongly believe that until Israel changes to a land where everyone can live in safety, peace and justice, Muslims should NEVER be a part of any “interfaith” delegation to that monstrous country.

This year is no different. Once again the Jewish leaders are on the move, recruiting gullible Muslims who sometimes borrow or scrape money to be a part of such an “interfaith” project. In Seattle area, this project is being led by Rabbi Jim Mirel. Yes, this is the same lovable Rabbi Jim Mirel who

ISIS volunteers and IDF (Israel) Volunteers

“More British Muslims Fight for Islamic State Than Britain“,  “Somali-Americans leave homes, friends in Minnesota to fight alongside ISIS jihadis” scream just a few of the headlines in the Media recently.

I detest ISIS and all other fanatics fighting as Muslims, whether they do so in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan or, anywhere else. These people think they are protecting and promoting Islam, by brutally killing anyone…Muslim or not…who does not subscribe to their own narrow belief system. They  are oppressive and their ways of killing are brutal. Psychopathic would perhaps be a better way of describing their behavior, because they kill without any thought.

Do Jews Really Hate Muslims?

I didn’t really want to go to the AJC event, I was pretty sure it would be another Muslim-bash session and who wants to go and get bashed in public?

• The Alarming Return of Anti-Semitism in Europe…by Daniel Schwammenthal, Director of AJC’s Transatlantic Institute, located in Brussels
  Presented by the AJC at the Stroum Jewish Community Center.

Still, I told myself, it is unfair to judge the outcome of an event I haven’t even seen and isn’t it a bit on the biased side myself, to pre-judge negatively? Thus self-chastened, I decided I should go and see what the return of Anti-Semitism in Europe is all about.