End this moral distortion- Brief dialogue with Sivan Koren
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah, The Exalted, said:
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَاۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا
O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [An-Nisaa. 135]
In the above article, one of the things Sivan Koren mentioned was that: [“Academia, which should symbolize openness and respectful dialogue, has in many cases transformed into an arena where hate is legitimized.
The disturbing case at Columbia University serves as a stark warning. A professor who praised Hamas’s brutal attack – which led to the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis – was allowed to teach a course on Zionism. How can someone like this be entrusted with teaching the history of the Jewish people? This decision is not only a moral affront but also evidence of a profound ethical distortion and irresponsibility on the part of the institution’s leadership”]. [End of quote]
Response:
Firstly, Sivan expresses significant disapproval of the professor’s conduct and finds it unreasonable to permit him to instruct on Jewish history. Indeed, it is noteworthy that individuals who adopt a balanced and equitable perspective on this issue are exceedingly rare. Many either rationalise the actions of Hamas against civilians and non-combatants or, conversely, remain silent regarding the disproportionate retaliation executed by Netanyahu’s Zionist forces. Others may manipulate the narrative, attempting to obscure the fact that this conflict, despite the indefensible nature of Hamas’s unlawful killings, has persisted for over 70 years, marked by relentless Zionist aggression. Furthermore, the question of whether one condemns Hamas has been reiterated by numerous Zionists and journalists, to which principled individuals have responded with clarity, as evidenced in the reply:
“Do you condemn Hamas?”, “we condemn everyone who opposes the Divine Legislation by killing innocent civilians, including non-combatant men, the elderly, women, children, priests, monks and the likes, no matter who they are, Muslim or non-Muslim, whether ISIS, al-Qaeda, Hamas, Boko Haram or Benjamin Mileikowsky, the IDF, Settlers and their likes. Our condemnation is on the basis that such actions are unjust and oppose Divine Legislation and not because of the race or ethnicity or religion of the perpetrators, and thus we are able to maintain moral consistency and integrity. This is unlike Western politicians who are able to swiftly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and support Ukraine (the invaded and occupied in this case) with money and weapons for resistance, but unwilling to condemn the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Gazans, while supporting the Mileikowsky regime with bombs, missiles and military hardware to facilitate the execution of that genocide and ethnic cleansing”. [1] [End of quote]
It is imperative to consider that should this Anti-Zionist professor have indeed lauded the actions of Hamas, no rational individual would find merit in his assertions, provided that such statements were made explicitly and not distorted by sensationalist narratives. The abhorrent nature of taking innocent lives has already been sufficiently addressed. Furthermore, some Zionist leaders, including Netanyahu, have also made profoundly reckless remarks, thus, they must be condemned openly. Unlawful killing is to be openly condemned, irrespective of the faith or political position of its perpetrators, be they Jewish, Christian, or Muslim. Explore the link below to discover some dangerous statements made by certain Zionist figureheads: https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2024/08/14/brief-observation-on-elon-musks-proposal-the-second-thing-is-to-change-the-education-so-that-a-new-generation-of-murderers-is-not-created/
Perhaps, one of the most compelling admonitions on this subject comes from Prince Turki Al-Faisal, may Allah protect him. Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3-cWyFcK5w
Secondly, just as we would reject the assertions made by this professor if he indeed expressed such views, it is equally important to critically evaluate the claims made by journalists such as Melanie Phillips, who commands a larger audience and has previously commented on a subject grounded in research, saying: [Islamophobia is a bogus label”. She said “the taunt of Islamophobia is used to silence any criticism of the Islamic world, including Islamic extremism” and “facilitates” antisemitism].[2]
If Melanie’s assertion pertains to individuals who level accusations against any group of Jews without substantiation or harbor animosity towards them solely based on their ethnicity, it is imperative that the claims of those who profess to experience Islamophobia be rigorously examined. Such individuals may themselves exhibit prejudice, and their assertions could merely represent an unwarranted response to critiques of their behavior. This is why the issue of anti-Semitism has been previously addressed, highlighting its unequivocal condemnation within Islam. Read: https://abuiyaad.com/sn/muslims-antisemitism
However, it’s essential to ensure that this rejection of anti-Semitism does not serve as a pretext to suppress candid and open dialogue, nor to hinder the presentation of concrete evidence regarding the atrocities committed by Zionists. For over seventy years, Zionists have relentlessly pursued dominance, inflicting suffering, displacement, and humiliation upon the Palestinian people. In addition, Netanyahu quotes abrogated scriptures to justify acts of aggression. Read: ttps://abuiyaad.com/a/amalekite-genocide-doctrine-gaza
As for if Melanie’s assertion that “Islamophobia is a bogus label” was intended to suggest that Muslims do not face hatred or discrimination based on their faith, this is indeed reflects a significant misunderstanding of the realities faced by many individuals within the Muslim community. However, we will refrain from making definitive conclusions about her statement, allowing for multiple interpretations and contexts. We will not assert that Melanie endorses any particular interpretation until she provides further clarification regarding her intended message, whether it aligns with one of the interpretations we have proposed or presents a different perspective altogether. Read: https://www.salafisounds.com/the-way-forward-for-muslim-minorities-living-in-an-atmosphere-of-anti-islamic-sentiment-reflections-after-the-massacre-in-new-zealand-by-abu-khadeejah/
As for criticism against the Islamic world, even though the religion of Islam is the final path ordained by the Creator, it does not mean that Muslims are infallible, rather, they are humans who will make mistakes just as any other human being. As for Islam itself, it can never be criticised because it is infallible, and none criticises it except a confused or biased individual. As for extremism, no sane Muslim who understand the revelation – the Qur’an and Sunnah – will condone it, but it is not determined based on human ideas or philosophies or the opinion of ideologues, demagogues and rabble-rousers regarding what is or not extremism, rather, extremism is anything that goes beyond what is legislated just as negligence is anything that falls short in a blameworthy manner.
With regards to criticism directed towards the Islamic world, it should made absolutely clear that while Islam is the seal of the divine paths ordained by the Creator and its texts are infallible and protected till the end of time, this does not imply that Muslims are infallible; they are, like all humans, susceptible to error. The essence of Islam itself remains beyond reproach, as it is considered infallible, and critiques typically arise from individuals who are either misinformed or biased. Regarding extremism, it is important to note that no rational Muslim, who comprehends the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah, would endorse such behavior. However, extremism should not be defined by subjective human ideologies or the perspectives of ideologues, demagogues, and provocateurs. Instead, it is characterized as any action that exceeds the boundaries of what is legislated, just as negligence is defined as any negligence that is deemed blameworthy. Visit: http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
Thirdly, this Melanie also stated: [Across the world, when nations go to war, the average is 1-9: 9 civilians to every combatant killed. 1-1 is unheard of. No country in the world has ever managed to reduce the number of civilians killed in the way that Israel has. Israel is being accused by the prosecutor of the international criminal court of wilfully killing civilians. International law and human rights law has not stopped any of these things. It has not stopped Putin, it has not stopped China…it has not stopped Asad to kill untold thousands of people. It doesn’t stop tyrants. That’s why human rights law has now unfortunately, generally human rights culture, human rights law, human rights institutions, the ICC, the ICJ, the international Court of Justice, the United Nations, the big NGOs (non-governmental organisations) that deal with human rights, they’ve all been captured by an ideology which basically says, “Jewish State of Israel must go”]. [3]
Response:
The inevitability of collateral damage in warfare is universally acknowledged, irrespective of the party that instigates the conflict. Innocent individuals, who neither initiated nor wished for the war, invariably suffer. Melanie’s portrayal of the actions of the Zionist State attempts to present them as humane and just, yet it is crucial to recognize that, over the past seventy years, no group has endured greater suffering at the hands of the Zionists than the Palestinians. For Muslims from any nation, the past 75 years have been marked by the harrowing accounts of their grandparents, who have either witnessed or heard of the atrocities committed by the Zionists. Furthermore, they continue to observe the ongoing violence justified under the guise of self-defense and retaliation. Regardless of the parties responsible for unlawful killings in conflicts, the Zionists have undeniably played a significant role in the suffering experienced by the Palestinians. [See Footnote a]
As for Melanie’s general examination and perspective on international law and human rights, it has been addressed by individuals who possess a true fear of Allah, and the implications of their insights have already been acknowledged. [See Footnote b]
Finally, it is important to acknowledge that if the organizations referenced by Melanie are opposing the Zionists for legitimate reasons, particularly in light of the atrocities committed over the past seventy-five years, especially in recent times, they deserve recognition for their efforts. However, it is essential to remind Melanie that some of these organizations, notably the United Nations, were historically employed by colonial powers to assist Zionists in dispossessing Palestinians of their land, property, dignity, and security. This is an undeniable aspect of history that cannot be overlooked. While it may be convenient for Melanie to assert that these organizations are acting against the Zionist State, it is crucial to recognize that the same UN has been utilized by Christian Zionist ideologues to facilitate the gradual appropriation of land by Zionists up to the present day. A thorough examination of the historical context surrounding these events is necessary. Read a brief historical account on these links:
The Initial Rise and Gradual Impact of Christian Zionism on Some European Political Decision-makers
An Overview of Christian Zionism in America Since the Arrival of The Puritans
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Footnote a:
[2] The virtue of saving a life – [Reminder to those denying Zionist War Crimes]
https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2024/12/16/the-virtue-of-saving-a-life/
Foonote b:
https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2024/10/31/an-overview-and-general-examination-of-certain-implications-of-human-rights/
[1] https://abuiyaad.com/a/amalekite-genocide-doctrine-gaza
[2] Guadian Online article by Jim Waterson Media editor, Tue 17 Dec 2019 21.28 GMT
[3] https://youtu.be/TzAzJHbjSe0?si=zZ4AEkxP5stpDeNH