Muslims and the Holocaust

Due to the ongoing cartoon controversy, we've been hearing a lot of talk about not only Europe's "New anti-Semitism" which is directed towards Muslims, but despicable and hateful anti-Semitic acts by some Muslims have been brought to the world's attention as well. Since the new president of Iran also seems to have a view of the Holocaust that's based on popular myth, half-baked theories and sloppy revisionist history, I think this is a subject that many Muslims are in dire need of being educated about. The problem is that in the age of mass media and the Internet, many people are now confusing being duped by agenda-driven propaganda with proper academic research and education.

Insha'llah, the article linked to below will be a good first step in curing Muslims of the ignorance that many of them have about the Holocaust, which is a mutawattir historical fact, and what it should mean to Muslims. I was very happy to find this fine article, since it articulates a point-of-view that more Muslims not only need to hear, but need to stand up and loudly proclaim as well:

On Holocaust Exploiters, Deniers, & Heroes
by Mas'ood Cajee
January 27, 2006

Excerpt: "On the other side, too many Muslim and Arab intellectuals and leaders continue to fail in adequately addressing the Nazi holocaust and its implications for today in meaningful, humanitarian terms."

Excerpt: "An intelligent and compassionate regard for the victims of the Nazi holocaust - Jews, Gypsies, Slavs, the disabled, and others - on the part of contemporary Muslims is critical for preserving ethical and communal integrity, for a just resolution of the Palestinian question and for the future - if there is to be one - of Western Muslims."

Excerpt: "Like their Christian counterparts, the Muslim men and women who rescued Jews during the Holocaust are among history's true heroes, whose stories we should be telling our children and grandchildren. They represent the best of the Abrahamic and Islamic tradition and spirit. May God grant us true moral courage like the rescuers in the face of hardship and adversity. May God - the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful - free us of denying or exploiting the suffering of others."

Yes, my dear fellow Muslims, it's time to put the Jew-hating, anti-Semitism and Holocaust Denial to rest. Sure, you can still oppose Zionism (which is not to be confused with the actual religion of Judaism) and the inhumane policies of the State of Israel, but don't fall into the trap of becoming a one-sided, angry and bigoted hatemonger of everyone that's a member of a particular ethno-religious group. Not only would you not like it if they did the same thing to you, but you'll be falling into the same trap as the Islamophobes who blame all Musims, indeed Islam itself, for the misguided actions of a few militant radicals. Let's avoid both the logical fallacies and the hate-mongering, since they often go hand-in-hand, and get busy trying to make the world a better place. That may sound quaint, but it's really what we're all here for...

Deen On...but please don't forget to read the article.