What we are seeing played out, I think, is more appropriately called "Islamophilia." And one may add in "Stockholm Syndrome" and terror appeasement related to the world's tremendous fear of Islamist terrorism centered in Iran and spreading across the clobe, not to mention "white guilt" as a major factor in the West failing to protect its interests in not becoming part of the global Caliphate.
I beg to disagree. The lived experience of a Muslim is different from what you have outlined. There is no Islamophilia around me. But then you have not lived through this lens either which allows you to comment from a distance. I wonder how many people on chats like these have Muslim colleagues in their workplaces at a professional level and actually try to learn their lived experience at an academic level instead of using a myopic argument limited to hate spewing nonsense. Perhaps you should consider that the hate crimes we have seen in Christchurch and right here in Canada were inspired by such arguments.
I agree that there is Muslim-hatred and that Muslims are afraid, also, especially the majority who want to live in peace. I have learned from Muslims in my community of their concerns and fears. I have also learned that they blame Israel for all of the Palestinian problems, even if they had no connection to the Middle East. In discussion, they may say that the Arab world betrayed Palestinians, but not UNWRA or the UN. They were generally not interested in the history of the Middle East or how and why conflicts have happened, and why the Arab world rejected proposals.for two states, except that they support either a two state solution, which Palestinian leaders do not want, or a one state solution that Israel could not live with (literally).
Muslim people I interact with seem to understand and accept the major wars within Islam. They are tragic, but don't rise to a high.level of concern. Yet, I see great solidarity against Israel. To be sure, Palestinians suffer tremendously. Where we may differ is over why the UN has created and sustained their idea of a right of return and supported textbooks calling for the elimination of Israel. No other refugees from war have been intentionally detained in camps for 75 years, rather than being resettled so they can.move on in their lives. This is on the UNWRA, not Israel, in my opinion.
Yes when we dissect the issues and put hate aside we find agreement within our arguments. That needs to happen more. Why start a thread with hate when we know that we are all feeling it and we can all make it better if we just frame things differently from what this author has done.
The bigotry propagated in these comments and the original message is unbelievable. There are hate crimes committed daily against Muslims including in my own city of London Ontario in Canada where a Muslim family of professionals in health care was mauled down by a driver now convicted of murder and hate crimes by a jury. These are the types of comments and posts that these bigots use to justify their horrific crimes. Those alleging such things should be ashamed of themselves as many of these Muslims are innocent bystanders. I can’t believe in reading such material from people in these posts. The original post provides justification for bigots and superiorists to keep committing such crimes. It is rather racist material and the original post and the comments should be reported and removed. I wonder if the people commenting would want their racist comments shared with their friends and employers
Bigotry can be supported by stereotypes on any side. It is not bigotry to be afraid, although it can be nased in bias. Like Christianity, Islam is a supremacist religion and culture. Unlike Christianity, Islam is younger and still has many more people who believe that the West is Satanic and infidels and needs to accept the Muslim faith. This includes Muslims who have moved to the West and feel out of place and discriminated against. They seem to feel like dhimmis in the West and some become radicalized. Most do not, of course.
We are all biased. The lived experiences of Jews and Muslims are very different. My grandparent's generation overwhelmingly lived as an oppressed and endangered minority wherever they were in the world. The vast majority of Arabs lived in a majority Muslim country.
Islam spread from the Arabian peninsula to dominate the Middle East, North Africa, most of Asia and much of Africa, and much Europe. It is supremacist and expansionist while Chriatinity is shrinking and in retreat in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The Muslim populations are growing quickly, even in Gaza and other Palestinian areas. Today, Jewish people are two tenths of a percent of the world population and basically at the population level we were at in 1939.
I ask that you consider that Israel and the Jewish people have ample reason to fear Islamism. Most Muslims want to share the world with other peoples. However, millions simply do not. And most Muslims are, by human nature and culture, unlikely to use force to restrain those who seek expansion and violence. And there we are.
B'nai Brith Canada keeps excellent records of anti-Semitic incidents and other incidents of racism in Canada. Their statistics about which groups get attacked most often are also available and even used by mainstream Canadian media which is often "anti Israel"! But if you have an equally reliable source for racist attacks against Canadian Muslims, by all means provide it. You can check out B'nai Brith Canada's website by googling it.
Why don't you instead come to London Ontario and see for your own self the impact of an Islamophobic attack on a city, a community, a family and a people. These were health care workers contributing to society. Just like visiting Aushcwitz would make anyone teary, this too in a modern society would do the same. And yes learning about each other's victimization at the hands of bigots is different from spreading hate and justifying Islamophobia which is what this racist post and thread has become. No such public murderous act has been committed against other religious groups as happened here in London Ontario in broad daylight. So spread education and not hate. Disrespecting our elected PM is not a very mature position to take either.
I am not underplaying the attack you speak of. It was horrific. However, in every major city Jewish community centres, synagogues, schools, etc. are CONSTANTLY vandalized with anti-Semitic graffitti. After Oct 7/23, when Hamas and their colleagues declared worldwide Jihad against Jews, several Jewish centers in Montreal (where I live) were shot at, and one was damaged by a molotov cocktail. Anti-Semitic incidents have been occurring constantly for many years across Canada but especially in areas where there are large Muslim populations. The Imams at some Canadian mosques speak out openly against Jews. (It's on record with B'nai Brith). Conversely, Jewish synagogues and organizations DO NOT try to incite hatred and violence against anyone....even Muslims who hate us.
Have you seen the number of mosques vandalized, burnt and attacked? And I can assure you that the perpetrators of these crimes are NOT our peaceful Jewish neighbours with whom we have many peaceful interfaith dialogues and interfaith activities. It is rather the white supremacists who hate us both but use the Islamophobic lingo perpetrated against us by the world to justify their crimes. Therefore it is wrong, racist and prejudiced to put out such posts that endanger us both by giving ammunition to supremacists that still use ugly Nazi symbols in mosques and synagogues alike. When will wr realize that hate in any form is just wrong whether putting down the Islamophobic narrative or forgetting the holocoaust. What the writer here has done is the former which is just as bad as the latter!
I agree with you that in Canada, there is still an element of right-wing extremists who hate Muslims, Jews, anyone who isn’t white Christian of European descent. They must be opposed – always. Which is why B’nai Brith Canada is committed to reporting all racial incidents reported to them; not just the anti-Semitic ones. But the Muslim-Jewish problem is stemming from fundamentalist Muslim states who have never wanted a non-Muslim country in that part of the world and point to the Qu’ran to justify Jew hatred. They have been very effective in spreading hate, violence and lies against Israel and in supporting causes that allow anti-Semitism and other forms of racism to flourish all over the world. They have also taken control of the United Nations with the help of such non-democratic countries as Russia and China, along with a Western “cultural Marxist” elite that wants to destabilize the West. (I’ve been studying international politics for 25 years and all of this is very complicated.) I will always work against this. Most Jews dream of living in peace with all non-Jews, whether in Israel or other countries, like Canada. But for Jews – in this day and age – we must be concerned primarily with survival.
I want to add something. Most of the Muslim individuals I interacted with in Montreal were kind, polite, helpful. In fact their manners were better, on average, than other Montrealers. One of these lovely Muslims is a Syrian lady. I would want her as a friend except for the fact that her Facebook activity supports Muslim causes that want Jews and Israel destroyed. I literally weep at this. Why does it have to be this way? The answer, I am sad to say, is that you have a religion/ideology that just hates Jews. That won't change any time soon and I believe you know it, even if you won't admit it.
The correct thing to do would be to explore that persons experience. Maybe she lost a family member at the hands of the IDF. For a long time Jewish people hated Germans even after the defeat of Germany and the fall of the Nazis. Why not start building bridges instead of walls. This person may respond positively to dialogue. You just never know what reaching out can accomplish over continued segregation. By the way my best friend is Jewish and we lament at the world together.
I have thought about discussing this with her but frankly, I am afraid to. I don't want to damage the pleasant relationship we have and I fear this will happen if we discuss politics.
Josh, your article is "spot on". As a Canadian, burdened for too many years under the yoke of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's left-of-liberal wokism, I've had to hear him invoke the word "Islamophobia" every time any mention is made of anti-Semitism. This, despite the fact that attacks against Muslim communities in Canada are relatively few while anti-Semitic attacks are through the roof. Canada's Muslims outnumber Jewish Canadians by at least 20 to 1, so we haven't been hearing much push-back against this from Trudeau's political opponents either. For most Canadian politicians it comes down to numbers: There are more Muslim voters than Jewish voters so guess who is going to get thrown under the bus? So far, Trudeau has led the charge among Commonwealth countries in voting for Israeli ceasefires in UN resolutions and I'm not hearing about any groundswell of support for Israel from other quarters in Canada. I read a saying lately on Facebook (the author eludes me, sorry) to the effect that what every Diaspora Jew must do is study Torah and have an Israeli bank account. I'm already engaged in the former and working on setting up the latter. Am Yisroel Chai.
Everything is correct. Why is the word Islamophobia negative? Islamophobia is not hatred of Islam, it is fear of what Islam brings. Why shouldn't a resident of Israel be afraid when Islam proclaims the destruction of Israel? Why should a European not be afraid when he sees adherents of Islam enjoying all the rights in his country, but refusing to fulfill his duties? Why can’t a resident of a Muslim country be afraid that he will be considered an insufficiently correct Muslim or will help an infidel?
They all have the right to be afraid, because they have very good reasons.
But as soon as they dare to say so, they are met with the wrath of suicidal human rights activists, terrorists, fanatics and criminal organizations using Islam as a cover.
Islamophobia is a defense, and if it appears, then it is not a problem of those who have it, but of those who allowed it.
I agree completely. In Canada, Muslims tried to have Sharia Law recognized as legal in Muslim communities in two provinces. It was rejected, thankfully. In Montreal some years ago, a group of Muslims petitioned the government to have "halel" meat served in publicly funded daycares. The nerve! We Jews would never ask that kosher meat be the norm in secular Canadian spaces (we'd bring our own if necessary). Again thankfully, the Muslim demand was rejected. So yes, Islamophobia is legitimate.
I recommend this book: Can “The Whole World” Be Wrong? by Richard Landes
Islamophobia is the direct result of reading the Koran, combined with reading Shariah law, the Hadith, and dealing with Islamo-Fascism.
Is it fear or is it survival instinct?
Thank you for this article. How right you are. This fundamentalist nightmare is shocking. Why are people so gullible?
No. Followers of Islam should get rid of their ideology if they want this to stop. They must accept all as they expect everyone else to do.
I'm with you Josh 💯 %.
What we are seeing played out, I think, is more appropriately called "Islamophilia." And one may add in "Stockholm Syndrome" and terror appeasement related to the world's tremendous fear of Islamist terrorism centered in Iran and spreading across the clobe, not to mention "white guilt" as a major factor in the West failing to protect its interests in not becoming part of the global Caliphate.
I beg to disagree. The lived experience of a Muslim is different from what you have outlined. There is no Islamophilia around me. But then you have not lived through this lens either which allows you to comment from a distance. I wonder how many people on chats like these have Muslim colleagues in their workplaces at a professional level and actually try to learn their lived experience at an academic level instead of using a myopic argument limited to hate spewing nonsense. Perhaps you should consider that the hate crimes we have seen in Christchurch and right here in Canada were inspired by such arguments.
I agree that there is Muslim-hatred and that Muslims are afraid, also, especially the majority who want to live in peace. I have learned from Muslims in my community of their concerns and fears. I have also learned that they blame Israel for all of the Palestinian problems, even if they had no connection to the Middle East. In discussion, they may say that the Arab world betrayed Palestinians, but not UNWRA or the UN. They were generally not interested in the history of the Middle East or how and why conflicts have happened, and why the Arab world rejected proposals.for two states, except that they support either a two state solution, which Palestinian leaders do not want, or a one state solution that Israel could not live with (literally).
Muslim people I interact with seem to understand and accept the major wars within Islam. They are tragic, but don't rise to a high.level of concern. Yet, I see great solidarity against Israel. To be sure, Palestinians suffer tremendously. Where we may differ is over why the UN has created and sustained their idea of a right of return and supported textbooks calling for the elimination of Israel. No other refugees from war have been intentionally detained in camps for 75 years, rather than being resettled so they can.move on in their lives. This is on the UNWRA, not Israel, in my opinion.
Yes when we dissect the issues and put hate aside we find agreement within our arguments. That needs to happen more. Why start a thread with hate when we know that we are all feeling it and we can all make it better if we just frame things differently from what this author has done.
The bigotry propagated in these comments and the original message is unbelievable. There are hate crimes committed daily against Muslims including in my own city of London Ontario in Canada where a Muslim family of professionals in health care was mauled down by a driver now convicted of murder and hate crimes by a jury. These are the types of comments and posts that these bigots use to justify their horrific crimes. Those alleging such things should be ashamed of themselves as many of these Muslims are innocent bystanders. I can’t believe in reading such material from people in these posts. The original post provides justification for bigots and superiorists to keep committing such crimes. It is rather racist material and the original post and the comments should be reported and removed. I wonder if the people commenting would want their racist comments shared with their friends and employers
Yeah, daily. If that were so, The New York Times would be all over it.
Bigotry can be supported by stereotypes on any side. It is not bigotry to be afraid, although it can be nased in bias. Like Christianity, Islam is a supremacist religion and culture. Unlike Christianity, Islam is younger and still has many more people who believe that the West is Satanic and infidels and needs to accept the Muslim faith. This includes Muslims who have moved to the West and feel out of place and discriminated against. They seem to feel like dhimmis in the West and some become radicalized. Most do not, of course.
We are all biased. The lived experiences of Jews and Muslims are very different. My grandparent's generation overwhelmingly lived as an oppressed and endangered minority wherever they were in the world. The vast majority of Arabs lived in a majority Muslim country.
Islam spread from the Arabian peninsula to dominate the Middle East, North Africa, most of Asia and much of Africa, and much Europe. It is supremacist and expansionist while Chriatinity is shrinking and in retreat in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The Muslim populations are growing quickly, even in Gaza and other Palestinian areas. Today, Jewish people are two tenths of a percent of the world population and basically at the population level we were at in 1939.
I ask that you consider that Israel and the Jewish people have ample reason to fear Islamism. Most Muslims want to share the world with other peoples. However, millions simply do not. And most Muslims are, by human nature and culture, unlikely to use force to restrain those who seek expansion and violence. And there we are.
B'nai Brith Canada keeps excellent records of anti-Semitic incidents and other incidents of racism in Canada. Their statistics about which groups get attacked most often are also available and even used by mainstream Canadian media which is often "anti Israel"! But if you have an equally reliable source for racist attacks against Canadian Muslims, by all means provide it. You can check out B'nai Brith Canada's website by googling it.
Why don't you instead come to London Ontario and see for your own self the impact of an Islamophobic attack on a city, a community, a family and a people. These were health care workers contributing to society. Just like visiting Aushcwitz would make anyone teary, this too in a modern society would do the same. And yes learning about each other's victimization at the hands of bigots is different from spreading hate and justifying Islamophobia which is what this racist post and thread has become. No such public murderous act has been committed against other religious groups as happened here in London Ontario in broad daylight. So spread education and not hate. Disrespecting our elected PM is not a very mature position to take either.
I am not underplaying the attack you speak of. It was horrific. However, in every major city Jewish community centres, synagogues, schools, etc. are CONSTANTLY vandalized with anti-Semitic graffitti. After Oct 7/23, when Hamas and their colleagues declared worldwide Jihad against Jews, several Jewish centers in Montreal (where I live) were shot at, and one was damaged by a molotov cocktail. Anti-Semitic incidents have been occurring constantly for many years across Canada but especially in areas where there are large Muslim populations. The Imams at some Canadian mosques speak out openly against Jews. (It's on record with B'nai Brith). Conversely, Jewish synagogues and organizations DO NOT try to incite hatred and violence against anyone....even Muslims who hate us.
Have you seen the number of mosques vandalized, burnt and attacked? And I can assure you that the perpetrators of these crimes are NOT our peaceful Jewish neighbours with whom we have many peaceful interfaith dialogues and interfaith activities. It is rather the white supremacists who hate us both but use the Islamophobic lingo perpetrated against us by the world to justify their crimes. Therefore it is wrong, racist and prejudiced to put out such posts that endanger us both by giving ammunition to supremacists that still use ugly Nazi symbols in mosques and synagogues alike. When will wr realize that hate in any form is just wrong whether putting down the Islamophobic narrative or forgetting the holocoaust. What the writer here has done is the former which is just as bad as the latter!
I agree with you that in Canada, there is still an element of right-wing extremists who hate Muslims, Jews, anyone who isn’t white Christian of European descent. They must be opposed – always. Which is why B’nai Brith Canada is committed to reporting all racial incidents reported to them; not just the anti-Semitic ones. But the Muslim-Jewish problem is stemming from fundamentalist Muslim states who have never wanted a non-Muslim country in that part of the world and point to the Qu’ran to justify Jew hatred. They have been very effective in spreading hate, violence and lies against Israel and in supporting causes that allow anti-Semitism and other forms of racism to flourish all over the world. They have also taken control of the United Nations with the help of such non-democratic countries as Russia and China, along with a Western “cultural Marxist” elite that wants to destabilize the West. (I’ve been studying international politics for 25 years and all of this is very complicated.) I will always work against this. Most Jews dream of living in peace with all non-Jews, whether in Israel or other countries, like Canada. But for Jews – in this day and age – we must be concerned primarily with survival.
I want to add something. Most of the Muslim individuals I interacted with in Montreal were kind, polite, helpful. In fact their manners were better, on average, than other Montrealers. One of these lovely Muslims is a Syrian lady. I would want her as a friend except for the fact that her Facebook activity supports Muslim causes that want Jews and Israel destroyed. I literally weep at this. Why does it have to be this way? The answer, I am sad to say, is that you have a religion/ideology that just hates Jews. That won't change any time soon and I believe you know it, even if you won't admit it.
The correct thing to do would be to explore that persons experience. Maybe she lost a family member at the hands of the IDF. For a long time Jewish people hated Germans even after the defeat of Germany and the fall of the Nazis. Why not start building bridges instead of walls. This person may respond positively to dialogue. You just never know what reaching out can accomplish over continued segregation. By the way my best friend is Jewish and we lament at the world together.
I have thought about discussing this with her but frankly, I am afraid to. I don't want to damage the pleasant relationship we have and I fear this will happen if we discuss politics.
But I will think about what you wrote.
Josh, your article is "spot on". As a Canadian, burdened for too many years under the yoke of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's left-of-liberal wokism, I've had to hear him invoke the word "Islamophobia" every time any mention is made of anti-Semitism. This, despite the fact that attacks against Muslim communities in Canada are relatively few while anti-Semitic attacks are through the roof. Canada's Muslims outnumber Jewish Canadians by at least 20 to 1, so we haven't been hearing much push-back against this from Trudeau's political opponents either. For most Canadian politicians it comes down to numbers: There are more Muslim voters than Jewish voters so guess who is going to get thrown under the bus? So far, Trudeau has led the charge among Commonwealth countries in voting for Israeli ceasefires in UN resolutions and I'm not hearing about any groundswell of support for Israel from other quarters in Canada. I read a saying lately on Facebook (the author eludes me, sorry) to the effect that what every Diaspora Jew must do is study Torah and have an Israeli bank account. I'm already engaged in the former and working on setting up the latter. Am Yisroel Chai.
Everything is correct. Why is the word Islamophobia negative? Islamophobia is not hatred of Islam, it is fear of what Islam brings. Why shouldn't a resident of Israel be afraid when Islam proclaims the destruction of Israel? Why should a European not be afraid when he sees adherents of Islam enjoying all the rights in his country, but refusing to fulfill his duties? Why can’t a resident of a Muslim country be afraid that he will be considered an insufficiently correct Muslim or will help an infidel?
They all have the right to be afraid, because they have very good reasons.
But as soon as they dare to say so, they are met with the wrath of suicidal human rights activists, terrorists, fanatics and criminal organizations using Islam as a cover.
Islamophobia is a defense, and if it appears, then it is not a problem of those who have it, but of those who allowed it.
I agree completely. In Canada, Muslims tried to have Sharia Law recognized as legal in Muslim communities in two provinces. It was rejected, thankfully. In Montreal some years ago, a group of Muslims petitioned the government to have "halel" meat served in publicly funded daycares. The nerve! We Jews would never ask that kosher meat be the norm in secular Canadian spaces (we'd bring our own if necessary). Again thankfully, the Muslim demand was rejected. So yes, Islamophobia is legitimate.
I could not disagree more.
Islam is Satanism.