Progress? Progress...!
What a lovely thing to know, how utterly heartening. Does this mean, perforce, that the immovable can be moved after all? Sheikh Abdullah Nimr Darwish, the founder of the Islamic Movement in Israel, appearing before the Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism, taking place in Jerusalem actually permitted his mouth to form words of rejection.
Not, on this occasion, rejection of Israel and its place in the geography of Islamic chauvinism, but rejection of the Holocaust denial issuing from the mouth of Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This is monumental. This is beyond marvellous. Israel can certainly do business with this man. In fact, those present representing the Jewish cause were beside themselves with joy. And with good reason. Penetration at last.
"Tell all who deny the Holocaust to ask the Germans what they did or did not do." Thus said the worthy Sheikh Darwish, taking away the breath of his rapt listeners. Of course he also remonstrated with those same listeners, accusing them of "not understanding Muslims or their concerns" and he may be right. In all likelihood, he is right. It is rather difficult, in the light of history, ancient and current to 'understand Muslims'. But we're trying. I think we're trying.
It is rather trying, truth to tell. How does one understand Muslims? On the face of the evidence shoved into the horrified faces of victims of Muslim violence? Or by the word of peace and goodwill that faithful Muslims and their clerics avow? Do we doubt their sincerity when they protest only when they fear their interests are being denied, when we think their mass protests, often turned violent, could be put to good use in denying the horror visited upon others in the name of their religion...?
"Why are you trying to distance yourselves from Muslims as if they were the devil?" he asked. And that deserves a response. In the case of Israel there is likely plenty of room to give thought to his plea, for that is what it amounts to. In appearing before such a forum, taking the case for his people, his culture, his religion, his rightful concerns to those who should muse upon them in the interests of progress, he demonstrates his honesty.
But when he equates Muslim/Palestinian needs being overlooked by Israel's refusal to support the Saudi-enhanced peace initiative between two terrorist militias whose political arms Israel must come to the bargaining table with to engage in peace talks, he is being rather naive. Trust a jihadist-Islamist cabal whose stated up-front interest is in the removal of the State of Israel and restoration in its place of a Palestinian State? What is there to trust?
Sheikh Darwish had opened his speech by the admission that it was not an easy decision for him to arrive at, to speak before the forum. The potential back-lash from his religious colleagues across the Muslim world worried him. But, he said, he decided to present himself and his case "out of duty to God". Obviously, a man to be trusted, a good man, a man one would wish to have stand beside one for the goodness in his heart.
Anti-Semitic texts and statements throughout the Muslim world don't truly express the true spirit of Islam, he said. "I know that many of you have read very dark and harsh texts. The people who wrote them have no right to sign off on them in the name of Islam. These are interpretations and not the words of the Prophet." Well, we knew that, didn't we? It's just refreshing, a relief to hear those words from one such as he.
Attention, he went on, shouldn't be paid to Holocaust-deniers because "it only gives them something to do. Do you think I suffer less than you when I hear statements by Ahmadinejad or Bin Ladin?" he asked. Bitterly, he said the Arab world is now supportive of the recognition of Israel, but it is the Jews who are in denial, unwilling to accept tacit recognition, insistent on having the words spelled out, writ large, not to be denied.
Yes, yes, yes. Say it loud, say it clearly, write it down concisely, carefully for posterity.
Labels: Middle East
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, February 11, 2007
<< Home