Islamic Heritage Celebration at Marquette
Just announced, Islamic Awareness Week, with a variety of events, ranging from a “Gaza Conflict Memorial” to a film called “Stand Up: Muslim American Comics Come of Age.”
We have been rather critical of the Arab Student Association (not the same as the Muslim Student Association) for rabid hostility toward Israel and the Jews.
But again, the Arab Student Association is not the Muslim Student Association. So are we going to have the same sort of bias that the Arab Student Association has shown?
We particularly wondered what the “Gaza Conflict Memorial” will be like. But now we know. One of the speakers is going to be hard-leftist Simon Harak, who can be counted on to blame the whole situation on Israel -- and throw in a lot of anti-Americanism too.
There is a movie titled “Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain.” It pushes the now politically correct notion that when Muslims ruled Spain, all was sweetness and light -- a nice piece of mythology that sounds good, but is historically suspect.
The trip to the Islamic Center is also interesting, since Othman Atta, the president of that organization has defended Hamas’ rocket attacks on Israel, and blamed the entire situation on the Jewish state. Another person associated with the Center, Zulfiqar Ali Shah, was associated with a “charity” that raised money for Hamas.
Not all the events are so suspect. We wonder what feminists think about the “Hijab Wrapping Workshop,” for example.
Perhaps it is normal for Muslim students to take the “Muslin” side of conflicts in places like the Middle East. But that doesn’t require wanting an end to Israel. And it doesn’t require a defense of terrorism. Some parts of this program risk reinforcing the stereotype of Muslims as violent and extreme.
We have been rather critical of the Arab Student Association (not the same as the Muslim Student Association) for rabid hostility toward Israel and the Jews.
But again, the Arab Student Association is not the Muslim Student Association. So are we going to have the same sort of bias that the Arab Student Association has shown?
We particularly wondered what the “Gaza Conflict Memorial” will be like. But now we know. One of the speakers is going to be hard-leftist Simon Harak, who can be counted on to blame the whole situation on Israel -- and throw in a lot of anti-Americanism too.
There is a movie titled “Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain.” It pushes the now politically correct notion that when Muslims ruled Spain, all was sweetness and light -- a nice piece of mythology that sounds good, but is historically suspect.
The trip to the Islamic Center is also interesting, since Othman Atta, the president of that organization has defended Hamas’ rocket attacks on Israel, and blamed the entire situation on the Jewish state. Another person associated with the Center, Zulfiqar Ali Shah, was associated with a “charity” that raised money for Hamas.
Not all the events are so suspect. We wonder what feminists think about the “Hijab Wrapping Workshop,” for example.
Perhaps it is normal for Muslim students to take the “Muslin” side of conflicts in places like the Middle East. But that doesn’t require wanting an end to Israel. And it doesn’t require a defense of terrorism. Some parts of this program risk reinforcing the stereotype of Muslims as violent and extreme.
Labels: Marquette University, Muslim Student Association, Muslim Students
posted by John McAdams at 2:54 PM
4 Comments:
I've read several of your post about the situation in Gaza, and the Israeli Palenstian conflict in general. I am left unclear on one aspect of your position. Hamas, you rightly identify, as rather violent, and no only bad for Israel but awful for the Palestinian people.
But here is where I am curious .. . do you think the fault and cause of the conflict is all on the side of the Palestinians? Or do you think Iughtsrael too has acted in way it o not - i.e, checkpoints, home demolitions, occupation and settlement against U. N. law, phsycial abuse of Palenstians by Israeli soliders, over aggressive retaliation(e.g., killing over 1,000 Palenstians and devastating Gaza these last few weeks).
Don't get me wrong. I don not support terror attacks on Israel, and do not oppose the existence of that state. And I don't attribute the position of ascribing all the blame to the Palestinians to yourself. I just am curioel, and do not oppose the existence of that state. And I don't attribute the position of ascribing all the blame to the Palestinians to yourself. I just am curious about your position.s about your position.
"Very late in the Clinton administration, the Palestinians could have had a state, with something like 98% of the territory Israel seized in the 1967 war. (Remember, that was a war of Arab aggression against Israel.)"
You had me until the end. As I recall Israel launched the attacks that resulted in the six day war. Perhaps it can be argued that they launched these attacks pre-emptively but the war commenced with Israeli military action.
"Trying to apportion the blame equally is like trying to take an "even handed" approach to the holocaust."
This comment is even more unfortunate as it is the standard weapon of Israel's supporters who seek to shut down any opposing view. Can't win on the argument's merits? Not to worry simply label the opponent an anti-semite and what better way to do that than to imply that anyone who would "apportion blame," is akind to the lunatics who deny or defend the holocaust.
Frankly, Israel had cause to take action against Hamas in Gaza but the action is completely disproportionate similar to retailiating against someone with a pea shooter with a flame thrower.
Of course, until now, Israel did not need to worry as the Bush administration either ignored or tacitly supported their tactics. I would hope the new administration would respond differently but seeing individuals such as Denis Ross and Martin Indyk in positions of influence does not give me much hope.
At some point, hopefully, peace will prevail in a two state solution and the United States will finally no longer subsidize Israel at the tune of $4 billion per year.
Brian Mulligan
MU 1983
As I recall Israel launched the attacks that resulted in the six day war.
Right, after the Arab states were massing troops, clearly intending to attack.
Frankly, Israel had cause to take action against Hamas in Gaza but the action is completely disproportionate similar to retailiating against someone with a pea shooter with a flame thrower.
I disagree. If some hostile terrorist movement were lobbing rockets at Milwaukee, I think you would have a different reaction.
At some point, hopefully, peace will prevail in a two state solution and the United States will finally no longer subsidize Israel at the tune of $4 billion per year.
But Arafat rejected a two state solution -- the one he had late in the Clinton Administration.
The problem is the unwillingness of the Palestinians to let Israel live in peace.
The basic teachings of Islam make it a criminal-terrorist movement, with a religious veneer, as are the Mafia and the Chinese Triads.
I will provide proofs of this upon request.
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