KCET on Muslim-Jewish Tensions at UC Irvine
The Muslim Student Union at UC Irvine’s political events are distorted and out of context, which leads to people judging the Muslims on campus out of fear or prejudice, rather than listening objectively to what we have to say. One of our goals is to show people what Islam is all about.
This means that we will try to educate students on campus about issues that we feel we need to stand for. The Muslim Student Union has no "feud" with Jewish students at UC Irvine.
The MSU does not agree with the racist political ideology of Zionism. This is greatly at odds with how we see Judaism, however; we believe Judaism is a rich, beautiful faith that is rooted in the Abrahamic traditions.
Jews, as well as Christians, are considered our "brothers and sisters of the book" in Islam, and we are taught to treat them with respect. If we were to be anti-Semitic, it would go against the very ideals that our religion preaches. The conflict on this campus is over politics, not faith.
Marya Bangee
Spokesperson MSU-UCI
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Well I don't agree with your support for terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas. That doesn't mean I hate Muslims. I have a few Muslim friends who are really cool people, and part of the reason they are cool is because they don't advocate suicide bombing and terrorism. They just focus on living life and being good people. Maybe that's what MSU needs to do. They should promote Middle Eastern culture and convince people that Islam is not a violent religion rather than spew hate and call for Israel to be wiped off the map. I certainly don't think Iran should be wiped off the map even if Ahmadinejad threatens the West. I've seen pictures of Iran, and I think it's a beautiful country with a rich culture.
I understand what you are saying about how MSU should promote nonviolence instead of spewing hate, but that is exactly what Marya's statement addressed... which is that MSU does NOT spew hatred and promote a violent depiction of Islam but that MSU's stances are taken out of context and painted in a light that makes it seem that way. Why don't you check out what MSU is up to the other 37 weeks of the school year?
But doesn't MSU invite speakers to UC Irvine who support suicide bombing? And if MSU doesn't support terrorism, then what was up with that event in 2006 called "Hamas: The People's Choice"? If MSU really is opposed to terrorism, why won't they actively speak out against suicide bombings and Katyusha rockets being launched at apartment complexes? Why can't they advocate some sort of non-violent resistance?
I am finally realizing that MSU is a big joke and can never be taken seriously. Not when they put up an exhibit with a blood-stained Israeli flag (oh but if the Jewish students had a blood-stained Quran as part of their display, cars would be set on fire!) Not when they disrupt Daniel Pipes' lecture when they could easily have asked him intelligent questions after his speech.
Oh and how can Israel wipe something off the map that wasn't on the map to begin with?
johnny wadd:
1. "Hamas: The People's Choice": that's a factual statement. Hamas overwhelmingly won the first fair and democratic Palestinians elections.
MSU as an organization does not support and is not affiliated with any political group/organization in the US or abroad. MSU does not promote or defend any such political organizations. Speakers at MSU events may have their own political affiliations or opinions, but those are their own, not MSUs.
By the way, why is it that no one remembers MSU-sponsored speakers such as El-Hajj Mauri’ Saalakhan? In one Saalakhan's outdoor talks at UCI last Spring (Spring 2006) he strongly affirmed that he stands against all acts of violence targeted against non-combatant civilians, Israelis or Palestinians. There have been several other MSU speakers who have emphasized the same point. But MSU critics like to pick and chose.
On a side note, supporting the people's right to democratically elect members in no way implies full support of that party.
2. "Blood-stained Israeli flags":
The blood stains on the flag are meant to symbolize the blood of the thousands of Palestinians who were killed by Zionist forces and the IDF since 1947. The creation of the apartheid state of Israel depended on the expulsion and oppression of the native people of the land of Palestine.
Also, how does staining the Israeli flag compare to staining the Quran? The last time I checked, the Israeli flag (or any other flag for that matter) is not considered an object of sacred religious status.
3. Your last comment: check a pre-1948 map. Come on, even Israeli politicians gave up on this argument. Talk about a big joke.
Post a Comment