I have many reasons to hate Muslims and Islam. More than the vast majority of posters here. Here’s why:
1. On 2 December 2001, a suicide bomber blew up a bus in my home town. I was in the bus right behind it. Our windshield was blown in, but no major injuries. On our bus, that is. 15 killed in the bus in front of us. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haifa_bus_16_suicide_bombing
2. I knew several people killed by Muslim terrorists. Been to funerals. Paid condolence calls.
3. In 2006, as part of the Second Lebanese War, I had the pleasure of hiding in my bomb shelter while Hezbollah rained rockets on us. I also had the pleasure of lying down in a ditch outside when I was on the road and the sirens went off.
4. I also have had the pleasure of Hamas’s attention, thank you.
5. Been in the military here (Israel, if that isn’t obvious). Have two sons in the reserves here as well.
6. I know that expansion and violence are an integral part of classic Islam. I do not deny that.
And yet- I do not hate Muslims as a group. Nor do I think that Islam is hopeless, and will always be bogged down in violence. Here’s why:
I live with Muslims.
I had a Muslim (Alawite) PhD chemist who worked for me.
The carpenter who did some work in our kitchen- Sunni (Bedouin)
When in a hospital in Jerusalem, about half of the nurses are Muslim. There are Arabic speaking doctors as well, but they may be Christian (Muslim women are easier to identify, at least those who wear a Hijab).
I see Muslim university students- including many women (this is quite revolutionary in their traditional society).
I see the Ahmadiyya community in my city. Did you know that they translated part of the Koran into Yiddish?
So though I am aware that Islam is problematic, I am also aware that it possible to integrate Muslims into society. Not only is it possible- it is necessary.
1. On 2 December 2001, a suicide bomber blew up a bus in my home town. I was in the bus right behind it. Our windshield was blown in, but no major injuries. On our bus, that is. 15 killed in the bus in front of us. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haifa_bus_16_suicide_bombing
2. I knew several people killed by Muslim terrorists. Been to funerals. Paid condolence calls.
3. In 2006, as part of the Second Lebanese War, I had the pleasure of hiding in my bomb shelter while Hezbollah rained rockets on us. I also had the pleasure of lying down in a ditch outside when I was on the road and the sirens went off.
4. I also have had the pleasure of Hamas’s attention, thank you.
5. Been in the military here (Israel, if that isn’t obvious). Have two sons in the reserves here as well.
6. I know that expansion and violence are an integral part of classic Islam. I do not deny that.
And yet- I do not hate Muslims as a group. Nor do I think that Islam is hopeless, and will always be bogged down in violence. Here’s why:
I live with Muslims.
I had a Muslim (Alawite) PhD chemist who worked for me.
The carpenter who did some work in our kitchen- Sunni (Bedouin)
When in a hospital in Jerusalem, about half of the nurses are Muslim. There are Arabic speaking doctors as well, but they may be Christian (Muslim women are easier to identify, at least those who wear a Hijab).
I see Muslim university students- including many women (this is quite revolutionary in their traditional society).
I see the Ahmadiyya community in my city. Did you know that they translated part of the Koran into Yiddish?
So though I am aware that Islam is problematic, I am also aware that it possible to integrate Muslims into society. Not only is it possible- it is necessary.
