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The Muslim duty to combat antisemitism

Muslims have a duty to make the world a better place. This requires them to combat antisemitism, especially since Jews suffer far more hatred than do Muslims.

Summary

Posted 25 June 2017

It is a fundamental part of my religious beliefs that Muslims have a responsibility to make the world a better place; better for everyone, not just for Muslims. That is why I wrote the preface for "Islam on Serving Humanity" by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri.

Accordingly I believe Muslims need to be at least as vigorous in combating antisemitism as they are in combating anti-Muslim hatred. When I spoke at The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester's Interfaith Iftar on 18 June 2017, I spoke on this for five minutes. The text I was delivering the speech from is reproduced below.

Mohammed Amin on combating antisemitism - prepared text

Good evening, shalom, and assalaam aleikum. As I have only got five minutes, I will get straight to the point.

Not a single person here wants to suffer racial or religious abuse. Not a single person here wants their family to suffer racial or religious abuse. There is nothing wrong with wanting to take care of yourself or your family. It is your fundamental duty as a human being.

There is not a single Muslim here who wants to see other Muslims suffering racial or religious abuse. Taking care of other Muslims is a duty we are given by God. However, taking care of yourself, your family, and your fellow Muslims is not enough. As Muslims, and as human beings, we are responsible for taking care of every single community in our society.

Today, I want to talk about how we care for the Jewish community.

I meet lots of Muslims who think that in Britain Muslims suffer more racial and religious abuse than any other community. It is not true.

If you think that Muslims suffer more than anybody else, Do four things.

  1. Look up how many Muslims there are in the country.
  2. Look up how many cases of anti-Muslim hatred are reported via Tell MAMA, the body for measuring anti-Muslim attacks.
  3. Look up how many Jews there are in the country.
  4. Look up how many cases of antisemitic hatred are reported via The Community Security Trust which collects the data on antisemitic attacks.

I am not going to stand here and read you numbers, but I have done this exercise. The figures are on my website.

You will find that the average Jew in Britain is 10 times more likely to suffer antisemitic abuse or physical attack than is the average Muslim. Part of that 10 times difference might be better reporting by the Jewish community, but I believe it shows just how much antisemitism there is around.

So, what can you personally do about it?

Firstly, ask yourself how many Jews you know personally. It is very hard to feel positive about complete strangers, but very easy to feel positive about people who you know.

Secondly, how do you talk about Jews with your children and other members of your family? Are your messages positive or negative?

Thirdly, when you hear antisemitism being spoken by people that you know, or read antisemitic comments on Facebook, Twitter or email, do you remain silent or do you speak up and challenge them?

We will only get rid of antisemitism when each of us refuses to be a bystander when they see antisemitic hatred.

Thank you.

 

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