Irreconcilable Differences: The Arab Relationship With Christians And The Truth
In what has to be described as the ultimate 'assault on Christmas', and Christians, for that matter, the Jordan Times has published an editorial, The Need To Speak Up, in which the editorialist engages in a fiction worthy of JK Rowlings, Harry Potter.
'Mutual respect?' Does the writer believe the massacres of Palestinians in Sabra and Shatilla were committed by the Phalange Christians out of love? Perhaps a closer vision of reality can be found here, by witnesses to the events in Sabra and Shatilla. Does the writer believe the treatment of Christians in pre-1967 Jerusalem, was one of respect, as Christian schools were forced to teach the Quran as a part of their curriculum?
The high minded Jordanian editorialist adopts a tone of piety that even the Pope would envy, and squarely places the blame on Israel (it is interesting to note that throughout the editorial, the word 'Jews' is carefully avoided, though implied by the referring to 'Muslims' and 'Christians', emphasizing their faiths): Christian presence is dwindling dramatically in Palestine in general, and in Jerusalem in particular, where the brutality of Israeli military occupation is crashing Muslims and Christians alike. Yes indeed, the uber morality of a country where
The Jordanian editorialist can hardly be blamed for attempting to deceive readers. The attempt to deflect attention away from the Muslim track record of discrimination against Christians is not one to be proud of. The Copts for example, have been long oppressed in Egypt. The Lebanese Christian community has been decimated. More history of Lebanon's Christian community can be found here.
The history of Muslim persecution of Christians is a long one. The description such atrocities are disturbing in their regularity. An account of one such event is terrifying:
Let's examine some current truths. The reality of Palestinian persecution of Christians is documented here, in "Human Rights of Christians in Palestinian Society", a 57 page, carefully documented account by Justus Reid Wiener, it is clear that not much has changed in how the Palestinians treat the Christian minority.
If the writer was sincere about a concern for human rights and 'ethnic cleansing', there are places much closer to home that are in need of attention, immediately. Darfur, Mauritania, Algeria, just to name a few, come to mind.
That of course, is if the writer is indeed being truthful. Given current and past realities, sadly, that is an unlikely reality.
The attempt to rewrite the history of the Arabs and Christians reminds me of 'Judge Judy' book title: "Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining."
The bitter remarks of a Syrian friend bear repeating:
Mutual respect and coexistence of the two faiths are such integral elements of our national identity that we almost take them for granted... Israeli occupation is seriously threatening the very survival of Christian communities...With that bald faced lie, the attempt to rewrite history continues.
'Mutual respect?' Does the writer believe the massacres of Palestinians in Sabra and Shatilla were committed by the Phalange Christians out of love? Perhaps a closer vision of reality can be found here, by witnesses to the events in Sabra and Shatilla. Does the writer believe the treatment of Christians in pre-1967 Jerusalem, was one of respect, as Christian schools were forced to teach the Quran as a part of their curriculum?
The high minded Jordanian editorialist adopts a tone of piety that even the Pope would envy, and squarely places the blame on Israel (it is interesting to note that throughout the editorial, the word 'Jews' is carefully avoided, though implied by the referring to 'Muslims' and 'Christians', emphasizing their faiths): Christian presence is dwindling dramatically in Palestine in general, and in Jerusalem in particular, where the brutality of Israeli military occupation is crashing Muslims and Christians alike. Yes indeed, the uber morality of a country where
'Anti-Jewish discrimination appears in order no. 1282 of July 1, 1957 (attributed to the Official Gazette of Jordan, no. 1282 by the Collection of Laws and Regulations [in Arabic], vol. 1 issued by the Jordanian Bar, Amman, 1957, p. 186), which exempts Syrian nationals from showing their passports on entering or leaving Jordan. They may use any other identifying document provided that "they are not Jews." The same discriminatory legislation against Jews from Lebanon appears in Majmu'at al-Qawanin wa'l-Anzima, vol. 1 (Amman: Jordanian Bar, 1966), p. 188.Of course, the high minded editorialist will not mention that is illegal for Jews to be citizens of that country, and has been for decades. Today, the discrimination against Jews is even more blatant in Jordanian society. After the recent hotel bombings in Amman, one citizen remarked that the crime was so heinous it was "something not even a Jew would do."
The Jordanian editorialist can hardly be blamed for attempting to deceive readers. The attempt to deflect attention away from the Muslim track record of discrimination against Christians is not one to be proud of. The Copts for example, have been long oppressed in Egypt. The Lebanese Christian community has been decimated. More history of Lebanon's Christian community can be found here.
The history of Muslim persecution of Christians is a long one. The description such atrocities are disturbing in their regularity. An account of one such event is terrifying:
Over 1200 Maronites were massacred over a space of two miles. A large body of women and children took the road to Sidon and were pursued to the very gates by Kassim Amadi. The Sunni Muslims of Sidon would not let them in and some joined the Druze in the slaughter that followed. Upwards of 300 bodies littered the beach and the gardens, many had been raped. Young girls were carried off by a mixed horde of Sunnis and Shiites that had mysteriously appeared and pounced upon them.This is the kind of relationship the editorialist at the Jordan Times refers,
"...Christian and Muslim Arabs have shared history and culture, both contributing to its development and both enriching it materially and intellectually."There is a complete detachment from reality- as if wishing it so would make the truth go away.
Let's examine some current truths. The reality of Palestinian persecution of Christians is documented here, in "Human Rights of Christians in Palestinian Society", a 57 page, carefully documented account by Justus Reid Wiener, it is clear that not much has changed in how the Palestinians treat the Christian minority.
Additionally, it must be acknowledged that the radicalization of Palestinian Muslim communities under the PA is becoming an increasingly dangerous threat to Christian communities, to individuals, and to the mode of life they practice. The reversion to archaic and fundamentalist ideology advocated by Islamists, aggravated by economic and social hardship experienced by Middle Eastern societies in recent years, has been an instrumental force that has not only affected life for those who continue to reside in the Middle East but also directly caused high emigration rates among Middle Eastern Christians.Reality- and truth, bite. It is a long paper, worth the read if you have the time. If not, skim through it- the revelations therein are eye openers.
Not only is the Palestinian Christian community facing an existential threat, but, even more significantly, their status as a persecuted minority is ignored as international attention focuses on terrorism and inchoate peace plans rather than on present human rights needs.
...by granting primacy to other legal sources, including international human rights standards, the PA puts Palestinian Christians in a precarious situation, as the Sharia deems them unequal to their Muslim counterparts.
If the writer was sincere about a concern for human rights and 'ethnic cleansing', there are places much closer to home that are in need of attention, immediately. Darfur, Mauritania, Algeria, just to name a few, come to mind.
That of course, is if the writer is indeed being truthful. Given current and past realities, sadly, that is an unlikely reality.
The attempt to rewrite the history of the Arabs and Christians reminds me of 'Judge Judy' book title: "Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining."
The bitter remarks of a Syrian friend bear repeating:
'The real Naqbah (catastrophe) has been video and audio tape. We can no longer hide who we are from the world and from ourselves.'It has yet to be better said.
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