Wednesday, April 19, 2006
The war against Islam continues. posted by Richard Seymour
Kill 100 million of them says syndicated US radio host Michael Savage.Meanwhile, a Newsweek columnist complains that you're not allowed to criticise Islam.
Oliver North of all people says there is no such thing as an Islamic moderate.
Right-wing radio host Neal Boortz says believe in Islam with conviction and "the next thing you know, you're strapping on a suicide bomb".
Perhaps relatedly, Sid Rosenberg tells MSNBC viewers that the Palestinians are "stinking animals" and "They ought to drop the bomb right there, kill 'em all right now".
Certainly connected, I feel, is the rise of anti-Muslim racism in the US.
Spanish skinheads have been burning and ransacking mosques.
Muslim schoolkids in Britain facing increasing racist attacks.
Nevertheless, some good news for you. The Muslim Council of Britain and gay groups have been working together to form an alliance against fascism, which as you'll see means opposing both homophobia and Islamophobia. Outrage disgracefully opposed the participation of the MCB in the Unite Against Fascism conference, so this is a victory for those who want to engage with Muslims. Also worth remarking on is the recent finding of the Dutch Scientific Council for Government Policy - "Contrary to the common belief, Islam has no problem accepting democracy and human rights", and "The Political Islamist movements observed in Muslim countries in recent years show diversity and bear dynamism. These movements are not homogeneous, and they do not all defend radicalism and violence." And, the Council of Europe has acknowledged the serious threat of Islamophobia, putting it on a par with antisemitism.