The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Are Muslims and Jews destined always to be enemies?

An initiative seeks to promote interfaith harmony.

By Sholto Byrnes Published 23 January 2011 12:58

Tomorrow the Exploring Islam Foundation (EIF), which organised the "Inspired by Muhammad" poster campaign last year ("I believe in women's rights. So did Muhammad", etc), launches a fresh initiative. "Missing Pages" – the website is due to go live in the next 24 hours – aims to "challenge the misconceptions surrounding the relationship between Muslims and Jews by highlighting historical good practice and examples of peaceful coexistence", says the EIF.

The campaign hopes to "shed light on largely unknown accounts of solidarity and compassion between Muslims and Jews. Through this we hope to build a greater bridge of understanding and harmony, and hope these stories will become a beacon of hope for our future."

Part of this will involve stories of Muslims aiding Jews during the Second World War, such as that of http://www.thejc.com/event/rescue-albania-the-embassy-albania-dr-scarlet... ">Dr Scarlett Epstein, who was saved from the Nazis by Albanian Muslims. Another element will be to highlight "Quranic and Prophetic principles of coexistence, shared heritage between Islam and Judaism", and "messages of support from the leading members of the Muslim and Jewish communities, including the Chief Rabbi".

No doubt there will be some who wish to dismiss the enterprise from the start. Is anti-Semitism not rife in the Muslim world? Yes, it is. Is it not true that if you hold an Israeli passport you cannot even enter some Muslim countries? Yes, sadly that is so. But what this new campaign might be able to help stress is just how recent this attitude is.

Here is what the distinguished religious scholar Karen Armstrong had to say about it in Muhammad: a Biography of the Prophet: "In the Islamic empire Jews like Christians had full religious liberty; the Jews lived there in peace until the creation of the State of Israel in our own century." Indeed, this guarantee goes all the way back to 622, with Muhammad's proclamation of the Constitution of Medina, which laid down the rights of the Arab and Jewish tribes of the city (then known as Yathrib).

In the past decade or so, however, many have claimed this supposed tolerance is merely a myth. Particularly pernicious has been the use of the word "dhimmi", which refers to the status of Jews and Christians under the caliphate, but understood entirely through the negative prism associated with the writer Bat Ye'or, who popularised the term "dhimmitude" and who is also responsible for that other helpful word, "Eurabia". (See here for a very sensible debunking of Bat Ye'or and her cheerleaders by Johann Hari in the Independent.)

But dhimmi actually means "protected". As Armstrong continues: "The Jews of Islam never suffered like the Jews of Christendom." And it is not only Armstrong – a figure, I am aware, considered to be an apologist for religion in general by some – who argues that "anti-Semitism is a vice of western Christianity not of Islam" that was "introduced into the Middle East at the end of the last century [the 19th, that is] by Christian missionaries and . . . usually scorned by the populace".

The historian and renowned scholar of Islam Bernard Lewis agrees with her. When I interviewed him last summer Lewis told me he thought that "Jews in Islamic lands did have problems", describing the attitude of, for instance, the late Ottomans towards Jews as being one of "amused contempt". But, he said to me, "you would not call that anti-Semitic".

That, he concurred with Armstrong, is a view that came from Europe. Lewis, by the way, is not only Jewish but is suspected in some quarters of being an ultra-Zionist responsible for inspiring American bellicosity in the Middle East. If that is so, why would he state that modern anti-Semitism in the Muslim world is not only a new phenomenon, but one that came from the west?

None of the above, of course, excuses the deplorable and widespread anti-Semitism in Muslim countries that does exist today. The Exploring Islam Foundation's last campaign laudably tried to challenge non-Muslim perceptions of Islam in the UK. It is to be hoped that this one will open the eyes of Muslims who have forgotten that Christians and, in this case, most particularly Jews, are also "people of the Book".

If they, as members of the same Abrahamic faith family, do all believe in the one God, then enmity should be a very last resort, not the default position. There are better examples to follow than the warmongers and hate-spreaders on both sides of the Palestine-Israel conflict.

A reminder of the centuries when greater harmony prevailed between Muslims and Jews is timely and useful, and for many may be the first they hear about a history of which they are not aware – even though it is their own.

More from Sholto Byrnes

55 comments

Wed, 2011-01-26 01:38 — Daniele1

Wise (??)
Sorry was it only 24 virgins then?
Please don't feel sorry for me, I will be fine.
you don't like the "theory of something coming from nothing". This is precisely what you propose, because if God created the Universe and everything, who created God?? so God came from nothing? In other words your belief in a divinity explains NOTHING. So stop being a condescending prat and stop posting nonsense.
This is fun indeed!

Sun, 2011-01-23 15:54 — Rabbi Wiseman (not verified)

Excellent project and initiative, this is what we need to remember our fellow brothers.

Keep Israel and Palestine out of this debate, it is a recent phenomenon and has nothing to do with Jews and Muslims, but a geo-political problem that the world resolve immediately.

Sun, 2011-01-23 16:09 — Hova (not verified)

Yes, Jews and Muslims can get along. In fact, there is sufficient space for them to do so, if the radicals that occupy groups like Hamas and the Israeli government are defeated. For the press enjoy amplifying the radicals in their historical conflict, but not ordinary citizens who would rather not have to fear being blown up or shot every day of their lives. People in the west need to understand that not every Palestinian supports Hamas (in fact an overwhelming dont), and that not all muslims take the historically contextual phrase of antagonism against the jews/christians etc ver batum.

unfortunately the right wing media and populism has created an atrocious conflict that has destroyed thousands of lives into a religious war between good and evil. pathetic.

Sun, 2011-01-23 16:27 — Lou (not verified)

I agree it's an excellent project and initiative but I'm sorry Rabbi, it's going to be impossible to keep Israel/Palestine out of this. It's at the heart of the issue for many Muslims and Jews and has everything to do with them.

Geo politics have been at the heart of this matter for over a hundred years in our modern history and it strikes me that the World cannot resolve this, seemingly doesn't really want to and actually exacerbates the geo political problems through foreign policy, the failure of international law, attachment to and desire for natural resources, the different language used regarding either side of the conflict and the inconsistent power play between the political heads of the East and the West who cannot decide whether the Israel/Palestine problem is a geo political or a domestic problem - they see it in one context or the other depending on who is involved and what has been done.

Thu, 2011-01-27 22:44 — Daniele1

Wise:
Now I am fully illuminated!
That makes soo much sense!Thanks!
But anyway, how can I understand: "Nothing was born from Him neither was He born of something"? I am only a dumb animal, cattle etc..And female! Less than nothing!
Why don't you go back to your cave?

Tue, 2011-01-25 00:48 — Daniele1

Wise: Calm down!
And don't worry about me. I don't particularly want 27 virgins to play with in heaven so I'll be all right.
yep, a monkey as an ascendant suits me fine!
Sooo... in fact your belief in god is some kind of insurance policy just in case. Whatever....

Tue, 2011-01-25 01:13 — Des Demona (not verified)

@ Wise
Wise! There's a misnomer if ever ther was one.
There are no fossils of a half bird half fish because .... oh read a book.
As for the rest of your post, I'm neither a psychiatrist nor a Samaritan but I'm pretty sure you need the services of one of them.

Sun, 2011-01-23 18:53 — Truth Be Told (not verified)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYBsDwjezQI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgI1aph7AsE&feature=related

can someone please answer after watching those videos, What the Jews think of themselves & WHAT they are TEACHING their CHILDREN about about their fellow humans!!

Why the British & US foreign policy always blindly support Israel even if they kill the innocent civilians in Palestain on a DAILY basis??? WHY ?? Why our governments support that terrorist state BLINDLY?

If the US & UK could stop their blind support and could overcome the very strong Jewish influence to go to war & their always kill people attitude; then today we woldn't even come to the point of suicide bombing and worldwide terrorism.

These terrorist are always having their home-made recruits here in UK & In US & i think they themselves were born because of the injustice that's been happening to some group of innocent people around the world.

Killing innocent people regardless of their religion (Jew, Christan, Hindu Muslim and so on) is ofcourse wrong and I know it is prohibited in all the major religious books. Doesn't matter what the tiny number of sick terrorist bastard comes up with their sick explanation of killing innocent people; they clearly going against their own religion. Also those sick bastard politicians who lied to the public and went into illegal wars; now killing nearly millions of civilians; by which again the terrorist are having easy recruits!

In my opinion, Hezbollah, Hamas & organisations like them wouldn't even exist in this world, if we (the world) could stop the UNJUSTICE & killing of innocent people on a DAILY basis which has been happening for the last 60 years by Terrorist country Israel.

Sun, 2011-01-23 18:56 — NOT IMPORTANT (not verified)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYBsDwjezQI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgI1aph7AsE&feature=related

can someone please answer after watching those videos, What the Jews think of themselves & WHAT they are TEACHING their CHILDREN about about their fellow humans!!

Sun, 2011-01-23 19:15 — Daniele1

I want to thank Julia Harris and Lou for giving us a good illustration of what Islam and Christianity are about.
Now could we have a few juicy quotations from the Torah?? Any one? and then we will have demonstrated that far from bringing love and peace to the world, like "NOT IMPORTANT/Truth be told" (?) seems to think, religion, all religions, are in fact vile primitive mythologies which encourage murder and mayhem.
"Killing of the innocents prohibited in all religious books"??You must be joking! Read those lovely books again.If they were modern books, they would have a warning on them,not to be sold to children and sensitive souls.They would probably be banned for their racism and their cruel content.
How can any one would wish to live their lives by them, is a great puzzle to me.

Sun, 2011-01-23 19:29 — NOT IMPORTANT (not verified)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYBsDwjezQI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgI1aph7AsE&feature=related

can someone please answer after watching those videos, What the Jews think of themselves & WHAT they are TEACHING their CHILDREN about about their fellow humans!!

Tue, 2011-01-25 03:49 — Deebo (not verified)

Muslims cannot live with anybody else.

These neanderthals cant even live amongst themselves

Sun, 2011-01-23 20:20 — Lou (not verified)

I'm religiously impartial. Just trying to afford balance, a religious mirror to a particular comment here, where Islam, Christianity or the Jewish faith are concerned and mainly to show that no -one has the prerogative on who's God is right and who's God is wrong.

I feel,sadly,that the automatic offensive in defence of their particular religion - whichever it might be - by some of the commenters just answers Sholto's lead question on this in so many ways.

Sun, 2011-01-23 21:02 — David Vinter (not verified)

On and off, the middle east has been at war for 3000 years, just read your school history---all beheading
and begatting! That was how they kept the population down!

Sun, 2011-01-23 21:40 — Des Demona (not verified)

Keep religion out of the equation and remember that we are all just human beings with the same hopes fears and dreams and there may be a chance.
Oh and shoot the politicians and lawyers. Actually, while you're at it throw in commodity brokers and hedge fund managers.
The latter might not bring peace to the middle east but it would make me feel better.

Tue, 2011-01-25 11:37 — Vedicmystic (not verified)

It was not Islam but Indians who laid the foundation for science that is why zero, decimal system, chess, sanskrit mother of latin & greek, plastic surgery, dentistry all were first coined in ancient India and by Hindus that is a fact.

Sun, 2011-01-30 15:17 — Wise (not verified)

@Daniele - Finally you're there..I rest my case!!

"Why dont I go back to my cave?" WOW.. Excellent one! Is that the latest insult making the rounds..its about time you bigoted people came up with a new insult!! I am soo sick of "Go back to where you belong.. you P**ki!" its soo 80's!!.. look forward to more intelligent insults like that..! Now who's the PRAT!?

Sun, 2011-01-30 15:36 — Wise (not verified)

Oh and regarding your comment earlier "there is no purpose to life"...so a toilet has more purpose in this life than you! Your life has no purpose by your own admission! Come on girl does that really make sense to you? You were created for a reason for a pupose!!

Mon, 2011-01-24 00:06 — Esprit et Corps (not verified)

Fascinating how an idea that has dominated humankind for over 2000 years, that has created so much hatred and shed so much innocent blood still obsess people in the 21st century. God is an interesting idea but it only exists in peoples' mind; belief or faith is only an emotional/psychological state of the mind.It is rooted deeply in our collective consciousness, perhaps even to the extent of being a kind of survival mechanism. In a few hundred years it will not have the same hold on our consciousness as it has now; all religions will suffer the same fate and will become obsolete eventually.I guess this view will offend or hurt believers which is logical; religious ideology is based on complex manipulation of emotions of people who have fallen into the quagmire of faith of any type. The geo-political consequences, nevertheless, are painfully real, in many parts of the world where the ideological battles are being fought the body count will keep rising as ever. Coupled with the geo politics of the competing powers, the prospects for peaceful co-existence of peoples is seriously at risk. Peoples live at peace with each other because of their intrinsic humanity and the need to survive. Unfortunately, the gods and their related ideologies, and the nutters who propagate them at all levels have been responsible for most of the inhumanity.

Mon, 2011-01-24 00:08 — Wise (not verified)

@ Daniele

"vile primitive mythologies??" LOL!
I'm guessing you believe in the Theory..yes Theory of Evolution. or should that be Evilution! Islam does not in anyway allow for the killing of any innocent souls.(Quran, 17:33)

You're obviously an atheist which is probably why you are puzzled as to why people chose to follow a faith and believe in a deity. In anycase rather than reading a few out of context quotes plagiarised from the likes of Julia... try to answer yourself these questions...What is the purpose of life and who created us?

If Islam is such a "vile" religion as you say...then why is it the fastest growing religion converted to? You need to do some investigation around the verses and understand the history behind them as to why they were revealed, only then can you come with an adequate conclusion, rather than template talk! Wishing you well...

Mon, 2011-01-24 00:41 — davka

Sorry Sholto, such interfaith initiatives will never work because they are built on a lie. Jews and Muslims may have lived together, but never as equals: the Jews were their 'dogs'. As Dhimmis Jews abdicated most of their rights to the Muslims, including that of self-defence. That's why the Arabs will never recognise Jewish self-determination, aka Zionism.

Mon, 2011-01-24 00:55 — Keir

There can be only one Abrahamic religion, unless Abraham was a severe schizophrenic. Islam may be growing in popularity because people are increasingly aware that Christianity (Protestantism) is the one correct belief, and Islam contradicts it outright, while patronising Jesus.

Mon, 2011-01-24 01:04 — NOT IMPORTANT (not verified)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYBsDwjezQI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgI1aph7AsE&feature=related

can someone please answer after watching those videos, What the Jews think of themselves & WHAT they are TEACHING their CHILDREN about about their fellow humans!!

Killing innocent people regardless of their religion (Jew, Christan, Hindu Muslim and so on) is ofcourse wrong and I know it is prohibited in all the major religious books. Doesn't matter what the tiny number of sick terrorist bastards come up with in their sick explanation of killing innocent people; they clearly going against their own religion. Also those sick bastard politicians who lied to the public and went into illegal wars; now killing nearly millions of civilians; by which again the terrorist are having easy recruits!

Mon, 2011-01-24 01:14 — Daniele1

Wise:
"theory" is a scientific term and doesn't mean what it means in everyday language ie. could be false. Evolution is 100% proven all around you and scientifically. It is no more controversial than saying that the earth is round, or do you dispute that as well? Btw what would "evolution" be evil?
Islam is the fastest growing religion at the moment, so what?
Nazism was the fastest growing ideology in Germany in the 30's. Did that qualify it as the best ideology then? Maoism invaded the minds of the entire Chinese population for decades. Did that mean it was a good idea?
Get over it, Wise, there is NO purpose to life and nobody created us. I know, I know, it is much nicer to believe in lovely tales but here you are. Enjoy your life, there is nothing after that!

Mon, 2011-01-24 01:57 — Keir

Evolution is fine, yes. But it does not contradict a religious pov. So one is left with the conflict between religions, and atheism has not much that's useful to say about that.

Mon, 2011-01-24 02:51 — Vedicmystic (not verified)

“There has never been a time when you and I have not existed, nor will there be a time when we will cease to exist. As the same person inhabits the body through childhood, youth, and old age, so too at the time of death he attains another body. The wise are not deluded by these changes.”
Bhagavad Gita quote

Mon, 2011-01-24 02:52 — Zack Homeless (not verified)

My mother is ethnically Jewish because both her grandmothers are ethnically Jewish. That makes me Jewish. But if I marry a non-Jewish wife my kids will no longer be Jewish according to Orthodox Jewish tradition. I am not religious as such but I do believe in God. I actually respect Jesus very much. I am also mixed raced because my father has several nationalities and races. I also have many Muslim friends and my first love was a Muslim lady at my first ever nursery (I was 1 years old). My Mom is still friends with her and they embrace on the street whenever they meet. Living in Birmingham, I'm surrounded by people of all nationalities and our immediate neighbors are friendly, respectful, courteous people who are mainly Muslim and some are Irish (fantastic folk! Love them!) I have NEVER had a problem of any kind with a Muslim person in my life and in fact my mother was punched on a bus once for telling someone off for calling a Lady with a pushchair a 'Pakie'. The person who punched my mother was a blonde 16-year-old English girl who swore and shouted her head off, telling 'them' to 'go back where they come from'. That made me ashamed to be British. I'm part white, part black and part Jewish and I'm British to the core. I hate violence and rudeness, that is NOT the British way. If the Queen wouldn't do it - nor should you. I think racism and particularly xenophobia which lately includes Islamophobia is shameful and should be criminalized. There is no difference between me and others. Most people want to get on. Racism and prejudice comes from ignorance and fear. Jesus taught to love thy neighbor and accepted all people as equal, because we are. I have many English friends too. Good people come in every shade of human. If Britain is a Christian nation they should reject xenophobia outright and follow Christ, not in the name only. And if the racists bothered to read the Koran (I have) it's actually very interesting. There is nothing fanatical or hateful in there. Our neighbors do not plot against us. It's men who create wars and fighting, not religions.

Mon, 2011-01-24 02:53 — Vedicmystic (not verified)

“"Na Hanyate Hanyamane Sarire"

"Consciousness is eternal it is not vanquished with the destruction of the temporary body"”

Mon, 2011-01-24 02:56 — Vedicmystic (not verified)

“The mind acts like an enemy for those who do not control it.”

Bhagavad Gita quote

Mon, 2011-01-24 05:24 — Ernest (not verified)

As long as both sides continue to appeal to religion for a solution, they'll fail. Because the clash is there in the religion - there's no denying that. Peace will only come when the parties will dare to get above the religious texts and make efforts as peace-loving humans who care about family, life, and humanity. Muslims have a particularly greater responsibility burden in this matter. They have to admit that Jews and Christians have genuine religion and Islam's claim that their scriptures have been edited/manipulated is wrong. Unless they rise above it, they can't sincerely make peace and brotherhood with jews and christians.

Thu, 2011-03-17 10:59 — emraan (not verified)

i believ in one religion that is humanity. . I dnt knw y people fight in d name of religion colour etc. . I just knw one thin lov each other help each other in their difficulties. . This is what our god wants from us

Mon, 2011-01-24 12:10 — Hans Castorp (not verified)

Another QTWTAIN from Sholto.

I have alerted the authorities.

And this "recent development" stuff is awful hogwash. Reminds me off the guff-laden apologetics from the apologist for actually existing socialism.

Fact is, a couple of hundred years is long enough for a prejudice to be installed into the warp and woof of a sociological institution - such as much of Islamic practice.

I don't care of the Qu'ran promises a rainbow for every child and ice-cream for all after din-dins: it's widespread practice is wedded to anti-semitism, often eliminationalist anti-semitism, holocaust-denial and so on, and a peace deal in the middle east is not going to solve that, whatever Sholto's soggy little apologetics may say.

Sun, 2011-06-05 19:11 — Wise (not verified)

@Luddite

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Golden_Age

Sun, 2011-01-23 13:29 — Proud Kafir (not verified)

Maybe you should look at what the QURAN teaches inbred ISLAMICS about JEWS....they will never be friends just like AMERICA will never be friends to moslems..it is called TAQIYYA look it up it was not invented by anyone that you can try to slam..it is true ISLAM that makes it evil..don't believe me read a QURAN..I have 2 on my desk at all times and I was married to an Iranian moslem..pure evil...(Look up MOSLEM vs Muslim spelling too and see why I use that word MOSLEM..:) Do not be a DHIMWIT..Islam is not on this earth to do anything but RULE..they tell you this FACT all the time so there will never be peace anywhere as long as there is ISLAM...there are approx 200 Moslems to every JEW so you do the math who the problem is...Tabari 7:97 Kill any Jew who falls under your Power

Sun, 2011-01-23 13:43 — Bob (not verified)

Great comment above from 'Proud Karif'.
I didn't visit the New Statesman site for some time and couldn't remember whether it a a left wing or right wing paper. This article clarifies the matter. I have rarely read such a load of nonsense. Can anyone explain why left wing thinkers have such an affection for islam. That's a religion that is hell bent on destoying infidels right or left wing.

Sun, 2011-01-23 13:46 — Passing by (not verified)

@proud Kaffir.

Firstly, im sorry that you had such a bad experience of muslims through your ex-wife, however i can assure you, that it is not the case of the mainstream majority of muslims.

You can not take your one experience and generalise - its not fair.

As for Taqiyya - thats is a Shia' belief in which the majority and mainstream islam DOES NOT follow.

--- i think this article is an eye opener, i kno wthat there are tension between Muslims and Jews, however if we look into history, as Armstrong points out, they both lived together peacefully - lessons need to be learnt.

Tue, 2011-01-25 18:50 — Wise (not verified)

@ Daniele - I'm not worried about you! I feel sorry for you! Again the "27 Vigins" ...what anti-Islamic website did you get that from..goes to show how much research you actually do (or dont!!!) Oh Dear!

@ Des Demona - Intelligent argument you've got there...actually come to think of it, you have no argument! Bring on the evidence for Evolution...!

:-) This is fun!

Sun, 2011-01-23 13:55 — Lou (not verified)

Proud Kafir,

Don't mislead people about the Quran by not fully explaining the quote you end with. A tabari is not a quote from the Quran, it is something written by Al Iman al Tabari who wrote an explanation (tafisr) of The Quran and the tabaris are his personal interpretation and assessment not a factual refelection of the actual Book

Sun, 2011-01-23 14:41 — Julia Harris (not verified)

The Quran Dehumanizes Non-Muslims
and Says that They are Vile Animals

The Ayatollah Khomeini, who dedicated his entire life to studying Islam, said that non-Muslims rank somewhere between "feces" and the "sweat of a camel that has consumed impure food." Small wonder. The Quran dehumanizes non-Muslims, describing them as “animals” and beasts:

Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst of creatures. (98:6)

Surely the vilest of animals in Allah's sight are those who disbelieve, then they would not believe. (8:55)

Verse 7:176 compares unbelievers to "panting dogs" with regard to their idiocy and worthlessness. Verse 7:179 says they are like "cattle" only worse.

Verse 5:60 even says that Allah transformed Jews of the past into apes and pigs. This is echoed by verses 7:166 and 2:65.

A hadith says that Muhammad believed rats to be "mutated Jews" (Bukhari 54:524, also confirmed by Sahih Muslim 7135 and 7136).

Verses 46:29-35 even say that unbelieving men are worse than demons who believe in Muhammad.

According to Islamic law, non-Muslims may be owned as property by Muslims, but - in keeping with Islam's supremacist message - a fellow Muslim should never be (unless they convert to Islam after enslavement). Even Christians and Jews are not considered fully human in that the penalty for killing one of them is limited to one-third of the compensation due for unintentionally killing a Muslim.

Sun, 2011-01-23 14:42 — Julia Harris (not verified)

The Quran Says that Non-Muslims Should Not be Taken as Friends

Given that Allah hates non-Muslims to the extent that he would prevent them from knowing the truth, cause them to err and then condemn them to eternal torture for their unbelief and misdeeds, it would make little sense if he intended Muslims to treat unbelievers by the same standards that they treat each other here on earth.

The Quran says that no true Muslim would ever love anyone who resists Islam, even if it is a family member:

Thou wilt not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who resist Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. (58:22)

There are at least nine places in the Quran where believers are warned not to befriend non-Muslims:

O ye who believe! Take not for friends unbelievers rather than believers: Do ye wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves? (4:144)

In fact, anyone who does take a non-Muslim as a friend could be accused of being an unbeliever as well:

O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. He among you who taketh them for friends is (one) of them. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk. (5:51)

Note that Christians, according to the Quran, are included in the ranks of "unbelievers":

They indeed have disbelieved who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary (5:17)
Muhammad said that unbelievers have it out for Muslims. They may appear harmless or friendly, but, in reality, they harbor corruption and evil intentions:

O ye who believe! Take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks: They will not fail to corrupt you. They only desire your ruin: Rank hatred has already appeared from their mouths: What their hearts conceal is far worse (3:118)

For the Unbelievers are unto you open enemies (4:101)

As for them, they are but plotting a scheme (86:15)

Those outside of Islam are really helpers of evil against Allah:

The Misbeliever is a helper (of Evil), against his own Lord! (25:55)

Instead of befriending non-Muslims, the Quran encourages hostility. Muslims are ordered to fight unbelievers:

O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty. (9:123)

The Quran tells Muslims that they will spend eternity laughing at unbelievers (83:34) and mocking their suffering as they are tortured in Hell:

And the dwellers of the garden will call out to the inmates of the fire: Surely we have found what our Lord promised us to be true; have you too found what your Lord promised to be true? They will say: Yes. Then a crier will cry out among them that the curse of Allah is on the unjust. (7:44) – Muhammad got an early start on this by personally mocking his dead enemies following the Battle of Badr (Ibn Ishaq 454)

One does not befriend those over whose suffering they will later rejoice, nor does it make any sense that Muslims would befriend those whom the Quran labels "enemies of Allah" by virtue of

Sun, 2011-01-23 14:43 — Julia Harris (not verified)

The Quran Says that Other Religions are Cursed by Allah

Buddhists in Thailand, Jews in Israel, Christians in Indonesia, Hindus in India... Why is Islam at war with every major world religion, when none of these religions are at war with each other? Part of the reason is that the Quran is specific about the inferiority of other faiths (see 48:28) and the hatred that Allah harbors for their people.

Although it is common for Muslims to become upset about anyone “insulting” their religion, here is what the Quran says about Jews and Christians:

The Jews call Ezra a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth! (9:30) (See also Bukhari 8:427), one of the last things Muhammad ever said on his deathbed was "May Allah curse the Jews and Christians.”)

The Quran specifically addresses Christians, Jews, Polytheists (Hindus) and atheists:

Christians are blasphemers (5:17, 5:73) who have invented a lie about Allah (10:68-69) by ascribing partners to Allah (ie. the Trinity). Inventing a lie about Allah is the worst of sins (7:37, 29:68) and for this reason Christians are condemned to Hell (10:70). Although one (early Medinan) verse seems to say that righteous Christians will go to heaven, this is abrogated by later verses that make it very clear that Christians must cease being Christian (ie. reject the Trinity) or suffer eternal torment for their beliefs (5:72-73).

Jews are also cursed by Allah (5:13), in one of his final pronouncements. The Quran goes on to assure Muslims that Jews are wicked (4:160-162) – so wicked, in fact, that they have somehow managed to do the impossible (18:27) and alter the word of Allah (2:75). Jews are “fond of lies” and “devour the forbidden” (5:42).

The Quran assures believers that Jews and Christians have “diseased hearts” (5:52). Allah even takes credit for the enmity between them (5:14). Only Jews and Christians who submit to Islamic subjugation and pay the Jizya are protected in this world (9:29 & Ibn Ishaq 956).

Hindus are polytheists. Although Muhammad didn’t know any Hindus (and neither did Allah, apparently) the Quran still manages to lay the groundwork for the 1000 year ethnic cleansing campaign against the Hindu people that is estimated to have taken tens of millions of innocent lives. In Islam, polytheists are worse than all other religion. Those who join idols (14:30) or false gods (11:14) to Allah also invent a lie about Him (29:17) and will burn in Hell. Even believing in other divine entities along with Allah is an unforgivable crime (4:48, 40:12).

Atheists believe in no god, which is even worse than believing in the wrong one (Muhammad and his successors had atheists put to death - Bukhari 84:57). Merely questioning the existence of Allah is a testament to one’s impiety (25:21), even as Muslim narcissim is encouraged in the Quran. Muhammad always answered probing questions merely by telling the inquiring party that they would go to Hell if they didn’t believe in him (36:49-64). The Quran discourages Muslims from intellectual inquiry (5:101-102).

Anyone who gives up his religion is a “perverted transgressor” (3:82). Perverted as well is anyone who denies Allah (40:63) or does not believe Muhammad (2:99). Freedom of conscience does not exist in Islam. Muhammad clearly prescribed the death penalty for apostates (Bukhari 52:260).

While contemporary Muslim apologists often speak of “dialogue” (meaning a unilateral arrangement in which they tell you about Islam while you listen) the Quran speaks of Jihad instead:

Listen not to the unbelievers, but strive (Jihad) against them with the utmost strenuousness. (25:52)

What would be the point in hearing anything a non-Muslim has to say... or even talking with them for that matter? Allah has already sealed their hearts and condemned them to Hell:

As for the Disbelievers, Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not it is all one for them; they believe not. Allah hath sealed their hearing and their hearts, and on their eyes there is a covering. Theirs will be an awful doom (2:6)

For those wondering why Allah would even make infidels if their ultimate destination is Hell, Muhammad said that the purpose of some (Jews and Christians, at least) was to take the place of Muslims, so that they would not suffer there (Sahih Muslim 6666).

Sun, 2011-01-23 14:44 — swatantra nandanwar

Yes, because both religions are founded on the mistaken belief that theirs is the one and only true God.
Its a nonsense.

Sun, 2011-01-23 15:02 — David Yisrael (not verified)

@awareness

Actually no, Islam clearly says it believes in the same God of Christians and Jews. It's an Abrahamic faith.

You need to go back to school.

Great new initiative!

Wed, 2011-01-26 19:07 — Wise (not verified)

@ Daniele...Ouch! That really hurt!

Truth is not subject to your whims nor your approval! So based on your lovely advice I'll end my blog with a quote from the Quran...a book you've most probably got sooo much criticisms on, but yet never read...like all the other deaf and dumb atheists!

"He begetteth not nor is He begotten;" (Al-Quran Surah 114)

Nothing was born from Him neither was He born from something. He has no offspring nor is He the offspring of anyone.

ie: He is not like anything you and I know or have seen! So See Ya!

Sun, 2011-01-23 15:10 — Lou (not verified)

@Julia Harris

Firstly repeating verbatim text from thereligionofpeace.com - an anti Islamic website and group - does not show understanding and knowledge of The Quran, the Hadiths or the religion of Islam. Secondly, is The Bible totally free of such condemnations?

If there be found among you...[a] man or woman...[who] hath gone and served other gods and worshipped them...then shalt though bring forth that man or that woman...and shalt stone them with stones, till they die. Deuteronomy 17 2-5

When the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death." Numbers 1 v51 - one of many passages in Numbers saying the exact same that non Israelites should be put to death

But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’” Luke19:27

'Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?' 2 Corinthians 6:14

In the interest of brevity, I will cease there. I could go on to list many more, including pasaages that tell a man to take his very young daughter as his wife as well as many condemning non Christian or non Israelites.

Sun, 2011-05-15 07:58 — Abhisek (not verified)

I dont think people fight to defend their religions or state. Its more of an imbibed identity. When we feel someone attacks our religion or state, its as good as attacking our families and loved ones. Therefore, we become insecure and deem the perpetrator as an enemy and take up arms against him. No religion irrespective of their teachings is bad, its our interpretation and our way of life which manifests in the religion and makes it a playground for strife

Sun, 2011-05-15 09:28 — swatantra nandanwar

I'm glad this has come up again, particularly on a Sunday. And I refer back to my earlier comment. Yes, and would add : They make rest of us suffer for it.

Sun, 2011-05-15 10:07 — Luddite (not verified)

'peaceful coexistence' now that would be nice. 'Dr Scarlett Epstein, who was saved from the Nazis by Albanian Muslims'. We can always find exceptions to the rule!! Mr Sholto Byrnes, stop wasting your time, we all know Islam is not tolerant or inclusive, it's often reactionary and violent towards any form of criticism. Islams treatment of women in not enlightened, it's attitude towards homosexuals is medieval often barbaric. If Islam was a political movement. Mussolini would be it's Pope.

Mon, 2011-01-24 17:53 — freedemocrat

To establish whether Muslims and Jews will inevitably be enemies, or not, we need to estalish what makes a human being a Muslim, a Jew or whatever and to what effect.

uslims are people who are adherents of Islamic religious ideology. Jews are people who are adherents of Judaistic religious ideology. The 5,000+ sets of religious ideologies on our planet are mutually contradictory and mutually antagonistic since they standardly have designs on world domination. They are also typically antagonistic towards atheists, agnostics and apostates and to different variants of a given generic idelogy eg Shia and Sunni Muslims. So the short answer has to be yes, despite the santimonious woolly-minded drivel of apologists for religious ideology such as the ex-nun writer cited above.

Sun, 2011-05-15 10:23 — Luddite (not verified)

Wise
24 January 2011 at 18:14 'In fact, it was the Muslim scientists, more than 1,000 years ago, who set the stage for the advancement of learning, technology and disciplines in science that we know today!

Did they? So what small part did the Ancient Egyptian, Creeks, Romans, Chinese, play in your worlds advancement of learning?