Muslim Professor: Koran agrees that Holy Land is Jewish

[almaty 19]

Prof. Khaleel Mohammed, Assistant Professor at the Department of Religious Studies at San Diego State University, is the latest Muslim expert to say that the Koran - the holiest Muslim work - is actually Zionist.

In an interview with Jamie Glazov of FrontPageMagazine.com (June 3, 2004), Mohammed quoted the Koran (5:20-21) as saying: "Moses said to his people: O my people! Remember the bounty of God upon you when He bestowed prophets upon you, and made you kings and gave you that which had not been given to anyone before you amongst the nations. O my people! Enter the Holy Land which God has written for you, and do not turn tail, otherwise you will be losers."

Mohammed emphasized that the above phrase, "God has written for you," is very significant: "In both Jewish and Islamic understandings of the term 'written,' there is the meaning of finality, decisiveness, and immutability...So the simple fact is then, from a faith-based point of view: If God has 'written' Israel for the people of Moses, who can change this?" He also quoted two of Islam's most famous exegetes - Ibn Kathir and Muhammad al-Shawkani - as supporting this explanation.

Imam Abdul Hadi Palazzi, secretary-general of the Italian Muslim Association, has long promoted that it is possible to be a Muslim scholar and leader and still support America, Israel, and democracy. Citing pro-Jewish verses in the Koran, Palazzi told a Jewish audience in Cleveland recently, "There are many good Muslims who value life on earth and the sanctity of their families. Israel should make every effort to support the growth of a pro-Israel movement among these Muslims...[but sadly, Muslims in Israel were emotionally and morally defeated by the Oslo Accords.] They felt that Israel was selling them out to Arafat. They need to be supported and encouraged to speak out in defense of Israel without fear of being assassinated by the PLO [Palestine Liberation Organization] or Hamas...Oslo signaled to many of us that Israel was ready to accept peace at any price, and make incredible concessions to ruthless criminals."

Arab-American Nonie Darwish has recently opened a Web site, www.ArabsforIsrael.com . The site states, inter alia, "We are Arabs and [Muslims] who believe we can support the State of Israel and the Jewish religion and still treasure our Arab and Islamic culture."

Mohammed, in his interview with FrontPageMagazine, apportions at least partial blame for today's wars to the Muslims of the seventh century: "[W]hen the Muslims entered that land [the Holy Land] in the seventh century, they were well aware of its rightful owners [the Jews], and when they failed to act according to divine mandate (at least as perceived by followers of all Abrahamic faiths), they aided and abetted in a crime. And the present situation shows the fruits of that action - wherein innocent Palestinians and Israelis are being killed on a daily basis."

"When the Muslims conquered Jerusalem," Mohammed continued, "it should have been left open for the rightful owners to return. It is possible that Jewish beliefs of the time only allowed such return under a Messiah - but that should not have influenced Muslim action...[The] Muslim occupation and building a mosque on the site of the Temple was something that was not sanctioned by the Koran. How honest is contemporary Islam with this? Given the situation in the Middle East, politicking, etc. stands in the way of honesty."

Mohammed says that Muslim groups have frequently denounced him because he is "out of line with the geopolitical movement toward fundamentalism." "What your readers must understand is that fundamentalism is rapidly becoming mainstream. Moderation is not. A perfect example is in Akbar Ahmed's "Islam Under Siege," where he points out that the Taliban are no longer a fringe group in Pakistan; many Pakistanis are finding themselves drawn to their teachings. Right here in the U.S., I present a problem to those at mosques who use social pressure to coerce others into accepting their extremism…Many Muslims stand against me for no other reason than I say that Israel has a right to exist...I in no way deny that Palestinians have rights. But this is generally not considered by those that criticize my position..."

[mybackpages 0]

But are Christians and Muslims are the people of Moses? Just thinking out loud

[almaty 19]

no offense to anyone, I think the issue has been one not the only, catalyst for tension in the Islamic world with the West and Israel...

i agree with the www.ArabsforIsrael.com . doctrine...

maybe, if i lived and grew up in palestine i would feel differently...but i feel too much death, hatered and warfare has lead to nothing..Israel is here to stay.....and may Allah bless all their citizens...

[almaty 19]

Why Muslims Love Moses

And yet, I lament the tension that exists between the American Muslim and Jewish communities.

Another year brings another season of Passover, during which Jews commemorate the bitterness of Egyptian bondage, the grace of having death pass over them on its way to claim each Egyptian first born, and the elation of freedom from bondage at the hands of God's mighty Messenger. I send my warmest wishes for a happy and fruitful Passover to all my Jewish readers, friends, and colleagues.

Many may not know this, but Muslims also commemorate the Exodus of the Hebrews out of Egypt by fasting the ninth and 10th day of the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The event is called Ashura, stemming from the Arabic word for "ten."

While this may be surprising to non-Muslims, it's important to understand that Moses figures prominently in Muslim belief. The Exodus story is a happy one for Muslims; it is a tale of bitter bondage and hardship and the glory of God's deliverance from that hardship. The Qur'an speaks a great deal about Moses and his dealing with Pharaoh. In fact, about 73 passages--many encompassing several verses at a time--deal with Moses. More verses mention Moses by name than Muhammad (peace be upon them both).

The Qur'an tells of two miracles--Moses' staff turning into a serpent and his hand glowing when he places it under his arm--that God permitted as proof of Moses' prophethood. It details the plagues that were unleashed on the Egyptians for their refusal to believe in God and set the Hebrews free: "We (God) then sent upon them the flood, and locusts, and lice, and frogs, and blood as manifest signs; [as a result] they became arrogant and were a people steeped in crime" (7:133). The Qur'an then speaks about a great affliction that befell the Egyptians and led them to finally let the Hebrews go. The text does not go into what sort of affliction it was; perhaps it was the death of every Egyptian first born, but this is speculation. My favorite part of the story, the splitting of the Red Sea, is mentioned at least twice in the Qur'an as well.

Thus, I am happy to fast on Ashura to commemorate this event.

Yet, as I think about Passover and Ashura, I lament. I lament the tension that exists between the American Muslim and Jewish communities. In fact, UCLA Islamic law professor Khaled Abou El Fadl said that requests for his participation in Jewish-Muslim dialogue last year "just vanished." I have also seen many a Jewish-Muslim dialogue fizzle. In February of 2002, Jews and Muslims in southern California had a misunderstanding over a translation of the Qur'an which contained commentary that was derogatory toward Jews. The translation was later withdrawn, but the incident still highlighted the palpable tension between both faith communities.

The strained Jewish-Muslim relations in America sadden me a great deal. I suspect it has a lot to do with the still-festering conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Even though this tragic conflict has yet to be resolved-and I pray that it gets resolved as soon as possible-it should not have an adverse effect on the relationship between American Muslims and Jews.

The two have much in common. Both espouse a staunch monotheism. A great number of Hebrew prophets, whom Muslims love dearly, are mentioned in the Qur'an and highly honored. Muslims and Jews both trace their faith origin to Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him). These commonalities far outweigh and outnumber any differences there may be, and they should serve to bring both communities closer together.

I sincerely believe that peace can come to the Middle East, and both Israelis and Palestinians can live together side by side. Muslims and Jews have lived together in peace before; the greatest example of this was in Muslim Spain where Moses bin Ma'mun (Maimonides), the great Jewish physician and philosopher, was high advisor to the Muslim Sultan. I pray this golden age may yet come again. Working together, Muslims and Jews, along with other faith communities, can help bring make America a better place, bring peace to the Middle East, and to the world in general. Failure cannot be an option.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

A fatwa seeking the death of the good professor will be issued by some nutjob soon enough, I'm afraid.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

A fatwa seeking the death of the good professor will be issued by some nutjob soon enough, I'm afraid.

I smell a beheading.

[GaryC 7]

I have often wondered about this. The Muslims and Jews have common roots (Abraham) and yet they seem to be mortal enemies. I have often heard that the Muslims honor Moses and other prophets but I never understood why that honoring does not carry over to accepting Gods promise to the Jews with regard to the land that Israel now occupies. The Arabs and Muslims have most of the ME and Israel only sits on a very tiny spot. Why fight over such a small area if God Himself gave that land to the Jews?

I would like to hear from some of our VJ friends from that area in this regard.

[mybackpages 0]

I have often wondered about this. The Muslims and Jews have common roots (Abraham) and yet they seem to be mortal enemies. I have often heard that the Muslims honor Moses and other prophets but I never understood why that honoring does not carry over to accepting Gods promise to the Jews with regard to the land that Israel now occupies. The Arabs and Muslims have most of the ME and Israel only sits on a very tiny spot. Why fight over such a small area if God Himself gave that land to the Jews?

I would like to hear from some of our VJ friends from that area in this regard.

I don't think that most Muslims and Jews have problems with one another. But I do think that people with political agendas (on both sides) have exploited history, fears and myths to further their goals.

And as far as Israel belonging to the Jews, the Quran also says Jerusalem is a holy city for Muslims.

[GaryC 7]

I don't think that most Muslims and Jews have problems with one another. But I do think that people with political agendas (on both sides) have exploited history, fears and myths to further their goals.

And as far as Israel belonging to the Jews, the Quran also says Jerusalem is a holy city for Muslims.

Holy city, yes. But if you believe in Moses and the Exodise then God gave that land to the Jews for their homeland. I am not trying to start a fight here. I just want to understand the logic of it all.

[mawilson 2,133]

no offense to anyone, I think the issue has been one not the only, catalyst for tension in the Islamic world with the West and Israel...

i agree with the www.ArabsforIsrael.com . doctrine...

May Allah bless and keep you, Brother almaty

[mybackpages 0]

I don't think that most Muslims and Jews have problems with one another. But I do think that people with political agendas (on both sides) have exploited history, fears and myths to further their goals.

And as far as Israel belonging to the Jews, the Quran also says Jerusalem is a holy city for Muslims.

Holy city, yes. But if you believe in Moses and the Exodise then God gave that land to the Jews for their homeland. I am not trying to start a fight here. I just want to understand the logic of it all.

well if Christians and Muslims are also the people of Moses (one interpretation) then wouldn't the Holy Land belong to all three- as all three do claim ties to the area and esp. Jerusalem. I know the UN plan to make Jerusalem an international city has logistical problems, but IMO it was a step in the right direction.

Many Muslims do accept the right of Israel to exist, but they do question the politics of creating Israel esp as it has impacted the Palestinians. Many Jews, Muslims and Christians support the struggle of the Palestinians because it is just a simple case of justice and human dignity.

Gary, have you ever read Edward Said's writings on how history has shaped this area?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Let the Jews have that tiny sliver of land while the Arabs have such huge tracts of land.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Muslims are those who have submitted their will to God. No prophet of God was anything other than someone who has submitted his will to God, so Moses' people were those who had submitted their wills to God, not just Jews, nor those who lived in Israel. A knowledgable Muslim would not consider Moses to be a Jew, because, in Islam, all prophets of God were doing His bidding in the interest of all mankind, delivering a Message that began with the first prophet of Islam - Adam. An interpretation that separates God's people into Jews and others, supporting a "holy" state specifically for Jews, sanctioned by the Quran, is taking the text out of context and reading it as a non-Muslim would.

Edited May 3, 2007 by Green-eyed girl

[peezey 0]

maybe, if i lived and grew up in palestine i would feel differently...but i feel too much death, hatered and warfare has lead to nothing..Israel is here to stay.....and may Allah bless all their citizens...

One doesn't have to grow up in Palestine to read the facts that nearly 5 Palestinians for every 1 Israeli dies in this "conflict." How anyone can't see clearly what really is going on there is beyond me.

[peezey 0]

no offense to anyone, I think the issue has been one not the only, catalyst for tension in the Islamic world with the West and Israel...

i agree with the www.ArabsforIsrael.com . doctrine...

maybe, if i lived and grew up in palestine i would feel differently...but i feel too much death, hatered and warfare has lead to nothing..Israel is here to stay.....and may Allah bless all their citizens...

I cannot believe you buy this drivel.

From the site:

"Reject hate, embrace love. Bring out the best in Islam by showing your compassion, gratitude and forgiveness. Make the holy land truly holy by giving Israel and the Jewish people the respect they deserve in their tiny little country. This is not a crisis over land. It is a crisis of the soul; a crisis in our faith, judgement and self confidence. Israel should not be regarded as an enemy, but as a blessing to our neighborhood. We need not fear peace, but embrace it."

Do you see ####### Israel does to Palestinian neighborhoods? Women having babies at checkpoints, houses demolished to nothing. This is just the stuff you can see on our own MSM that doesn't normally say ####### against Israel.

Get a clue.