"Is the CONTEMPORARY Ummah antisemitic?" ... I am asking whether a large enough majority or plurality of Muslims are antisemitic; not anti-Israel or anti-Zionist but antisemitic in the sense of being antipathetic to Jews, to justify the label antisemitic for the Ummah.

"Based on personal encounters with Muslims, including Imams, as well as much research I believe that hatred for Jews is woven into the warp and weft of what is taught as Islam and preached AS ISLAM around the world."

Stephany, I cannot answer this question because I simply have not done enough research or travelled enough among Muslims. But I think it is an interesting question. As is the question of how many Jews harbour antipathy toward Muslims.

I believe that where mutual antipathy exists, it is largely as a result of the Arab/Israeli dispute. It's interesting that the further Jews and Muslims get from Palestine/Israel, the greater the antipathy seems to be.

However, this is an issue which will have to wait for another forum. I am in the process of drafting an article addressing Muslim attitudes toward Israel and whether these need to be re-visited and changed. Watch this space.

Irfan you have already filled that space. Start another one.

Well, Irfan, you're drafting a piece about Muslim/ Jewish relations? How far back do you intend to go? Back to the first treaty Muhammad made with the local jewish tribes in the vicinity of Medina, which was a clear sign he intended to destroy them when he was able to? Hatred of jews goes back this far in Islam. And as even Bernard Lewis concedes, all but one of the very many battles Muhammad fought were aggressive, not defensive. He had the above-mentioned jews wiped out when he could.
Are you going to explore the possibility that Muhammad was refused acceptance as a jewish prophet, and so turned against the object of his desire and founded his new religion? This would help to explain the similarities between Islam and Judaism.
Are you going to own up the dhimmitude imposed on jews (and christians) by the invading Muslim armies in 640AD in the area called Palestine by the Romans? Are you going to own up to 1400 years of Muslim oppression of jews (and christians) under Muslim control in countries Muslims invaded and occupied? And the fact that both the PLO and Hammas intend to re-impose dhimmitude on the jews in their homeland if they can?
Are you going to explore the clearly disproportionate vilification of Israel in the Muslim world, a sign of transferred self-hatred at the position Muslims find themselves in nowadays?
I look forward to your article.

Irfan,

Please do not legitimize Islam yet again with another article, without dealing with a core issue.

Muhammand's Islam is nothing more than a hoax that should have been snuffed out during it's embryonic stage. Unfortunately it expanded into a monster, a scourge of humanity that can no longer be contained.

From my earlier post:

<< The Jews and Christians have their religions and so Muhammad wanted to also establish a religion for the Arabs, the arch-enemy of Jews. There were untold personal benefits for Muhammad to so do.
So he started telling people he met Angel Gabriel and then the hoax grew and took on a life of it's own... Today this hoax has a respectable name - Islam.
It is laughable Muslims' claim that Muhammad's illiteracy is proof Allah must had put words in his mouth. I am sure Muhammad, iliterate he might be, must'd been a very communicative person. You won't expect someone who could successfully command an army to be any less than being cunning, manipulative and communicative (and violent, too) >>

Perhaps you can deal with this question:

What is your proof that Muhammad's Islam is not a hoax?

( For teachings not based on the truth is futile )

So there you have it, dear readers. I write an article about Barack Obama and US politics. And GZTan ends the discussion with claims Islamic theology is a hoax.

If pain persists, see your doctor.

Irfan,

Is anyone here really interested in issues surrounding Barack Obama?

Assuming you are correct an author should rightfully dictates theme of a discussion thread, then I suggest perhaps you could write an article like, "I believe Islam is not a hoax."

Afterall Muslims do not even consider such an fundamental but vital issue, and it may sparkle an interest like none others.

-- End of Discussion --