Canadian Islamic Congress: Difference between revisions
Bless sins (talk | contribs) →October 2004 Controversy: if its unsouced let's jsut remove it. someone can add it in later when they find a source |
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Elmasry supported this view by citing a 1953 book by French pacifist [[Jean Lasserre]], ''La Guerre et L'Evangile''. Drawing on Lasserre's view that by and large, "the Old Testament ignores that respect for human life, that unconditional love, that non-violence, which [is] the general climate of the New Testament." |
Elmasry supported this view by citing a 1953 book by French pacifist [[Jean Lasserre]], ''La Guerre et L'Evangile''. Drawing on Lasserre's view that by and large, "the Old Testament ignores that respect for human life, that unconditional love, that non-violence, which [is] the general climate of the New Testament." |
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| ⚫ | His next gaffe [the first being the October 2004 controversy] was the declaration that Israel's cruelty could be explained by the fact that the Old Testament is full of justification of bloody deeds by the ancient Hebrews. The inescapable corollary is that all Jews are cruel. Of course, his remarks have several flaws. Even if, for the moment, we grant the characterization of the Old Testament, it does not follow that all who claim to follow it see it that way and act accordingly. Second, a more realistic evaluation of these scriptures would recognize that they contain the work of many authors with different views produced over many centuries, with later works often more sophisticated. Amos, who delcares, "Let justice flow down like the waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream," can hardly be characterized as bloodthirsty. Finally, Elmasry's take on the Old Testament is un-Islamic. The Quran identifies some of the patriarchs in the Jewish scriptures as prophets, and it speaks respectfully of Jews and Christians as "people of the book".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.arabamericannews.com/newsarticle.php?articleid=6253|date=undated|author=Reuel S Amdur|title=Progressive Muslim group implodes|publisher=Arab American News}}</ref> </blockquote> |
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Elmasry's statement contradicts a previous article he wrote in which he stated that "very few people would sanely suggest that the Torah [which is part of the Old Testament] sanctions violence. The reason of course is that these verses and others much like them are subject to various interpretation and contextual assumptions.".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mediamonitors.net/elmasry31.html|date=September 18, 2002|author=Mohamed Elmasry|title=Does the Qur'an Sanction Violence?|publisher=Media Monitors Network}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | His next gaffe [the first being the October 2004 controversy] was the declaration that Israel's cruelty could be explained by the fact that the Old Testament is full of justification of bloody deeds by the ancient Hebrews. The inescapable corollary is that all Jews are cruel. Of course, his remarks have several flaws. Even if, for the moment, we grant the characterization of the Old Testament, it does not follow that all who claim to follow it see it that way and act accordingly. Second, a more realistic evaluation of these scriptures would recognize that they contain the work of many authors with different views produced over many centuries, with later works often more sophisticated. Amos, who delcares, "Let justice flow down like the waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream," can hardly be characterized as bloodthirsty. Finally, Elmasry's take on the Old Testament is un-Islamic. The Quran identifies some of the patriarchs in the Jewish scriptures as prophets, and it speaks respectfully of Jews and Christians as "people of the book".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.arabamericannews.com/newsarticle.php?articleid=6253|date=undated|author=Reuel S Amdur|title=Progressive Muslim group implodes|publisher=Arab American News}}</ref> </blockquote> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 08:21, 30 December 2007
The Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) refers to itself as Canada's largest national non-profit and wholly independent Islamic organization.[1] It presents itself as an exclusively Canadian non-governmental organization, with no affiliation to any group, body, ideology or government. CIC claims to be an independent voice of Canada's Muslims -- Sunni and Shi'a, men and women, youth and seniors.
It is based in Kitchener, Ontario and its president is Dr. Mohamed Elmasry. Its Vice-President is Wahida C. Valiante.
Statement by CJC VP in February 2003
In an article written in February of 2003, CIC Vice-President Wahida C. Valiante wrote:
Unfortunately, the Jewish idea of being “chosen” not only institutionalized racism, but also set a terrible precedent for human history in general, where racial superiority claims became the norm, the divisive standard by which all others, those not like us were to be judged and treated.[2]
After the Canadian Jewish Congress complained, Ms. Valiente sent the organization a letter acknowledging that her interpretation of the term “chosen people” was “inconsistent with its meaning in the scriptures of the Old Testament.”[3]
October 2004 Controversy
On October 19, 2004 CIC President Elmasry appeared in a panel discussion on The Michael Coren Show to discuss the topic of "What is a terrorist?". During an exchange with the show's host he stated that anyone in Israel over the age of 18 was a justifiable target of Palestinian attacks, since all adult Israelis are "part of the Israeli army, even if they have civilian clothes. The same, if they are women in the army . . . . Everybody above 18 is a combatant." [4] He also criticized the recent bombing of hotels in Taba, Egypt on the grounds that some of the victims there were not Jews.[5] These remarks prompted harshly-worded responses from representatives of the Canadian Jewish Congress and several prominent Canadian Muslims. In a letter to the Toronto Star, he denied having made those remarks, despite their having been recorded and broadcast on-air.[5]
Claim that Old Testament teaches violence
Commenting in June of 2006 on the decision of United Church, in Toronto, Canada, to reissue a motion to divest in Israeli companies, Elmasry stated:
“The move of the Toronto’s United Church is a moral one. But is it true to its Holy Book; the New Testament as much as Israel’s campaign of death, destruction and misery against the Palestinians under its occupation is true to its Holy Book; the Old Testament?” ... “It seems that many political leaders in the Christian West are not living the teaching of their Holy Book while Israel is living its own” [6]
Elmasry supported this view by citing a 1953 book by French pacifist Jean Lasserre, La Guerre et L'Evangile. Drawing on Lasserre's view that by and large, "the Old Testament ignores that respect for human life, that unconditional love, that non-violence, which [is] the general climate of the New Testament."
Elmasry's statement contradicts a previous article he wrote in which he stated that "very few people would sanely suggest that the Torah [which is part of the Old Testament] sanctions violence. The reason of course is that these verses and others much like them are subject to various interpretation and contextual assumptions.".[7]
An article in the Arab American News criticized Elmasry, stating that:
His next gaffe [the first being the October 2004 controversy] was the declaration that Israel's cruelty could be explained by the fact that the Old Testament is full of justification of bloody deeds by the ancient Hebrews. The inescapable corollary is that all Jews are cruel. Of course, his remarks have several flaws. Even if, for the moment, we grant the characterization of the Old Testament, it does not follow that all who claim to follow it see it that way and act accordingly. Second, a more realistic evaluation of these scriptures would recognize that they contain the work of many authors with different views produced over many centuries, with later works often more sophisticated. Amos, who delcares, "Let justice flow down like the waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream," can hardly be characterized as bloodthirsty. Finally, Elmasry's take on the Old Testament is un-Islamic. The Quran identifies some of the patriarchs in the Jewish scriptures as prophets, and it speaks respectfully of Jews and Christians as "people of the book".[8]
See also
References
- ^ "Facts about the CIC". The Canadian Islamic Congress. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- ^ Valiante, Wahida C. (February 13, 2004). "The Slave Named Bilal: a Forgotten Page in the History of Islam". The Canadian Islamic Congress. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Jiménez, Marina (October 28, 2004). "Islamic leader apologizes but won't quit". The Globe and Mail. pp. A1. Archived from the original on Unknown. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|archivedate=(help) - ^ Transcript Of Dr. Mohamed Elmasry's Remarks On Michel Coren Show
- ^ a b Dimanno, Rosie (November 12, 2004). "Another unpleasant spin on terror debate story". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Mohamed Elmasry (July 7, 2006). "Canadian United Church and Israel, True to their Holy Books?". Canadian Islamic Congress.
- ^ Mohamed Elmasry (September 18, 2002). "Does the Qur'an Sanction Violence?". Media Monitors Network.
- ^ Reuel S Amdur (undated). "Progressive Muslim group implodes". Arab American News.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)