My Brother's Keeper

In a world where we are often divided by religion, it is nice to see that some still refuse to play that polarizing game. I don't know if this news is hitting the US, but currently in the Netherlands, a racist right wing politician, Geert Wilders, is making a movie based on the fantastic claim that the Quran is a fascist book. This is, of course, the post productive path one can do in exercising their freedom of speech right? Oh I know, I will insult an already marginalized religious group in Europe. While I'm at it, I will go ahead and scream fire in a movie theatre, because thats freedom of speech also, right? Instead of looking the other way, a number of Jewish groups in the Netherlands have condemned Wilder's dangerous hate mongering. Harry de Winter, the Jewish community leader pointed out the double standard of his country, by asserting that Muslims have become the victims of prejudice that would never be tolerated (today) if it targeted Jews.

"It's incomprehensible that Mr Wilders keeps on coming out with such rubbish. If you read the Old Testament [the Jewish Torah] then you also find texts about hatred of homosexuals, hatred of women and the murdering of non-Jewish preachers."

De Winter points to the obvious fact that Jews have been the subject of even worse prejudice and racism, and therefore they should be the most defensive of their Muslim brothers currently targeted.

'As he says in de Volkskrant: "We Jews know like no others what this sort of discrimination can lead to."'

'In an interview with the paper, De Winter says that Wilders’ approach to Islam is like the build-up of anti-Jewish sentiment before World War II. ‘I see no difference between a skull-cap (worn by Jewish men) and a headscarf,’ De Winter said. ‘I hope we get support from across the Jewish community because they should recognize this like no-one else.’

For me, this was a heartwarming piece of news. It is already a rare find to discover a Dutchman who is willing to defend his Muslim brothers. But the fact that he is also a Jew is what really moves me. De Winter does not pay attention to the violent rhetoric of those ignorant Islamic radicals who disobey the Quranic command of tolerating and protecting the Jewish people. De Winter does not listen to those on both sides who argue for a clash of civilizations between the black and white battle of the Muslims/haters of freedom vs. those of Judeo-Christian/Zionist-Crusader heritage. Instead, De Winter steps up to the plate. As a Dutchman, and as a Jew, he demands the ending of this ridiculous onslaught of hate. No matter who is targeted.


For reference see http://www.islamtoday.net/english/showme2.cfm?cat_id=38&sub_cat_id=1823