At first, the reports were infrequent. They seemed remote, like border clashes in some distant land. Then the reports became more insistent. Today, dedicated Web sites track the new phenomenon on a daily basis: the accommodation of Islam at the expense of the dominant culture and religion.
Consider some recent examples:
- A British flight attendant was fired for refusing to wear a black robe, and walk behind her male colleagues, on flights to and from Saudi Arabia;
- Yale University published a book on the notorious "Danish cartoons" of Mohammed (including the one shown above), but Yale censored the book and removed the cartoons, citing possible violence;
- British banks discontinued their tradition of giving out toy pigs to young children; they also stopped using drawings of pigs (such as Piglet from Winnie-the-Pooh) in their advertising.
Now there's nothing new about making room for people to worship in whatever way they see fit. America was founded for exactly that reason. And by the 1960s, other Western democracies embraced the idea that people should be free to observe their own faith.
In government, in the workplace, even in the prisons, everyone -- Christians, Jews, Muslims, and others -- needed breathing room to worship as they chose. American law called this idea "religious accommodation."
Back then, accommodation meant removing obstacles to religious expression. Jews needed to be in synagogue on the Jewish holidays without fear of losing their jobs or being penalized by their schoolteachers. Muslims needed time off for their daily prayers. In prisons, both needed access to food that satisfied their respective dietary laws. And so on.
But it was never suggested that religious accommodation meant the whole country must conform to the dictates of these religions. Until now, that is.
Today, in many parts of Europe, we see Muslims demanding that the majority culture change – on a wide range of issues -- to conform to Islamic law. This remarkably aggressive stance has gone from unthinkable to non-negotiable in less than a generation.
Suppose Jews were to demand that cheeseburgers be banned in all restaurants across America.
The issue here isn't respecting other religions, or helping minority groups make their way in the larger society, or being flexible to accommodate religious diversity. No, the issue here is remaking society to conform to the religious law of one particular faith. This is something new – and very troubling.
To see what it really means, let's imagine would happen if Jews made similar demands in the United States.
Take food. The Torah forbids Jews to mix meat and milk, or to derive any benefit from such mixtures. Suppose Jews were to demand that cheeseburgers be banned in all restaurants across America, because they offend the Torah?
Now take business and commerce. The Torah forbids Jews to charge interest on loans made to other Jews. (Halacha and Sharia law actually have much in common here.) Suppose American Jews were to insist that all loans made in America should now be interest-free in order to comply with the Torah?
These two simple examples show what's wrong with the whole idea. The Torah speaks primarily to Jews, and it would be outrageous if Jews suddenly expected all Americans -- Protestants, Baptists, Catholics, Unitarians, Seventh-Day Adventists, Mormons, atheists, etc. -- to keep the Torah.
But the equivalent of that outrageous demand is now being made in Europe and America on a regular basis. It isn't enough for non-Muslims simply to respect their fellow citizens who follow the way of Islam. No, non-Muslims are now expected to observe many of the precepts of Islamic law.
Like most great waves of historical change, this one began by lapping gently around our ankles. No one is demanding that Germany outlaw all pork products -- yet. No one expects the non-Muslim women in Paris to cover their heads -- yet.
But it would be a mistake to think that all is well because those extreme demands aren't being made today. Recall that no one threatened to blow up British banks if they gave another toy pig to a child. No one threatened to attack Yale if it reprinted those cartoons.
No such threats were necessary, you see. Western culture is yielding quite willingly without the need for threats. The mere specter of someone claiming "religious intolerance" or "anti-Muslim bias" is enough to encourage a civilized and quiet surrender.
Every little surrender sets the stage for the next -- and larger -- confrontation.
When the basic principle is unacceptable, every little surrender just sets the stage for the next -- and larger -- confrontation. If we agree today that there's actually something wrong with a British bank distributing toy pigs, what will we say when the demand is made to ban the sale of all pork products? If we agree today that a non-Muslim stewardess must dress and behave like a Muslim woman, how can we defend the right of non-Muslim women in Paris to leave their heads uncovered?
The West desperately needs to re-think what it means to be accommodating. And the hour is growing late.
This article is dedicated in loving memory of the author's father, Reuven ben Ya'akov z''l.
(45) Albert Scott, April 15, 2019 8:10 PM
Very succinct and far sighted.Even truer10 years later.We are up against a wall of irrationality and denial from our own western society.It Will take constant perseverance and presentation of factual evidence to overcome it.
Even truer now.We are up against a wall of irrationality and denial from our own western establishments .
(44) Mr. Cohen, August 10, 2016 3:30 AM
Two Quick Quotes from Leading Arabs and Muslims:
Two Quick Quotes from Leading Arabs and Muslims:
========================================
In December 2015, the New York Times described Imam Yasir Qadhi as “one of the most influential clerics in American Islam”. Imam Yasir Qadhi said:
“If filthy Jews and Christians do not convert to Islam, [then] their life and property are halal [free for the taking] for the Muslims.”
In June 2016, Sultan Abu Alainin [a member of the Palestinian Authority Central Committee, and a top advisor to Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas] said:
“Whenever you see an Israeli, slit their throat.”
PLEASE help SUE the terrorists in court:
www dot IsraelLawCenter dot org
www dot TheLawFareProject dot org
THANK YOU!!
(43) Beverly Kurtin, September 3, 2014 8:14 AM
I prefer to live in THIS CENTURY
I refuse to have any deaelings with Islam and its followers.Why shoud any jew or American have dealaings with a political organization that has blood on its hands? If you are the wrong KIND of Muslim, you and your family is going to be killed. Islamists have brought nothing ot the world except hijackings, mass murders, and has on their Charter the fact that they wantto kill every man, woman, and chid to deateh for simply having the wrong thoughts and the wrong faith? I laugh at those who think that somehow the aiab nations will suddendly drop their demands that the entire world become what they are --impovreshed and living in the 7th century. We MUST STOP cowtowing to them in any shape or manner. They have murded, in cold blood, two American journalists because President Obama is not going to stop bombing them. We are working with people who PROUDLY murder their own children in so-clled honor killings, there are animals in the world that eat their own; I see no difference between a wild beast and a member of Islam. ISLAM does not mean Peace. It means SUBMISSION Submissison to what? To ISLAM. They wish to take over the entire world and just like the bad old days of the crusades you will have a choice: Convert or die. Or you can take second class citizenship and have to pay fines. ISLAM DISGUSTS ME AS NO OTHER RELIGION COULD Islam, by definition, is a cult. A cult id a religion from which you cannot leave; if you DO leave, you are marked for death. I do not trust Muslims, period. The term for people like me who is getting more and more information about Islam is Islmophobiea. No, it is just the truth.
(42) Anonymous, February 10, 2011 2:52 AM
I have just recently started researching this issue with Islam and the contradiction with worldly ethics. It is completely shocking to me to hear that their prophet is a man that killed and raped, and if that is not enough the story is shared in pride. I do not understand how the western world does not see all these accommodations as a slippery slope to conformity. The fact that the religion preaches killing those who do not share the same faith is simply quite frightening. Although I do not have a right to judge the faith because my knowledge on the history is limited to a few brief articles, i still cannot comprehend how this message can be taken in a positive way. How has the world let the message of violence and murder be apart of a religion that is quite clearly populating all parts of the earth.
(41) Bette, December 26, 2010 4:03 PM
So well written, as well as informative and educational. I think that the world as a whole is in a 'deep spiritual' sleep, and perhaps think that things will go on forever as they are. There is a quote in America: "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." :)
(40) Beverly Kurtin, August 17, 2010 11:15 PM
If Johnny jumped off a bridge...
Yes. The Muslims MUST be stopped in their demands and threats, but not ALL of them are terrorist or trouble makers. When it comes to forcing me to adopt their law, hell no. The United States of America is different from all other countries. Calling something that is not, however, is plain bigotry and stupidity holding hands. Only once have I had a problem with Muslims. A garage I had gone into because I had a flat tire refused to help me because I was a woman driver. They helped other cars but wouldn't help me. When I moved the car to smash their windows, they asked what I was about to do. I told them that they were in America and that I was about to destroy their station. They INSTANTLY took care of my flat. That is the language a handful of them understand. But most Muslims I know are just like you and I; working hard to support ourselves and our families. Once they realize you're not afraid of them and are friendly, they reciprocate. I find it cowardly that some other countries are kowtowing to them and not even policing some areas in France and England. I'm not afraid of them, I expect them to behave like Americans and most of the time they do. Please stop calling the community center a mosque; not only is it stupid to do so but it shows ignorance on your part.
(39) Anonymous, August 17, 2010 4:19 PM
additional information plus solution searching.
Speaking of accomodations, I read: 1. that mosques were being built all over Armerica on the American taxpayers dollar. It started with Bush....the theory was that community centers or mosques would control Jihad and anger against the Western world which America signifies.. 2. the land to build this mosque at Ground Zero is only partly owned by this community......the rest is owned by Con Ed.... 3. America is paying for the leader of this mosque to travel to Arab countries to report how well Muslims live in America. They will however not be able to bring foreign money to pay for this mosque... Additonally, if you read the web where some of who stood firm on this mosque hang out.....you will note: 1. they are actively working to discourage Americans from repairing America......"it is too corrupt..and will crumble from the inside ...so do nothing"... 2. they..spread lies, hate and anger against the Jewish religion...and if you call them on it..they say they are separating Zionist.s from Jews........until there is an financial article..then they advocate against the Federal Reserve which they say is privately owned by the Rothchild family..... .The are actively and with passion selling their version of reality..... The question here is: If we know or suspect all this...what are we waiting for? They are pro active in their propaganda war....and we are re-active. Isn't it time we changed our statergy?
(38) ignatz, April 4, 2010 3:19 AM
respect?
How much respect can we have for a religion that commands its adherents to subdue or kill all who don't share their beliefs?
Beverly Kurtin, September 3, 2014 8:16 AM
NONE
Anyone who respects any part of Islam is preparing to cut one's throat.
(37) Anonymous, January 2, 2010 10:18 PM
Respect
But there is such a thing as respect for one's observances. A man wouldn't wear a hat in Church or a male gentile not wear a kippa in an Orthodox or Conservative synagogue - out of respect. The problem is that Muslim practices vary - but should still be respected.
(36) Anonymous, January 1, 2010 5:13 AM
accomodations on college campuses
I know people who went to college Norfolk, VA . They were taking advanced science courses. They told me that the lab tables were segregated because there we so many muslims in the class. I was outraged. I struggled to get accommodations at work and ended up losing my job in the early 1980's due to religious discrimination. But this is outrageous.
(35) ignatz, October 6, 2009 11:26 PM
evidence? (see # 28 below)
Perhaps Liza could check out Bruce Bawer's recent book, "Surrender," which is a compilation of such evidence. Or go to a web site such as JihadWatch. There's no shortage of evidence -- only a shortage of those willing to see.
(34) Dave, October 6, 2009 4:01 AM
@ - #28 Liza
Evidence? He doesn't need too, there is plenty of it out there in the news all the time or do you not pay attention.. Maybe if you did just a few moments of research you could see for yourself just how far this has gone in many European countries. Most major European cities have complete suburbs that are RULED by Sharia law, and any non-Muslim that strays into these areas had best get their butts out quick or pay a high price, especially non-robed women. No Liza, the evidence is out there and it's plentiful...this is already a major problem in Europe and now even here in Canada we see the relentless push of the Muslim hordes towards forcing others to observe their customs.
(33) intelligent anon, October 5, 2009 5:08 PM
"the cartoons were downright RACIST " A word to the not-so-wise, Islam/Muslims are not a race. Grow up and stop playing the race card in pathetic attempts to stifle dissenting views.
(32) Anonymous, October 4, 2009 10:50 AM
Muslim is submission
Ofcourse this is what is going to happen dont forget what ISLAM means it means SUBMISSION. They are using man power and baby steps but its working for them. Thanx for clarifing the difference between imposing and respecting.
(31) Kip Gonzales, October 2, 2009 10:20 AM
Great article! (Plus my "two cents...")
This article is very good! It seems in many places, Expressions of Muslim religion are to be "tolerated", which also means accepted and to be taken as true by others. At the same time, Christian expressions are supressed and many times, even forbidden. Nobody should be forced to observe the dictates of another religion, but when just displaying or talking about one´s beliefs becomes a crime, it won´t be long until even building Sukkot could be forbidden, to keep from offending Muslims and atheists! By the way, I do not agree with (26) when she says that Allah and G-d are the same. Of course, Allah is the Arabic name for their god, but he is not the HaShem of the Torah! In the entire Bible, you can see the love, righteousness, and mercy of our Creator. The Allah of the Qu´ran is depicted as almighty, but his character is entirely different from the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They definately are not the same!
(30) Anonymous, October 2, 2009 1:27 AM
Yale
About the incidents at Yale - the Muslim community had every right to object to these cartoons. They simply felt uncomfortable and they felt like they were being attacked. I'm sure Jews would feel the same way if cartoons were being published showing historically famous Jews (eg Moshe, Rabbi Schneerson...) being greedy or displaying other stereotypes. I'm sure they would want to do something to get them banned, because they are OFFENSIVE. A picture showing Muhammad as a bomber displays a much worse stereotype - muslims as suicide bombers. This is simply the freedom to feel comfortable as a religious (or non-religous) person, the cartoons were downright RACIST
(29) Anonymous, October 2, 2009 1:21 AM
Assumptions
You are making it sound here like these demands are being made by all Muslims. Most Muslims are moderate, good people. But just like there are fundementalist Jews who pose a threat to Jewish and non-Jewish culture, there are also fundementalist Muslims. Unfortunately, this small group of people has a lot of influence over society. We must respect and understand that most Muslims do not make these demands. Assumptions like these are racist and dangerous.
(28) Liza, October 1, 2009 1:27 PM
You don't provide any evidence
Steinberg doesn't provide any evidence that Muslims are imposing their way of life on Europeans. What's the evidence? Maybe he's right, but if it's really an issue, he should be able to point to lots of examples. He hasn't even mentioned one.
(27) Allen Silver, October 1, 2009 6:41 AM
History of Piggy Banks
No more piggy-banks Mr Anonymous(21)posted 30th Sept Your obvious anti-Semitic misinformed reply about the History of Piggy Banks is an example of pure ignorance and yet another excuse for the likes of you to make sick accusations behind the comfort of anonymity.
(26) Beverly Kurtin, September 30, 2009 10:41 PM
Tried and lost
One Muslim demanded that all swine products be removed from an aisle that he used in order to get to his food stuffs. It went to court and the Muslim lost. This is the United States, not an Arab majority entity, said the judge in dismissing the case. This is what all countries are going to have to do. Muslims are basically cowards. Push them and they fall. Yale University should be ashamed of being afraid of possible problems. One comment said that Allah is not G-d's name; I take exception to that. Allah is the Arabic word for G-d. G-d is NOT G-d's name, by the way; we long ago lost what his name is. Personally, I find Muslim men to be like roosters in a farm yard. They strut around and expect all females to do what they demand. But when challenged, they fold like a tower of playing cards.
(25) Jacob Stern, September 30, 2009 4:54 PM
Phobia from confrontation leads to disaster
There is some psychological pattern that is repeating here in historical view. Before WW2 there was a fear to confront the demands of Germany due to fear of another major world war. Result: WW2. Today, there's a similar unease that is expressed in the unproportional agreeing to do what Muslims demand. If this is not stopped now, then the reaction will surely be a major cultural confrontation that might lead to WW3 or similar. A possible scenario : Religious Muslims demand that some of their laws will be forced on the majority and this causes violent attacks of different Religious Christian groups against them etc. Remember that there were religious wars that lasted many years and were very very bloody.
(24) Rose, September 30, 2009 11:55 AM
...
You don't have to give muslims an inch for them to demand a mile. The secular West and its self destructive open door policies to welcome muslims in and making these muslims feel more at home than the natives will bring the end of Western Civilisation as we know it. Freedom of Speech is a thing of the past, anti-JudeoChristian sentiments being on the rise and the only worship allowed to practise freely is that of islam. Many Jews do support muslims' freedom of worship and their human rights rather than appose their multiplication. This attitude is not helping neither the Jews nor anyone else. Wherever islam has gone it has stifled other cultures and religions.
(23) Mitzi, September 30, 2009 11:14 AM
Freedom of Religion
This article hits the nail on the head as we are being FORCED to accept their religion which promotes hatred of Jews and Christians alike and strong antisemitism.America was founded on the right to have religious freedom so now they demand America and other countries change their constution to their GOD .We have but one G-d ! His name is NOT ALLAH and we should be given the freedom to worship OUR G-d in the way HE commands us to do ..we do not answer to these people and its time we stood our ground and tell them so in actions,words and deeds.This violent religion or hate and persecution needs to be contained and in standing our ground in our G-d of Abraham and letting them know we will not conform to their ideals nor their hatred .
(22) Allen Silver, September 30, 2009 7:14 AM
This little Piggy
My friend" little Piggy " used to live in a Bank and gave away nice little Piggy boxes to all the children who came into the bank . It didn`t matter to him what religion their mummies and daddies followed for he simply wanted to teach them the value of saving money so that as they grew up they would understand how important a lesson it was. Now one day Piggy was watching TV and was introduced to "Nassur" of Hamas TV fame, now Nassur was teaching Palestinian kids how to kill Jews and kick them out of Palestine and they made a cartoon film about it. Piggy was not amused in fact he was very confused for he new that a lot of children, especially muslim and jewish children were not allowed to eat Pork, in fact Piggy was really upset about anybody eating Pork but that did not stop him from trying to teach young children what life was all about and if one day you should come across an old Piggy money box I suggest you keep it and when you have children of your own perhaps even encourage them to save their pocket money in it.
(21) Anonymous, September 30, 2009 6:38 AM
No more piggy-banks
Yes, there's actually something wrong with any bank distributing toy pigs, since the custom of the piggy-bank started as condemnation of Jews for their 'greed' in money matters.
(20) Saul Pillai, September 30, 2009 5:46 AM
Muslims Should Not Just Keep Silent
I agree to the views expressed in this article. I also read all the comments given thus far. I want to say that many have sighted that it is the extremist that are at fault. I don’t fully buy that. The extremist have set a pattern and the whole Muslim world is steadily falling into the rut. Why are the majority of Muslims silent to the aggression shown by the extremists? Why has there not to date been a fatwa outlawing suicide bombers? Why no high Muslim authority condemns and makes it a punishable act to kill innocent lives in the name of Jihad? They are all eerily silent on this account. Most just pay lip service and make rhetoric speeches about Islam being a religion of peace. I urge the Muslim people to stand up to the extremists. The problem with most Muslims is that they fear to be different from the rest even if they have true conviction and are not blind to the evils committed by some of their co-religionists. I live in a Muslim country that is more concerned about the question of; Can yoga be practiced by Muslims? …. At the end the verdict was; Yoga is banned to all Muslims in my country…
(19) l, September 30, 2009 2:43 AM
kidding, right?
You really believe this? I am very skeptical. Where is thel leap between female stewardesses surrounded by muslims in saudi arabia, to all non-muslim women in paris? the lack of logic here would be amusing if it didn't frighten me that people believe this. As Jews, we want religious accomodation! Do we really think we are so different from Muslims in the eyes of America's Christian/secular majority? There is a reason that whenever a Muslim sues because of religious discrimination, all the Jewish organizations are the first to jump to the case. And Lubavitch and others have been doing the same anti-pigs thing for ages.
(18) David Gould, September 29, 2009 11:32 PM
Respecting others is not to adopt their customs
It behoves us all to be aware...much more aware of each other's religious and cultural customs and to respect them. I would not offer a Jewish friend a cheeseburger (nice example) nor would I introduce my Muslim friend to my pet dog and so forth. But as a Christian neither of these two things are my way of life. So I respect by being conversant in other's ways but do not adopt those ways unless I am persuaded that there is some benefit in doing so. Likewise when abroad I spend a great deal of time learning in advance the customs of the people I am visiting so as not to cause offence. Such matters are politeness. But to force a whole population to conform to the needs of a minority seems to me to be wrong. And since when did we become so observant of Muslim culture as to force us to adopt their ways?
(17) Annie, September 29, 2009 11:31 PM
I wonder
I wonder if some of these things are actually coming from Muslims. In New Zealand a school decided to stop having hot cross buns at Easter in case it offended the local Muslims-who said publicly that (a) it didn't (b) they didn't like having other people speaking for them, as they were capable of speaking on their own behalf. The same thing has happened in England; the Muslim Federation became tired of being blamed for other peoples' prejudices. People who didn't have the guts to say that THEY were anti-Christmas so shifted their own prejudices onto Muslims who 'might be offended' (but weren't). This must have caused endless trouble. Urban myths abound. A tertiary institution in New Zealnd amde a room available to Muslims (and otehrs) for prayer...urban myth turned this into every school HAVING to make a room available for Muslims. Let us sort out what is true from what is not.
(16) Anonymous, September 29, 2009 10:28 PM
Cultural and religious and co-existence presupposes respect and tolerance
It is sad, but undeniable, that a peaceful, loyal and respectful religious and cultural co-existence with muslim fellow-citizens is impossible. It is even moire sad, that so few westerners want to understand how it is. Your analyze is in my opinion very appropriate and broadminded. Yours sincerely Steffen Lauge Pedersen Lawyer Copenhagen Denmark
(15) Anonymous, September 29, 2009 9:36 PM
This country needs to go back to the Constitution, and common sense, instead of political correctness. It will always be a mystery to me why the majority of Jews (I am not Jewish, but enjoy articals at AISH) are so liberal. aish
(14) Rachel, September 29, 2009 8:57 PM
What goes around comes around....
....let's not forget that France has banned the wearing of obvious religious garb (hijab, kipah, etc) in public places; surely this is going too far in the non-accommodation sphere. I'm also disturbed by those commenters who say "if they want to live here, they should conform to our culture" -- by this reasoning, my husband should have to work on Shabbat when it begins before the end of the workday on Fridays, I should not be permitted to cover my hair in public, etc. (I live in the US) I'm a big believer in choice -- have piggy banks and those in another shape for those who don't like pigs; don't discriminate against women because they dress immodestly OR "too modestly" (I've been told that my tnius skirts are too long by colleagues, although my boss has more sense); let employees take off for religious holidays regardless of which religion they are honoring. And with all the crazy "nut banning" due to some people with allergies (If they're so bad, how come nobody used to die of them when they were present in the past in school cafeterias, bars, planes?) I'm agnostic about pork banning! All that fat can't be good for most people; for that reason alone, it might be a good idea, like no smoking in public places....
(13) Anonymous, September 29, 2009 8:55 PM
Which bank?
The only bank in the UK that used to give out toy pigs to all young account holders stopped doing so over 15 years ago and it had nothing to do with Islam.
(12) Anonymous, September 29, 2009 8:49 PM
Image being an Eskimo!
Image, being an Eskimo. Our lands were taken without asking!, After all we didin't really mind. since our way of living is "Sharing" our lives with anyone that comes our way, welcoming all, placing them without charge. giving until we have nothing left. And image "What money"? what interest? there is not word. As you could see even in our language there is no word for "Fear", "Hope", nor nor "love" nor "hate". We didn't have time to learn all these words, and here it is we have been here for nearly 10's of thousands of years. People come...kill each other and kill us, and then leave. but always they couldn't kill the belief! which is "Share your life" without condition!. G-D we have known never did tells us to be talking about someone in a bad way, and the one who heard to pass it on to another one, nor someone who hears, take it as it what it meant! "Don't listen to bad, otherwise it will take you and run with you!. Us, poor Eskimos will keep on living and others will keep on learning about us.....why not be like an Eskimo in the first place? do an test if your most magnificent item is taken tell yourself, "well, a person who took it must need it more then I do!". and then go out and just pray.... saying "Thank you" for a time a most magnificent item you had given me for use til then. now as you see I don't have it anymore so please put a blessing on the most magnificent item taken, so the person will mention our Race, to others, saying there is a blessing over there. Know who we are!
(11) Anonymous, September 29, 2009 5:57 PM
Jumpin' Jihads!
Tuesday, 09/29/09 common era Wahabi Islam, in my understanding, is the extremist, violent for of Islam that is steadily encroaching upon the non-Moslem world. President Obama feels SOME affinity for the Wahabis, to wit, his bowing before King Fahd Oil money talks; it shouts. Now the Christian world is learning what it's like to have someone else's religion jammed down your throat. Liberal Jews are suckers time and again.
(10) Anonymous, September 29, 2009 5:54 PM
Agreed
This is quite sad. Perhaps the solution is for each one of us to bring up such issues in our private lives, instead of keeping mum about it. People who come to a different culture should try to accomodate themselves to that culture, and some Muslims definitely try to do this, and they have my respect. However, most do not.
(9) Anonymous, September 29, 2009 5:16 PM
Amplify on the warning
Absolutely correct. They don't like our culture why do they keep coming here when we demonstrate time and time again that we are not the width than being here. They are compromising our civilization integrate by immigrant, terrorist by terrorist.
(8) JL, September 29, 2009 5:11 PM
Watch this video from Brussels no-go zones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWTtMDI7GJU
(7) JL, September 29, 2009 5:04 PM
British banks are banning piggy banks
Fortis Bank in Belgium did the same thing. They banned the little pigs they used to distribute to children, because it might ennoy Muslims. In schools, Belgian children are forced to eat halal, and during the ramadam some schools forbid them to eat.
(6) Betty Rigsbee, September 29, 2009 4:43 PM
In regards to the above article
Dear Friends in Israel, I have visited your homeland, and loved being there where such loving care has rebuilt the land. I have followed closely your hard work in trying to have a peaceful relationship with your neighbors. I truly feel that if everyone outside of your borders would cease to interfere, you could talk over the problems that beset you and come to a workable agreement. I am an old widow woman. I am not even a Jew. However, were I young now with the financial means at my disposal, I know that I would catch the next plane over to stand beside you to help you rebuild your homeland and your peaceful coexistance with your neighbors. After all, your people were there first. You have every right to defend your beloved country. I shall be praying for your country, and for your safety. May God be with you in the days ahead. Shalom, Betty Rigsbee, Texas USA
(5) ruth housman, September 29, 2009 4:34 PM
Extreme isms
You make a cogent argument and I agree. There has to be a limit to religious insistence everyone do it that particular way, or else, and it's the extremists, that go too far, and it's very dangerous and one has to question the "agenda" of such extremism, because it's often enforced, even within the religion, with terror and with ways that are seemingly not about the spiritual, which is, I do believe, the underlying well we're ALL drawing from. Sometimes I feel that people go to the extremes in condemning Islam and it's a situation of I SLAM Islam. Certainly, following 911, the news media exploited this feeling of vulnerability and "used us all" in showing in newscasts pictures of Muslims in prayer, as if we should make a connection Muslims equal Terror. We all need to be very careful, to educate ourselves, and to be alert surely, for when balance is unbalanced, and when leaders themselves make hateful and terrible remarks and enforce ways of being that are simply, not right. We do have a sense of when it's crossing THAT line.
(4) jer, September 29, 2009 4:03 PM
There are public schools in regions of New York that forbid pork in their cafeteria menus because of Muslim intervention. When will people wake up?
(3) Avi Cohen Stuart, September 29, 2009 3:57 PM
Welcome to the lands of Djimmitude
The Eurabians and even the US is starting to behave as good second class citizens also better known as dhjimmi's in the Muslim world Umma. It will not take long before every non-Muslim will start to pay the dhzira the special punative tax for non-Muslims. Maybe we do so already: via the high oil prices we finance the mosques that are built in the West. Call be a bigot, but if we do not defend our Western rights against those groups that are highly undemocratic in nature and are not willing to adapt to the Western standards in our own country, we are heading to a very troubled time. One of the biggest problems is the 'liberal' thought that although we are all created equal, everyone should be treated equal. Those rights are absolute. But it comes with an obligation to treat others equal as well. And that doesn't come together with Islam.
(2) Abdulameer, September 29, 2009 3:45 PM
Creeping shariah
This article is a very important warning to our society, our citizens and our government. If Moslems want to observe those aspects of Shariah law which are compatible with out laws, they have the freedom to do so. But, we must never, ever, develop the habit of accommodating them. They chose to live among us; let them accommodate to us. No more footbaths at our airports or in public restrooms! No more work-stoppages in factories in order to accommodate the prayer schedules of Moslem workers! No more censorship of our books and media in order to avoid all possible offense to Moslems! No more shariah-compliant financing, part of which, according to shariah law, goes to support the jihadists who are warring against us! We must be ever vigilant against creeping Shariah!
(1) agam, September 29, 2009 1:38 PM
The west are confused lot. They now can't differentiate between race, culture and religions. On top of that they have loss their guts and more guts. Today everything is about business and money whatever they do. You can see their Fear all over.