Posted on 09/30/2007 5:33:04 AM PDT by Kaslin
What is it with the combination of being a medical doctor and a “Muslim? That’s a very legitimate question to ask, in light of a certain event that unfolded at the end of last week in Virginia.
Dr. Esam Omeish, who in addition to being an “M.D.” was, up until last Thursday, a member of the Virginia State Commission on Immigration. He also happens to be president of the Muslim American Society. By all accounts an accomplished professional and a responsible contributor to his community, Dr. Omeish’s world changed, seemingly overnight, when some very damning video was discovered at Youtube Dot Com.
Turns out that back in August of 2006, Dr. Omeish delivered a speech before an Islamic rally in Washington D.C., and made some statements that, by any objective measure, are rather troubling.
First, the part that has people really upset. Dr. Omeish is seen on the video tape saying to his Muslim audience, "...you have learned the way, that you have known that the jihad way is the way to liberate your land."
Is this something that has been taken out of context? Sure it is. I’m only providing a partial quote here. But can we just be very candid and honest here, and admit that hearing a Muslim in America - - or anywhere else- - utter the word “jihad,” is rather unnerving?
Since the discovery of the video, Dr. Omeish has explained that this jihad flap is all a big misunderstanding. Responding to the outcry, Dr. Omeish stated “in Islam, jihad is a broad word that means constant struggle - struggling spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, physically - in all respects. So my words were in support of people who are resisting occupation and people who are trying to ... remove oppression from their land.”
Okay…so all us “non-Muslims” need to keep an open mind, and think in terms of a broader definition of “jihad.”
But what about some of the other rhetoric that appears on Dr. Omeish’s You Tube debut? Elsewhere on the recording Omeish states that the ‘invasion” of Lebanon and “support of the Israeli war machine” are criminal, and should end now. And that Israel is “illegally occupying Palestine.” And that the United States Congress has an “agenda” to support Israel, and that agenda is ‘controlling” U.S. foreign policy.
Oh, really? And since when has it become socially acceptable in the United States to assert conspiracy theories about the undue influence of Jews (isn‘t this as “old school“ and as offensive as saying that “the Jews control Hollywood?”). And how much further should this kind of rhetoric progress before we are legitimately concerned about “anti-Semitism?”
This incident certainly raises concerns about Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine’s vetting process, for appointing members to his state commission. But it also bares at least some resemblance to a set of circumstances that unfolded earlier this year in Europe.
Recall that on July 1 of this year, authorities in both England and Scottland reported the discovery of a terror plot involving Muslim physicians and their plans to wreak havoc at airports in both London and Glasgow. Fortunately the plot was thwarted. But it was bad enough to raise concerns at 10 Downing Street about the adequacy of background checks that were being conducted on so-called “professional immigrants” into the U.K.
Similarly, the “discovery” of Dr. Omeish’s inflamed rhetoric in front of his Muslim “brothers” should raise concerns here in the United States. It should, once again, cause Americans to question where the true, peace-loving Muslims are. It should cause us to ask why, among the voices of hostility and hatred, we are not hearing from those who call themselves by the name of “Allah,” yet are also able to agreeably disagree with those who do not share their faith tradition, and not wish them harm.
I dared to raise these questions myself, just last Friday in Washington, D.C. While guest hosting a talk show on ABC radio’s 630 WMAL (a station where I frequently “fill-in”), I asked these very same questions, even as the news of Dr. Omeish was breaking. And quite quickly, I was inundated with some very enlightening email and telephone calls, labeling me as a “Nazi,” “a pawn in the big Zionist propaganda machine,” and a “hate monger who is painting with a broad brush every Muslim on the planet.”
I hadn’t asserted anything - - I merely asked a couple of questions. If you’re going to ask the questions, be prepared to be so-labeled.
But the questions are still worth asking.
Darn tootin they are worth asking. Especially since the Hebrew people have brought many contributions to civilization to all including the Messiah. And the Judeo-Christian values don’t include killing.
I am prepared so let me ask this question: If every muslim on the planet were to suddenly disappear, would it make a difference...and if so, how???
The only good Muslim is . . .
I remember when you could finish this statement in America.
I learned a long time ago they can call me anything they want.......I know in my heart I'm not a racist a bigot or "phobic' of anyone. I am however a thinking man who wants to protect his family. So I wont quit stating the truth or asking the questions.
In Search Of The “Peace-Loving Muslims”....
what an oxymoron....”Peace-Loving Muslims”!!!!
This excercise is as cryptic as solving the riddle of sphinx or how to cut the gordian knot!!!
Of course there are peace loving Muslims. All Muslims are "peace loving"
You just need to understand what "peace" mean to a Muslim, you filthy insolent infidel
Revert to Islam and you will have peace. Simple as that.
It needs to be remembered that moslems in Israel, Iraq, Iran, and in the west are working against terrorists. We have thoughtful citizens reporting weapoms caches and roadside bombs everyday in Iraq.
Let’s not paint with too broad of a brush.
“In Search Of...” - Where’s Leonard Nimoy when you need him? ;)
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, and wants to chop your head off...
read
Dar al-Islam (dwelling of Islam) and (2) dar al-harb (dwelling of the sword, war)
Unti America is Dar al-Islam, America will be under Dar al-Harb
There is no thing as a peace loving Muslim
Learn it, live it, deal with it
I know what you want me to post, but we can not put every muslim in the same pot. It would have helped them though if istead of being silent they would have denounced the 9/11 attack
"Jihad is NOT the answer!"
"What if they gave a Jihad and nobody came?"
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
The only “peace” that they understand, is when all Christians’ heads have stopped rolling and the blood has stopped spurting, and the religious background snuff music has stopped playing.
“inner, spiritual struggle”.
Sure. And the pure inner peace they achieve when they slowly saw a living Jew’s head off and sing religious ditties in the background.
My neice and two nephews would disappear and I would be very saddened. My sister, who raised her three children with a Muslim father, (who are all wonderful adults now) would, no doubt, be very saddened to see her husband and children gone.
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