Islam – The elephant in the room

In a world which prefers a two-sided compromise to nearly every conflict, it’s no wonder that many of the agreements forged between opposing sides do not last very long. That’s because the disparity between them is simply too great to bridge the enormous gap.

In a recent article, entitled, “Is the Gaza Plan Doomed to Fail?”, I addressed the many problematic issues which caused me to come to the conclusion that the proposal for a new Gaza has almost no chance of success.

As a result, I received a response, published by the Jerusalem Post in the form of a personal letter from Samer Sinijlawi, the writer who also added his thoughts to the plan. The big difference between us is that he believes that it could be successfully implemented.

Amidst many reasons/excuses he listed, in his article, as to why the people of Gaza participated in the planned massacre of October 7th, cheered it on and threw their support to Hamas, he cited factors of fear, indoctrination and opportunism.

Ever the optimist, Sinijlawi maintains that a better tomorrow awaits the people of Gaza under a new and improved leadership, directing them towards a more promising future.

As I pointed out to him, the problem is the elephant in the room, which he fails to acknowledge, and that is Islam! 

When the population of Gaza is nearly entirely Muslim, meaning that they adhere to the teachings of the Quran, which admonishes its followers to, “slay the unbelievers wherever you find them,” Quran 3:28, that qualifies as a non-starter for peaceful co-existence with others.

But it is not only that command of pronouncing a death sentence on non-Muslims, preventing compromise of any kind.  It is also the Pay-for-Slay program which I also recently outlined, on All Israel News, rewarding Muslims for the killing of those “infidels” who, according to Islam, are not fit to remain alive. 

Both of these major issues are the insurmountable hurdles which, unless miraculously removed, will preclude any advancement for the future of Gazans as well as a leadership that endeavors to take them forward.

Because when citizens are too inculcated with hatred, towards another group who happens to live just a stone’s throw away, reforming them, with the hope of turning them into a respectful, tolerant and morally-responsible people, might be a bridge too far.

Sinijlawi recognizes that the last 20+ years of Hamas governance has influenced several generations of Gazans who either willingly capitulated or, in his opinion, had no choice but to embrace the same evil which causes terrorists to exit humanity and throw in their lot with demons.

As we have, sadly, seen in recent days, the courage to defy a monstrous regime, as now being demonstrated by the brave Iranians, who have taken to the street, realizing their risk of death, demands an inner strength and conviction which exacts a high price. But make no mistake about it. Everyone has a choice!  

In the case of Gaza, theirs was made when the sons, whom they bore, were happily sent off to their deaths in a fight they could never win. Their decision was further cemented each day as their children read textbooks and saw films which reinforced the poison of Jew-hatred and glorified martyrdom.  

The Quranic admonitions also fortified their resolve to see “others” as worthless and disposable, no matter the kindness that was extended to them through providing them with employment, advocacy to ensure equal rights or simply the kindness of physically taking them in their cars for medical treatment.

Unlike their Iranian counterparts, the eyes of Gazans failed to see the evil embodied in their leaders. Their hearts failed to differentiate between true regard and a phony, feigned concern by those who convinced them that they were championing their cause. 

And most importantly, their souls failed to discern genuine religion, which first puts the needs of others before their own, as opposed to a twisted belief which paints others as irredeemable and an error of creation.

These are the reasons why the doctrine of Islam doesn’t pass the smell test when it comes to a moral code of ethics, laws and principles which reveal a holy, merciful and righteous God. 

They are also the reasons why civilized Western culture cannot absorb these types of individuals into their societies and hope for a good outcome. Because the divide in mentality and ethos is too vast to be bridged. 

Everyone believes that if you educate them enough and retrain their minds to think in a different way, that it will all work out. The next generation will abandon the hatred and opt for something more wholesome and humane.

It sounds plausible, but if the basis of their faith is not challenged, how can there really be any hope for lasting change? The pity is that no one talks about this, because it’s so NOT politically correct, but the time has come to realize that continuing to ignore a creed which calls for the elimination of fellow humans will only perpetuate the evil which is overtaking the world like a torrential flood.

Many might say that these are only the positions and actions of radical Muslims, whose fanatical and extreme tendencies drive them to violence. And while that may be true, to some degree, what about the so-called moderate Muslims? If they see the “slay the unbelievers wherever you find them,” passage as an over-the-top theology, why don’t they disavow it?

If they choose not to publicly acknowledge its inhumanity, then what are we to think? Do they agree in principle or are they just as repelled by such ugly words, as the rest of us?

We’ve come to a point in time where that Islamic tenet is being played out right in our midst, because we were foolish enough to think that Islam is compatible with Judeo-Christian values. It’s not, and that should be abundantly clear to everyone at this juncture.

The truth is that we haven’t rejected them. They’ve rejected us, and until they are clear-headed enough to see what is holding them back from living peacefully with other human beings, they will be the ones who will be viewed as the impediment to peaceful co-existence – all because of that elephant in the room!