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ONIMAGES AND

PERCEPTIONS

Professor Mohammed S. Dajani

Al-Quds University

WASATIA Founder - Palestine

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OUR FRAME OF MIND

When do Muslims, Christians, and Jews live in peace and harmony and when do they opt for conflict and war?

When the other is placed in conflict psyche, then his image in the mind of the other would reflect conflict and war…

When the other is placed in peace psyche, then his image in the mind of the other would reflect conciliation and tolerance.

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In his book Orientalism, Edward Said describes a life cycle of a mind-set in a graphic way. “Fictions,” he observes, “have their own logic and their own dialectic of growth and decline.” Learned texts, media representations, any supposedly authoritative body of knowledge have a self-reinforcing tendency. Texts claiming unsubstantiated knowledge can create “the very reality they appear to describe.”

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While Said describes how ‘fiction’ becomes ‘reality,’ Walter Lippmann observes how ‘perception’ becomes ‘reality.’ He says we are all captives of the pictures in our heads. People make mistakes, he writes,

“because an important part of human behavior is reaction to the pictures in their heads.”

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• Samuel Huntington in his

book, “The Clash of

Civilizations” (1996)

maintains that religion will be

the source of future

international conflict between

the civilization based on

Judeo-Christianity and the

civilization based on Islam.

Muslims on the other side feel

their religion is under attack

and respond accordingly.8

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Thus our conflictual behavior towards each other is in reaction to the demonized picture in our head of the other. In a hostile environment, we will react in a defensive manner to the stereotype image of the other in our head, believing that these images to be the reality and not a mere construction of our own perceptions of reality.

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•As a result, we look at the other and we see what we want to see, in an environment of conflict, we will see a foe, while in an environment of peace, we will see a friend.

•We look at the other, and we either choose not see one another or we choose to embrace the other.

• If we don’t want to see the other, we will not care to look and will simply become invisible to one another.

Is Islam on a collision course with Judaism and Christianity?

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Do the Holy Books teach the values of hatred, enmity, conflict and war with the other, or do they promote peace, respect, conciliation, compassion empathy, understanding, and cooperation with the other?

Here the knot lies in our perception of the other which would impact our interpretation of the holy text. If the image is positive the interpretation would be positive.

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Teaching Religion

Extremists believe that:

1. their religion is the supreme religion among all other religions.

2. their faith is one God desires.

3. their religion is God’s gift to humanity

4. their faith is to replace all other religions gone astray.

5. their prophet supersedes all other prophets.

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Ishaq Zahid in his, Glossary of Islamic Terms, on the Internet, defines the word Jahanam as follows:

“Jahanam: Most commonly understood to mean Hell. In fact, it is one of the levels of Hell. There are seven levels of Hellfire: 1. Jaheem – those who ignored God’s commands. 2. Jahanam – for the idol-worshippers

3. Sa'ir - is reserved for the worshippers of fire.

4. Saqar - those who did not believe in God.

5. Ladha - will be the home of the Jews.

6. Hawiyah - will be the abode of the Christians.

7. Hutama - the religious hypocrites

Should we accept this interpretation? 14

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Say (O Muhammad ): "We believe in God and in what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya'qub (Jacob) and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya'qub (Jacob)] and what was given to Musa (Moses), 'Iesa (Jesus) and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one another among them and to Him (Allah) we have submitted (in Islam).” Aal Imran Surah, verse 84

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• {“We did not send any messenger except with the language of his people to state clearly for them. Allah sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills, for He is the Almighty, the Wise.“ } --Surah Ibrahim 14:4

ه* { و-م* ان* ق/ ول9 إ*ال6 ب*ل*س/ س; ل-ن/ا م*ن ر6 س/ ر-ا أ/ و/م/

د*ي ي/ه- اء; و/ لJ الل6ه; م/ن ي/ش/ ي;ض* م- ف/ �ل*ي;ب/يPن/ ل/ه;ك*يم; و/ ال-ع/ز*يز; ال-ح/ اء; و/ه; } �م/ن ي/ش/

) سورة ابراهيم14:4(

Interpreting the verse:{“We have created you ummattan wasatan.”}

1. To indicate justice, balance, moderation, middle-ground, centrism, temperance.

The Islamic nation is a just and moderate nation.

2. Muslims are middle between:

(a) “Jews who brought upon themselves God’s anger”; and

(b) “Christians who have gone astray”.18

3. Muslims are middle between: (a) “Jews who killed prophets” and, (b) “Christians who made their

prophet God”.

Now, the question is:• Which interpretation to chose?

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INTERPRETING the word “ISLAM”

–{“Religion to God is Islam.”} (Aal Imran Surah; verse 19)

–{“O you who believe! Fear God as He should be feared, and die not except being a Muslim.”} (3:102)

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• {“And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers.”} (3.085)

• {“And whomsoever it is God’s will to guide, He expands his bosom unto Islam.”} (6.125)

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–{“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”} (5:2)

–{“And those who disbelieve, wish that they would have been Muslimin.”} (The Rock Surah, verse 2)

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Should we interpret the word Islam in these verses to mean the Islamic faith.

Or should we explain it to mean ‘silm’ which means peace of soul that comes from surrendering to God; and thus include all those who submit themselves to the will of God including the Moslems, Christians, and Jews.

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• {“When Jesus found disbelief on their part he asked: "Who are my supporters to God?" Said the disciples: "We are supporters for God: We have believed in God, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslimun.”} (3:52)

• {“Moses said: "O my people! If ye do believe in God, then rely upon Him if you should be Muslimin (if you have submitted your will to His)."} [10:84]

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{Say: O People of the Book! Come to that which is common between us and you; that we worship none but God, and that we ascribe divinity to nothing besides Him; and that we shall not take human beings for our lords besides God. And if they refuse, then say: ‘Bear witness that it is we who are Muslimun (have surrendered ourselves unto Him).} [Al-Imran surah; verse 64].

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• {"Abraham was neither Jew nor Christian; but he was hanifan Musliman (one who submitted to God)’"} [3:67]

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• So if they dispute with thee, say: "I have submitted my whole self to God and so have those who follow me."

• {“And say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?" If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, Thy duty is to convey the Message; and in God´s sight are (all) His servants.”} (Aal Imran, verses 19-20)

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Interpreting Al-Fatihah Surah

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AL-FATIHAH "The Opening"(Revealed at Mecca, Verses: 7)

In the name of God, The Merciful, The All-Merciful, Praise be to God, the Lord of the Universe; The Merciful, the All- merciful; The Master of the Day of Recompense; Thee we serve, and to Thee we pray for help; Guide us to the Straight Path; The path of those whom Thou hast blessed; Not of those who incurred wrath, nor of the astray.}

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• Hadrat Ghulam Ahmad in his study The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam which was read at a religious conference held at Lahore in December 1896.

• Some misinterpret verses in the Quran to say it is anti-Jews or anti-Semitic because they claim it describes Jews as apes and swine..

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{“And you had already known about those who transgressed among you concerning the Sabbath, and We said to them, "Be apes, despised.” } [Quran 2:65]

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• {Say, "Shall I inform you of [what is] worse than that as penalty from God ? [It is that of] those whom God has cursed and with whom He became angry and made of them apes and pigs and slaves of Taghut. Those are worse in position and further astray from the sound way.“} [Quran 5:60] 36

Omarite Covenant and Jews residing in Jerusalem

One of the widespread hadith attributed to the Prophet says:

”the Day of Judgment will not arrive until the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims will kill them. Even if a Jew hides behind a rock or a tree, the rock or the tree will say: 'O Muslim, O worshipper of God! There is a Jew behind me. Come and kill him', except the salt bush [Gharqad], for it is one of the Jews' trees.” In this Prophetic Saying [Hadith] he [Muhammad] tells us of one of the forms of the battle between Muslims and Jews…”

[Hadith[Hadith, Grade 9 (2006) pp. 148 , Grade 9 (2006) pp. 148 Saudi Arabia]

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Saudi Arabia

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The Palestinian Authority

The Conflict withThe Conflict with JewsJews … … God’s Messenger said : God’s Messenger said : "The Hour of Judgment will "The Hour of Judgment will not come until the Muslims not come until the Muslims fight the Jews. The fight the Jews. The Muslims will kill them, and Muslims will kill them, and when a Jew would hide when a Jew would hide behind a rock or a tree the behind a rock or a tree the rock or the tree would say: rock or the tree would say: ‘O Muslim, O worshipper of ‘O Muslim, O worshipper of God! There is a Jew behind God! There is a Jew behind me; come and kill him’, me; come and kill him’, except the salt bush, except the salt bush, which is the Jews’ tree.”which is the Jews’ tree.”

Noble Noble HadithHadith and Its Studies, Grade and Its Studies, Grade 11 (1996) pp. 200 [Religious 11 (1996) pp. 200 [Religious Institutions]Institutions]

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The Palestinian Authority

…This Prophetic Saying This Prophetic Saying [Hadith] is one of the [Hadith] is one of the ProphetProphet’’s evident miracles. s evident miracles. It is a prophecy of a It is a prophecy of a concealed matter, which is concealed matter, which is to take place at the End of to take place at the End of Days. It is certain good Days. It is certain good news for this nation that news for this nation that victory will be its ally and victory will be its ally and that its agony with the Jews that its agony with the Jews is bound to end in victory is bound to end in victory over themover them…

Noble Noble HadithHadith and Its Studies, and Its Studies, Grade 11 (1996) pp. 200-201 Grade 11 (1996) pp. 200-201 [Religious Institutions[Religious Institutions]

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The Palestinian Authority

What the [Koranic] Verses Guide toWhat the [Koranic] Verses Guide to……Caution against the JewsCaution against the Jews’’ trickery and trickery and deception, for they are enemies of deception, for they are enemies of Sublime God, of His religion [i.e., Islam] Sublime God, of His religion [i.e., Islam] and of the Believers [i.e., the Muslims].and of the Believers [i.e., the Muslims].

Holy Koran and Its Studies, Grade 11 (1996) p. 49 [Religious Holy Koran and Its Studies, Grade 11 (1996) p. 49 [Religious Institutions]Institutions] 45

The sanctity of life is expressed in the following verse of the Quran:

{Nor take life - which God has made sacred - except for just cause.} [Sûra al Isra, 17.33]

• “The Hour of Judgment will not arrive until you fight the Jews and kill them… and until trees and the rocks will say: ‘O Muslim, o servant of God, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him’ .”

[HAMAS Charter ; Al-Fateh, Islamist website for children,

Internet, Issue 2, October 1, 2002]

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• The Quran states: {We have sent you as a mercy to mankind} [Al-Anbia: 107]; this mercy includes all human beings including Jews, Christians, and non-believers.

• {On the day of reckoning, each group shall be called to its Book…This is Our Book which speaks about you the truth} [45: 27].

• {"We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution. But whoever gives up his right as charity, it is an expiation for him. Whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, then it is those who are the wrongdoers.“ } -(-Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:45)

ال-ع/ي-ن/ {• ا أ/ن6 الن6ف-س/ ب*الن6ف-س* و/ يه/ م- ف* ك/ت/ب-ن/ا ع/ل/ي-ه* و/ن6 Pذ;ن* و/الس; ;ذ;ن/ ب*األ- األ- /نف* و/ /نف/ ب*األ- األ- ب*ال-ع/ي-ن* و/

و/ ه; د6ق/ ب*ه* ف/ م/ن ت/ص/ اصl ف/ وح/ ق*ص/ ر; ال-ج; نP و/ Pب*الس� أ;ول/rئ*ك/ ل/ الل6ه; ف/ ا أ/نز/ ك;م ب*م/ ةl ل6ه; و/م/ن ل6م- ي/ح- ار/ �ك/ف6

}ه;م; الظ6ال*م;ون/ سورة المائدة5:45

{…indeed the more honorable among you, in the sight of God, is one who is more pious among you..”} {Hujurat Surah; verse 13}

{"The most honored in the sight of God is (he who is) most righteous.”} (Aal Imran Surah; verse 86)

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{“Your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection regarding the things about which they differed.” (16:124)

“So God shall Judge between you on the Day of Resurrection” (4:141).

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No doubt, such a hadith contradicts the following narrative related by Al-Bukhari:

“ A funeral procession passed by the Prophet, and he stood up in respect. A companion said to him: “The funeral is of a Jew.” The Prophet responded: “Was it not a human soul?”

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• {“Believers, Jews, Christians, and Sabaeans, - whoever believes in God and the Judgment Day and does what is right - shall be rewarded by their Lord, they have nothing to fear, or to regret.}" [Baqara Sura; verse 62]

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• {“O mankind! We have indeed created you from one man and one woman, and have made you into various nations and tribes so that you may know one another..”} [Hujurat Surah; verse 13]

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ISLAM: Freedom of Religion

{"There shall be no compulsion in religion.}“ [Baqara Sura; verse 256]

{"Say: This is the truth from your Lord. Let him who will, believe in it, and him who will, deny it."} [Cave Sura, verse 29]

{Had your Lord pleased, all the people of the earth would have believed in Him. Would you then force faith upon men?} [Jonah Surah; verse 99]

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• The Quran reveres both The Torah and The Bible describing them as Holy Books.

• The Quran also refers to Jews and Christians as: “People of the Book”; “Those who were delivered the Book”.

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{Say: O People of the Book! Come to that which is common between us and you; that we worship none but God, and that we ascribe divinity to nothing besides Him; and that we shall not take human beings for our lords besides God. And if they refuse, then say: ‘Bear witness that it is we who have surrendered ourselves unto Him.} [3: 64].

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• {“Children of Israel, remember the blessing I have bestowed on you, and that I have exalted you above the nations.”}" [Cow Sura; verse 47]

• {“Children of Israel, remember that I have bestowed favors upon you, and exalted you above the nations.”}" [Cow Sura; verse 122]

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• {“O you Children of Israel! We delivered you from your enemy, and We made a Covenant with you on the right side of Mount (Sinai), and We sent to you Mann and the salwa (quails).”} [Ta-Ha Sura, 20: Verse 80]

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• {“We did aforetime grant to the Children of Israel the Book, the Power of Command, and Prophethood; We gave them, for Sustenance, things good and pure, and We favored them above the nations.” }

[Bowing the Knee Sura, 45; verse 16]

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{“God is our Lord and your Lord; For us falls the responsibility for our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. God will bring us together, and to him is our final destination.”}

[Consultation Surah; verse 15]

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{ [He] who did send down the Book which Moses brought as a light and guidance to the people} [6: 91]

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{Had your Lord pleased, He would have made you one nation.} [Table Surah; 48]

{"Had it been God’s will, He could have made them all of one religion.“}

[Shurat Surah; 8]

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CHRISTIANS IN THE QURAN {“We sent forth Noah and Abraham, and

bestowed on their offspring Prophethood and the scriptures… After them We sent other apostles, and after those Jesus the son of Mary. We gave him the Gospel and put compassion and mercy in the hearts of his followers.”} [Iron Sura; verse 27]

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• {“You will surely find those closest in friendship to the believers to be those who say, “We are Christians.” That is because among them are priests and monks who are not arrogant.”} [5: verses 82-83]

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Moslems are urged to seek council from Christians and

Jews in understanding the Holy Quran

• {“If you are in doubt of what We have revealed to you, ask those who have read the scriptures before you.”}

[Yunis Sura; verse 94]

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• All religions have shared values of moderation, peace, love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, tolerance, and justice..

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The Quran warns, “Do not go to extremes in your religion;”

Also, Prophet Mohammed is quoted to say, “The best way is through moderation.” 

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The Talmud states:• “Three things are good in

small quantities and bad in large: yeast, salt, and hesitation.” [Talmud: Berakoth, 34a]

• “There are eight things of which a little is good and much is bad: travel, mating, wealth, work, wine, sleep, spiced drinks, and medicine.” [Talmud: Gittin, 70a]

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IT IS NOT: “Clash of Civilizations” --BUT: “Dialogue of Civilizations”

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"{Perhaps Allah will put love between you and your enemies, for Allah is powerful, and Allah is Forgiving and

Merciful--( }“.Surah Al-Mumtahana 60:7)

ب/ي-ن/ ال6ذ*ين/ { ع/ل/ ب/ي-ن/ك;م- و/ ى الل6ه; أ/ن ي/ج- ع/س/الل6ه; د*يرl و/ الل6ه; ق/ د6ة� و/ و/ م م6 ن-ه; Pع/اد/ي-ت;م م� �

lيم ح* ورl ر6 ) سورة الممتحنة60:7 } غ/ف;

Ghandi once remarked:

“Religions are different roads emerging to the same point. What does it matter that we take different roads so long as we reach the same goal?” 73

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A Budhist proverb says:

“Words have the power to destroy or heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change the world religion.“

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE