This is going to be a long post- You can read when you are not satisfied with 2 chapters of Dustin’s story.
You can read if you are interested to know my perspective on Muslims and Israel- Palestine situation.
All the things I’ve written here can be backed up with references and relevant literatures. So, all I m writing down here are the inferences drawn from various authentic references.
When Muslims gather in a certain number in any country, they want separate laws for themselves allowing them to marry 4 wives, allowing them to marry a minor (15-16 yrs girls) and right to wear Hijab etc. These Islamic laws are called Shari’a laws.
Now Muslims have started asking for Shari’a laws in France, Germany and various European countries.
Muslims of Gulf countries in modern days are very peaceful. In the past, Muslims from Middle East had co-existed with Jews everywhere. Damascus, Baghdad, Mecca, Jerusalem etc.
Prior to Jew’s immigration to Europe, Jews were spread all over the middle eastern major cities. They were successful businessmen and entrepreneurs in Muslim ruled cities.
Radicalization of Islam happened more recently. Not all Muslims are radical but groups like Boko Haram, Al Shabab, Hamas, Hezboullah, Al Qaida, Laskar -e- Taiba, Talibans etc are radical Muslims for sure. Certain Radical Muslim group exist in Pakistan too.
In the past, people of different faith had to pay protection money (Tax) which was called Jizya in Islamic Caliphates, Empires and Sultanates. So many, poor people of different faith converted to Islam just to avoid these tax.
However there are history of aggression and hostilities from Israelites as well as crusaders in the past ! Crusader Christian’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd waves massacred so many Jews and Muslims in an attempt to capture Jerusalem and establish Christian Kingdom. There was a Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem for almost 200 years. It lasted for almost two hundred years, from the accession of
Godfrey of Bouillon in 1099 until the
fall of Acre in 1291. Its history is divided into two periods with a brief interruption in its existence, beginning with its collapse after the
siege of Jerusalem in 1187 and its restoration after the
Third Crusade in 1192.
During that time, they banished Jews and Muslims out of that land. Later on, they were defeated by Muslim General named Salahuddin in decisive “Battle of Hattin”. Salahuddin allowed Christian crusaders to withdraw without bloody violence. Then he established Muslim sultanate in that region which continued till the end of Ottoman Empire. After the Ottoman Caliphate collapsed, The present day (Israel +Palestine ) which was called Mandatory Palestine went under the control of British in 1920.
Mandatory Palestine lasted for 27 years till Zionists wanted to create a Jewish state in the holy land. (Jerusalem). After the defeat of Nazi Hitler and aftermath of Holocaust, British allowed Zionists to establish a state inside Mandatory Palestine and divided the region into two parts. Israel and Palestine. But state of Israel has expanded its borders since 1947 and occupied lands as far as Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, Golan Heights of Syria and some regions of Lebanon. Now the area of Palestine has almost vanished.
Till 1946, very few Jews were living there along with Muslims. Jews were all spread over Damascus, Baghdad, Medina, Mecca and Europe. After Holocaust, when Jewish state was established in Mandatory Palestine, Jews started to flock in there. In the process of establishing a Jewish state, , the previous occupants Arab Philistines had to be displaced from the region. In this process around 20 million Arabs have become refugees and went to neighboring countries like Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria.
Arab Philistines refused to recognize the Jewish state and backed by neighboring countries like Egypt, Syria, Lebanon … they attacked Israel. Israel then determined to defend its newly established State retaliated back with the support of Europe and the USA. They successfully defeated Arab nations and they infiltrated inside Palestine and reached as far as Sinai (Egypt), Goalan Heights (Syria).
Now the problem is Israel will never go back to the borders of 1947. It will not even go back to the borders of 1967 when Green line of Armistice was established. It will continue to occupy Palestinian lands more and more till the entire Jerusalem is captured.
Oslo Peace accord (1993) was signed between Israel and Palestinian leader Yaser Arafat which was supposed to establish Palestine as a country, withdrawal of Israel troops from West Bank and Gaza strips. Palestine state establishment has never happened officially. Palestine is still not a sovereign country in the UN because a group named Hamas was not happy with the borders of 1993. They wanted entire Manadatory Palestine as a single country. They do not recognize Israel.
Since Palestine has almost disappeared from the Map, Hamas appeared among the desperate people of Palestine and they started “Intifada” against Israel. They became offensive against Israel. They attack with rockets into Israel from time to time. But this gives pretext to Israel to capture more and more lands of Palestine , Cut off their food, water, medicines and supplies in the name of self defense. So, problem between Israel and Palestine is a religio-political and religio-ethnic in nature. See the disappearing Palestine in the attached Map below.
Jerusalem is holy land for Jews because şoför Jews their first temple was established by Solomon here. Most of the prophets of Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) are Jewish prophets. They were born here or they were active here.
Jerusalem is mostly important to Christianity because Jesus was brought here occasionally as a child, preached to the poor in his adult life, crucified at the end of his life and resurrected by the God.
This place is equally important to Muslims because they consider all the prophets of Old Testament including Jesus Christ as Muslim Prophets. Since all of these prophets passed important portion of their life here, this place becomes very important to them. On top of that, during the night of (Miraj), Mohammed was transported to Jerusalem ( Mosque Al Aqsa) from Ka’aba of Mecca. From Al Aqsa, Mohamed was transported to the sky (heaven). That’s why After Mecca and Medina, Jerusalem becomes the 3rd holiest city for Muslim. So, Philtistine Arabs won’t give up Jerusalem that easily.
One thing I have observed is - When Hindus, Buddhists, Christians immigrate to other countries, they abide by the laws of that country. None of them demand a provision for separate laws of based on their scriptures. However, the difference with Muslims is when they immigrate to a new country and as they gather in significant number they want provision of separate laws called Shari’a law. This law is based on their holy book Qur’an, rulings of their Prophet and 1st two generations of Islamic authorities after the death of Mohamed. This is the major reason that caused discord of Muslims with other communities. Now they have started demanding Shari’ah in European nations. Soon they will demand this in Canada, USA and Australia too !
. I am not saying Christianity is the perfect religion in the world. We have seen many people starting congregation with fake preaching. Yet they all preach about love of one another. No need to kill others or forcefully attack others. .
