Collegiate Times

I was shocked by the advertisement (which resembled an article in terms of design) titled “Muslim Arab Anti-Semitism,” in a recent issue of the Collegiate Times. It was clearly a hate speech and clearly wrong.

For example, the advertisement stated, “Anti-Semitisim is integral to Muslim culture.” In fact, that is the same kind of inflammatory speech that inspired the likes of Anders Behring Breivik, the man who killed dozens of people in Norway recently.

The Qur’an, the literal word of God as seen by Muslims, states quite clearly, “Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in God and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.” -2:62, 5:69  

This theme is found throughout the Qur’an. Monotheists are considered People Of The Book, each group having made a covenant with God. They are to be respected.The Islamophobic advertisement continues by equating anti-Semitism with criticizing the state of Israel. 

Israel is illegally occupying the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and has violated 28 resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (which are legally binding on member-nations), and almost 100 resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly (which are not binding, but represent the will and understanding of the international
community).

To quote Steve Rendall of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, “The idea that being opposed to Zionism — the movement for a Jewish state — is inherently anti-Jewish is a dubious one. 

From its inception in the 1890s, many leading Jewish thinkers have opposed Zionism on the modernist grounds that secular states are preferable to religious ones, integration is preferable to separatism, and displacing one people to create a homeland for another is unjust.” 

Yes, I can both love my Jewish neighbors and also hate the Israeli occupation of Palestinian Lands through illegal settlement blocks and separation walls. I am an American-born Muslim and a Blacksburg resident. 

As a Muslim, I believe in the One God, the God who taught humankind through many prophets and messengers upon whom we are accustomed to invoking God’s blessings — beginning with Adam, continuing with Noah, Abraham, the God of Ishmael and Isaac, the God of Aaron and Moses, the God of Jesus and his mother Mary, who Muslims believe to be the best of women, the God of John the baptist, and the God of Muhammad.

To clear up all the falsehoods found in that advertisement, I’d like to welcome any and all community members to visit the Virginia Tech Muslim Students Association, or my house. 

I am also available to give an “Islam 101” presentation free of charge — part of my civic duty — to any organization. I encourage you to meet and befriend your Muslim neighbors, and to discover our common values. For information, please contact the Muslim Student Association and ask for me.

Javed Memon

Blacksburg resident

A version of this article appeared in the Oct 21 issue of the Collegiate Times.