By Mike Ghouse | Center for Pluralism | World Muslim Congress
Introduction
In a world increasingly divided by religious conflict and political radicalism, this heartfelt message is a bold call to action for leaders and believers across all faiths. Highlighting the dangers of religious extremism and misuse of sacred texts, this letter emphasizes the need for justice, compassion, and genuine interfaith unity.
There is no pride in Genocide, a call to the World Jewry
I want to express a call for individuals from Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Judaism to rein in their radicals. Let the acts of a few not reflect on the good majority; let us not be judgmental about others. The Muslim majority has spoken and has made strides in this regard over the last twenty years, minimizing the presence of radicals. Of course, more needs to be done, and Muslims will do it.
Conservatives across all traditions have misinterpreted their sacred texts to serve their greed, often seeking to build their empires on the suffering of others. They should recognize that greedy empires do not endure; they are not aligned with the people’s will, they will collapse and will continue to collapse.
In light of the harm that radicals from different faiths have inflicted on fellow humans, it is disheartening to witness some Jews resorting to ruthless actions. Their military power has led them to morally questionable decisions, and they seem intent on inflicting harm on as many Palestinians as possible to realize their vision of Eretz Israel. This is not about God; it is about their insatiable greed to steal land in this age, after we said never again after the Holocaust.
However, it is reassuring to know that goodness often counters evil. There are indeed Jews who are awakening, they had enough of the killing of Palestinian children, and they are breaking their silence, speaking out, getting arrested, and protesting against these actions, and I deeply admire them for their courage. The true Jewish community stands for justice, in contrast to individuals such as Netanyahu, who have promoted the idea that land acquisition is more important than the long-term security of Jews.
A significant concern for us Americans is that Christian Zionists appear willing to kill the Palestinians by equipping Israel with bombs believing that this will hasten the return of Jesus. It is hard to imagine that Jesus would enter Jerusalem on the bloodshed of the Palestinians. This quest stems from a thirst for power and land, not a genuine desire for Jesus’ return.
Neither Netanyahuic-Jews nor John Hageeic-Christian Zionists truly care about the Torah or the Bible; their actions are driven by greed, and we must call it out.
I had intended to write a similar article, but I am pleased to share Ani Zonneveld’s letter as she leads Muslims for Progressive Values. I support MPV and its goals. Additionally, conservative Muslims must recognize that Prophet Muhammad was profoundly progressive and introduced a forward-thinking way of life, just as Jesus and Moses did. He transformed many outdated traditions that failed to promote peace and harmony, advocating for new, pluralistic approaches. I am grateful that Ani Zonneveld is at the forefront of reviving those progressive ideals.
Mike Ghouse
Center for Pluralism
World Muslim Congress
Interfaith Marriages
Ani Zonneveld’s Letter
There is no pride in Genocide
| President’s Note |
| In the aftermath of 9-11 Muslims in America were charged with addressing the theological interpretations that were used to justify such atrocities. Imams and traditional institutions brushed these interpretations under the rug, claiming it “had nothing to do with Islam,” failing to counter the radical narratives head-on. Why? Because it would have meant speaking out against their own tribe. So MPV stepped up to explain and counter these narratives, despite the vilification by the traditional institutions and death threats. It wasn’t until the reign of terror that ISIS inflicted against Muslims and religious minorities alike that in 2014, Muslim religious leaders issued a theological based condemnation of this ideology. (And by the way, condemnation is easy, but what, if anything, did they actually do to root out radical ideologies in the global Muslim community?) When the Christian Right began their alliance with the Political Right, prominent Christian leaders refused to nip the problem in the bud. Since 2017, they have allowed QAnon to immorally manipulate Christian symbolism, and why not? As long as “we” win the election and “we” get the power to legislate anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Along with my progressive Evangelical friend Doug Paggit, I co-authored an op-ed, “Radicalized Christian nationalism is one of the biggest threats facing the US” detailing the dangers of this alliance. The legislating of “Christian” laws enforced on the rest of the population was a power grab that was a long time in the making. In 2019, Christians started challenging the status quo. Among these groups were progressives like Red Letter Christians, Catholics for Choice and from various denominational backgrounds. When the Hindutva movement began to dominate nearly every sector of Indian society, prominent Hindu organizations and personalities here in the U.S. played it safe, oftentimes outright supporting President Modi and the deep pockets in the tech industry. Countering the radical Hindu theology narrative was Hindus for Human Rights. Now is the time for American Jews to stand up against the gross manipulation of their religion used to justify atrocious human rights violations and war crimes. Holocaust scholars worldwide, including those in Israel, have called the killing, starvation, rape, forced displacement, and violence in Gaza the “G” word – genocide. Jewish Voices for Peace, If Not Now, and Rabbis for Human Rights are conscientious Jewish voices calling out their own tribe. And just like the disdain I received from my fellow Muslims, they too have received an epic amount of contempt, to the point of being called Hamas sympathizers. And yet despite this vitriol, voices of reason, truth, and morality persevere. Rabbi Steven Jacobs painfully recounts how he can’t reconcile the talk about liberation at Passover in the sacred reading “Let all the hungry come and eat,” with “How are we not grieving when millions of people (Palestinians) are starving? I can’t reconcile that, not as a compassionate Jew.” We all have to own up to the twisted versions of our faiths that our respective co-religionists have managed to mainstream. I have. What is it going to take for the Rabbinical religious elites to condemn such mass killings in the name of Judaism finally? As I watch the intentional starvation of Gazans and the increased destruction of homes in the Occupied West Bank, I have to also challenge the homophobic wave we’re experiencing in the U.S. Combining these two causes dear to us, we at MPV are saying “There’s no Pride in Genocide.” Onward and upward… Ani Zonneveld President & Founder of Muslims for Progressive Values |