Blogs > MAHATHIR, DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Dec 27, 2003

MAHATHIR, DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS



I know I have previously shared with you my immediate response to the Malaysian premier speech. Unfortunately, listening to a most informative lecture given by Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson on Jewish and Muslim relations refocused my attention on the prepostreous claim that Jews invented socialism, Communism, human rights, and democracy,"so that persecuting them would appear to be wrong, so they may enjoy equal rights with others.""Flattery will get you everywhere" writes Saul Singer in today's National Review ignoring the unfortunate fact that for Mahathir as for his fellow Muslim leaders the demand for equal rights regardless of religious belief amounts to an attack on basic Islamic tenents. Christians, Jews, not to mentions Hindu idolators should not be treated as equals. They should be treated as second or third class citizens made to pay additional taxes and humbled while so doing. The degree to which Muslim states followed these strictures varied. Even today, Jews cannot buy land in moderate Jordan, Christians cannot be seen praying in Saudi Arabia and the Copts in Egypt suffer from numerous legal disadvantages.

I could go on. Suffice to say - Just as Muslim law does not accomodate easily gender equality, it does not accomodate easily religious equality. Mahathir did not intend to complement Jews, he intended to taint those (including Muslims) who wish to see democracy and respect for human rights flourish in Muslim lands.



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