Having yet again not had the opportunity to hear the BBC Radio 4 programme A War Against Prejudice which made claims that the Jewish Community Trust is alleged to make up some fibs to claim there is more anti-semitism in Britain than there really is, it's interesting to see Blogistan's take on this - not my lack of hearing the programme, but of the programme itself.
A posting by The Neurocentric under the headline A very poor show says:
Listening to this documentary it was impossible to ignore that feeling inside, that the programme maker had begun with a conclusion and had proceeded to build his case around it.
My complaint centres entirely on what looked liked a most imbalanced form of journalism.
What concerns me is that we are likely to turn a blind eye to this sort of journalism – for 1) it does not affect our community and 2) it does affect someone we don’t like very much. Yet as a community that is commanded to speak the truth even if it is against our self, is this the right attitude? I wonder if we would find more success in our campaigns against distorted media presentation of Muslim issues if our own vision were not so closed. If our mission is to fulfil the role of being a mercy for mankind, is it not time that we put aside the dreadful claim to be the chosen people that has crept into our communities and instead stand up as witnesses to the truth?
The Neurocentric does have some good points here. There are areas where Jews and Muslims have much in common and especially as how on occasion the media does have trouble in reporting how we interact in society and are part of British society.
Just like Muslims should not turn a blind eye towards how Jews are treated, so Jews should not turn a blind eye to how Muslims are treated.
Maybe if we managed to get everyday Jews and Muslims to meet up and discuss issues of mutual interest and concern, we can overcome some of the problems we both seem to have for each other.
Let's not leave it to the unelected "leaders" who say they speak for us, they've all had plenty of time to make things happen and generally have not.
We need a British grassroots Jewish and Muslim group that can meet and establish true dialogue between each other.
I think we Jews do know what we and our Moselm fellow-countrymen are about. I think that for better or worse, we know who we all are quite well. And these comments clearly demonstrate just that, as is the fact that such comments are reproduced here without a fatwah or rabbinical censure on either side. What the BBC demonstrates - just for once - is a perfectly unbiased representation of the post-Christian consensus toward religious life in this country: barely concealed animosity. Wearing my kippah the other week in the London Underground, I was abused by a post-Christian lout, reared on the milk-sop of BBC opinion, on whose foot I accidentally trod in the rush hour crush. I apologized, but he took immediate and gleeful advantage of my civility to abuse me, thus: "You and your f***ing religion," he snarled. As the light of life clearly burned dimly in his eyes, I couldn't resist the provocation. "Pray, tell me, young sir," I rejoined, "and what religion is that?" He didn't hesitate: "You f***ing Mozzies," he vituperated. If ignorance is bliss, why are there so many people on anti-deppressants in this country? And why are they all working at the BBC? Perhaps Michael Grade hires them himself on his occasional visits to the Liberal Synagogue, St Johns Wood.
Posted by: Lior | October 25, 2005 at 09:11 PM
Dear Madams & Sirs,
I have read with great enthusiasm the multitide of blogs on this website. I find it most wonderful that humans from all points of this earth are putting forward their views on this remarable website.
Im slightly disappointed that there is no Sport Category on this site.
I believe Isreal have a soccer team that are seemingly better each time they play.
Would you be most kind enough to perhaps address this missing and much needed Category which i feel would generate a larger pointsofjew Interest.
Much Obliged
Saj Aslam
Posted by: Saj Aslam | March 16, 2010 at 04:00 AM