jUDAISM

In the beginning, the rabbi speaks about Christianity, saying that it does not provide a clear governing system. The case, he says, is similar with Judaism. Both of them have become politicized. There are several Christian democratic parties. As far as Israel is concerned, it is governed by Jewish religious parties. This means, he says, that Christianity as a religion that provides a spiritual base for the people has died.

As for Islam, the rabbi said, it has a strong ideology that can withstand changing developments in the world. Islam grew up in a way that was different from the emergence of Christianity. It had a real and living leader to whom the Qur’an was revealed. There is not an iota of doubt in this. This was not the case with Christianity. There are differences of opinion about the growth of the religion even among its followers.

the rabbi said, “we live in an era when rampant atheism is engulfing the world and when Christianity prevails only in certain heritage buildings and little remains of Judaism by virtue of it having fallen under the influence of Zionism. Hence, in the present world, nothing prevails except Islam. Muslims are in constant contact with their Creator. As far as a Christian is concerned, if he goes to church every Sunday, then it is good. As for a Muslim, he kneels down to pray five fixed times a day. “

“When I traveled to Europe, there was a quiet prayer corner at the airport. When the time of prayer came, I went there. Then, two Muslims also came. I stood to perform prayer while the other two spread out newspapers and knelt down while praying. This is Islam and it has many implications. A man performs prayers five times daily and these prayers are not long.” The rabbi continues: “I had access to the prayers of Muslims and looked at what is written in the Qur’an. It is not long, but is very serious and profound. While performing prayer by bowing, kneeling, and reciting from the Qur’an, within a few minutes, a man is actually addressing Almighty Allah. This is an important thing and this has great implications. Hence, Islam, as a whole, is the religion of the future.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9a6blduFb0

the years between 900 and 1200 in Spain and North Africa are known as the Hebrew “golden age,” a sort of Jewish Renaissance that arose from the fusion of the Arab and Jewish intellectual worlds. Jews watched their Arab counterparts closely and learned to be astronomers, philosophers, scientists, and poets.

“At its peak about one thousand years ago, the Muslim world made a remarkable contribution to science, notably mathematics and medicine. Baghdad in its heyday and southern Spain built universities to which thousands flocked. Rulers surrounded themselves with scientists and artists. A spirit of freedom allowed Jews, Christians, and Muslim to work side by side…”

– Francis Ghiles, “What is Wrong With Muslim Science” Nature, 24 March 1983.