This article was originally published in January of 2016, but continues to have strong relevance today.
Olam Katan (Small World) is one of many religious newsletters distributed in synagogues throughout Israel each Friday. It is the last place one would expect to find an interview with Yale University alumnus Sheikh Omer Salem who visited Israel last week. Salem’s December 26, 2015 lecture in Haifa University was heckled by an Israeli Arab student who just couldn’t stand a sheikh speaking on behalf of Israel.
Sheikh Salem, a PhD graduate of Al Azhar University in Cairo has just published his book The Missing Peace: The Role of Religion in the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Following are excerpts from the sheikh’s interview:
“Everything I say is based on the Quran. I wasn’t poisoned by political Islam. A lot of money is invested to advance the anti-Israel position. One needs to understand that much of what is said is politics, not Quran. Anyone following the Quran will be kind to you and will not tell you [Jews] to leave the Land.”
Concerning the infidels loathed by Muslims, Salem distinguishes between religious and secular Jews.
“There are Jewish infidels, those who mock the Law of Moses, may he rest in peace, and concerning them Surah 5 says ‘they turn away [from the Torah] hence they are not believers’. There are, however, Jewish believers with whom Islam has no problem. Surah 3 says that there is ‘a party of the people of the Scripture [who] stand for the right, they recite the Verses of Allah during the hours of the night, prostrating themselves in prayer.’ The Quran praises the Jews for obeying the Torah.”
Concerning the right of the Jews to live in Israel, Salem admits that this is a difficult question, but, he says, Jews should obey the Torah wherever they are.
“[If your ways are pleasing to Allah], even your enemies will become your lovers. Remember that you are the chosen people. You may doubt that Islam appreciates and respects the Jews, but when Muslims ruled the world they were the protectors of the Jews. My vision is to restore this attitude. I want to say to my Muslim brothers and sisters: You are not the enemies of the Jews, you are their protectors.”
Unfortunately, Salem alleges, Muslims inherited hatred for Jews from their Christian conquerors.
“For two thousand years Christians have taught that Jews killed Jesus, that Jews are from the devil, and until today there are churches holding this theology.”
The one thing that seems to irritate the Sheikh is the Temple Mount.
“The Jews can pray peacefully on the Mount [but they need to be patient]. You will get the Temple Mount, but that needs to happen in stages. Muslims will agree to remove the mosque, but it must be initiated by the Muslims. If Jews try to do it there will be great bloodshed. When it [the removal of the mosque] will happen it will be a gift from Allah. He is the one who will turn the hearts of the Muslims.”
Israelis seeking to sacrifice lamb on Temple Mount arrested
The Real Middle East Conflict Doesn’t Involve Israel
100 Years of the Temple Mount as a Tool of Muslim Propaganda
Jewish Youth Pray at Temple Mount, and Judge Rules in Their Favor
Jewish Visits to Temple Mount Break Modern Record, Expose Religious Divide
Renewed Shi’ite Rage
Ben-Gvir Has Reenacted One of the Greatest Moments in Jewish History
Israel Stops Busloads of Muslims From Reaching Temple Mount
Gaza, Temple Mount and the Passover Lamb: A Story of Holiday Conflict
Tachles with Aviel – The problem with Barbie in the Middle East
Exclusive: Is Muslim Conversion to Christianity a Genuine Phenomenon?
One Jew, and the World’s Furor
Ezekiel’s Temple – Metaphorical or Concrete? (Part 2)
ANALYSIS: Coordinated Attempt to Drag Israel Into War Fails
The Temple and Terrorism – A Dangerous Mix
Jews Want Sovereignty, Prayer at Temple Mount
Did Qatar Win or Lose the World Cup?
Temple Mount: Jews Ascend, Bow and Are Arrested
Orthodox Jews Squabble Over Temple Mount Ahead of Possible Elections
Straddling ‘The Place of His Throne’
What is the Temple Mount ‘Status Quo’?
Analysis: Temple Mount Tensions Threaten Israel
Israel ‘Surrenders’ Temple Mount After Reported Pressure From Biden
ANALYSIS: Jewish Sages on the Global Islamist War Against Christians
US Congressman Upset That Jews Can’t Pray on Temple Mount
Hate Rises With Christmas
Muslim Teacher Wants to See Jews Praying on Temple Mount
Jerusalem or Kabul? Jihadists Squabble Over Islam’s ‘Third Holiest Site’
A Hidden Mountain, a Hidden River, and the Return of the King
‘Every Jew Must Die, the Koran Says So,’ Insist Palestinian Youth
Turkey Seeks to Dominate Sunni Muslim World
Walk Like an Israeli
Treaties Aside, There Remain Obstacles to True Peace
Secret Plans Revealed: The Jordanian Prince & the Temple Mount
The Israeli Canary in the West’s Cultural Coal Mine
Tachles With Aviel – The Intifada in France
The Temple Mount is Important to Christians, Too!
‘Jihad Tourism’ on the Rise at Temple Mount
Will the Temple Mount Break Israel’s Unity Government?
The Battle for the Temple Mount
When a Muslim and a Catholic Decide the Fate of Judaism’s Holiest Site
“Zionist Imam” Addresses Hajj in Mecca, Sparking Hope of Peace
You Better Wake Up, World, Before It’s Too Late
Coronavirus Vs. the Virus of Islamic Jihad
Discrimination Against Jews on the Temple Mount Must End
Have the Jews Started Building the Third Temple?
ANALYSIS: Why Turkey Has Become Israel’s Enemy
“Jerusalem Had No Mosques at the Time of Mohammed”
Jerusalem and the War Between Two Kingdoms
As Jews Ascend the Mountain of the LORD, Allah’s Rockets Fly
“We Are the Owners of Jerusalem and the Entire Land of Israel!”
Turning to Christ: An Interview With Muslim Background Believers
Jerusalem Can’t Thrive Without Its Heart
The Real Reason for the War Against Israel and the West
Let My People Pray
Haredi coalition partner: Close Temple Mount to Jews
Priests Sacrifice Passover Lamb in Jerusalem
And if One Person Makes a Mistake…!?
It’s Time for a New ‘Status Quo’ on the Temple Mount
Palestinians Plotting Temple Mount Violence on Upcoming Jewish Holidays
Ben Shapiro at Temple Mount: Jews Face Apartheid There
Exclusive: The Islamization of Lebanon and the Solution to Its Crisis
Who Is the Best-Guarded Imam in the Muslim World & Why?
Declaration of War: Israel Considers Altering Temple Mount ‘Status Quo’
The Pursuit of Kindness
Undeterred Jewish Groups Ascend Temple Mount Amid Passover Violence
Flashpoint Temple Mount: Do We Lack Common Sense?
Are Europeans taking up arms against Muslim minorities?
Tachles With Aviel – Burning the Koran Concerns Jews, Too
UN again denies Jewish connection to the Temple Mount
Tachles With Aviel – Ben Gvir Is a Convenient Excuse
Did Netanyahu Make Secret Temple Mount Deal?
A Tragic Israeli Surrender
Half-Million People Visited Jerusalem’s Western Wall Despite Tensions
“The Time Has Come to Sacrifice the Passover Lamb on the Temple Mount!”
Judge Confirms: It’s Not Illegal for Jews to Pray on the Temple Mount
Muslims Quickly Bury Suspected Jewish History on Temple Mount
Qatar’s Islamization of the World Cup Backfires
Jews Arrested for Waving Israeli Flags on Temple Mount
Muslim Visions of Jesus: Light Dawns on Those Dwelling in Darkness
Coronavirus in the Eyes of Muslim Clerics
Clarity on the Temple Mount
How Do Atheists Fare in the Muslim World?
“The Time Has Come”: Jews Arrested En Route to Temple Mount Sacrifice
From Hell to High Heaven Is Just a Stroll Away
Holy war: Israel and Iran trade scriptural barbs
The Koran and the biblical prophets
Israel Bars Terror-Praising Muslim Cleric From Temple Mount
Nearly 50,000 Jews ascended the Temple Mount in 5783
Saudi Journalist Visits Israel, Implies Riyadh Wants Role in Jerusalem Holy Sites
Of Vaccines, the Temple Mount and Palestinian Intransigence
UPDATE: Muslims Again Admit Jewish Temples Stood on Temple Mount
EXCLUSIVE: Daniel Pipes on the Future of Political Islam and Arab-Israeli Peace
Jordanian Control of the Temple Mount Will Destroy the ‘Status Quo’
Is Islam the True Obstacle to Peace in the Middle East?
Has Allah answered the prayers of Israel’s enemies?
IN PHOTOS: Temple Mount as a Battleground
Saudis Say Temple Mount and Al Aqsa Not Important to Islam
Arab Arrested After Attacking Jewish Visitor on Temple Mount
How Islam Made the Fertile Crescent Barren
Muslim Hurls Stones From Rooftop at Jews Visiting Temple Mount
Judaism Deserves As Much Respect As Islam
Christ Made Me Love Everyone, Especially Muslims
Declaration of War! Palestinians Warn Jews Against Passover Sacrifice
Muslims Only Care About Sheikh Jarrah Because Jews are Involved
Exclusive: “Third World War Could Erupt From Temple Mount,” Warns Jerusalem Expert
The Proof – of the World’s Antisemitism – Is in the Praying
Of Course It’s All Our Fault
Wishing Israel Away
This Is a Religious War, Israeli Army Says of Conflict With Palestinians
Jerusalem Mayor Dismantles BBC Assertion That Israel Provoked Temple Mount Riots
Sloughing Lies Off Jerusalem
What’s Really Happening at Jerusalem’s Holy Sites?
Will the King of Morocco Get a Seat on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount?
The Temple Mount Could Be Israel’s Symbol of Victory
The Pope Swings the Sword of Zulfiqar
You Won’t Believe Why This Jew Was Arrested on the Temple Mount
Muslims Attack Jews Praying at Western Wall
Does the Whole World Reject National Jewish Worship?
Without Unity, No Jerusalem
We Must Always Remember the Extraordinary Gift of Israel
The Temple Mount, Ben-Gvir and World War III
Why are Israeli Children Taught the Western Wall is Judaism’s Holiest Site?
Israel Vlog: Praying at the Western Wall
Muslim Extremists Exploiting Corona Crisis in Israel
Likud Knesset Member’s Plan Spotlights Discrimination on Temple Mount
Eye of the Storm: Violence Atop Jerusalem’s Temple Mount
Who Set Fire to the Temple Mount Mosque – a Jew or a Christian?
Muslim Woman Tells Jews: Your Messiah Changed My Heart
The Temple Mount in the Eyes of Jews, Christians and Muslims
Tachles With Aviel – Today the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ Is Celebrated. But Which?
“Islam Will Rule the World Again”
Arab Backlash Against Palestinian Provocations at the Temple Mount
The Koran vs. the Palestinian Narrative
Israeli NGO seeks prosecution of former Jerusalem mufti
Ramadan: Islam’s Yom Kippur
In the Middle East, God Dictates Politics
From Muslim Militant to Persecuted Christian Missionary
Honest Words From an Honest Muslim Cleric
The False Prophecy About the End of Israel
Ezekiel’s Temple – Metaphorical or Concrete? (Part 1)
“The Temple Mount Must Be a Top Priority for Israel”
End of Days Conference and the Prophecy of Israel’s Doom
50,000: New Annual Record Set in Jewish Visits to Temple Mount
Muslims Fire Missile at Israel After Jew Visits Temple Mount
Ezekiel’s Temple – Metaphorical or Concrete? (Part 4)
Third Temple is Only Cure for Coronavirus, Says Israeli Rabbi
What Is the Shura Council?
Underground Pastor Reveals: Turkey Becoming Another Iran
Islamic Trust Truck Caught Dumping Garbage Inside Temple Mount
Muslims Warn Netanyahu Against Jewish Prayer on Temple Mount
Peace with the Saudis is easy – they just want the Temple Mount
18-Year-Old Girl Executed for Refusing to Marry Cousin
Jews Told Not to Bow Heads on Temple Mount
New Muslim Voices Express Support for Israel
Three Palestinians arrested for harassing Jews atop Temple Mount
ANALYSIS: Temple Mount Crisis Shows Who’s Really in Charge in Israel
Is Every Muslim Convert Really a Christian?
Do the Jews Have Sovereignty in Jerusalem?
“Islam is not a religion. It’s a violent ideology”
Are Arabs Leaving Islam?
Palestinians Arrested for Waving Hamas Flags on Temple Mount
Jews Return to the Temple Mount
Open the Gates of the Temple Mount! Rabbis Urge Netanyahu
Why Does Israel Storm the Al Aqsa Mosque?
Israel’s UN Envoy Mocks Meeting Over Ben-Gvir’s ‘Uneventful’ Temple Mount Visit
Jews Arrested for Blowing Shofar Outside Temple Mount
Who Owns the Temple Mount?
Cynical Use of Mosques to Incite Against the Jews
Riots in Jerusalem After Funeral of Muslim Injured on Temple Mount
Ramadan Under Occupation
Why the Islamists Boycott Christmas, But Not Christians
Exposed! Is Jordan Financing the Coming Temple Mount War?
Your Favorites: Top Israel Today Posts with the Most Views in 2022
“We Must Preserve Canada’s Judeo-Christian Foundation”
Tour the Temple Mount With Israel Today
The Pilgrims Way: A Live Tour “Up To” Jerusalem’s Temple
In First Since 1967: Israelis Enter Temple Mount Through Gate of the Tribes
Israel Today Membership
Monthly Membership
Yearly Membership
Save 18% Per Month.
Six Months Membership
Save 9% Per Month.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Only members can read and write comments.