Jews, Muslims on same side of several battles

Jews, Muslims on same side of several battles

By HOWARD BERLIN
03/08/2004

It's hard to believe that despite the current divide between many of the world's Jews and Muslims, there are several issues that now bring the two religions together as strange bedfellows to protest the banning of religious practices they have in common.

The issue to make the most news lately is French President Jacques Chirac's desire to ban all conspicuous displays of one's religious affiliation in his country.s public schools. Despite world-wide protest by governments and religious groups, the French have stood their ground.
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In this country we preach the need for religious tolerance, but the French want to ban it. France's Muslim population with its high birth rate is currently at five million and is the largest in Western Europe. The government's ban will undoubtedly force France's Muslim community to react strongly, and perhaps violently. Islamic governments trading with France will undoubtedly use their leverage to change the law. France's Jewish community has also protested the overt religious discrimination but because of the increase in anti-Semitism in France and much of Europe, is taking a low profile in hoping that Chirac's government will eventually cave in and rescind the law. France is not the only country to consider such a ban on Islamic head scarves. Last year several German states were strongly considering passing similar laws banning the head scarf in public schools.
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There is a common thread that seems to run through all these issues. When the justifications are examined along with the rise of anti-Semitic acts, one has to conclude that they simply don't want Jews or the new influx of foreigners, many of whom are Muslims. Often the blunt view is, "If they don't like it, then they can go somewhere else."

Very interesting opinion peice.
More at:
http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/opinion/devoice/03082004.html

BTW- Mr. Berlin is the author of 30 books and follows contemporary issues of the major religions.

Peace