ISMAIL AX
Point No. 1. "Ismail" is the usual English spelling of "Ishmael" in the Koran.
Point No. 2. A passage from the Koran describes Ibrahim taking an ax and destroying idols:
Ibrahim Confronts his People and Rejects their Idols
He left his father after he lost hope to convert him to the right path, and directed his efforts towards the people of the town, but they rejected his call and threatened him. By Allah, he said, I shall plot a plan to destroy their idols. He knew that a big celebration was coming soon, where everybody would leave town for a big feast on the riverbank. After making sure that nobody was left in town, Ibrahim went towards the temple armed with an ax. Statues of all shapes and sizes were sitting there adorned with decorations. Plates of food were offered to them, but the food was untouched. "Well, why don’t you eat? The food is getting cold." He said to the statues, joking; then with his axe he destroyed all the statues except one, the biggest of them. He hung the ax around its neck and left.
Not sayin', jes wonderin' . . .
posted by Shark Food at 1:00 PM
23 Comments:
Seeing as the Koran attributes this incident to Ibrahim and not Ishmael, I don't see the correlation.
"the man with the smoke"
ismail axe means "we love america". we as arabs and muslims love you americans. we are a peaceful religion. we do not spew hate like you filthy jews and christians. you americans are a vile, evil gaggle of perverts. you have no history and decency. you try to destroy and rape innocent arabs.
اسماعيل فاس يعني "نحب امريكا". فنحن العرب والمسلمين
الامريكيين أحبك. نحن دين سلمي. ولا بث الحقد مثلك قذره اليهود والمسيحيين. اليكم الاميركيين الشريره والشر قطيع من الشواذ. ليس أمامكم التاريخ والأخلاق. انك تحاول تدمير واغتصاب الأبرياء العرب.
First, it is crucial people start reading up on the term "Al Taqyyia" and what its implies.
I had a feeling from the beginning that these was highly likely to be a muslim convert...and that it is the firstr thing the FBI needs to rule out. The media will "avoid" saying there are terrorisitc ties to this because its not politically correct to call a spade a spade. Islam is ruthless, under the disguise of being a peaceful religion. Islam has a history of chrurning out some ugly ideology. Also, mosques are spreading and going up around the world like pop up tents and not enough people realize that in these mosques they are preaching the need to take over "ALL INFIDELS"..meaning each and every non-muslim, with Christians and Jews being their first focus of importance.
Specifically, one needs to research what Islam allows for "Al Taqiyya during a Jihad". Islam will try to tell you (the unbeliever a.k.a the infidel) that Jihad simply means "struggle"..Jihad is a war against unbelievers and unbelievers deserve Al-Taqiyya" They use much trickery,deciet,and LIES. Like a snake in the grass...be careful what you allow them to mis-inform you on. Islam, as a whole,is at war with infidels worldwide. Wake Up People, Look Around! Also, keep any eye on the other enemy, that is "Globalization". These are 2 evil forces currently in the world gaining steam, Islam and Globalization. This is why we have a clash of civilizations! The ones in the middle who want to just live a humble life are the ones who suffer. The ones who do not want to force the world by force to conform to their ideologies (vision) are the ones who suffer. The innocent ones are between these 2 systematic beasts. Currently, it appears that the ones planning Globalization (A New World Order) are being bought of with money (to turn the other cheek) from the oil rich Islamic countries behaviours. In the end these 2 beasts will cause eachother's demise. Also,Keep an eye on China and Russia, watch what China does. There is alot of activity going on in the world.
To the scum who made "the man with the smoke"response. Tell us again how you love America and Americans. somehow I don't see the love in what you followed your first few lines with. While you are at it can you also explain how islam is a religion of peace? You don't know the meaning of the word.
Sir I respectfully fail to see your love for this country. I know how you feel that all americans are evil and we live in a fallen world so we all are evil but that makes no exception for you. I believe there is a verse in the Korran(might be mis-spelled) that you all are to "Kill the infadels" and in context that verse is referring to all non believers and christians. I would stake my life on the fact that you will never find a verse in the Bible that tells us to kill anyone. Now, I'm not saying that God has not wiped certain people off the face of the earth. Sodom and Gomorah was completely and utterly anihalated by God, but I'm sure that he had a better reason to kill than the gunman at Virginia Tech. This reasons, although I don't know them exactly because I wasn't there were not good enough for the loss of 33 people's lives. And the fact that you said that all Christians and jews were raping and killing innocent Muslims does not in any way show that you have love for this country. I doubt that in any case of rape or murder by a jew or a Christian was completely unprovoked. There is always some motive in any crime. Some Christians and jews take their religion way too far, but when it comes to Muslims they are not taking their religion too far by killing innocent people, because they are called to do so by their religion. You said in one line "we as arabs and muslims love you americans. we are a peaceful religion." And 11 words later you said "you americans are a vile, evil gaggle of perverts." How can you love america and hate it at the same time? That does not satisfy the law of self contradiction. The man at Virginia tech was indeed a muslim and claimed to have been involved with jihad and was indeed a terrorist but was only following his religion. We follow ours and go to the deepest parts of the Muslim world to preach the gospel but we get massacred and killed but we are only following our religion. In my opinion Muslims are not peaceful people if they follow thier religion as they ought to. I hope and pray that my words will touch your heart. I would be glad to talk to you so please respond.
I agree with the comment made by the previous blogger in offering "the man with smoke" someone to talk with and in hoping his heart would be touched to see that our goal is not in returning such hate towards muslims. We as Christians would never (and should never) turn away someone who is reaching out, no matter who they are. What I mean is that Christians do not intend to be hateful towards muslims, but on the same note, Christians do not, nor should we not, be mute from telling about the evil atrocities we see coming out of Islam, the so called religion of peace. The truth is our goal and Islam has become a very sad and horrible religion/cult. And we pity those stuck and in and/or blinded by this religion.
re the "I would stake my life on the fact that you will never find a verse in the Bible that tells us to kill anyone."
You really shouldn't be betting your life on the bible if you haven't read it. Here's one for you:
"Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods. In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it. Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors. "The LORD your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him." (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT)
(Deuteronomy 13:7-12 NAB) is a good one too...
My point is you can't go around quoting parts ot the koran and therefor assume all muslims are savages out to kill all infidels. Same as all christians don't go around killing each other's children, or stoning aldulterers.
Quit with the ignorance and open your mind a little. Americans always seem so brainwashed. *Those quotes took 20 seconds in google to find. Not hard if you try.
Re: Killing in Deuteronomy 13 vs Killing the infadels in the koran..First, there are verses in the Bible instructing people to kill see Deuteronomy 13 vs 9 "But you shall kill him. Your hand shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people". You need to look a little further and find out why. Is the Bible saying we Christians should kill anyone who disagrees with us? No. In Deuteronomy the laws that were broken were the same for Israel as the other nations inhabiting the land, so were the penalties. The people God had ordered killed were corrupt and guilty. They were even sacrificing their children by fire to their gods (Deut 12:31).
I think it is safe to say we have laws against that here in America today, thank God. I hope anyone practicing that kind of corruption would face the death penalty. Death is Gods idea. The "wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23. the issue here is when do people have the right to kill... not God. "All have sinned" Romans 3:23 so we all deserve to be killed by God Himself. God is perfectly righteous and just in all He does. We all deserve the death penalty for our sin.
God has never and will never condem anyone to death who is not guilty.
The good news of the Gospel is that God sent His Son to pay for the sin of mankind when He was crucified on the Cross as the perfect sinless "Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world" John 1:29. If we will accept Him and what He did. For He is the Resurected Christ who interceeds for believers before the Father.
Christians are not called to kill infadels unless these infadels are guilty of flying airplanes into sky scrapers or going around blowing up anyone who doesn't agree with them. Because they are guilty of atrocities against God and mankind Not because they disagree with Christians. Christians have good news of the God who "sent NOT His Son into the world to condem the world but that the world through Him might be saved". We share this news in hopes that all will come to Christ for salvation. In no way can you find us given permission to blow any one away who doesn't accept Christ Jesus. Our mission is not the death of infidells because somehow we cant exist with them. We hope the infadell will turn in faith and repentance to the Living God, the resurected Jesus Christ of the Bible, and live. Seek Him while he may be found(Is 55:6). To kill infadels would be the ultimate hate crime because it would take away any hope of salvation for ever.
A truely tolerant and peaceful religion allows people to disagree with them and live to tell about in freedom and love. This my friend is the Christian religion.
Another story breaking in the news about Islam!! Here is more proof of the so-called religion of Peace, wake up world!!! see link
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55261
Re: Deuteronomy. Did you even read the excerpt? It's basically commanding christians to kill entire towns and burn them to the ground if they believe in other Gods!!! How you can argue otherwise is absolutely beyond my comprehension.
If the argument is to bring out other seperate quotes from the bible about Gods love, and Gods forgiveness, then there are plenty of quotes in the koran to negate the calls to kill infidels. And in fact, if you speak to a moderate muslim (perhaps one that lives in your neighbourhood rather than a news story about Iraq) they will show you the verses of peace and non-violence in the Koran.
Half the problem in the middle eastern 'radical' Islamic groups, is a lack of education. Almost all suicide bombers have no idea how to read, and have never seen a copy of the Koran, and so they are used by supposably holy people who explain only the hate and this is how they learn Islam. These groups are tiny in comparison to the majority of Muslims. *And please note there's a difference between freedon fighters fighting in Iraq to get an invading force out of their country, and the suicide brigades that were the cause of 9/11.
As for the article regarding Iraq taxes, read the article properly, and this has been instigated by findamentalists linked to Al-Qaeda, in one neighbourhood, of one city, in a war torn country. How can you possibly draw parallels with that situation and an entire faith.
Re: Deuteronomy, did you even read the excerpt?
Yes, I did, and my reading disclosed that contrary to your comment, this passage does not "command Christians to burn entire towns to the ground" or anything even remotely close to that. Even if it did (which it doesn't), Christians for hundreds of years have not used this passage to justify mass killings. However, Muslims are this very day using the "kill the infidels" passages of the Koran to justify killing Christians and others. The two do not equate on any meaningful level. Nor do the other passages you allude to from the Koran keep Muslims from construing the Koran to command these killings.
As to the "problem" being lack of education among some Muslims, the VT mass murderer was not lacking in education. He was educated at a fine university. Education does not change the human heart; only Christ can do that.
Speaking of Christ, the Jew... Long Live Israel! :o)
ps..the article clearly puts into perspective the ideology Islam spews, savages.
There is a whole range of biblical support that your neo-con governmet has used in it's 'War on Terror' (an impossible war and a very clever political term, but that's a different subject). And if not directly (even bush's references to God's will, the crusades) then America's support of Israel is a perfect example of support of a state that uses biblical rights to justify it's oppression and occupation of another people and their land. Again this is a tanget I won't go into.
My point was, that taken straight from any holy book, there are quotes that could be skewed to promote violence. Just as there are to promote incest, sacrificing babies etc etc.
Just because the extremist muslims quote directly from the koran, and the extremist christians use it in their foreign policies, doesn't make it any less an evil.
As for the VT shooter, last I checked other than a cryptic scrawling of a psychopath on his arm, which has a HUGE stretch to him being muslim, I don't believe there's been any proof of him being islamic? He's from South Korea, which has pratically no Islamic followers AT ALL.
In my opinion, he was a disturbed young man who commited a horrible crime. Nothing more.
As for the ignorant fool who tried to explain the meaning of Jihad, it's an arabic term which does mean "struggle". There are numerous types of jihad in Islam, only one of which is violent, and only under specific perceived situations. If you're going to libel a religion, (as you all are trying to do) at least research the actual religion rather than just your own.
It is rather simple. Islam does not want the west to support Israel. Nothing will make Islam "content" other than the deemed necessary domination of Israel/Jews and USA/Christians, along with the rest of the infidels. The "foreign policy" of Christians and Jews is to use a God given right to defend ourselves against those who seek to oppress us. It is also Islam's policy to do the same as it views oppression as living in a world with "infidels" where Islam decides for God what the definition of infidel is, as you know Iron and Clay dont mix. Many realize this is not about what we "humans" want to happen here...God will speak and settle all things. True Jews and Christians today do not have this need to oppress Islam based on vile and hatred-based motives. We know in time God will speak, rather than man's opinion of God, therfore we pity this organization called Islam along with any other organization that thinks it can by-pass the will of God. The will of God is unraveling to become fully revealed, when our time is up, do any of us want to be caught thinking to ourself,
"I know better ideas than what God is doing, that he should be doing", God Forbid.
God works in mysterious ways. In the meantime, yes, we will defend ourselves from those who wish us harm, what fool would'nt?
.........So did Bush say he "knows what the will of God is"? Or did he mean that he is, as we all are, being used as "part" of God's will. There is a BIG difference.
One cant be on the outside and inside of God's will, you are either on the payroll or not..I dont think we can "compromise" with God about certain things, such as WHO IS REALLY IS IN CHARGE HERE. THE GOD OF ISRAEL LIVES AND THE JEWS OF ISRAEL TODAY IS OUR PROOF!! THIS IS WHY MANY WANT JEWS TO BECOME WIPED OFF THE MAP OR TO BECOME SO SECULAR THAT THEY FORGET WHO THEY ARE. GOD CHOSE THE JEWS TO BE A LIGHT, WE SHOULD BE THANKING GOD FOR ALLOWING THEM IN THEIR LAND WHERE THEY SHINE THE BEST FOR "OUR" BENIFIT ALSO! IF THE JEWISH NATION DID NOT HAVE THE COMPASSION OR MERCY OF GOD, THEN NEITHER WOULD YOU OR I...THE JEWISH PEOPLE AS A WHOLE ARE A GIFT FROM GOD, NOT PERFECFT AND SOMETIMES EVEN ANNOYING,(AND ARENT WE ALL BOTH OF THESE THINGS?) BUT THEY ARE A PRECIOUS GIFT NONETHELESS, BECAUSE THEY "REMIND" US THERE IS A GOD, THE ONE AND ONLY GOD OF ISRAEL AND THE WORLD! IT REALLY MAKES SENSE THAT A MESSIAH WOULD ORIGINATE ONLY FROM THEM, THE TRIBE OF JUDAH.
First off, Christians, Jews, and Muslims (people of the book as it were) all praise the same God. it's the prophets and their messages where religions split. So saying muslims worship a fake god is self detrimental to your own religion. Personally I'm an aethiest and I believe religion is a problem on a whole rather than any specific one.
Secondly, the reson Jews are in Israel is because the Current World Power of the time (and still) deemed that the jews needed a homeland and that is where it would be. The force of said world power is such that no one can oppose other than the methods we see in the middle east today.
As I keep pointing out also, don't assume Islam as a whole religion wants what a small minority get all the media attention for. Majority of muslims are fine. It's the extremists (as it is with christianity) that are the problem.
"True Jews and Christians today do not have this need to oppress Islam based on vile and hatred-based motives." Have you researched Israel's occupation and the plight of the Palestinian people? The conditions that the Palestinians live under (it is now basically a policy of aparteid) and the abuse of basic human rights and international law in West Bank and Gaza is well documented with plenty of proof, so there obviously is a a need for Jews to opress Muslims. Not to mention the Lebanon wars, 6 day war, responses to intifadas.
But while we're talking about oppression, who's oppressing who at the moment? Name a country where a SIGNIFICANT number of christians/jews are being oppressed by Muslims. As opposed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine muslim nations being oppressed by western forces.
As for Bush using God as a legitimiser:
"The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them."
Don't know if you know it, but there's a book titled "The Faith of George W. Bush", in it, Bush is quoted as saying 'I feel like God wants me to run for President. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my family, but God wants me to do it.
Book also spells out how he believes he is on a direct mission from God. Appears to me that he knows what God wants. Or at least he's acting that way.
Let me know when I should start fearing a good smiting when your God reveals himself...
I think deep inside we "know" what God wants, we just need to search for the truth. I will not judge the soul of George Bush, nor will I judge any muslim under the influence of Islam. God will settle these things, not me. Could it be the palestinians are being oppressed by God's Plan? What we need to ask is "why" is this happening...look at the bigger picture. I pray for you to be touched with truth.
Oh, I should add...the "why" these things are happening i already mentioned, but again, as the 'Holy" bible fore-told events to come and God made a covenant with the Jewish people that man can not break (good thing, if he broke the covenant with Israel, so goes the covenant for the whole world). God is not prtoecting Israel for the sake of the Jewish people, no, He is doing it for the sake of his Holy name. The Jewish people's presence are a light to the world from God, to tell us he is REAL and that he did not and will not forget the covenant he made with them. Historians can not figure out why the jews are still here (simply they should have been logically eliminated by now through the on-going persecutions and assimilations jews encountered) Military strategists cant figure out how Israel won its wars for independence (hint, it as GOD not MAN) The ironic thing about all this is, those who bless Israel will be blessed, those who curse Israel will be cursed...and many choose to curse her or just simply ignore her..this amazes me. You want to know why the world is going crazy? The God who created everything is trying to wake people up! You know the bible has an ending...and the end is coming..would we expect silence from our Creator while the world presses on doing what it wants on not heeding to what God wants...he only wants respect and love, can we blame him? He made us..so i think he has the right to mold his design in anyway the creator of the universe sees fit. Everything God does is for the long-time good..I believe our Creator loves us, we should be praying for mercy and truth about these things. Who can understand the mind/ways of God? NO ONE. But do we have faith, do we trust and "listen"? Do we beg and plead with God because we want to "hear" his truth? Why are some afraid of the ultimate truth? Yes, this journey can get scarry and dis-couraging, we are often tested....but deep down do we strive to over-come what does not matter and search for what truly does? When asking these questions we need to direct our prayers to the God of Israel..there is only ONE God and ONE covenant..are we asking "why" there is no peace in Jerusalem? Maybe we need to STOP blaming the ones holding God's covenant and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, even if that means God loves Jews too. Do you know of any other religion that is preserving the biblical feasts and festival from the old testament? And Christians, wake up..if Jesus were here today he would celebrate Passover NOT Easter...our Pagan ways led us away from the TRUTH.
Well, previous experience has taught me to bow out of arguments when it deissolves into purely theological and religious rhetoric. Just as some of you see being impossible to communicate and reason with muslims, I see the same of all religios followers on this topic.
But I will discuss Palestine and Israel. I don't see how you can claim it is God's plan to keep these people oppressed. It's America's plan, and unless you're going to go back to previous posts claiming that America is doing what it knows is God's will, I don't see how God has anything to do with it. Granted the land of Israel was based on biblical references of previous ownership, but those years were long gone, and had since been re-settled by Arabs. The methods and spite that the land was reclaimed is the most disagreeable part of the settlement, along with the ongoing treatment of the palestinian people.
How about a bit of empathy? Imagine (assuming some new diplomatic ties to be arranged and some lost) that the United Kingdon aligned with China, Japan and the Koreas and other asian countries instead of America? Whether you admit it or not that would give them a force to attack if not overwhelm the American army.
What then, if this new alliance decided that the English deserve to have America back, and that they were going to implemenet it with force. And then a further what if, the rest of the western world (basically europe and Australia) decided to abandon America to align with this new world power? On your own, being oppressed by a all mighty power, with only a few weak allies? What would be your reaction to that situation?
As for Israel, I guartentee there will be a 'military analyst' who will be able to tell you, the 'God' that has allowed the jews to survive, steal the land of Israel, and win it's numerous wars (along the way breaking uncountable human Rights & International Laws) is not a religious one, but a wordly one. With the support of originally the waning British Empire, and now the American Empire (waning too?) and hence a supply of state of the art training and arsenal, against a poorly organised, and poorly epuipped resistance coming from countries with crippling global economic embargoes and restrictions all but condeming them into a cycle of poverty. That is how Israel has survived.
I'm not going to be drawn into arguments about the survival of the jewish race, cause as much as I don't have any feelings against jewish people, it's impossible to comment on, particularly online, without someone taking it the wrong way and taking offence.
you said... "I'm not going to be drawn into arguments about the survival of the jewish race, cause as much as I don't have any feelings against jewish people, it's impossible to comment on, particularly online, without someone taking it the wrong way and taking offence."
Please understand that anything I say is based off of the word of God. I understand that you want to leave God out of this, as you see religions or God to be a problem for the world. But, I do see God's hand in all of it, even in the bad events. How many have lost faith in God because of the holocaust?
As for your question about how I would feel if the USA falls under dictatorship? Friend, it has already started to happen. Also concerning your statement on Israel existing only because they broke UN International laws. I wonder, where was the UN and its laws when Jews were getting tossed into ovens? Or where is The UN's humanity saving presence in all the many "oppresive" countries and oppressed peoples? Where is the UN's International Laws while many Arabs are yelling at the top of their lungs they dont want to live in peace with Israel (Jews) because they want them dead, in the sea. And where was the UN International laws on 9-11?
Let's face it THE UN IS NOT GOD!! And I am glad for that fact!
Do yourself a favor and start following the news that does NOT, NOT, NOT make it into the "main-stream" media. Ever monitor the rockets that are constantly falling on Israel and the statements made by the terrorists in the Gaza strip? If you want to get the "full" story read Arutz Sheva online news. Also, Look on a map, Arabs populate more than 90% of the middle east, while Israel is a sliver of land. And in my opinion America will see her day again and worse, and probally soon, because America is pushing Israel for a 2 state solution...God will only be silent for so long. Hey, I live in America, and NO, I dont blame God for all of this. I blame "US", MAN. And "we" should be praying for mercy and truth. To put it another way, I support God's plan to do with this world what he sees fit...did I really have any other choice?...the problem is that some think they do/did and want to take out their sickness on somebody else. I say if you are confused, hurt, angry or whatever, then take it up with God in asking for help BUT dont take it out on God's people. I have to admit, this is a sad and hurtful world we are living in.
PS...I still believe we have a God-given right to protect ourselves when someone is trying to kill us, but at the end of the day, only God can save any of us.
I found something for you. You may be very suprised by the link below, I was suprised. The farther you read into history(about the World Wars and Hitler) it even makes more sense. I would suggest you can start by reading the link below, then you can back it up with reading about the World Wars and History of Hitler and such(because there is a link to the above in history). If you do, you will be rather enlightned like I was..Then if you want the "other side" of the story look into Islam's history and what "their view" on it is, it is like comparing night & day..remember Islam came along "AFTER" Judaism and Christianity (although they would try to tell you different even when history proves them wrong, lol) But here is a good link for you..hope it helps..
http://hnn.us/roundup/comments/12655.html
WOW!!! The readers comments on this are as profound as the article!! Well, its just another day dealing with the evil of Islam.
Truth Speaks.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55464
Only twice in Jerusalem's history has the city served as a national capital. The first time was as the capital of the two Jewish Commonwealths during the First and Second Temple periods, as described in the Bible, reinforced by archaeological evidence and numerous ancient documents. The second time is in modern times as the capital of the State of Israel. It has never served as an Arab capital for the simple reason that there has never been a Palestinian Arab state.
No matter where Jews lived throughout the world for those two millennia, their thoughts and prayers were directed toward Jerusalem. Even today, whether in Israel, the United States or anywhere else, Jewish ritual practice, holiday celebration, and lifecycle events include recognition of Jerusalem as a core element of the Jewish experience. Consider that:
Jews in prayer always turn toward Jerusalem.
Arks (the sacred chests) that hold Torah scrolls in synagogues throughout the world face Jerusalem.
Jews end Passover Seders each year with the words: "Next year in Jerusalem"; the same words are pronounced at the end of Yom Kippur, the most solemn day of the Jewish year.
A three-week moratorium on weddings in the summer recalls the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army in 586 BCE. That period culminates in a special day of mourning - Tisha B'Av (the 9th day of the Hebrew month Av) - commemorating the destruction of both the First and Second Temples.
Jewish wedding ceremonies - joyous occasions, are marked by sorrow over the loss of Jerusalem. The groom recites a biblical verse from the Babylonian Exile: "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning," and breaks a glass in commemoration of the destruction of the Temples.
Even body language, often said to tell volumes about a person, reflects the importance of Jerusalem to Jews as a people and, arguably, the lower priority the city holds for Muslims:
When Jews pray they face Jerusalem; in Jerusalem Israelis pray facing the Temple Mount.
When Muslims pray, they face Mecca; in Jerusalem Muslims pray with their backs to the city.
Even at burial, a Muslim face is turned toward Mecca.
Finally, consider the number of times "Jerusalem" is mentioned in the two religions' holy books:
The Old Testament mentions 'Jerusalem' 349 times. Zion, another name for 'Jerusalem,' is mentioned 108 times.
The Quran never mentions Jerusalem - not even once.
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