Interview with Dr. Ali Antar
President of the Berlin Mosque
Berlin CT
May 23rd, 2007
Q1. Why have you received the billboard from Bethlehem at the Berlin
Mosque?
Dr. Antar: It is an honor to receive the billboard from Bethlehem, the town of the
Holy land where Jesus was born with the message of peace. It is an education that all residence of the Holy land, Palestinians, and Israelis can live together in peace and unity regardless of their faith, Jewish, Christian, or Muslim. This will happen only when the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza is removed and the Palestinians feel they have their own sovereign state, and the Israelis feel secure and safe.
Q2. Haven't the Jews and the Muslims been fighting for thousands of
years? Isn't it crazy to think that peace can be found?
Dr. Antar: This is not necessarily true. The Jews and Muslims have lived togetherin good prosperous relations for years; i.e., in southern Spain, and also under the Ottoman Empire. There are a lot of things in common between the Islamic and Jewish faiths. The Muslims revere Prophet Moses and the message that he put down. The clashes in the Holy land are clashes between Palestinians, who are both Christian and Muslim, against the occupation, and for their self determination. Peace can be easily found when the Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim, feel they have their human rights achieved.
Q3. Is it true that Islam is a violent religion? If this is not true, why do we hear so much about Muslim extremists in the world?
Dr. Antar: This is not true. Any group in the world, regardless of their faith, will resist injustices. They stand for their rights and this has happened not only by Muslims, but by Irish in Northern Ireland and Christians in East Temour. Any persons, regardless of their faith, when they reach despair, they justify violent actions not necessarily from their religion.
Q4. What does Islam teach about our relationship with Christians and
Jews?
Dr. Antar: Islam is considered as a message to affirm the previous Christian and Jewish messages. In fact, the Christians and Jews have a special status. They are called the "people of the book" because they have the same single message from the Creator. Any discussion with them has to be with the best peaceful communication for all.
Q5. What can Americans do to help bring peace to Israel and Palestine?
Dr. Antar: Help the Israelis and Palestinians to implement all international rights and the universal human rights for both of them including all United Nations resolutions. This will make the Palestinians stand on their feet economically and they will feel that they are treated with dignity, and also the Israelis will feel secure and safe.