The power of bloggers

The power of bloggers in national and global politics is increasingly pervasive. But now an imam in Ohio has resigned from a mosque because of pressure from internet bloggers who accused him of anti-semitism. When Ahmed Alzari was appointed to the Cleveland Islamic Centre, bloggers quickly put up a three year old sermon quoting a Hadith (saying of Mohammed) about Muslims engaging in battle with Jews before the day of judgment.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that  Ahmed Alzari 'said the sermon gave many examples of Islamic teaching on the Day of Judgment, including such signs as the rising of the sun from the West, the appearance of an animal or beast to face the unjust and three eclipses. Alzaree said it was clear he was not urging action against any group, and the end-time events the prophet spoke of were in the future. The sermon began with a reminder that no one but Allah knows when judgment day will occur, and in the interim people are encouraged to "strive and struggle in the world doing the good and avoiding the bad and forbidden."'

He and his wife are now looking elsewhere for employment: "Cleveland now is a nightmare for her," Alzaree said, three days before he was to start at the Islamic Center of Cleveland. "It will never be a good start for me and the Jewish community."

Joanna Sugden

Comments

[Dr. Irene Lancaster FRSA]

But these views of Jews are commonplace among Muslim Britons. I used to come across them all the time when teaching in Manchester.

[sheik yer'mami]

Good riddance, imam! Good riddance!

[Maggie Millington]

This was good outcome, but I fear it happens everywhere, certainly here in UK Mosques, the only difference is we do nothing about it. In any case the anti semitic rhetoric is in the Koran many times over so those that don't say it think it.
The only way to stamp it out would be for the suras /hadiths to be deleted & we know that will not happen any day soon , if ever.
I suspect that's why nothing gets done in the UK & something the Jews will have to live with, as long as it stays as words only. The Jewish race have a brilliant sense of humour, maybe they could start a new wave of Jewish jokes laughing at Islam, which cannot laugh at its self, so this would be a harmless way for Jews to defend themselves.
After all we Brits get called names all the time & live with it.