Comments on: Aceh: the only Jew in the village

By: glengyron

glengyron — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:05:31 +0000

>The Middle East is a key unifier across the Muslim world.

You know, to visit an area that’s suffered the world’s largest recent natural disaster, on top of a protracted guerrilla war… and see some sort of relevance in the Israel narrative shows how blinkered your viewpoint is.

I’d suggest you need to get out and see the world… but it doesn’t seem to have helped.

Weird perspective.

By: AR

AR — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:05:26 +0000

Pity you didn’t ask for a reference for the alleged quote. For the record, Israel is never mentioned in the Koran, for the reasons mentioned above by other commenters.

By: AdamNeira

AdamNeira — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:59:20 +0000

I travelled all throughout Indonesia for eleven months from September 1998 to July 1999. Sumatra was traversed via the auspices of a motorbike. My girlfriend and I had a great time and the trip was multi-layered in things learnt and experienced. As I do when I travel I always try and adhre to the adage “When in Rome, do as Romans do”. I spent four weeks in Aceh. It is a truly beautiful part of the world with much potential. The Acehnese have had a fairly independent mindset for much of their history. Their future is best served by being part of the larger nation state of Indonesia. The amazing archipelago must retain its sovereignty. It is in Australia’s interest for Indonesia to retain it’s geographical integrity. The Acehenese have a belief in traditional values. If Indonesia and Aceh continue to travel down the road of strengthening
traditional values and practices, things will undoubtably work out for the best.

Hidup Indonesia !

By: Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:22:59 +0000

David:

The Jews are only one tribe from the nation of Israel which is 12 tribes. Essentially, the definition of a Jew is one who is from the tribe of Yehuda ( Judah ).

Today in the State of Israel is the Jews/Judah…but not Israel, the other 11 tribes. It’s an historical fact according to the Torah. Judah is part of Israel, bit it’s not Israel.

In the Torah, there is continual distinction between Judah and the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel were better known as the “Northern” tribes or known colloquially as Epraim due to that tribes population size.

Israel, the other eleven tribes disappeared from the radar screen and into oblivion around 500-700BCE…later Judah was also dispersed for the same reasons….Israel was scattered to the 4 corners of the earth as punishment for idolatry and abandoning the way of their fathers. They were mostly taken captive by the Assyrians and deported to the outlands of their captors empire where they began an outward migratory process to the 4 corners of the earth and they are yet to return…but who are they now????…don’t ask me that or I will tell you.

The scattering of the tribes of Israel is all highlighted in the Books of 1 &2 Kings…the threat to scatter them, which was acted on, is all through the Torah.

An example of the distinction between Judah and Israel is here:

“I saw that even though backsliding Israel had committed adultery, so thatI had sent her away and given her a divorce document ( deported ) her unfaithfull sister Judah was not moved to fear, instead she too went and prostituted herself.” Jeremiah 3:8-10

Note the disticntion.

There are countless more examples of the distinction between the two nations from the Hebrew Torah and prophets but nobody ever reads it so nobody ever cares, but not many Rabbis will disagree.

No charge!!!

By: Kaz

Kaz — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:34:00 +0000

That was so interesting.

By: David Taft

David Taft — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:41:04 +0000

So what did you say to the girl who alleged that the Koran said that, “Israel and Jews are the most cruel on the planet” ?

By: Irfan Yusuf

Irfan Yusuf — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:40:56 +0000

“their proficiency of English and popular culture an example of the inherent contradictions between Muslim devotion and youthful curiosity.”

Which planet are you living on, Anthony?

“The Middle East is a key unifier across the Muslim world.”

What is this “Muslim world” you speak of?

You’re a good writer, but this kind of gross generalisation doesn’t befit you.

By: Tom McLoughlin

Tom McLoughlin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:24:33 +0000

Great read I thought.

By: Walter Slurry

Walter Slurry — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:50:22 +0000

That’s brilliant Antony. Thank you so much for this eye opening and worldly letter. I didn’t realise until you wrote this that the answer to ignorant prejudice (“…the Koran was correct when it allegedly said that, “Israel and Jews are the most cruel on the planet.” For many Muslims there, Jews are little more than occupiers and brutes in Palestine) is for you to visit and tell them … what exactly did you tell them… ??? Your letter is missing what your response was, but you do mention that your answer inspired this: “People here could love Jews now because of you.” Is it too much to ask what your response was to this kind of blind hatred?