OIC Sec-Gen Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu: Islamism, Anti-Semitism, Where Where……?

The Tundra Tabloids presents the following report of the ‘Islam in Europe’ seminar this past Tuesday in Helsinki, Finland, which was sponsored by the Finnish Institute for Foreign Policy (UPI).

I went to listen to the head of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Secretary Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, deliver a speech on his views about Islam’s future in Europe, as well as to see who would show up. I’m curious that way.

While waiting outside the building for the doors to open, I had a chance to exchange some words with a fellow concerning the upcoming seminar, but the conversation quickly became centered on his views concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and how ending it would usher in a new era of peace solving in the region, which, according to anonymous gentleman, would also help defuse the current conflict between Islam and the West.

According to the “self declared expert” on international law, pictured right, Israel is a “criminal state” occupying Palestinian land. Of course the man’s logic is as badly flawed as his “expertise” in international law, he didn’t even understand the difference between a chapter six and chapter seven UNSC resolution, and somehow at that moment, I knew that the man I was debating with was just a prelude of what was yet to come.

The Secretary General pulls up in his limo, with the OIC flag flapping in the wind. He and his entourage make their way past the few of us standing outside and we follow them inside.

The seminar begins.

The panel included the heads of the UPI, Raimo Väyryen and the OIC, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, as well as Dr.Marko Juntunen, Ph.D in philosophy. After a brief introduction by the UPI spokesman, OIC Sec-Gen Ihsanoglu took the floor and began his speech by first flipping through the well used stack of notes sitting in front of him, until he found something that caught his interest. Apparently he’s delivered the same speech in a variety of different ways, but what choice morsels would he pick for his Finnish audience?

Talking points for the discussion that evening.

One of first things mentioned during the seminar was the interesting comment by Ihsanoglu, that he was thankful that “Finland did not have a colonial history” (unlike Islam). I don’t believe that Ihsanoglu was just being gracious, the importance of his noting Finland’s colonial free history could be understood that the OIC Sec-Gen actually believes that Islamic world can look to Finland as some kind of bridge or loading ramp between cultures, which might help to explain the Saudis’ sudden interest in building an embassy here in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

When one views the Finnish political elite’s response to the publication of the Mohamed cartoons, -which saw Finnish Prime Minister, Matti Vanhanen rolling over in appeasement with his apologizing to the Islamic world for a lone nationalist organizations publishing of the cartoons- what can one say but “Finlandization and Dhimmitude”.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu’s recent speech in Helsinki also shows the connection between Muslim groups, and well known Islamists, by presenting a unified, cohesive message to Western audiences. Their emphasis on “European Islam”, and Islam being a traditional part of Europe, cannot be overlooked, whether its the Islamist Tariq Ramadan delivering the speech or professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu himself.

What is conveniently left out of these speeches, (if anyone takes time to notice) is any official recognition of Islam’s violent and brutal imperialist history, let alone an offical apology for it. Instead there is much obfuscating of the facts, the pointing of the fingers while taking credit for every positive aspect of European history and its culture and technological advances. This past Tuesday evening in Helsinki, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu did just that.

According to Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu Islam is not an alien entity,

“Islam is a part of the history of Europe, it is a part of its current time and will be a part of its future“.

But what he conveniently left out -and no one there seemed interested in asking about it- is that historically, Islam has only gained entrance into Europe through aggression and slow but sure demographic boosting of its numbers, and that the political-religious system that enabled that success has remained unchanged.

It’s only of late that Islam has made an incredible entrance into Europe, but that has more to do with European political elitism, and the EU’s policy of seeking a counter-balance to US foreign policy than anything positive Islam itself has to offer. Bat Ye’or’s Eurabia provides the details. The OIC Secretary General had alot to say about how Europe is indebted to Islam, by taking us through his guided tour of European history in an attempt to co-opt every every postive aspect of European culture and its technological advances in every department.

(Edit: see Fjordman’s comments after the video)

In fairness, I note that Ihsanoglu did admit that all cultures borrow from the other, but one can’t help but notice that Islam is the exception, because it has not only borrowed (stolen) from the West, it refuses to admit as much.

I’m sure that Copernicus would be surprised to learn that the mathematical equations he used to determine the universe were all due to Islamic thinkers from a prior age. Yes, we Europeans are placed in the role of debtors and our soon to be Islamic masters are here to collect. How lucky we are to be at the receiving end of such generous paternalism.

Towards the end of the evening there was an answer and question period in which I was able to both comment and offer a question of my own. I took exception to the OIC Secretary General’s understanding of the Mohamed cartoon crisis, and took him to task. I stated in my own words as well as quoting from an op-ed that appeared in the J’lem Post by Gerald Steinberg:

“I must take exception to the remarks by OIC Sec-Gen Ihsanoglu, that “there is no such thing as the right to insult.” Contrary to what the Secretary-General says, Freedom of speech does in fact mean the right to insult. Regardless of how tasteless it may be, it is a crucial, integral part of freedom of speech, one simply can’t survive without the other.

Also, while it’s understandable that professor Ihsanoglu presents the Organization of the Islamic Council in the best light possible, I find it necessary however, to bring to light some of the troublesome aspects of the OIC itself and its agenda, that Sec-Gen Ihsanoglu is unwilling to touch.

While the OIC presents itself as being concerned with human rights as well as being a bridge for peace and understanding to the non-Muslim world, many of its own member states are the chief violators of human rights and promoters of the vilest forms of anti-Semitism seen since the rise and fall of National Socialism in Germany, during the 30’s and the 40’s. The evidence is undeniable, it’s a fact which has led the US House of Representatives to approve Resolution 1361 adopted on Sept. 23 of this year, with the expressed aim, and I quote:

“defeating the campaign by some members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference to divert the United Nation’s Durban Review Conference from a review of problems in their own and other countries, by attacking Israel, promoting anti-Semitism, and undermining the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

So my question to professor Ihsanoglu is: In light of the US Congress resolution, Can OIC sec-Gen offer his own personal assurances that the O I C is not going to use the conference, to attack Israel, as well as focusing on global blasphemy, which “would legitimize arbitrary restrictions of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the freedoms of expression and opinion, all in the name of protecting religions from ‘defamation’ and ‘blasphemy.?

The OIC Secretary General’s response, was to refuse to honestly address the issues I raised, choosing rather to categorically reject, out of hand, the fact that OIC member states engage in the worst forms of anti-Semitism, with a simple minded disingenuous response: I quote:

OIC Sec-Gen Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu: “Well there are many other things to speak of..I don’t know what you mean by eh…this person asked me, “What is the alternative to Islamism?” I don’t know anything called Islamism, I know Islam, in fact I don’t know what Islamism is. Now, coming to the very important question, addressed by the last person, sir you are under the wrong impression.

Tundra Tabloids: How so?

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu: We are not anti-Semitic, (unclear) believing in moderacy and decency as part of my belief, my doctrine, I am a Muslim, and when I pray, I pray for all prophets including Moses, Jesus and Mohamed. So you cannot speak about any Muslim, good or bad, as anti-Semitic, this is a theory, this is not the case.

Now coming to the Durban Conference, We have to, for those who follow these issues. The Human Rights Council in Geneva has been issuing resolutions related to the defamation of religions and the protection against hatred. This is the Human Rights Council, and the Human Rights Council mandated to discuss this, and there are certain rapporteurs appointed by the High Commission. They do the report and according to this report they accept or refuse this resolution. This is the framework, legal framework.

When it comes to OIC’s position, I have to tell you our group there is very active, and we’re proud of it. But we being active there, we say, to European countries who are members of this, eh, and other Western countries of this commission, the Council, the Human Rights Council, “Please, lets work together…please lets work together”.

We are not anti-Christian, we are not anti-Semitic, we are not anti-anybody. but we are anti-insult, we are anti-defamation, we are anti-abusing the freedom. The freedom sir, does not mean insulting, this is not acceptable, this is incitement to hatred on a religious basis, on a racial basis is prohibited by international convention.

If you say that this publishing of the cartoons is still a matter of freedom of expression…

Tundra Tabloids: Yes it is.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu: I must then as you one question, why did the same newspaper refuse, the same editor who allwed these uncivilized cartoons, “on my prophet”, why he did not allow publishing a similar cartoon on Jesus Christ? The same newspaper?

I’m against any cartoon, impolite, against any prophet, against any revered symbol of any religion. I have to repsect that this is part of my doctrine. But I’m asking a question, when he refuses one on Jesus and accept, and even solicit and provoke and make a competition and then publish them. Why?

Here I think we have a little problem, not freedom, but a problem, it’s not a problem it’s a matter of morality which is (unclear) it’s public morality.

The rest of his responses concerning free speech and the upcoming Durban Conference, were as depressingly simple minded as his odd denial of Islamic anti-Semitism. Remember, this is a man who is leading the world’s largest Islamic body, and if he can’t even admit to stark reality of Islamic anti-Semitism, how in the world can the West ever expect Islam to be “modernized, if it refuses to own up to its dark past and present?

The Tundra Tabloids’ dear friend, Andrew Bostom took note recently of the response by the OIC Secretary General, to an earlier question from a brave Afghan gentleman concerning the OIC’s approach to democracy, “what is the alternative to Islamism and what is the contribution of the OIC to solving conflicts within the OIC member states.”

OIC Sec-Gen Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu: “Well there are many other things to speak of..I don’t know what you mean by eh…this person asked me, “What is the alternative to Islamism?” I don’t know anything called Islamism, I know Islam, in fact I don’t know what Islamism is.

Andrew Bostom: At least he got this right: “I don’t know anything called Islamism, I know Islam, in fact I don’t know what Islamism is.”

How right you are Andy, how right you are. KGS

Here is the video once again.

NOTE: The UPI does not mention the TT’s comments and question to the OIC sec-gen at all.

UPI: “The audience asked, among other things, the panellists about modernization and reformation of Islam. Professor Ihsanoglu emphasized that Islam has already gone through some reforms, but they are not necessarily similar to the European reformist movements. Doctor Juntunen said that there is currently a heated debate among Muslim scholars about modernizing Islam, but unfortunately this has not yet echoed among the wider Muslim population. Juntunen also stated that the Western media is making a great mistake by not showing interest in the internal debate which is currently going on among Muslim scholars.”

ALSO:

Bat Ye’or tells the TT about Ishanoglu: “He respects the biblical figures as Muslim prophets as well as Jesus. Unfortunately Ihsanoglu version of history is now accepted and taught in Europe. When he says that Islam and Christianity have common roots, he affirms the Islamic belief that Christianity is rooted in Islam.”

Fjordman has this to say: “We have nothing in common. The idea of a “shared monotheism” is false. Christianity and Judaism are NOT like Islam. The concept of Jihad is unique to Islam, and no more appalling person than Muhammad has ever founded a major religion. If we look at the Greco-Roman legacy, it consists of several elements. One is Roman law, which is secular and changeable, unlike sharia which is eternal and institutes a religious apartheid system. Roman law was used by Europeans, but not by Muslims.

Of the Greek heritage, Muslims even during the so-called “golden age” were uninterested in the concept of democracy, or men ruling themselves according to man-made laws. They never showed even the slightest interest in the Greek artistic legacy, and the Greco-Roman tradition of theater was also rejected by Muslims. There was no Muslim Shakespeare because there could be no Muslim Shakespeare. The only part of the Greek tradition Muslims showed any interest in was the scientific tradition, which they did use to some extent. But even that they failed to internalize and make their own.”

Bostom adds: Gustave von Grunebaum was a staunch defender of the West’s cultural heritage, who, as as Franz Rosenthal, the great Yale scholar of Islam observed in von Grunebaum’s obituary, “…was convinced that it was his duty to interpret Islam from the point of view of the Westerner deeply steeped in his own civilization at its best.”

In one of his landmark essays, von Grunebaum made clear what he termed the “ ultimate impenetrability” of Islam to Western ideas, in particular, “objectivization of experience and its interpretation as a rational system.”

This was never achieved in Islam, as even during the so-called halcyon era of Muslim intellectual achievement, in the late Middle Ages, the Islamic orthodoxy, von Grunebaum notes, “… in self-defense was prepared unhesitatingly to narrow down the scope of the Muslim experience by pushing Hellenizing philosophy and the natural sciences to the periphery…”

OIC Sec-Gen Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu: Islamism, Anti-Semitism, Where Where……?

Written by KGS

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