Arafat, Lost In Translation

So there’s a big fuss over what Yasser Arafat said on Saturday calling on his people to “terrorize your enemy” as he bitterly marked the 56-year anniversary of Israel’s establishment.

Media are saying that he ended the speech with a quote from the Quran.
“Find what strength you have to terrorize your enemy and the enemy of God”

But what that verse from the Quran essentially says is:
“When your enemies come up against you, show them you are prepared to fight with absolutely everything you can muster, in the hope that this will frighten them off. But if they’re willing to make peace, you must make peace with them”

This verse describes how the faithful should respond to the pagan armies threatening to wipe out the nascent Muslim community in Medina.
And nowadays it’s interpreted as an exhortation for them to remain strong under difficult circumstances

So what Arafat is actually saying is that Palestinians should not break under the current events and that they should show that they are strong and will not be stamped on, but that if there is a change of heart on the other side and they want peace, then they should work towards that peace.

Very big difference!
And a very legitimate thing to say, which is consistent with Arafat’s position and the position of most Palestinians.

So basically, the media and Mr. Powell should check their facts before opening up their mouths!

[More: Lawrence of Cyberia]

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Mohamed Marwen Meddah

Mohamed Marwen Meddah is a Tunisian-Canadian, web aficionado, software engineering leader, blogger, and amateur photographer.

3 thoughts on “Arafat, Lost In Translation”

  1. that is the biggest load of rubbish i have ever read!!!in operation defensive shield the israeli army found documents showing how arfat gives 50 000 dollars to his fatah movment(fatah is an offshoot of his party which commits acts of terror) you see arfat uses ambiguaty with everything he does.

    when he signed oslo he said i quote”this is the trojgean horse” now im sure this idiot who wrote this pethetic article would say something like”no what he meant was,peace.b/c a horse represents peace” lol such rubbish

    arfat has many times called for i quote”JIHAD” im sure youll find some bull to cover up that,,or tell us what he “really” means

    people i beg you not to read such rubbish as u have seen here
    also u say the quaron actually the “peace” in the quoran says its only peace when the other party gives up its rights and allows YOU to rule.ie rule over them!theres no such thing as a peace agreement in islam,its either thier way or ,,,,,,JIHAD

  2. Well, I’m not here to defend Yasser Arafat or anything. In fact, I don’t really like him.

    I’m just trying to clarify a verse from the Quran that he said and which the media is misinterpreting.

    Whether you like it or not, and no matter who quotes it, what I wrote is the true meaning of the verse.

    And, you’re also wrong about Islam and peace. Islam always teaches to go the way of peace and try time and again not to fight wars and to solve problems through peaceful methods.
    But it also teaches that we should defend ourselves when we’re under attack.

    If you only took the time to read the Quran and understand each verse truly and know what circumstances it deals with. You’d truly see a totally different side of Islam.

    I know you’re Israeli, and Jewish. And I want you to know that when it comes to religion and Quran, Islam and Muslims don’t have anything at all against Jews.
    We believe in all of your prophets and their messages and we have so many things in common with you.

    Whatever you see in the current events that makes you think otherwise is totally the result of the Palestinian conflict and Israeli policies.

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