Antisemitism in Islam part one: The Qur’an
from Christian Concern:
In this series, Head of Public Policy Tim Dieppe uncovers the antisemitism found in authoritative Islamic teaching. In part one, Tim looks at antisemitic verses from the Qur’an.
In May 2024, I was invited to debate with Reza Aslan on the question ‘Is Islam antisemitic?’[1]
I was surprised to be asked, since Reza is a professor at University of California, Riverside, and has written two books which have reached the New York Times bestseller list. After questioning whether I was really the right person, and praying about it and discussing with others, I agreed to the debate. The organisers had clearly seen my earlier article Is Islam antisemitic?,[2] and were impressed with my engagement with the texts.
In this series I will demonstrate that Islam, as defined by its texts, is antisemitic. We will look at antisemitism in the Qur’an, in the hadith, in the Sirah (or biographies of Muhammad), amongst Islamic scholars, and in Islamic history. We will also examine some texts that are cited as examples of apparently philosemitic (or pro-Jewish) texts in Islam. I think that once we have considered all this evidence, you will be convinced that Islam is indeed antisemitic.
Antisemitism defined
Ahead of the debate, I asked that we agree to the ADL definition of ‘antisemitism’. I didn’t want to be arguing with Reza about what is and what isn’t antisemitism. Reza agreed to the ADL definition which is clear and uncontroversial. This definition says that antisemitism is:
“The belief or behaviour hostile toward Jews just because they are Jewish. It may take the form of religious teachings that proclaim the inferiority of Jews, for instance, or political efforts to isolate, oppress, or otherwise injure them. It may also include prejudiced or stereotyped views about Jews.”[3]
As I clarified in my opening statement, the question is whether Islam is antisemitic. It is not about Muslims, and whether they are antisemitic. It is about Islam, and Islam is defined by its texts. These texts are: the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the Sirah (biographies of Muhammad).
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