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This is how jihad apologists have responded to my work, and it seems as if this is how they respond to everyone, including this heroic priest.
"Islam’s ‘Public Enemy #1’: Coptic priest Zakaria Botros fights fire with fire," by Raymond Ibrahim in National Review (thanks to all who sent this in):
Though he is little known in the West, Coptic priest Zakaria Botros — named Islam’s “Public Enemy #1” by the Arabic newspaper, al-Insan al-Jadid — has been making waves in the Islamic world. Along with fellow missionaries — mostly Muslim converts — he appears frequently on the Arabic channel al-Hayat (i.e., “Life TV”). There, he addresses controversial topics of theological significance — free from the censorship imposed by Islamic authorities or self-imposed through fear of the zealous mobs who fulminated against the infamous cartoons of Mohammed. Botros’s excurses on little-known but embarrassing aspects of Islamic law and tradition have become a thorn in the side of Islamic leaders throughout the Middle East.Botros is an unusual figure onscreen: robed, with a huge cross around his neck, he sits with both the Koran and the Bible in easy reach. Egypt’s Copts — members of one of the oldest Christian communities in the Middle East — have in many respects come to personify the demeaning Islamic institution of “dhimmitude” (which demands submissiveness from non-Muslims, in accordance with Koran 9:29). But the fiery Botros does not submit, and minces no words. He has famously made of Islam “ten demands,” whose radical nature he uses to highlight Islam’s own radical demands on non-Muslims.
The result? Mass conversions to Christianity — if clandestine ones. The very public conversion of high-profile Italian journalist Magdi Allam — who was baptized by Pope Benedict in Rome on Saturday — is only the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, Islamic cleric Ahmad al-Qatani stated on al-Jazeera TV a while back that some six million Muslims convert to Christianity annually, many of them persuaded by Botros’s public ministry. More recently, al-Jazeera noted Life TV’s “unprecedented evangelical raid” on the Muslim world. Several factors account for the Botros phenomenon.
[...]
Typically, Botros’s presentation of the Islamic material is sufficiently detailed that the controversial topic is shown to be an airtight aspect of Islam. Yet, however convincing his proofs, Botros does not flatly conclude that, say, universal jihad or female inferiority are basic tenets of Islam. He treats the question as still open — and humbly invites the ulema, the revered articulators of sharia law, to respond and show the error in his methodology. He does demand, however, that their response be based on “al-dalil we al-burhan,” — “evidence and proof,” one of his frequent refrains — not shout-downs or sophistry.
More often than not, the response from the ulema is deafening silence — which has only made Botros and Life TV more enticing to Muslim viewers. The ulema who have publicly addressed Botros’s conclusions often find themselves forced to agree with him — which has led to some amusing (and embarrassing) moments on live Arabic TV.
[...]
Botros played the key role in exposing this obscure and embarrassing issue and forcing the ulema to respond. Another guest on Hala Sirhan’s show, Abd al-Fatah, slyly indicated that the entire controversy was instigated by Botros: “I know you all [fellow panelists] watch that channel and that priest and that none of you [pointing at Abd al-Muhdi] can ever respond to him, since he always documents his sources!”
Incapable of rebutting Botros, the only strategy left to the ulema (aside from a rumored $5-million bounty on his head) is to ignore him. When his name is brought up, they dismiss him as a troublemaking liar who is backed by — who else? — international “Jewry.” They could easily refute his points, they insist, but will not deign to do so. That strategy may satisfy some Muslims, but others are demanding straightforward responses from the ulema.
"They could easily refute his points, they insist, but will not deign to do so." Just this morning Jihad Watch reader James sent me this exchange from the Amazon.com page for my book The Truth About Muhammad. A reader review by "Fadi Alkhateeb" asserted: "This book is full of lies and mistakes. If you want to know the truth about Mohammad read the 'Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet' by Karen Armstrong."
To which a commenter, "Drumthwacket," replied: "Mr. Alkhateeb, over five dozen reviewers have given this book a one star reviews as of March 16, 2008. Substantially all of them charge that this book is 'full of lies and mistakes' or the like. None of those reviewers have been able to substantiate those charges. Why do you think that is the case, Mr. Alkhateeb? Say, while you are giving my question some thought Mr. Alkhateeb, why don't you list ten of those lies and mistakes. Describe each of those ten lies and mistakes clearly and give us the page and paragraph locations from Mr. Spencer's book, so we can look them up and check."
Bravo, "Drumthwacket," and thanks.
The most dramatic example of this occurred on another famous show on the international station, Iqra. The host, Basma — a conservative Muslim woman in full hijab — asked two prominent ulema, including Sheikh Gamal Qutb, one-time grand mufti of al-Azhar University, to explain the legality of the Koranic verse (4:24) that permits men to freely copulate with captive women. She repeatedly asked: “According to sharia, is slave-sex still applicable?” The two ulema would give no clear answer — dissembling here, going off on tangents there. Basma remained adamant: Muslim youth were confused, and needed a response, since “there is a certain channel and a certain man who has discussed this issue over twenty times and has received no response from you.”The flustered Sheikh Qutb roared, “low-life people like that must be totally ignored!” and stormed off the set. He later returned, but refused to admit that Islam indeed permits sex-slaves, spending his time attacking Botros instead. When Basma said “Ninety percent of Muslims, including myself, do not understand the issue of concubinage in Islam and are having a hard time swallowing it,” the sheikh responded, “You don’t need to understand.” As for Muslims who watch and are influenced by Botros, he barked, “Too bad for them! If my son is sick and chooses to visit a mechanic, not a doctor — that’s his problem!”
But the ultimate reason for Botros’s success is that — unlike his Western counterparts who criticize Islam from a political standpoint — his primary interest is the salvation of souls. He often begins and concludes his programs by stating that he loves all Muslims as fellow humans and wants to steer them away from falsehood to Truth. To that end, he doesn’t just expose troubling aspects of Islam. Before concluding every program, he quotes pertinent biblical verses and invites all his viewers to come to Christ.
Botros’s motive is not to incite the West against Islam, promote “Israeli interests,” or “demonize” Muslims, but to draw Muslims away from the dead legalism of sharia to the spirituality of Christianity. Many Western critics fail to appreciate that, to disempower radical Islam, something theocentric and spiritually satisfying — not secularism, democracy, capitalism, materialism, feminism, etc. — must be offered in its place. The truths of one religion can only be challenged and supplanted by the truths of another. And so Father Zakaria Botros has been fighting fire with fire.
Excellent. Read it all.
Posted by Robert at March 26, 2008 12:05 PM
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The flustered Sheikh Qutb roared, “low-life people like that must be totally ignored!”
Because they're right I guess. It's a simple equation, when someone like Qutb says "ignore them" in their usual hysterical way, you know the person they are referring to is absolutely right.
It's the Islamic way. Lies, damn lies, and the religion of peace.
Posted by: DaveMate![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 26, 2008 12:23 PM
Robert S. and Botros - separated at birth??
Posted by: BunrattyBill at March 26, 2008 12:30 PM
"Basma said “Ninety percent of Muslims, including myself, do not understand the issue of concubinage in Islam and are having a hard time swallowing it,” the sheikh responded, “You don’t need to understand.”
This says it all in many ways when you are told not to dare question the teachings in the Quran because the words are considered pure and for all time.
Posted by: Mackie at March 26, 2008 12:39 PM
Thank God for Human conquest of the frontiers of Space--there are no borders up there; no ulema, much less an Oriental despot called Allah seated on a curiously uncreated Throne. Think of it, Truth descending from the heavens!
Posted by: John C at March 26, 2008 12:48 PM
"Thank God for Human conquest of the frontiers of Space ..."
The dearth of Muslims and Arabs in the Star Trek universe has been remarked upon before.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1710371/posts
(I'm sure the exchange with Bush is an urban legend but it's still hilarious.)
Posted by: non-croyant at March 26, 2008 1:18 PM
I like this guy's style.
Posted by: Ernie Banks at March 26, 2008 1:20 PM
"They could easily refute his points, they insist, but will not deign to do so."
Yeah...that's kinda like, "I could easily prove that the Earth is flat but..."
Posted by: Alaskan at March 26, 2008 1:27 PM
Great to hear of this dude.
Posted by: dgene at March 26, 2008 1:29 PM
"Thank God for Human conquest of the frontiers of Space--there are no borders up there; no ulema, much less an Oriental despot called Allah seated on a curiously uncreated Throne. Think of it, Truth descending from the heavens!"
Posted by: John C
This Muslim Malaysian doctor is up there .He was supposed to be offering prayers inside the space shuttle ?and outside ?in space 'facing Kaaba' from up there.But his dilemma was that the shuttle is moving and how to constantly adjust his posture etc to offer a 'correct' 'Halal Prayer'. Idiocy continues everywhere.
at March 26, 2008 1:36 PM
How is he still trotting this earth? Haven't the Ikhwan got to him?
Posted by: Infidel Pride at March 26, 2008 1:50 PM
The only low-life around here is the flustered Sheikh Qutb, who apparently allows, encourages and perhaps even enjoys freely copulating with captive women. He reminds me of the recently deposed governor of New York, another man who fought hard against prostitution while enjoying the fruits of it himself. Except he paid for the girl's services. Oh wait a minute, the taxpayers paid for it. My mistake.
It's amazing what slithering, slimy creatures you'll find when you pull back that rock.
And kudos to that hijabbed chick, Basma, for asking the tough questions. I would invite her over to the states to ask Hill and Obama a couple of questions about things I've been wondering about, but after the good Sheikh popped a blood vessel in his forehead on her show, I doubt she will be with us much longer.
Posted by: Isabellathecrusader at March 26, 2008 1:56 PM
I love it.
Posted by: FreeSpeech at March 26, 2008 2:03 PM
I once wrote an email to Zakaria Botros. He sent me a very kind reply. I was very impressed with him. He is very definitely what a Christian is supposed to be.
at March 26, 2008 2:20 PM
What's shocking to me is that the powers-that-be at Al Azhar and other Islamic institutions don't demand the shutting down of Al Hayat to prevent such proselytizing. There's something about this story that just doesn't jive with the long-established Islamic tradition of censoring opposing viewpoints and what Robert refers to as the "chastened subservience" of the dhimmi experience.
Can anyone shed some light on why this brave man is allowed his soap-box? Is it a satellite-channel being beamed from the West?
Posted by: Cornelius at March 26, 2008 2:23 PM
Very slick, this wily Zakaria Botros. Almost like a Muslim.
I have seen some of his vids, and if we take into account what we know about the RoP it makes you wonder why they haven't assassinated him yet. Does anybody know if he is allowed to travel in the Islamic countries?
One would suspect that he lives in hiding, like Geert Wilders. However, whatever 'Fitna' wil be, it will hardly scratch the surface compared to the knowledge of this good man...
Corni,
some of the Arab hate-channels are far more open to discussions than our idiotic networks. Who in the West is interested in Wafa Sultan? Fact is, she got her soapbox on Al J, not on CNN or BBC or Fox.
What does that tell you?
Posted by: sheik yer'mami at March 26, 2008 2:48 PM
This is a man who will probably also be ignored by many Christians who will instead cower, appease and kiss the tails of muslims instead. This is the type of hope that I hope for - that I can be as strong as and emulate this man. It is easy to say when not in harm's way and hard to do when faced with the hordes.
Posted by: R_not at March 26, 2008 2:49 PM
I read this story yesterday. Cheers to him!
Posted by: Mo at March 26, 2008 3:05 PM
Kind words are good.
Support is better...
You can support this great work from the comfort of your easy chair.
Just point your browser to:
and make a donation at whatever level you are comfortable with...
And the next time someone asks what you are doing to fight global jihad besides talking you can tell them how to help too.
Posted by: Joseph of Carpentry at March 26, 2008 3:28 PM
He is doing Gods work.
Islam can not defend it's self in an argument. No one fights Robert on the facts. Islam needs violance to sustain its self.
Posted by: Ruebacca at March 26, 2008 3:35 PM
This is the most extraordinary, and welcome, story I have ever seen on jihadwatch. There aren't really six million Muslim conversions to Christianity every year? I have no religion myself, and I do not hesitate to say that, if that is true, it is a ray of light in a dark world that makes me want to dance in the street.
A strange reflection for us in the West who have
long since come to think of religion as an anachronism, and our liberation from it a permanent step forward. Yet here is a world-historical role for Christianity, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, no less,
which only Christianity can play, and which anyone who dares to be hopeful about the human future must welcome without reserve. (Sorry if this sounds overstated. I'm still on the verge of dancing in the street.)
I have always wondered these two things about Islam: 1. Could it become subject to the kind of rational deconstruction on the basis of modern disciplines of thought to which Christianity has been subjected for two hundred years? The answer seems to be yes, with qualifications. Ibn Warraq is of course a pioneer here.
2. Could large scale conversions to Christianity, perhaps starting in Europe and then rolling across the Mediterranean to affect the Muslim world itself, become a real possibility? Well, they don't appear to be starting in Europe. Understandably they happen where Christianity is a little more alive, a little more committed.
But they are happening. Extraordinary. The courageous Father Botros may be playing the role vis-a-vis Islam that John Paul II played toward communism, insofar as it can be played.
I commend him. I admire him. I rejoice at him.
at March 26, 2008 3:53 PM
What an interesting bit of writing ! And rather uplifting too. Maybe we could trade Father Zakaria for the Archbishop of Canterbury ?
However, it did remind me of the disturbing question as to why the issue of "slave-sex" seems to occupy the thoughts of so many Muslims. Why should "Muslim youth" be confused and need a response ? How do they find themselves in situations where such confusion might arise ?
I am aware that "Guest-workers" are often treated as virtual slaves, and I have read of the Alabanians and their nasty trade in the UK, and of the increase of slavery in the Sudan, etc, but how many slaves are there in Egypt today ? Are we only hearing of the tip of a terrible iceberg ?
at March 26, 2008 4:04 PM
"Low-life people like that must be totally ignored!”
How refreshing to hear a Muslim cleric advocate ignoring critics of Islam. It's certainly an improvement over the usual death fatwa.
at March 26, 2008 4:15 PM
Nice to hear some good news for a change. Let's hope Botros spreads his sermons throughout the Islamic world.
Posted by: DownunderDhimmi at March 26, 2008 4:27 PM
"...but how many slaves are there in Egypt today?"
Good question. Since someone posted information a couple of years ago here about Egyptian Christian girls being kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam and then marry their abductors, I've followed it off and on at http://mychristianblood.blogspirit.com/
You can read about the latest cases here.
The Egyptian authorities know all about it and they are in cahoots with the Muslim kidnappers. From the pictures, Egyptian girls are quite lovely so when they say no to the overtures made by Muslim men, these same guys don't take no for an answer. Since women have no value except as sperm depositories and baby producers, Muslim men feel they can do whatever they like to them.
Posted by: Isabellathecrusader at March 26, 2008 4:30 PM
Islam is a sacred cow, the "golden calf" of Muslims. Bully for Father Zakaria!
Posted by: John C at March 26, 2008 4:39 PM
Fr Zakaria Botros interviewing Magdi Cristiano Allam in 5..4...3..2..
Posted by: dumbledoresarmy at March 26, 2008 5:03 PM
further to Isabella's post above, I did go to the
mychristianblood site, from where I saw a link to-
http://www.kidnappedchristiangirls.org/
all very distressing stuff.
Posted by: M Al-Content at March 26, 2008 5:08 PM
Terrific posting Robert. And thank you Joseph of Carpentry (3:28 PM) for the donations link. I went straight to it and made a contribution. I gave "til it hurt" as they say but I feel it's worth it. Why? Because the truth sets people free indeed.
C'mon folks, let's all chip in!
at March 26, 2008 5:54 PM
Magdi Allam Recounts His Path to Conversion
http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-22151
-------------------------------------
Zakaria Botros is in danger but he is an even greater danger to Islam.
Muslims are brought up to respect knowledge and scholarship. This respect they accord in ways that we may find obsequious - but respect they do.
Zakaria Botros knowledge of Islam makes him revered by Muslims, and this offers him protection, as the ullema realise that his slaying will do great harm to Islam. As a man with total faith in God, this faith in God instills even greater respect among ordinary Muslims. Zakaria Botros is not Van Gogh, who could be regarded as an atheist, and therefore killed without after effects.
On this site, we sometimes tend to put all Muslims in the same basket as the imams. But most Muslims are just simple people who have a deep faith in God, or Allah - they just have not been given a choice of God/Jesus and allah. Christians have been reluctant to show the Light of Jesus. Pope Benedict's public baptism of Magdi Christiano Allam, is thus a turning point.
It is this change that is occurrng that has made imams and King Abdullah realise the danger that Islam is in. His interfaith dailogue is an attempt to to conflate Islam to the same level as Christianity.
at March 26, 2008 6:34 PM
Splendid. I just hit the donation button. Let him know that JWers are behind him!
Posted by: Brett_McS at March 26, 2008 9:39 PM
Amen to brother Botros. I know of others working in Muslim countries as well. The are unknown but are seeing fruit. It is best if they are not know.
I was watching another YouTube were this priest (I don't think it is Botros because I understand he only speaks Arbic.) told of imam's coming to Christ. Yet afterward they went on letting everyone think they were still Muslim. Only secretly talking and meeting with others. He quoted the passage about being wise as snakes and harmless as doves Mat 10:16.
This is why I quot scripture on this forum. You never know who will read it and were they maybe in their spiritual journey.
2 Tim 4:2
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.
2 تيم 4:2
كلمة الوعظ ؛ تكون مستعدة في موسم واصل الموسم ؛ صحيح ، التوبيخ وتشجع - ببالغ الصبر والتعليمات بعناية.
at March 26, 2008 11:54 PM
This thread gets to the point I made when I first started posting here. This war is over the hearts and minds and spirits of men.
We all agree that Islam does not have the answers and is just the opposite of what is true and good. The west's materialism and love of freedom to do what is wrong is not the answer either.
Instead of showing the wonders of democracy as we are now in Iraq and Afgan. I would send Christian missionaries by the droves into Iraq and Afgan. Ya, I know PC Church and State. But this is how you fight fire with fire or faith with faith. Muslims will deal with democracy like a blind man adjusts the color on your TV. Our form of government only works if faith is free to choose and based on truth not lies.
Posted by: Im.mad.as.HELL! at March 27, 2008 12:14 AM
"But the ultimate reason for Botros’s success is that — unlike his Western counterparts who criticize Islam from a political standpoint — his primary interest is the salvation of souls...Before concluding every program, he quotes pertinent biblical verses and invites all his viewers to come to Christ."
Robert, in my opinion you err in the generalization "unlike his Western counterparts..." I know of many prominent tele-evangelists, church leaders, broadcast Christian ministries and even Messianic Jewish Bible teachers in the U.S. who share Botros' primary interest in the salvation of souls and invite their Islamic viewers and listeners to pray and to come to Jesus.
Posted by: Sojourner at March 27, 2008 2:30 AM
Sojourner:
Robert, in my opinion you err in the generalization "unlike his Western counterparts..."
I didn't say that.
Cordially
Robert Spencer
at March 27, 2008 4:04 AM
they dismiss him as a troublemaking liar who is backed by — who else? — international “Jewry.” They could easily refute his points, they insist, but will not deign to do so
sigh it possible for a Muslim to be able to be able to tell the truth let alone recognize it
at March 27, 2008 12:30 PM
Sojourner:
Robert, in my opinion you err in the generalization "unlike his Western counterparts..."
I didn't say that.
Cordially
Robert Spencer
SORRY! MY BAD! That's what sleep deprivation can do. I see my comment should have been attributed to Raymond Ibrahim. Nonetheless my praise to him for his most excellent piece and to you for bringing it to us. As poster dgene said, "Great to hear of this dude."
at March 27, 2008 1:12 PM
Many Western critics fail to appreciate that, to disempower radical Islam, something theocentric and spiritually satisfying — not secularism, democracy, capitalism, materialism, feminism, etc. — must be offered in its place.
I agree 100 percent. As much as I admire Ayaan Hirsi Ali and others like her, I've always thought the jump from "Allah is not God" to "There is no God" was unfortunate. To me it seems like throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
Posted by: ed at March 27, 2008 2:27 PM
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