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‘The Myth of Eurabia’ ““ Newsweek’s front page and main article ignores Bat Ye’or’s analysis and turns down a reminder ‘letter’

Jul 30, 2009 5:41 am By Robert Spencer

Newsweek.jpg

A report from David G. Littman on this Newsweek article and what happened after it was published:

Newsweek decided to enter the Eurabian arena by adorning the front cover of its European edition (July 20, 2009) with a white turban and a clear message for the world at home and at large: “THE MYTH OF EURABIA: THE FALSE FEARS OF A MUSLIM TAKEOVER”. The article by William Underhill, announced under Features, rings loud and clear with its journalist message: “Why the alarmists are wrong”; and his title is even more explicit: “Why fears of a Muslim takeover are all wrong: Analyzing the forecasts of an emerging “˜Eurabia”, hostile to America and Western Values”.

My attempt to remind the Newsweek editor of a pertinent omission regarding the most serious analysis of this subject was not published. Below is my letter sent by both email and fax on July 22 and the email exchange with the associate editor.

* * * * *

To the Editor (Letters)
Newsweek

Dear Sir / Madam,

Eurabia: the Contested Truth

Newsweek’s front page image and title, “The Myth of Eurabia” (July 20, 2009), and the covering article, “Why fears of a Muslim takeover are all wrong” by William Underhill reject any possibility of a future Islamization of Europe. Curiously, he makes no reference to the pioneer study by Bat Ye”or — Eurabia: The Euro-Arab Axis, with its detailed analysis and dense documentation (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2005, now in six languages), widely covered on Google. Underhill quotes Niall Ferguson on “a senescent Europe”, but seems unaware of the renowned British historian’s overall praise of Eurabia (in his back cover blurb): “No writer has done more than Bat Ye”or to draw attention to the menacing character of Islamic extremism. Future historians will one day regard her coinage of the term “˜Eurabia” as prophetic. Those who wish to live in a free society must be eternally vigilant: Bat Ye”or’s vigilance is unrivalled.”

Bat Ye”or’s latest book, Toward the Universal Caliphate (Italian edition just out) answers Underhill’s doubts that “the myth of Eurabia implies the existence of a united Islam, a bloc capable of collective and potentially dangerous actions”. She addresses this point in great detail, especially in relation to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and its slow takeover at the United Nations and more.

Sincerely,
David G. Littman
(address provided)

* * * * *

In fact, Niall Ferguson’s first reference to Bat Ye”or may be found in his London Sunday Times article (“˜The Decline and fall of the Christian empire”, April 11, 2004):

It was the Egyptian-born, Swiss-based writer Bat Ye”or who coined this electrifying term to describe a continent part European, part Muslim, but hostile to the United States and Israel.

* * * * *

On sending my letter, I assumed that the chances of it being published were close to zero, but it was worth once again proving an obvious point on “˜freedom” in the press. Here is the polite exchange I had with associate editor on this letter after my request.

July 23

Dear Mr. Littman:

Your letter and fax have been received. We will be happy to notify you if the letter is published.

Best regards,
Tilly Lichtschein
Associate Editor

* * * * *

July 28

Hello again,

What has been decided regarding my letter — to publish or not?
I would appreciate your reply.

Thanks
David G. Littman

* * * * *

July 29

P.S. I await a reply tomorrow Thursday. I assume a decision will have been taken by now by the editor responsible regarding my letter, a week after I sent it — or am I mistaken? Sorry to bother you on this. Thanks. David G. Littman

* * * * *

July 29
Not a bother at all. Your letter was not published.

* * * * *
July 30

Thanks. I was pretty sure it would not be published in Newsweek although I gave it a try to test that old “˜freedom of the press” mantra — in fact, the editor usually decides what’s “˜appropriate” for their publication. In all fairness, I needed to know your decision before posting the same letter on a well-read blog. FYI, an Italian friend sent me a strong reaction from the Italian newspaper, Folio (pdf here). At least your “Myth of Eurabia” cover and Underhill’s denial article will have awoken many people to the absurdity of such a position on what is looming on the horizon for those with eyes to see.

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