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Hugh Fitzgerald: Robert Azzi, Still At It With His “Ask A Muslim Anything” Program (Part One)

Mar 8, 2019 10:00 am By Hugh Fitzgerald

I have written about Robert Azzi before, but because he is as busy as ever with his “Ask A Muslim Anything” events, it’s time for another look at this tireless propagandist for Islam. For several years, Azzi has been visiting towns in New Hampshire — and very occasionally in northern Massachusetts — from his home in Exeter, N.H., offering the chance for innocent Infidels to learn, by asking him, all about Islam. As it turns out, they don’t learn much.

Azzi was born in this country of Lebanese Christian parents, became a photographer who concentrated on photojournalism in the Middle East, traveling to Lebanon, Egypt, and especially to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he made friends and valuable contacts. At some point he became dissatisfied with Christianity, and engaged in his spiritual search, Azzi apparently found Islam much to his liking, as he saw it practiced in the Middle East — including in Saudi Arabia — and so much more spiritually fulfilling than the Christian faith that his own ancestors had steadfastly managed to hold onto, over the centuries, in Lebanon. With his Christian Lebanese background, one might have thought that Robert Azzi, if only out of filial piety, would have continued to practice the Christianity that his ancestors had never abandoned despite the difficult conditions in which dhimmis often lived. Lebanon was an exception, in that the sheer number of Christians — mostly Maronites, but with some Roman Catholics and Orthodox — made the country a much safer place for Christians than was the rest of the Middle East. Christians in Lebanon were able to create their own secure enclaves, generally safe from Muslim depredations.

In a spirit of ostentatious openness, Azzi urges his audiences to ask anything about his, Robert Azzi’s, understanding of Islam, as he attempts to “clear up misconceptions and undo stereotypes.” He appears in meeting halls, libraries, schools, churches, wherever he can engage a space. Go ahead, he says, ask a Muslim — that is, ask me! — anything. “There are no stupid questions,” he says encouragingly. He explains that four years ago he began this program of educational outreach, prompted only by a desire to better inform his non-Muslim neighbors about Islam, to provide both answers and to encourage questions.

Not everyone thinks Robert Azzi is quite so innocent in his aims. Judging by the press reports of his appearances, the questions — far from being probing — are all about the most bland and unthreatening aspects of Islam. He presents a sanitized Islam, tolerant, peaceful, in which Azzi manages to skirt, or ignore altogether, those aspects of the faith that are most troubling for non-Muslims and that they most need to understand.

In a recent event, Azzi was asked about why Islam was divided into different sects or denominations.

In simplest terms, Azzi said the Muslim population is about 85 percent Sunni, and 15 percent Shia. Shia is a contraction meaning, “followers of Ali,” a family member of Islam’s first prophet and messenger, Mohammed.

“At the time of the death of the prophet Mohammed, there was no clear succession…so, the argument was, should it go to the most learned and respected, or someone related to the prophet, by marriage, and by blood” Azzi said.

“The split began when the majority of Muslims looked to a succession of Caliphs. However, the followers of Ali, also called Shi’ites, rejected the first three Caliphs, accepting Ali, who came after them, as the true spiritual heir of Mohammed.”

“There was a period of fighting, and the schism [sic] between the Sunni and Shi’i became, forever, sort of shattered,” Azzi said. “It wasn’t a conflict that was military, in the way, say, the Protestant Reformation was…it had to do more with authority in Islam.”

Azzi confuses. What does he mean by claiming that the “schism” (i.e. the split or fissure between Sunni and Shia) became “sort of shattered”? Does he think that “schism” means its opposite — “unity”? And is it accurate to say Sunni-Shia split wasn’t a “military” conflict? Has Azzi forgotten the battle of Karbala in 680? Or any of the battles that Sunnis fought with Shi’a, right up to the present-day battles in Yemen, Iraq, Syria? Or does he want his audience not to learn about that violent intra-Islamic history, because it puts Islam in a bad light?

Azzi continued:

As with other major religions, there are variations within both major branches of Islam, with differences of belief in lifestyle, adherence to rules such as the ban on pork or alcohol, attendance at religious gatherings and houses of worship, and more.

There is no difference, between Sunni and Shi’a, on the duty to wage Jihad against the Infidel. Both Sunnis and Shi’a read the same 109 Qur’anic verses that command violent Jihad against the Infidels; both Sunnis and Shi’a read the same two hadith in which Muhammad says “War is deceit” and “I have been made victorious through terror.”

An audience member asked about Azzi’s decision to convert to Islam.

Azzi said in the 1960s he had been “mostly indifferent to religion at that time.”  Azzi said he traveled to Lebanon, where he found a world of spiritual traditions, including Catholics, Protestants, Sunni, Shi’ites, and Zoroastrians — practitioners of a monotheistic religion with origins in Persia.

“There are 17 different, recognized religious sects in Lebanon,” Azzi said. “I traveled a lot. I met some Saudis.”

The implication is that Lebanon was and is, a tolerant place, with “17 different sects.” Azzi does not mention Jews as one of those sects, for the Jews all had to flee Lebanon in 1948. Nor does he allude to the civil war, less than a decade later, between Muslims and Christians, that wracked Lebanon for years. Nor is there any mention of the jockeying for power between Sunnis and the Shi’a, who have managed to build their militia, the terrorist Hezbollah, into the most powerful military force in Lebanon.

Then there is that cryptic  final note: “I met some Saudis.” And? Did they offer Azzi friendship, and possibly  something beside, such as well-paid gigs as a photographer in the Kingdom, which might require him to become a Muslim if, for example, he was asked to take photographs in Mecca and Medina? He doesn’t explain that tell-tale allusion to “Saudis.”

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Filed Under: converts to Islam, Featured, Hugh Fitzgerald, Taqiyya, War is deceit Tagged With: Robert Azzi


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Comments

  1. Ashley says

    Mar 8, 2019 at 10:33 am

    Members of Mr. Azzi’s audience are not asking the right questions.

    Mr. Azzi, why are Muslim girls having their clitorises removed?

    Mr. Azzi, why are women treated like swine in Saudi Arabia?

    Mr. Azzi, why do Muslims want to slaughter infidels, especially the jews?

    Mr. Azzi, how do you account for the uptick in jihad attacks across the West?

    Mr. Azzi, what are your thoughts regarding honor killings?

    Mr. Azzi, why is a Muslim woman worth half the value of a Muslim Man?

    Mr. Azzi, why can a Muslim man divorce his wife with three simple words?

    And on and on and on. When Mr. Azzi dismisses such assertions, a few choice passages from the Koran should be cited.

    • gravenimage says

      Mar 8, 2019 at 8:58 pm

      Spot on Ashley. Most Infidels don’t even know what questions to ask.

    • mortimer says

      Mar 9, 2019 at 12:48 am

      ISIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ISLAM … true message of Azzi …

      • gravenimage says

        Mar 9, 2019 at 12:55 am

        Yes–a brilliant cartoon. Check out the rest of his anti-Jihad work–hilarious and well worth watching.

        • Janet says

          Mar 9, 2019 at 2:35 pm

          What’s the name of the creator of this cartoon? Would love to check out more! Thank you 😉

  2. Ashley says

    Mar 8, 2019 at 10:43 am

    Good grief. Think I’ll stick with JW:

    https://theotherazzi.wordpress.com/author/robertazziphotography/

    • b.a. freeman says

      Mar 8, 2019 at 8:43 pm

      Good grief … JW
      —
      or any other rational web site. i read one of his rants, and it’s all the standard leftist claptrap. good to know that he and his ilk will be in charge soon, after the coup. at least, that’s what he *thinks* will happen. the civil war between the left and the ummah should make for great reading, but i would do *ANYTHING* not to have to live through it. what’s more, an old fart like me probably *won’t* live through it, but i at least hope to take out a few of these storm troopers and child rapers when they come for me.

    • gravenimage says

      Mar 8, 2019 at 9:36 pm

      Azzi is a nasty piece of work. In one of his rants, he sneers at the very idea of “Western Civilization” (sneer quotes his), and he describes America as “ignorant and intolerant” for being leery of unfettered immigration by those who want to destroy it.

      He also claims that ISIS is not a threat–but that “ignorance” is (our “ignorance” in considering Jihadists to be a threat). Ugly stuff.

      He has also claimed that 9/11 is “an uneasy time for Muslims in the U.S.”–no concern, of course, for all the Infidels who died on that day at Muslim hands.

  3. mortimer says

    Mar 8, 2019 at 11:00 am

    Mr. Azzi, Please explain Islam’s ESSENTIAL TEACHING called AL WALAA WAL BARAA … the teaching that Muslims must HATE KAFIRS ‘for the sake of Allah’.

    Mr. Azzi, what is the CORRECT AMOUNT OF HATRED? Choose one of the following:

    Muslims should hate kafirs: a) once a week b) once a day for 20 minutes c) every two minutes d) join ISIS and attack the kafirs ‘wherever you find them’ (K. 2.191)

    How much ‘hate’ directed towards the dirty kafirs is the CORRECT AMOUNT?

    • b.a. freeman says

      Mar 8, 2019 at 8:44 pm

      +1

    • gravenimage says

      Mar 8, 2019 at 9:38 pm

      Excellent post, Mortimer.

  4. dan christensen says

    Mar 8, 2019 at 11:03 am

    Robert Azzi is a typical muslim “taylor” and ‘islam’ is the newest fashion in emperors garment.
    So colourful, light and transparent that it like is never there – but the weightless fabric makes a deep impression on the naive general public.
    The religious “taylor” Azzi should beware of little children in the audience, when he is marketing the wonders of the islamic fashion.

  5. islamic text says

    Mar 8, 2019 at 11:05 am

    Please Google
    Muhammad’s Unknown Father AbiKerfa
    For those who can understand Urdu/Hindi – 17.18 minutes u-tube. One of the best.
    Please Google

    Who Was Genetic Father Of Mohammed | प्यारे नबी के पिता पर बडा सवाल
    सत्य सनातन Satya Sanatan

    हवस के पुजारी रसूल की स्त्री कथा। Women In Islam
    सत्य सनातन Satya Sanatan

    Muh illegal birth: :
    Amina and sister Hala both got married at the same time. Hala got married to Abdullahs father Abdel Mutalb and amina got married to 25 years old Abdullahs. The following year, soon after (2 months of marriage) Abdullaha died. His grandfather’s wife, Muhammad’s mother’s sister, had a son, Hamza. Hamza was 4 years older than Muhammad.Islamic scholars Explain that Amina remained pregnant for 4 years..
    Then 4 years later amina delivered the muhammad. The suspicion the real father of muhammad is the grandfather. Hahaha. So who is the basted.? Obviously muhammad.Did mohd born from adultery/mutaah marriage?
    Accotding to medical science any pregnancy which continues after 9 months and 7 days,leads to several complications.. that’s why in such cases either we induce labor or we go for a C-section..and if pregnancy continues after the term ,it leads to fatal complications for mother and even for child (as amniotic fluid starts decreasing in amount)…
    So how come Mohammad can be for 4 years in the womb??? science don’t permit this..but here comes again, ISLAM has no relation with science
    Muhammad & his mother Aminah were suffering from neurological Epilepsy diseases…
    was the niece of Soda Bent Zahreh, the priest of Jinn at Mecca. We saw that the reason Abdel Mutalb took Amneh as a wife for Abdullah due to her aunt Soda Bint Zehra.
    Muhammad was known to have suffered from trances. Since his childhood, because Amneh, his mother brought on him a rukhieh, or bewitching. In the rukhieh a kahan priest of Jinn brings the spirit of Jinn to a person to whom the kahen is connected as a medium.
    Why For a few years after his birth…the mo had no name…
    Why Change of name from Qusim to mohammed
    Please Google

    TEACHING: The Prophet Possessed by A Jinn “Al Abyad” (The White One)

    Rob Christian
    Comments:
    Allah can’t protect his scriptures1 week ago

    Indeed the supposed final prophet was possessed by a stupid jinn. Hence no prophecy miracles in spite of his extraordinary claims as final prophet. Jibreel is also an incapable and deceiving jinn.
    Skib1 week ago

    Remember according to Mohammad Angels are white and Jinns are black. That’s why Mohammad was fooled because a Jinn disguised itself as a white man because Jibreel only came to him as a white person. Mohammad = racist

    Sandra Soloman
    The great thing about SANDRA SOLOMON is that she has a Psychology background (which i also major in), and analysed the Koran and Muhammed from a Psychological perspective. Which is really telling as she breaks down his insecurities, inferiority complex and resentment for not being someone more special. It is very important to notice this ,as it gives insight into his later actions and false claims to seek acceptance and Superiority. Fantastic.
    THINK (in Arabic Tafakkaru) is good TITLE, Our MUSLIM really needed this subject to be addressed by a PALESTINIAN MUSLIM WOMEN Raised in SAUDI ARABIA a WOMEN SCHOLAR of ISLAM from SAUDI ARABIA

    =============================================
    Sarvesh Dev3 days ago
    2:11:00 . .Story of Taif :I think Muhammad suffered from psychological disease and would have had done some act or had some epileptic seizures and that made people attack with him stones as was mostly response of ppl of those times to people whom they thought to be mad. Muhammad suffered from schizophrenia and major depression during his lifetime
    WTL Channel – Way, Truth and the Life1 day ago
    obsessive compulsive disorder
    Apostate Prophet, have you noticed Muhammad doing and saying really lot of things 3 times. Search “three times” in authentic hadiths. Number of cases he does is amazing. That is not coincedence i think. This odd ritual is actually in my opinion due to problematic mental state of Muhammad. Mental state of Muhammad is the topic people have to notice. Do you think he had obsessive compulsive disorder?
    he put eyeliner 3x a day and he wore perfume, he developed a compulsive disorder: going into the bathroom with your left leg and by going out use your right foot (there are people who left their house 3x and went back to see if they had turned off the gas or the lights), do ablution 3x, he had many fears: dogs, lizards and fear of laying on your stomach (allah will send you to hell), fear of satan sleeps in his nose that’s why he rinsed his nose 3x, he greeted people 3x etc.

    The sad truth is that mohammad probably suffered from a mental illness…. temporal lobe epilepy is the most likely diagnosis given the symptoms that he displayed.
    Seems Mohammed suffered with one or all of these illnesses ,a thyroid problem or diabetes , or certain cancers , TB , or even Psychiatric problems , all known to cause excessive sweating , i guess sleeping in other’s beds was so he could have his bed dried out and aired .
    Interestingly, were this sweet-smelling sweat to be taken on face value it could be indicative of diabetes. And diabetes can involve an increased predisposition to schizophrenia, depression and anxiety disorders. Now, although it may not be possible t actually prove that various historical actors had one condition or another it is nevertheless interesting to be able to see a possible link between a physical symptom on the one hand and self-confessed anxiety, suicidal ideation and seeing visions/hearing voices on the other.
    Some speculated that in the last few years Muhammad suffered acromegaly that made him look grotesque. that was why he did not want any portrait. & he had an obsession of cleanliness. (check out Ali Sina’s writing)

  6. mortimer says

    Mar 8, 2019 at 11:05 am

    Question for Azzi: IS THE SALAFISM (reformed Islam of Saudi Arabia) the CORRECT interpretation of Islam or is it a ‘heresy’?

  7. Sharyati says

    Mar 8, 2019 at 11:48 am

    Oh god!!! We have similar crap called interfaith dialogue AKA “Verbal bullshit”. The questions are scripted and a bar is set Apriori on what can or cannot be asked. No sooner the thorny questions like who is a kaffir? what is Jizya and should the non muslims pay it with “Willing submission”? What is the doctrine of “Nasq” and its impact on Quranic interpretation?The battle ‘Badr’ etc etc, then “The Muslim” to which anything can be asked starts calling you a hater of his religion, while he is out there extending his hand in peace. Hypocrites, liars, just a farce. Tired of this crap

  8. Michael Garant says

    Mar 8, 2019 at 2:35 pm

    I would only ask: How can someone sane of spirit and soul follow the teachings of a misogynistic polygamist, a killer, a warrior, a pedophile, a slave maker……etc.…..?

  9. gravenimage says

    Mar 8, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    Hugh Fitzgerald: Robert Azzi, Still At It With His “Ask A Muslim Anything” Program (Part One)
    ………………….

    A whitewash of the bloody nature of Islamic sects–as well, of course, as a whitewash over their all being in agreement over the oppression and slaughter of Infidels.

    Azzi has been and continues to be a nasty Taqiyya artist.

  10. islamic text says

    Mar 9, 2019 at 10:02 am

    Satan is made of fire, how it can urinate into muslims ears, pick hair from the bottom, sleeps in nose and perform may other activities ?

    Satan touches babies: https://muflihun.com/bukhari/55/641
    Satan pinches a baby when it is born hence it cries.
    The crying of the child (starts) when the satan begins to prick him. Sahih Muslim
    2367
    The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “When any human being is born. Satan touches him at both sides of the body with his two fingers, except Jesus, the son of Mary, whom Satan tried to touch but failed, for he touched the placenta-cover instead.” Sahih al-Bukhari 3286
    -So satan touched mohammed when he was born and gave him satanic verses later.
    But Satan could never touch Jesus Christ son of God!
    Questions

     Every person has a satan attached to them, even the prophet said he has a satan – the Qareen(converted to islam) attached to him. Quran 50:21-27 . Why mohammdens never introduce their satan/s ?
     Why satan cannot make Still born baby cry?
    Satan takes hair from Muslims butt when they pray said Muhammad u-tube
    Mr Aziz tell,How many hair are left in your arse?

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