(California) Imam Ammar Shahin gave a sermon at the Islamic Center
of Davis, California last Friday. He asked Allah to liberate the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Israel
from "the filth of the Jews," according to a translation by the
Middle East Media Research Institute, and cited an Islamic text that calls for
a Judgement Day fight between Muslims and Jews.
“Oh Allah, count them one by one and annihilate them down to the very last one. Do not spare any of them,” said Shahin, who spoke in both Arabic and English during his sermon. “Oh Allah, make this happen by our hands. Let us play a part in this. Oh Allah, let us support them in words and in deeds.”
When questioned by the media the mosque defended his anti-Semitism,
by stating his speech was taken out of context.
On July 21st, 2017, Imam Ammar Shahin gave a sermon at the ICD. The sermon was about the theological virtues of one of Islam’s holiest sites, Al-Aqsa Mosque. He also addressed the recent horrific events including the illegal closure, occupation, and attacks against Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to the killing and injuring of Muslim worshipers, including the wounding of the Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the prevention of worship and the call to prayer at the Mosque. Specifically, the Imam was referring to individuals that are contributing to this oppression.Have you noticed how Muslims who will scream foul play at the slightest hint of an insult always play “taken out of context and we love all jews” card when caught out. Strange as in the video he makes it quiet clear in English that he wants the jews to be wiped out. Nothing taken out of context what-so-ever.
Imam Shahin and the ICD reject any attempt to blame all Jews for Israel’s policies just like we reject the attempts to blame all Muslims for the acts of fringe groups. In reality, Jews around the world are on the front lines speaking out and protesting Israel's repressive policies against Palestinians.
MEMRI, an extremist agenda driven organization that supports Israel's occupation of Palestinian land, and other Islamophobic news organizations, accused Imam Shahin of anti-Semitism, quoting edited, mistranslated, passages of the sermon out of context.
If the sermon was misconstrued, we sincerely apologize to anyone offended. We will continue our commitment to interfaith and community harmony.