Egyptian Religious Leader Sheikh Al-Qaradawi Calls for another Holocaust

Issue 6, Spring 2011

Editor's Note: Al-Qaradawi was identified by me in my book "Fighting Suicide Bombing" as one of two outstanding Islamic ideological leaders who, deceptively, with some calls for nonviolence in relations with other peoples, were teaching, recommending, blessing and validating genocidal terrorism. I wrote as follows: "It is fascinating to see the tension at play between peace-seeking leaders in the Arab world and these, like al-Qaradawi, who press for Muslim supremacy and espouse violence..." (p.33). In Al-Qaradawi's own words, suicide bombers "give themselves to Allah in order to receive paradise in exchange..." It is a unique weapon that Allah has placed only in the hands of men of belief. It is a type of divine justice on earth..." (p.45). "They are not suicide operations. They are heroic martyrdom operations" (p.60).

Sheikh Yousef Al-Qaradawi heads the International Union of Muslim Scholars. He has called for another Holocaust against the Jews to be carried out at the hands of the Muslims and has stated that Islam's "conquest of Rome" will save Europe from its subjugation to materialism and promiscuity. He has also said that "Islam will return to Europe as a conqueror." MEMRI has published many other reports on Al-Qaradawi's statements in support of terrorism and suicide bombings, against the U.S. and the West, and against the Jews.

Last month, students from around the world, and particularly from the U.S., began the winter academic semester as part of study programs at universities across the Middle East. These programs are part of a concerted effort by some leading Arab countries to bring American students to the region - as future leaders in government and media - to understand and, in fact, to be sympathetic to the Arab cause.

One such program, "Journalism Boot Camp," which is affiliated with Columbia University, the American University in Cairo, and the University of Qatar, is aimed at top U.S. journalism colleges; under it, students visit Middle East media outlets, including Al-Jazeera, and attend lectures by prominent figures. Last year, these lectures included one by Sheikh Yousef Al-Qaradawi – who is barred from entering the U.S., the U.K., and other Western countries. This summer, the Boot Camp brought U.S. students together with the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

Journalism Boot Camp was not the only framework in which U.S. students have met with Sheikh Al-Qaradawi. The Qatar Foundation's Education City – one of its most important initiatives – has emerged as the leading hub of academia in the Middle East, and its mission is to bring top U.S. institutes of higher education to the country. Over the past couple of years, Sheikh Al-Qaradawi has maintained a prominent position there. Education City hosts American universities including Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown, Northwestern, Texas A&M, Virginia Commonwealth, and Cornell. On the very same campus, Sheikh Al-Qaradawi's presence can be felt through the Al-Qaradawi Centre for Research and Modern Thought; the Sheikh Al-Qaradawi Scholarship program; as Chair of Faculty of Islamic studies; and through participation in campus activities such as graduation.

As it cements, and even enhances, the stature and influence of Sheikh Al-Qaradawi at Education City, the Qatari royal family has been making fervent efforts to expand relations with U.S. universities; these efforts include luring American professors and students, and building lavish new multimillion dollar centers for them on campus.

It should be noted that at the same time as Sheikh Al-Qaradawi has been receiving honors on a campus shared with leading U.S. universities, he has continued to call for the Muslim world to damage the U.S. economy by boycotting American products, as well as to appear on Arab TV channels, inciting Muslims by calling for Islam's conquest of Rome, warning the U.S. to change their policies or face "collapse," and calling for another Holocaust against the Jews, but this time at the hands of the Muslims.

As Sheikh Al-Qaradawi told his Al-Jazeera audience on January 2009, "Oh Allah, do not spare a single one of them [Jews]. Oh Allah, count their numbers, and kill them, down to the very last one."

Source:
MEMRI Middle East Media Research Institute (December 21, 2010) MEMRI Report on Qatar Foundation and Sheikh Al-Qaradawi - The Basis for Wave of Criticism of Barcelona Soccer Club Decision to Advertise Foundation on Uniform. Special Dispatch 3462. http://m.memri.org/14499/show/ab8f520be1845c30425001f6b22360d7&t=0e3daa2990ed9c241a738ba33d0e1a4c

Quotations also from Charny, Israel W. (2007). Fighting Suicide Bombing: A Worldwide Campaign for Life. Westport, CT: Praeger Security International.

Tags: Al-Qaradawi | Education | Incitement to genocide | Islamic Terror | Terrorism and genocidal terrorism

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