Even regular readers of the New York Times were stunned to read a news story that contended that the Catholic community and the Islamists have much in common. “As the Roman Catholic Church includes both those who practice leftist liberation theology and conservative anti-abortion advocates, so the [Muslim] Brotherhood includes both practical reformers and firebrand ideologues.”
Our reaction, was, “Sure. So Sister Mary Alice who leans left while working with the poor, and Father Murphy who works with pro-lifers, have much in common with Muslims who differ with each other on whether to kill Jews now or wait until they’re elected.”
The headline of the February 4 story read, “Islamist Group is Poised to Be a Power in Egypt, but Its Intentions Are Unclear.” It is telling that they didn’t say an Islamic group—they correctly used the term that describes Muslims who blend Islam with extremist politics. Yet the Times still can’t figure out their intentions.
When the Brotherhood was founded in 1928, its motto was “Jihad is our way.” Nothing has changed since. Their current leaders believe it is important to “Kill Jews—to the very last one.” Another leader recently said Egyptians “should prepare for war against Israel.” Even the Times admitted that “its leaders have endorsed acts of terrorism against Israel and against American troops in Iraq.”
It just so happened that the night before this piece ran, another Brotherhood leader said that any government which takes over should withdraw from the 32-year-old peace treaty with Israel. And the day of the Times story there was a statement on an al-Qaida-run website, Muslim.Net, that said “We call upon the Islamists to support the Muslim Brotherhood,” a clear indication that whatever differences the two groups have previously had, it’s more important that all terrorists unite.
How much of this is motivated out of a political agenda which seeks to put the best possible face on the Muslim Brotherhood, and how much of it is driven by an anti-Catholic animus, isn’t clear. Our guess is that it is both.
Unfortunately, many who read the Times look upon it as their bible. We read it because it is still the most influential newspaper in the nation. And to be fair, it is well-written and well-researched. We just wish it was less hostile to Catholicism as evidenced by this invidious comparison.
