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Christian Calls on Muslims: Defend Your Shrines in Jerusalem
AMMAN, Aug 18 (IslamOnline) - Palestinian National Council member Father Constantine Qermish called on Muslims worldwide Saturday to defend their holy shrines in Jerusalem.
"I just don't get it," Father Constantine said, in an interview with IslamOnline. "Why aren't world Muslims doing anything to defend their holy shrines that are being violated everyday in Palestine?
"Why do they remain silent? Why don't they defend their honor? As a Christian, I call upon all Muslims: defend your holy shrines in the occupied Palestinian lands."
Father Constantine, who moves between Amman and Jerusalem, was very pessimistic about the future of Jerusalem as long as "Israel implements a step-by-step policy while none but the Palestinians under Israeli siege in the Occupied Territories rise in confrontation."
The Christian PNC member added that Arabs have to attempt an inversion of the current international political formula if they are serious about regaining their occupied lands.
"The West recognizes nothing but the language of interest," said Father Constantine; "If the U.S., for instance, realizes English clashes with its interest, it will quit using it. This is the mentality of the United States - the sole ruling power in today's world. Arabs have to know that and act accordingly."
"All Arabs have to stand in the face of Israel," continued Father Constantine, "It's a matter of life or death for them, be they Palestinians or other. It is a grave mistake for Arabs to think that Palestinians are Israel's sole target, or to consider Israeli danger way beyond their borders. One day, this danger will be too close to fend off and only then will Arabs feel regret."
In answer to a query about the possible Arab role in rescuing the Palestinian people from the fearfully brutal Israeli aggression, Father Constantine said, "Arabs are now divided into ruler and ruled: the first mistakenly think their positions are not threatened, and the second are more or less helpless - an equation that eventually yields a policy of nonchalance, a policy which has rendered all Arabs slaves to the U.S. daily announcements of total bias to Israel."
An eastern orthodox Christian who thinks his culture is an indivisible part of an overall Arab civilization, Father Constantine said, "The future remains dim if Arabs fail to unite before it is too late."
"I just do not see any meaning to our existence as Muslim or Christian Arabs if we allow Israel to violate our sanctuaries everyday," added Father Constantine, citing the example of the latest Israeli assault on al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third holiest site.
He further emphasized that U.S. policy towards the Middle East is greatly influenced by the "Zionist Christian lobby" which constituted 60 million at the time of former president Ronald Reagan.
"This lobby shares all Israeli Jews' beliefs: they believe Jerusalem should be an eternal capital of Israel and believe the so-called third temple should be built in place of al-Aqsa mosque. They even believe the Lord will judge Christians' faith by the extent of aid they grant Israel. They have committed unspeakable crimes in the name of a mistaken belief in a so-called holy service of Israel."
Father Constantine cautioned that the danger of "the Zionist Christians" is far worse than that of the Jews, since they are the ones who have influence in the West.
He said they also exercise strong influence on all churches in the world with the exception of eastern churches, a fact that doubles the threat they pose to the holy shrines in Jerusalem.
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