The ‘create, connect, protect’ track may or may not exist in Islam. I am not an expert. I know I have spoken with fundamentalist Muslims who thought this was entirely acceptable. And these were not ‘moderates.’ In one case, a man voiced support for this idea in one sentence, and in the next asked me why we were genociding the Palestinian people. In the context of that particular conversation, he accepted my answer. We managed to find (or create) some common ideological ground. One of the wonderful things about a text as diverse as the Koran is that people are expert at finding what you are seeking and ignoring that which they find uncomfortable.
The forces of destructive Islam recognize the danger of this two-pronged approach. The attempts to internationally outlaw the mockery of religion (while effectively banning it through the threat of violence) are founded on a genuine concern. So too are the laws which require the execution of those who try to leave the religion. One of my friends is a Nigerian convert from Islam – he is a brave man.
Where do the Jewish people come in? Everywhere.
The Torah is our text. The promotion of its universal morals is our job. Our people speak the languages of the world – sometimes as natives. We understand the cultures of the world – almost as natives. I believe these are among the tools that have enabled ‘Start Up Nation.’ In our little land, we are a distillation of humankind. We are masters of communication, of technology and of media. We can reach out in Arabic, Turkish, Farsi and French. The Zionist dream has established this reality. Our little country can pack a tremendous ideological punch.
We should use it. We can lead the way in draining the swamps of destructive Islam. And we can lead the way in building something to replace their meaningless secular counterparts. Of course, communications is not just tweeting or TV shows. Sometimes, it also involves cleverly applied military force (read The Ideological War and The Little City and the Great Land for more on that).
As a nation, we seek peace. But peace is like love, honor or happiness. If you pursue it directly, it will evade you. Peace is a side effect of carrying out a greater mission. Peace is not achieved by separation or suppression – it is achieved by developing the meaning in our own lives and by spreading it, like a life-affirming virus, among those who would be our enemies.
Zionism (with G-d’s help) brought us back to our land. It is time for our next mission. It is time to be a light unto the nations.