Thank you for this. I, sadly, knew nothing about this significant part of history and I am compelled to read more now to gain a better understanding of our world. I look forward to viewing Basan's documentary. I will explore your recommendations found in these comments. Thank you, again.
A brief but accurate historical summary. The only criticism is you didn't emphasize the religious tolerance of the first centuries quite enough. There is an American high school lesson I remember: Islam spread by the sword and forcing converts and Christianity spread by faith and belief.
Actually it is quite the opposite. Christians couldn't even tolerate each other, Islamic leaders may have used the sword to conquer land but won converts by expressing tolerance.
As a religious historian, Islam has historically been an anomaly for its lack of internal schisms among religions The Sunni-Shia split was not schismatic in the sense of doctrinal differences in interpretation but political determination of their own leaders.
Sunnis were about "determining religious authority through election"' and the Shia through nepotism but neither reinterpreted the faith presented, only the "who" of authority.Both Christians and Jews have continually fought over what their faith even means, and no, the Jews have never had a consistent doctrine despite many attempts to suggest otherwise.
I hope Bisan sues Debra Messing and the other 150 folks for libel and slander. To accuse someone publically of terrorism with zero proof in a professional setting should be met with legal consequences. Just like what Imane Khelif is doing with JK Rowlings, et al with the manufactured outrage over her gender and rights to compete in the Olympics.
Truly remarkable that these folks can get away with such horrifying accusations, ones of the like have gotten innocent Palestinians killed already. But perhaps that was the goal. Who knows. But I sure hope they face accountability for their vile hatred.
Debra Messing is a Hollywood B lister who will go down as being on the wrong side of history, and she put herself there in a deliberate choice. Let her live with that for the rest of her days, because one day her kid is going to wonder why his mother went after Bisan, who by then will either be a saint martyred by the Zionists (God forbid) or a world leader. Celebrities have NOTHING to contribute to the national discourse on Palestine. Think of Oprah, who decried Trump’s kids in cages but has nothing to say about Gaza and even spoke at the DNC. Why does anyone care what any of these people have to say?
Excellent article ! Very clear historical information. Please let your subscribers know when Bisan’s documentary is available to watch. Again thank you for your hard work Qasim. This genocide has got to end now!
This woman is a missed guided person because I have been following this Bisan since the beginning of this horrible genocide. She doesn’t need a Nobel peace prize she needs to get out of Gaza now that’s what she needs to be safe. Go and be with her family but her work has been so amazing but it’s way too much pain for one person to take on and I think it’s time for her to get out of there. I would like to see that happen with this woman has no right to speak negatively of the Bisan. She has no idea what this life in a genocidal situation is like she should come to Gaza come to Gaza and be live in a tent come to Gaza and not have any food or water or medicine or period products for the women you know how long she’d last night long
Thank goodness for Qasim Rashid's lucid timeline of middle eastern history, leaving out all the entanglements and arguments about who did what to whom. Broad strokes for simple folks.
Over 80 some years of living, and reading, I have accumulated a rag bag collection of history, fiction and reportage outlining the evolution of that part of the middle east surrounding Jerusalem. Its borders and boundaries have been fluid and its people have mingled, separated, coalesced, and scattered, largely owing to the constant wars of ambition, by insiders and outsiders, for possession of the fabled kingdom.
Who now can untangle the rumors, myths, and lies created over 2000 years and irrevocably shattered by the Great Powers following the "War to end all wars"?
The Middle East Mess, the "Jewish Problem" in Europe, largely manufactured by the various Christian splinter groups vying for supremacy and agreeing on only one thing, Jews were Christ Killers! sublimated their mutual antagonisms by persecuting Jews.. With criminally careless impatience and stupidity, The Balfour Declaration was cobbled together to get the importunate Zionists off their backs by promising them a piece of the ancient kingdom of Jerusalem. There was no earthly way they had any right to dispose of that land; but they did it and now we live with the consequences of this fatuous malfeasance.
Pure unmitigated colonial arrogance. at work, creating an intractable and entirely unnecessary maelstrom of mutual incomprehension, intolerance, greed and crazed political gamesmanship.
It could take the second coming of Christ (in all his mythical glory) to sort this one out.
Thank you Qasim for writing this. I watched Bisan's short documentary after reading this and the amount of bravery it takes to create that film is something hollywood celebs would know nothing about. I hope her documentary gets widely seen and it brings more light to what exactly is happening over there.
Thank Qasim, for the refresher history lesson. I learned this long ago and I am so happy you have shared it with our brothers and sisters of different faiths and some with different beliefs. Congratulations Bisan, I will continue to support and pray.
Thank you for this. I, sadly, knew nothing about this significant part of history and I am compelled to read more now to gain a better understanding of our world. I look forward to viewing Basan's documentary. I will explore your recommendations found in these comments. Thank you, again.
A brief but accurate historical summary. The only criticism is you didn't emphasize the religious tolerance of the first centuries quite enough. There is an American high school lesson I remember: Islam spread by the sword and forcing converts and Christianity spread by faith and belief.
Actually it is quite the opposite. Christians couldn't even tolerate each other, Islamic leaders may have used the sword to conquer land but won converts by expressing tolerance.
As a religious historian, Islam has historically been an anomaly for its lack of internal schisms among religions The Sunni-Shia split was not schismatic in the sense of doctrinal differences in interpretation but political determination of their own leaders.
Sunnis were about "determining religious authority through election"' and the Shia through nepotism but neither reinterpreted the faith presented, only the "who" of authority.Both Christians and Jews have continually fought over what their faith even means, and no, the Jews have never had a consistent doctrine despite many attempts to suggest otherwise.
Excellent, informative and beautifully written history. An account to save. Thank you.
Thank you for reading.
Really appreciating your thought-provoking histories and analyses. I will definitely subscribe.
I appreciate your support, Hayat.
Really appreciating your thought-provoking histories and analyses. I will definitely subscribe.
I hope Bisan sues Debra Messing and the other 150 folks for libel and slander. To accuse someone publically of terrorism with zero proof in a professional setting should be met with legal consequences. Just like what Imane Khelif is doing with JK Rowlings, et al with the manufactured outrage over her gender and rights to compete in the Olympics.
Truly remarkable that these folks can get away with such horrifying accusations, ones of the like have gotten innocent Palestinians killed already. But perhaps that was the goal. Who knows. But I sure hope they face accountability for their vile hatred.
Debra Messing is a Hollywood B lister who will go down as being on the wrong side of history, and she put herself there in a deliberate choice. Let her live with that for the rest of her days, because one day her kid is going to wonder why his mother went after Bisan, who by then will either be a saint martyred by the Zionists (God forbid) or a world leader. Celebrities have NOTHING to contribute to the national discourse on Palestine. Think of Oprah, who decried Trump’s kids in cages but has nothing to say about Gaza and even spoke at the DNC. Why does anyone care what any of these people have to say?
Yep well said. Very well said. Selective activism is a cancer on humanity.
Excellent article ! Very clear historical information. Please let your subscribers know when Bisan’s documentary is available to watch. Again thank you for your hard work Qasim. This genocide has got to end now!
Thank you and will do!
who is Debra messing?
is she some kind of politician?
she is wrong to pile hate on to already oppressed and genocided people.
zero respect for bullies like messing whoever she is.
She's a has been actor who thinks people don't see her racism for what it is.
thanks, never seen her, and suspect not missing much.
have a great rest of the week
My apologies it’s late it’s upsetting. I apologize for the typos.
Not long
This woman is a missed guided person because I have been following this Bisan since the beginning of this horrible genocide. She doesn’t need a Nobel peace prize she needs to get out of Gaza now that’s what she needs to be safe. Go and be with her family but her work has been so amazing but it’s way too much pain for one person to take on and I think it’s time for her to get out of there. I would like to see that happen with this woman has no right to speak negatively of the Bisan. She has no idea what this life in a genocidal situation is like she should come to Gaza come to Gaza and be live in a tent come to Gaza and not have any food or water or medicine or period products for the women you know how long she’d last night long
Thank goodness for Qasim Rashid's lucid timeline of middle eastern history, leaving out all the entanglements and arguments about who did what to whom. Broad strokes for simple folks.
Over 80 some years of living, and reading, I have accumulated a rag bag collection of history, fiction and reportage outlining the evolution of that part of the middle east surrounding Jerusalem. Its borders and boundaries have been fluid and its people have mingled, separated, coalesced, and scattered, largely owing to the constant wars of ambition, by insiders and outsiders, for possession of the fabled kingdom.
Who now can untangle the rumors, myths, and lies created over 2000 years and irrevocably shattered by the Great Powers following the "War to end all wars"?
The Middle East Mess, the "Jewish Problem" in Europe, largely manufactured by the various Christian splinter groups vying for supremacy and agreeing on only one thing, Jews were Christ Killers! sublimated their mutual antagonisms by persecuting Jews.. With criminally careless impatience and stupidity, The Balfour Declaration was cobbled together to get the importunate Zionists off their backs by promising them a piece of the ancient kingdom of Jerusalem. There was no earthly way they had any right to dispose of that land; but they did it and now we live with the consequences of this fatuous malfeasance.
Pure unmitigated colonial arrogance. at work, creating an intractable and entirely unnecessary maelstrom of mutual incomprehension, intolerance, greed and crazed political gamesmanship.
It could take the second coming of Christ (in all his mythical glory) to sort this one out.
Thank you Qasim for writing this. I watched Bisan's short documentary after reading this and the amount of bravery it takes to create that film is something hollywood celebs would know nothing about. I hope her documentary gets widely seen and it brings more light to what exactly is happening over there.
Thank you Istiaq, and agree, I hope she gets all the accolades.
Thank Qasim, for the refresher history lesson. I learned this long ago and I am so happy you have shared it with our brothers and sisters of different faiths and some with different beliefs. Congratulations Bisan, I will continue to support and pray.
Thank you so much, Qasim!