Arab broadcast ridicules boycott of Jewish products

By Aryeh Savir

JERUSALEM (TNA)–Brother Rachid, a Christian cleric and a well known voice in the Arab speaking world, publicized a meticulously structured televised oration against boycotting Jews – in Arabic. Speaking on the Al-Hia (the Life) Christian channel, Brother Rachid displayed strong rhetorical talents and an intimate knowledge of history, in a clip which now can be seen on the net.

Brother Rachid is responding to Dr. Zafwat Al-Hijazi, an Egyptian preacher and supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, and his call to boycott Starbucks because it is a “Jewish” chain, as he called it. Brother Rachid coherently goes through the facts on the boycotting of Jews, and relays a clear message in Arabic against such a boycott, stating that such a move is effectively impossible. Going through various products used on a regular basis every day, Brother Rachid points out that according to the Muslim clerics these products should be boycotted as well, as they were invented by the sons of “apes and swine,” as the Jews are often referred to by Muslim clerics.

Brother Rachid was born in Morocco to a conservative Muslim family, and at the age of 19 converted to Christianity, and has been involved in Christian preaching since, together with other former Muslims. He has brought thousands of Muslims towards Christianity through his weekly televised broadcast – “Suaal Jaria” (the daring question), broadcasted every Thursday since 2007. On his shows he has attacked Islam and its principles, its history, calling some Muslim clerics “ignoramuses” and “fools.”

The extent of his success can be measured by the opposition he has generated among the Muslims and by the fact that the channel is banned in some Muslim countries. Furthermore, a price of millions of dollars has been placed on the heads of the channel’s directors and talents. Brother Rachid has also previously visited Israel.

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Aryeh Savir is a staff writer for the Tazpit News Agency in Israel.  He may be contacted via en@tazpit.org.il
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