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Back to what has caused a tempest in a teapot
and to the subject of discussion of this statement; the article published in
al-Usbu‘. It seems fitting here to make the following observations:
I.
What is the relation between the
headline and the
photo
included in the article? Whereas the main topic of the news item was the
refurbishment of the manuscript and rare book museum celebrating the first
anniversary of the inauguration of the Library, the headline and photo were
completely irrelevant. Their very inclusion can only relate to triggering
off a stormy conflict!
II.
What is the relation
between my actual words reported by all other newspapers as well as
al-Usbu‘(in the last twenty two lines of its article) and the preceding
provocative statements inconsistent in terms of style and subject matter?
III.
How can a specialized
person like me; holding a professorship degree in philosophy and author of
more than forty specialized books, one of which is of more than forty
volumes, make little of the Torah that has influenced the entire human
intellectual experience by stating that this insignificant book of the
Protocols is more important than it?
IV.
What is the secret
behind this deliberate provocation in the wording chosen by that al-Usbu‘ to
cover the news? I will not include here the whole article, only some
extractions underlining the conspicuous words to consider them carefully.
al-Usbu‘ reported, “To the contrary of what has been expected the
Protocols were added to the showcase dedicated to divine books
alongside the Torah, in order that the visitors of the library of various
nationalities of the world can review it. In the introduction,
the translator says ‘This is the most dangerous book that has
appeared in the world.’ A copy of the book was deposited in the
Donation Section, where it was placed few days ago inside the
manuscript museum. After placing the book, many questions suggest
themselves strongly, inter alia: why is it placed in the showcase
dedicated to divine books, specifically next to the Torah? And whether the
museum’s administration would be able to stand in the face of the
expected objection from the Jews, who consider merely talking about it a
hideous crime? ... In an interview with Prof. Youssef Ziedan, Director
of the Manuscript Center, and the
decision maker of placing the book, he told us, ‘When my eyes fell upon
the rare copy of this dangerous book, I decided immediately to place
it next to the Torah… Perhaps this book of the Protocols is more
important than the Torah….’”
The aforementioned wording and happenings are
worthy of consideration and analysis. It has never occurred that the
Protocols was placed next to the Torah, nor has anyone expected anything
so that the addition of the book to the showcase of the divine books
came to the contrary of his/her expectations. Moreover, I have on no
account declared that this trivial book is a dangerous one, and, needless to
say, I have not handed out any written or recorded statements to this
reporter or anyone else. In other words, what was mentioned in the article
is groundless and with no proof. I will return to the question of furnishing
proofs in detail in my next argument about the whole Jewish issue.
Furthermore, to whom did these
questions “suggest themselves strongly” concerning the reason for
placing the book in the showcase of the divine books? Why do they question
the ability of the “museum’s administration” to face the expected
Jewish objection rather than questioning the ability of all of us? Why did
the al-Usbu‘ designate me as the “decision maker of placing the book”,
considering that both the paper as well as the visitors of the museum know
that the Protocols, being one of the documents that shaped the
contemporary awareness, was to take its turn on the rotating display in the
showcase dedicated to documents not divine books, alongside other
curiosities of the Library’s holdings. It was placed without any
multi-lingual commentary or description card as it is the case with other
displays in the museum amounting 150 manuscripts and rare books on assorted
topics. The book was intended to be displayed for a month then the whole
contents of the showcase were to be changed. In fact, this is what happened
this month. Today, the showcase comprises other subjects of no less
controversial nature than the Protocols.
I conclude from all what have proceeded one
tiny fact; on the factual incident of the rotating display of the first
Arabic translation of the book of the Protocols many fancies were
built. They were initiated by the manner of presentation of the article in
al-Usbu‘, then the striking synchronization of publishing the article in the
two Israeli papers (on 27/11/2003), and finally the systematic attack
launched by websites on the following day
(click to see a list of them).
Fancies may be powerful enough that they
master over minds. Such mastery could surpass the ability of the actual
occurrence to be present and influential in them. Indeed, the more the minds
are of a sober, prudent, rational nature, the less dominant and influential
fancies are. Nonetheless, this is not the case with the majority of minds.
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