Shibboleth
Reader comment on article: [Khobar Rampage:] "Don't Be Afraid, We Won't Kill Muslims"

Submitted by Chris Chrisman (United States), Jun 9, 2004 at 11:21

Your article brings to mind the use of "shibboleth" in Judges 12:4-6. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed because they could not pronounce the word "shibboleth." Non-Moslems living in Saudi Arabia who happen to speak Arabic might be able to recite a verse from the Koran, say the Shahadah, or something like that -- but what about the rest of us? It would be difficult to give convincing imitation of Arabic without understanding the language.

A better approach would be to insist that Saudi Arabia (and all Moslem nations) unequivocally condemn all forms of terrorism, whether or not it is in "occupied countries," against non-Muslims, or as a quid-pro-quo.

Chris Chrisman

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