Blood on the Beach at Bondi: Understanding the Quran in a Pluralistic Society

The shooters at Bondi were motivated by their understanding of Islam and the Quran. But why is it that only one expression of religious extremism ever results in violence? Could it possibly have something to do with the Islamic religious texts themselves?

Why is it that when Jews or Christians become more serious about their faith, they become better citizens and more moral, whereas when Muslims are ‘radicalised’ it routinely results in death and destruction?

This is a consistent historical pattern which has occurred ever since the time of Muhammad. But it’s a reality which every honest person now recognises as being true. Especially after being confronted with the horrific terrorist attack on Jews celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach.

Growing Antisemitism in Australia

It was only a matter of months ago that nearly a hundred thousand people marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge — with an enormous picture of the Ayatollah leading the way — in support of Palestine. It didn’t take long for the Australian government to fall into line and recognise a Palestinian state even when ASIO reported that Iranian operatives have been actively seeking to subvert public opinion and garner political support.

I wonder what the people who participated in those politically performative acts of virtue signalling think of their actions now? Do they feel any regret or remorse at all?

Are they willing to even consider that their public support of Islamists might have had any connection at all to the cold-blooded murder of Jewish people having a picnic by another river to the sea? Would they be willing to walk across the bridge again in support of the innocent people who have died?

I think we all know what the answer to that question is going to be.

There were no starving or emaciated children to identify with this time. Only people savagely gunned down while peacefully relaxing on a Sydney summer’s Sunday afternoon. Sadly, it seems that public displays of virtue signalling are only done when there is no potential for personal risk. Or social media ‘likes’.

Muslim Council of Elders Respond to Bondi Massacre

While the Muslim Council of Elders immediately condemned the attacks because they were against civilians, they were just as quick to point the finger of blame elsewhere. The Media Line reported:

The council urged governments and international bodies to intensify efforts to confront hate speech, extremism, and racism, describing those forces as drivers of repeated attacks on civilians worldwide. It said preventing future violence requires not only security measures but sustained work to address underlying causes through dialogue, mutual respect, and broader cooperation among societies.

So, the problem according to the Muslim Council of Elders is “hate speech, extremism and racism”? Really?

As I asked before, why is it that only one expression of religious extremism ever results in violence? Could it possibly have something to do with the Islamic religious texts themselves?

The Qur’an and “the People of the Book”

In an excellent three-part series of lectures, Dr. Mark Durie outlines the religious dimension to the conflict between Islam and what the Quran (Qur’an) calls “the People of the Book”. It makes for sobering listening but is more important now than ever.

Dr Durie is one of Australia’s leading experts on Islam and has published numerous books on the topic. Significantly, Durie points out that the official constitution of Hamas — based on the traditions of Muhammad — states:

The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fights the Jews, when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Muslims, O Abdullah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.

No amount of nuance can avoid the conclusion that the stated end goal of Hamas, and indeed the Qur’an itself, is the complete subjugation of Jews. What’s more, this has often led to Muslims who are ‘radicalised’ as committing acts of violence. Maybe this explains why none of the surrounding Islamic nations have offered asylum to any Palestinians during the recent war with Israel?

Muslims would quickly object that the above quote is not from the actual Qur’an and hence doesn’t carry divine authority. However, Dr. Durie helpfully observes that the Qur’an is even more expansive and he provides following twelve-point summary.

1. The Jews are Deceivers (Q2:77)

2. The Jews have falsified the Scriptures (Q2:75 also Q5:13)

3. The Jews are cursed by God for the unbelief (Q4:46 as well as Q5:64)

4. The Jews are cursed by David and Jesus (Q5:78)

5. The Jews will be turned into apes and pigs (Q5:60, see also Q7:166; Q2:65)

6. The Jews only care about this life and not the next (Q2:96)

7. The Jews are treacherous (Q5:13)

8. The Jews are the greatest enemies of Islam (Q5:82)

9. The Jews will not love Muslims (Q2:120)

10. The Jews start wars and cause trouble (Q5:64)

11. The Jews ‘claim’ they killed Jesus (Q4:157)

12. The Jews are ‘losers’ (Q2:27)

To be fair, there are some nice words about Jews in the Qur’an such as:

• The Jews are Allah’s only chosen people (Q2:47, 122)

• Allah protected the Jews when they were living as strangers in a foreign land (Q28:46)

• Allah chose all his prophets from the Jewish people (Q5:20)

• Allah would be kind to Jews (and Christians) who believed in one God and performed good works. (Q2:62)

• Allah would bless Jews (and Christians) who practiced the teachings of their holy books. (Q5:44, 66)

In the broader context of how the Qur’an says Muslims should actually treat Jews — and also Christians — these verses do nothing to alleviate people’s fear.

What’s more, according to Muslim scholarship Allah revealed these in the early days of Islam. When Muhammad’s claims and revelations were contrary to the Bible and he realized that the Jews would not accept him as the final prophet he began punishing them and dictated new revelations.

Muslims deal with the contradictions by this doctrine of abrogation (referred to as ‘Naskh’), and accept the latter words as the final word to be obeyed. Which would explain why we still see a huge number of Muslims willing to kill Jews, even outside Gaza. Afterall, they’re only following the example of their Islamic founding fathers as well as the instruction of their Supreme Leader.

Understanding the Qur’an in a Pluralistic Society

Clearly the content of the Qur’an itself reveals a deep antipathy towards the people of Israel. This is not to say that the Jewish nation is in comparison perfect, but simply to point out that the ponging violence we’re witnessing is profoundly religious in nature. Indeed, the word ‘Hamas’ is translated as ‘violence’ in Hebrew.

In a pluralistic society we must understand and appreciate the fact that people are profoundly shaped by their religious texts. Yet, too many politicians and secular journalists minimise the significance of this connection. And for Muslims in particular, the Qur’an is an extremely important document.

In the coming months and days watch for a resurgence of hash tags such as #NotAllMuslims. It was why someone at Channel 9 made the decision to send a female Muslim journalist immediately to the scene.

However, no amount of political posturing, media deflection or social spin can hide the fact that this is motivated by a deep religious antipathy of the Jewish people. Maybe now people in Australia will finally wake to the danger which lies hidden in our suburbs and the ongoing religiously motivated hostility for the People of the Book.