It started on the Q train in N.Y. with a shout of
"Merry Christmas"! Walter Adler responded with a
"Happy Chanukah"! Why not? He was Jewish, it was Chanukah, it's a free world. Why can't we
share the cheer? However, that was obviously the wrong response for a group of 10, Jew-hating young punks (including some females) who immediately proceeded to shout anti-semitic epithets at Adler's 3 companions, telling them
they had killed Jesus on Chanukah and calling them
"dirty Jews" and
"Jew bitches". Adler
stepping in to intercede, was physically attacked by one of the male punks. And this is where the story gets good:
Assan Askari, a Bangladeshi fellow passenger on the subway, who also happens to be a
Muslim American, jumped in to
help Adler. The group then turned on
him. While Askari was being beaten up, Adler was able to pull the emergency brake and the police arrested the 10 at the next stop.
What amazed Adler the most was that in spite of all the blood, and the ensuing attack on Askari
no-one else did a thing to help. They both have black eyes, cuts and bruises but they have forged a bond as a result of this experience. They broke bread together the night after the attack. Askari is
Adler's hero:
"A random Muslim guy jumped in and helped a Jewish guy on Hanukkah - that's a miracle," [snip] "He's basically a hero. Hassan jumped in to help us."
Askari, begs to differ,
"I just did what I had to do." "My parents raised me that way."
Every once in a while something happens that warms the cockles of one's heart- that affirms, for the most part, man is essentially good, and that in a civilized world he/she will do the right thing. And although no-one else bothered to help out, and it took a
Muslim to come to the aid of
Jews, that in itself is truly heartening.
This gives me hope.
8 comments:
In New York nothing surprises me. I am glad that an American came to the aid of another American. In the US, the fact that one was a Jew and the other a Muslim is exactly why we are here. It is the 10 that should be punished and incarcerated. Did you hear the news flash that Hillary and Barry are in a "statestical" tie. That what the newscaster from CNN said.
I LOVE it! Thank you for such a good story...there is good out there..just a little harder to find it...thank you for finding it!! Merry Christmas!
I love this story and it is so perfect for this time of year. Your previous commenter was right - Americans stick up for other Americans, it's who we are. Those in the elite circles who think diversity acceptance means immigrants don't have to assimilate are tragically misguided.
MUD: Too bad no other "Anerican" stepped in to help. I would have liked to have see others step up to the plate.. but the fact it took a Muslim to help some Jews I find quite lovely. And no, I had not seen that. I can't keep up with all the polls. One day it's Obama the next it's Clinton. Should be interesting, though.
MONDAY: I think we need to see these kinds of stories. and Merry Christmas to you too.
KAREN: And conversely, it's nice to see when they do assimilate, for a change. Won't it be nice nice when man stands up for man regardless of race, culture or religion.
KAREN:
Incognito, excellent story! But what makes me scratch my head is the comments of the young thugs who beat these guys up about the Jewish man 'killing Jesus'. Do they suppose they are Christians carrying out this kind of un-Christlike behavior? I'm a Christian myself and know hundreds of Christians and not one of the people I know would dream of having such horrible hatred towards Jews. Absolutely incredible.
hiya Incog!..while it is heartening..where are ALL the stories about Israelis and Jews who ROUTINELY raise money and help Arabs and Muslims even in Israel eh?..btw..the comments on my last post got deleted by accident..ugh..lol..you can re-post if u wish hun!:)
good stuff incog.. the true epitome of the "good samaritan"... i wanted to give you a complement. i don't know if you have heard of ellen goodman, a columnist from the boston globe. but after reading her, and yourself, i think you each share the same writing syle. you both are a pleasure to read... there you go merry christmas. that may be all the ackolades i throw your way for the rest of the new year though! ha ha!!!
AURORA: Agreed, not very Christian-like behaviour, but I think these particular punks (at least some of them) had a history of racist/hate-filled behaviour. One of the guys who started the fighting had a tatoo religious tattoo, to boot. Sad.
WOMAN: Very true... but one would expect kind acts from Jews, there isn't the overt hatred by Jews towards the Muslims, whereas it isn't very often one sees kinds acts from Muslims towards Jews.
PATJ: Yes I have, and that is very sweet of you to say! :-) Thank you very much, kind sir. I'll take what I can get, whenever..
Post a Comment