Islamophobia Does Europe and Beyond...

For those familiar with anti-semitism, you'll recall that at the end of the 19th century the Rusiian Czar's spy service wrote a venomosuly evil book to justify its atrocities and massacres against Russian Jews. Called the "Protocols of the Elder of Zion," the work described a fantastic web of deceit and lies taht were supposedly part of a plan by "Jews" to take over the world. You can still find copies of this Nazi best-seller on the web, sadly enough.

Now anti-Moslem and Arab-haters have written something similar. It's called "The Project," and was supposedly discovered by western intelligence services who, of course, were told to cover it up in the interests of "political correctness."

Much like the Protocols, this work purporetedly documents actual discussions and plans of Islamic leaders to conquer the world. The Sharpener website provides some analysis and background to the document and how it has made its way into the press.

The Daily Ablution blog has translated the document, which is arranged in numbered "points of departure." One point of departure is the following:

Point of Departure 7: To accept the principle of temporary cooperation between Islamic movements and nationalist movements in the broad sphere and on common ground such as the struggle against colonialism, preaching and the Jewish state, without however having to form alliances. This will require, on the other hand, limited contacts between certain leaders, on a case by case basis, as long as these contacts do not violate the [shariah?] law. Nevertheless, one must not give them allegiance or take them into confidence, bearing in mind that the Islamic movement must be the origin of the initiatives and orientations taken.

Be sure to take a look at these sites if you have never heard of forgeries and fake documents like this before. There are many reasons why people buy into this type of document. For one thing, it's secret, and people love mysteries, especially those of dealing with the ones in powerful. Second, it presents an easily digestible way to explain what's wrong with the world. Third, of course, it pins what's wrong on some insidious Other.