I Invited An Arab Muslim To Speak At My Synagogue. Then This Happened... | Loay Alshareef

Good evening everyone. Welcome to Boca Raton Synagogue. So glad that you've joined us on this frigid night. >> Oh, good. [laughter] >> And the truth is Loey feels no sympathy for us because he flew in today from New York. He had been in Florida, went back to New York. He's been leaving me messages. Flight's canceled. I'm on another. I'm trying again. I keep going. I'm trying. But it's worth it. >> And tell them what happened last night. >> Yeah. I was like um was going to sleep and then I received a notification from Delta just before I went to sleep. Your flight is canled. >> I was like oh please. So I woke up and I and then I asked my best assistant in the world Chad GBT please help me out. Chad GBT told me uh to avoid to minimize or to maximize your chances of flying uh book from an international airport JFK. So, I found a flight Delta JFK 7 am. It worked. >> Thank you. Oh, [laughter] >> well, we couldn't be more grateful or happier that you were here. Thank you for all the effort to be here. And let me formally introduce and welcome my good friend Lash Sharif. It's an honor to have you here in our synagogue, in our community. >> Thank you so much. and to have the chance in our own modest and humble way to express our gratitude and appreciation for who you are, for what you do, for what you stand for, for how you advocate for our people, for the state of Israel, for our shared not only existence but cooperation and respect. And really the only question for tonight, if I could only ask one question, would be how can we create more Loe al- Sharif? That's our question. But we're going to build up to that. >> Uh before we build up on that, I want to say one thing, Rabbi. Uh I am doing what I'm doing honestly because yes, for the Jewish people and for Israel that I love so much. I cannot deny that. But it's also for something far more important for Muslim Jewish relations and for uh the the common thing that we have, which is the heritage, the the Jewish heritage. So I want to tell you and I will tell you this in the interview when we when we have the discussion. I really love the Bible so much and I love the Jewish heritage and I believe the Jewish heritage is part of my heritage as a Muslim and I always remind my Muslim friends we are 1.8 billion people. We are influenced whether we like it or not by the Jewish uh um heritage. I would say the foundation of the Torah. You cannot understand some verses in the Quran without going back to the Torah, especially when it comes to the stories of the prophets. The Quran in the second chapter suddenly jumps to the story of David and Goliath. Okay, who is David? Who is Goliath? Without knowing the Tanakh, you wouldn't know that Goliath was a Philistine from Gut. But why Gut? because there were five strongholds of the Philistines in the coast of Canaan and David was the future king of Israel, the second king. So the battle is now uh more understood. I do this honestly. Yes, I love the Jewish people so much and I love the the people of Israel and I love Israel as well, but I'm doing this also for for this heritage that I love so much. It's it's for the prophets of God. >> We're so grateful. So, we formally welcome you and I want to express publicly our appreciation to my dear friend Eli Epstein for having made the introduction not only between me and you, but between me and some of the members of our community on an incredible journey through Dubai Abu Dhabi. Yes, he was scheduled to be unfortunately couldn't, but we're very grateful to him and I want to say that publicly in addition to all those who made tonight possible with tremendous gratitude for their generosity. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. So when we first met in Abu Dhabi, you were dressed a little bit differently. >> I know >> you were wearing the >> the traditional garb. I want >> garb. So I want to start with that question. How does it work? When do you and excuse the ignorance and I don't mean to be insulting but educate us all. When do you wear the traditional Emirati garb when not when traveling? Is it like a yamaka a kipa? Is it a religious garb or a cultural? >> It's not religious. It's it's cultural. Think of it as a tuxedo in in that in that sense. So yeah, when you go to like official events, when you go to But when we travel, usually we wear like uh like business casual or suits. But there when I go to a wedding, when I go to meet officials, when I go to uh officials place or when I speak on stages, I I wanted to bring it, but it was like I couldn't check in any bags. I was like, >> you could borrow mine. I have at home. >> This is >> I came home with with it. >> This is good. I was gifted, >> but also after I lost lots of weight last year, I'm so happy to be have, you know, like casual, business casual. Yeah. >> Got it. I I understand and appreciate. Um, would you be comfortable actually traveling in America? We as Jews, particularly right now, are very aware of our Jewish symbols that we're wearing in public, a yarmama or others. In Florida, the free state of Florida, perhaps we feel more comfortable. New York and other places, people are much more concerned. What's it like for you to travel America or other parts of the world when you wear the traditional Arab or Muslim garb? >> So, I don't wear the traditional garb in airports. That's why I'm trying to avoid it. >> Uh but I feel I feel so um how to say this like so comfortable in America wearing it in in conventions like I did in Jerusalem post convention when I was speaking and also in the IEC. So, I I feel really com I feel so comfortable and I want to say that I feel safe in America. Uh I love this country so much and I believe it's it's uh it's very important to propagate the message of peace in the Middle East uh inside America because the other camp the camp that doesn't want peace is also fighting for this cause. So we have to fight for our cause as well. >> And do you fear because you're so outspoken? I we'll come back to you. Loey, you have close to a million followers across your platforms online. You're outspoken. You're speaking at conferences like Jerusalem Post, IA, and others. Does that give you concern when you travel high profile? >> So, um I want to tell you one thing about fear when we talk about fear. So, I remember when I first like uh and Eli knows this story, Eli, my dear friend, he knows the story so well. I first spoke I was very outspoken about Israel in 2017, three years before the Abraham Accords when uh and and that was my first instance when I spoke about the Abraham Accords. was when uh when President Trump moved the embassy from Jerusalem to I'm sorry, from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and I wrote a tweet, I do remember that I wrote a tweet and I said Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel because President Donald J. Trump, may God bless him, did so. It's or said so. It's because a prophet and a king that we honor, rever, and respect in Islam did so 3,000 years ago. And then I explained more about King David, the Jebusites, the Philistines, the Canaanites and the geopolitics of that of that time. So when I spoke about it and then there was a big social media campaign against me, bashing me everywhere thanks to Al Jazzer. >> I spoke to uh Eli Epstein. I I I knew Eli like couple of months before and I told him, "Li, I really feel like uh I want to I want to escape. uh I want to he said Lui come to Dubai I have a friend and a community that I want you to meet and this was my first time when I met the Jewish community but the the point is uh when I speak about my love for Israel or defending the legitimacy of Israel or defending what I call the greatest breakthrough in American foreign diplomacy the Abraham Accords the the the fear is not there because listen I do believe believe that at the end of the day, we're all going to die. I believe that at the end of the day, I'm going to die. Dying for this mission is worth it. >> Dying for this mission is worth it. >> So, Lou, those who aren't as familiar with you, let's take a step back and learn a little bit more about you. You're born in Saudi Arabia. Yes. You have roots in Egypt. You live now in the UAE. tell us a little bit about your family, your background, the way you were raised because you didn't always believe this and these weren't the ideals that you were taught necessarily in your youth. So, give us a little bit of a background. >> So, I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia to a Saudi Egyptian family. My mother's side, my mother and her family are Saudis and uh my father and his side are Egyptians. And the fact that my mom went to because you know Saudi uh women were not allowed to drive until 2018 and they were not allowed to study in uh in colleges until early '7s. So my mom when she went to Egypt to study she met my dad. This is how they got married. >> I was raised all my life in Saudi Arabia. And um my family were very open. They were not uh how to say this extreme religious but schooling in Saudi at that time. I'm talking about late '9s who was extremely religious and radical. Things changed now hopefully things changed. So um I went to a public school in Saudi Arabia like all Saudis and I went to a religious school like extracurricular where you memorize the Quran. So I was brought up so religiously rabbi >> and with that religiously I mean like uh with all the with all the things that come with that kind of upbringing lots of hate towards Jews and uh to make you feel better Jews first Christian second. >> So this is Jews first you have to but I was so faithful in this and I I want to say one thing and I uh not many people know this um even though I shared it in one event or two. I was so active in forums from 2002 to 2005. At that time there was something called pal talk and when pal talk and ICQ I was so active in spreading the message of Islam. I really I love my faith of course but I was really how to say this uh faithful to the idea especially with Christians. I was having lots of debates with Christians. No you're not on the right path. You're not monotheistic. You're doing this. You're doing that. And I was so but I I did it with lots of hate. So what changed my life in 2010? Uh I was working as a software engineer. This is my background by the way software engineering. I got my bachelor my masters from Penn State. So I'm a proud nitty lion. Yeah. >> So I got my masters after 2010 after the transformation. >> Where did you first learn your English? In Saudi. >> Uh so my English I owe it to Hollywood. >> [laughter] >> Yes. Truly Hollywood. Really? Yes. In Saudi. Uh I love movies so much and I was like just imitating like what the actors were saying. So this is how I got my English. Um I wanted to learn uh French because I was working in a multinational company. So learning French would give you a boost in promotions and stuff. So I signed up for something called a homeay program. That home state program in Paris um is a program where you live with a family to have a full immersive experience in improving your language. That family by coincidence, by chance without knowing they were Jewish. >> The moment I realized when I went to the living room and I saw a big star of David, my God. So I want to tell you one thing. I'm I'm writing all of this for my next book inshallah titled from Mecca to Zion. >> Yeah, it's a very So I wrote an email to the school. I still have the email. I didn't show it. I showed it to Eli Epstein. I'll put it in the book. I wrote an email to the school and I said, "How dare you put me with a Jewish family?" You know, the school was like, "Okay, come to the school. Let's meet the principal and everything." But the French people are so nice. I said, they says, uh, you put me with a Jewish family. You know what they thought? They don't speak French. I said, they speak French, but they are Jewish. So, no. It's like, you guys don't follow. They are Jewish. I can't. I thought they would see someone coming from Saudi Arabia. They would put him with a Moroccan Tunisian family. They put me with a Tunisian family, but they were Jewish. It seems in France they think that oh this family is Tunisian. Oh they are Muslims or so it was it was um an experience when I when I first realized that they were Jews I was horrified. I asked for the transfer and then the mother God bless her she's living now in Israel. She did a very nasty Jewish trick food. >> Imagine Tunisia. >> Don't give it away. No. U so she was so nice to me and she cooked so well and uh I was like having this kind of discussion with her that I don't feel comfortable. I'm sorry. I don't want to be offensive. I I don't feel comfortable with Jews. You know, we have lots of things about Jews and stuff like that. She wasn't forcing me. And by the way, she was thank God that she accepted when she saw an international student coming from Saudi Arabia. She accepted. We were having lots of discussion in uh a week or two until the school finds me another another another family. And these kind of discussions really opened my eyes to learn more. Not to be convinced. I want to learn more. But I said I have a good opportunity to learn from the source not from the adversaries. So do you really believe in God? The Jews are infidels. You worship the golden cal. Do you say Ezra is a son of God? We have verse of the Quran that says Jews say Israel is a son of God as Christians say the Messiah or Jesus as a son of God. You say you say that the hand of God are changed. Uh do you really believe in this? Do you believe in that? And I was having listen it was a very nice experience learning French but I trust me I learned Judaism and Hebrew >> in that in that experience and then I waved my transfer and I stayed for a couple of months eight to nine months. The moment I went back to Saudi Arabia, it was the moment of YouTube booming 2011. I spent hours on YouTube. Judaism and Islam, Islam and Jews, Jews of Arabia, Jews of Egypt, uh the the Bible. What do Jews say about this? What do Jews say about that? What is the history of Israel? Oh, hours and hours. And my mom, God bless her, told me, "I understand what you're going through. You're going through a sudden fascination which will fade away >> in two months 16 years and counting >> and here we are. So let me ask you a question because to some of us it's sort of obvious right one of the reasons that we have such hate in this world is because with distance and without any familiarity we vilify one another. when we don't know people who are unlike us, it's easy to carry hate in our heart or even vile words on our lips because they're the other. And so it's sort of obvious to us that you lived with a Jewish family and of course had a few good meals and a few good conversations. It became obvious, >> but conversations most importantly, >> right? But it became obvious then that the Jews are wonderful and important. Here's the part that's not so obvious or not obvious to me because I'm just imagining being in a similar situation and having been raised with the hate and the education of hate. Having never met a Jew, I imagine until that point. When do you come clean to your family? I'm living with a group of Jews. They're not what we were taught. I'm not giving up my religion, but I'm also now have a new perspective on the world. Were you afraid? Was this Did you ever consider as it was happening? Let me keep this in my heart. I don't need to tell anyone about it. This will be fascinating. When did you decide that this is going to change who you are as a person? >> That's a good question. So, I had this inner battle when I was in Paris. Like a good Li and a bad Li on my shoulders. A good Li telling me you should learn from the source. You should learn you should go to their uh I spent like great time in Paris and I went to so many Jewish festivals. Uh uh and I met Jewish and by the way I still have great connections in France including the chief rabbi. So like the good lu and the bad lu no they are Jews they are liars. Don't forget that these are uh the authors of one of my favorite books when I was young the protocols of the elders of Zion. You know Jews are conspiring against Muslims. Jews are conspiring. So one of my favorite shows when I was young Rabbi it was called I want you to look it up please on YouTube. It's called A Night Without a Horse. A Night Like a K. Night Without a Horse. It was in 2002. One of my favorite shows was this show took part of history in Egypt that we all know that the English conquered Egypt, right? Yeah, of course. The English conquered Egypt in the 40s or even before. But you don't you don't know who was behind that occupation, the Zionists. And the first the first episode starts with Jews sitting on a table reading the the the fictional protocols of the elders of Zion. >> It's a it's a work of fiction that start in Zars Russia and then came to the Middle East through this uh uh I would call it the uh the anti-semitism camp. This is like this is what the Jews want. The Jews want to take Egypt and do this and do that. And uh when I told Rachel, she said, "Then why did we give up Sinai for peace?" Ah, interesting. Yeah. Uh no, but you're still Zionists, you know, you're you're still this and that. So I was having this but I didn't speak about openly about Israel until just like I told you 2017 7 years after my experience in Paris >> because I was I was being how to say this like uh very well having a very well foundation of this topic but I was starting my I started my media career in Saudi Arabia 2011. So I just want you to know after this experience in Paris, Paris changed my life. I love France. Let's just pause for one moment to together thank God that he orchestrated that >> because look at the result and so important to look back and sometimes connect the dots in appreciation of the almighty and say it wasn't a coincidence you were placed with that family and it wasn't chance that you chose to take part in that program and it's not random that you had those conversations and opened your mind and the result is almost a million followers later you're influencing the world in this way which likely would never have happened without. So sometimes going forward, we can't always see the hand of God, but looking backwards, we can both see the hand of God and be grateful for it. >> I don't believe in coincidence. I believe in the plan of God. And as you said, the the hand of God, yes, there's a phrase in the Torah, his strong hand, his strong hand really orchestrates lots of things. And I I'm so grateful that he did this because I want to say one thing. Uh because I went through hate and then understanding. I have the the power when I read lots of hateful comments to look at them and they and then they say I was in your shoes. >> So I don't get I don't get drained by lots of negativity. But I want to say that when I started my media career in Saudi Arabia, it was a very successful I started in 2011 and then I got the scholarship uh to study in the US and I went to Penn State College, studied the happy my best two years honestly. So when I started my media career, it was in in in YouTube teaching Saudis English through edutainment. that show and my channel won the best educational idea in Saudi Arabia 2013 and I was honored by the minister of education. I have the pictures on my Instagram where I received the award >> and I was so into history. So I did a history show with a big broadcasting channel called NBC. It was called Around the Kingdom and uh the secretary of the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, I'm still in in contact with him in a good relation because of this show. He says, "A crown prince loved it. You showed us a lot of Saudi Arabia." And I talked about Saudi Arabia when it comes to history and the the civilizations that lived there, the Nabatans. By the way, the Nabatans were living in Alah or Hegara in Saudi Arabia and also in Petra. And they were in good terms, ups and downs with the Hmonians, the Makabis, and fueling their campaigns against the Romans. I'm sorry, against the Greeks. We'll get to that. So everyone saw Sa Lu in Saudi Arabia as the history language uh how to say this like master who is like a source everyone loved me >> who's still a card carrying hater of Jews in Israel >> at the time >> no >> they knew or they didn't know >> no they didn't know I didn't know >> at that time they thought you were >> a history expert who also is card carrying >> still I spoke about Israel >> now things change in Saudi now I'm not viewed like this I'm viewed like um an Asian Zionist Asian being paid $7,000 per post. I wish where can I sign up for you? So, but the thing is but some Saudis really understand because I meet with some officials and they say what is your real reason for this love for for Israel and for and when I tell them it's >> they're wondering and we're wondering >> so I'll tell you but honestly this is the answer that I give them publicly and privately. I love Israel religiously. I love Israel because I love the Bible. The Bible is a book that had lots of impact on my life. And I want to tell you one thing. If you go now any place in this world to any nation, give them a book and tell them write the story of your people, they would only write the the glories. They would never write the flows of their kings, of their heroes. But the Bible doesn't sugarcoat David. Tells you David is a great king, but he was also like when he saw Bashiva and then he sent her her husband into a battle and and Jacob stole the blessing, but he was renamed Israel. And God God loved all of these prophets. Elisha, we call it in Arabic. Elisha was so sensitive when someone called him a baldhead. But they were normal people, ordinary people. They were humans. And I always say as a Muslim, as a believer, I have a a compass. My compass like normal compasses direct to the north pole. This compass should always direct us to God. We could deviate right or left, but we have always to return back to God. So the uh uh the Hebrew Bible and the stories of the prophets that ironically we believe in in Islam is the reason why I love Israel so much. I believe Israel is is is a is a miraculous uh biblical miracle that we have today. Rabbi, I'm not exaggerating. When I visited Israel, I saw this. A country of a size of New Jersey gave the world so many blessings. >> Count them. Cherry tomatoes. ways Philly cam high-tech unbel the size of New Jersey and it survived a war on seven fronts I'm sorry eight fronts with social media and it's it's it's a country that is like how to say this so I always say I defend the legitimacy of Israel not a specific government here or there but the legitimacy for me the legitimacy of Israel to any educated Muslim should be undisputed because it doesn't make sense if you ask a Muslim the prophets of God that you believe in as as Muslims. You stop at I just believe in them. Don't get me into the details. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. My son I'm a Muslim. My son's name is Dud, but I hate Israel. Your son's named after the second king of Israel. No, no, no. My son's my other Oh, by the way, in in in in Saudi Arabia now, we celebrate the name Danielle. In Saudi Arabia now, it's legal legal to name uh Danielle. No one knows who Danielle was. Daniel, God is my judge in Hebrew, one of the prophets from the tribe of Judah. And he was a Zionist, I will say, because he encouraged the people in Babylonia to return back to Israel. >> And most of the prophets that we believe in, we don't know what their if if allow me to say, their ideology was. So when when a Muslim makes a slur against Zionism or Zion, I want I I remind my Muslim friends that you're doing the same thing that the enemies of the prophets and kings and heroes of Israel did when they used the word Zion as a slur. We have it in the Psalms. Rabbi, you know this, you're a rabbi. >> Of course, David was always ashamed of being a Zionist or a lover of Zion. And he said that he complained to God about it in Psalm 129, one of the most powerful Zionist Psalms in the Tanakh when he said, "Many times have they afflicted me from my youth." Let Israel now say, "Many times have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. Let all those who hate Zion be put to shame and turned back." That's not BBanyahu speaking. That's King David. >> Did you ever have these debates with imams, religious leaders, the teachers of >> I do have from time to time. >> So what do they answer? Because as we hear you, we're we're convinced >> the Bible is corrupt. I don't believe there more. >> The Bible is corrupt. I don't believe in that. And I remind them the Bible is not corrupt at all because Israel has a weapon that is not using so well. It is far better than the F-35. The Dead Sea Scrolls. The Dead Sea Scrolls are a great weapon. You know why? Because the Dead Sea Scrolls, rabbis, are scrolls written by the Essens, a Jewish group, and they left the scrolls in caves in hopes to return, but they couldn't return because of the Romans. And that was in the time of the lots of unrests. The Dead Sea Scrolls are not only scrolls about the Tanakh or the Bible, but also community rules, how the Jews lived in the land, how they lived, what was their traditions and stuff. So, it talks about the connection of the Jewish presence to the land. And this is why I I I say to my Muslim friends, the Dead Sea Scrolls are identical to the book that we have today that we call the Mazzoric text. You cannot just you cannot just dismiss it easily by saying it's corrupt. like this this text is corrupt >> that says that all those who hate Zion it was not written in 1948 >> it was not written after the revival I would say not the creation I don't like to hear the creation of Israel I would say the reborn the rebirth of Israel because Israel is 3,000 years old 78 years young and if you say Israel was created in 1947 you're giving an excuse to those who say well it is like it's not that old no Israel was always old And and I have these debates with the idea is that they they are not connecting the dots. And I keep I keep embarrassing them by telling them that you should know without the Torah, without the Tanakh, you wouldn't understand lots of things in your religion as a Muslim. >> A Muslim, why why should a Muslim be against Zionism? What is the definition of Zionism? One line. the belief of the right of the Jewish people of self-determination in their ancestral homeland. Your prophets as a Muslim talking to the Muslim believed in that. Of course, you know, they were punished in the Quran, the story of the Quran that the Jews were punished because they were not scientists. I'll tell you why. Of course, it it doesn't say this. It says that the Jews were when God when Moses told them, "All my people, enter the land that God has assigned to you." That's in the Quran, by the way. And then they said we will not enter the land except for two people. The Quran doesn't say the details. Without knowing the Tanakh, you wouldn't know who those who those two people were. One of them was from your tribe because your name is Ephraim. So Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim and Khalibu was from the tribe of Yehuda, >> right? And these two brave Zionists, Joshua and Caleb, were the only ones who um survived the first generation that denied or did not go to the land and then they enter the land. >> So even the Quran agrees with the idea of Zionism. But of course now Zionism is being how to say distorted, marred. So many media no Zionism about uh uh how to say this like colonialism. Zionism is about this that I even had debates with with Jews who say we're against Zionism and Jews and I said with all due respect I'm not telling you how to think as Jews but as someone who knows the text so well you are Zionists too but in the waiting >> because you're only having a problem with Israel that is uh Israel was reborn because of the UN. You believe that you will return but you're not telling your your Palestinian friends this fact. You're saying that we will return to Israel when Msiah comes. So you are Zionists in the waiting. >> In the waiting. Well, we we pray every day, no matter who you are and what you claim you believe, we invoke and our longing to see it and rebuild it. So I agree with you there. So you abandon the education of your youth, which is hate, and you embrace this coexistence and more than that, love and respect. >> Building bridges and building bridges. >> Has it has it cost you? Are there family members who >> No, family members know because my family closely know they know so well that it's a genuine journey. They know that I spent hours of of learning and trying to so family not not a problem. Friends, yes, some friends, yeah, you I lost some friends, but I also gained so many friends. And I tell my friends, the door is always open. When you want to come back, you're more than welcome. I'm not doing this, Rabbi. I'm not doing this because I'm receiving a message from Musad. You have to say this to uh everyone you go. No, it's a it's it's it's a genuine message that I and it's aligned. Listen, it's aligned with what I believe in. And if you think I'm wrong, prove me wrong. This is why when I defend the message of peace between Arabs and Israelis when I talk about the legitimacy of Israel, it's not only the Bible. I cross the Bible with also a greater a great weapon archaeology because archaeology. And you think, Rabbi, so does that really matter? Like would that really change some? Of course it does. President Yas, the president of the Palestinian Authority. He said to President Clinton, "Mr. Mr. President, I can't sign this close in the agreement because I don't believe Jews. I don't believe there was a temple in Jerusalem." Believe it. Can you really believe that someone says, "I don't believe in the Jewish temple." So, here is here is here's my favorite part when I love to corner my Muslim brothers. So you don't believe that there was a temple in Jerusalem. No, of course we call it in Arabic, the soal temple. Okay. So what did the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him call the city of Jerusalem at his time? Ilia. You know where that word comes from? You don't know. No, it's Ilia. That's it. We know that Ilia. Even Omar the second califf when he went he made the treaty of Ilia. But Ilia was a name that was given by a Roman emperor called Hedrian because he crushed the Jewish revolt by Barba and he changed the cities that Jews hold or held dear to their lives. Not only Jerusalem to Iliaina also is by the way was in Greek is Neapolis like Napoli in Italy the new city. And now we call it the Arabic city of Nablus. No, it's not. It's not Nablus. It's Neapolis. And that was changed by Hrien. And then what is the second name that we call Jerusalem after the Crusades? Makus Maktus. And you're saying you don't believe in a Jewish temple. Interesting. So the name Mak is my dear Muslim brother and my dear Arabs even Christians who deny there are so many Christians and Muslims who are ready to throw their faith under the bus for a political cause and I keep reminding them >> let's pivot to that because >> but hold on Rabbi I want to say one thing I want to remind them that Makus comes from the Hebrew word betash which is the Jewish temple >> right >> so if you say mus and there was no temple there's a huge discrepancy in your faith and you have to work on that. >> We could speak about ancient history forever. It's amazing to see you come alive and how passionate you are. We should all be motivated to know our own Tanakh as well as you do. Um and tonight is a reminder you might have taught more Tanakh from this Bimma than anyone has in a while. It's possible. Um >> because it's it's the source of Rabbi, it's the source of why Israel is legitimate. I always say this to people. Yes, Israel is is a speedboat when it comes to high-tech and technology, but this should be the right wing, the left wing, I'm sorry, the right hand, the left hand or the left hand, the right hand should hold the torch of faith. I'm not calling for a religious state. I'm just saying that you should be proud of this tradition, of this heritage, of this boot, as you guys say. >> There's no question. And yet, it doesn't seem to be working. And I think partially we're living in a time in which anti-Zionism or anti-Israel is the modern anti-semitism. >> Of course, >> and of course there are legitimate arguments to be had about Israel policies and debating Israel's policies is not anti-semitism. I think we would all agree just like any government anywhere, one can have a healthy debate about their policies. But when someone holds Israel to a double standard or delegitimizes Israel's right to exist or or like you say despite archaeological evidence and despite the religious history and evidence nevertheless states so my point is that it seems to be driven not by religion you're educating people about the Bible and religion and you're educating them and bringing history and you're bringing the evidence of archaeology and history but that's not where it's coming from in them. where it's coming is politically driven and even more than politically driven it's coming from the hate that you were taught in your youth. >> So how do we combat hate? How do we create more loey al-Sharist in this world? One of the things that was so eye opening on our trip to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the UAE, which I want to talk a lot more. There's a lot of things I want to talk a lot more about. I hope there's a lot of battery life on these cameras and and in the people because there's so much to talk about. We've just scratched the surface. Um, but one of the things that was so eyeopening to us that we appreciated so much was this mutual understanding, coexistence, and we came home really convinced it's real. It's authentic. Having met you, you're legit. And part of our effort to host you here tonight is because how many people who saw me said the same way your family thought about that French host? No, they're saying the right things. That's all part of the plan. Loey, he's got somewhere someone whispered, "Okay, Loey, here's your job." You go online, you pretend you're a Zionist, you you you come across saying the right things and then you'll also be in the way that and I can't tell you how many people were skeptical or cynical or doubters. So, I'm obviously convinced and that's why you're here tonight and want people to hear for themselves your sincerity. But why aren't there more and how do we get more? And is it hopeless and helpless? Can we influence and change minds? Can we take you and the UAE, which we'll get to, who are a small, unfortunately, tiny minority, and can we elevate and celebrate and have them have a bigger influence on the greater Arab Muslim world? >> It's not helpless. There are people changing, but they are not they are afraid to speak out. So, we need to encourage them. How do we have more people who speak about peace? How did I change an exchange program? We need to have more exch. When I say exchange program, it's not only just living with a family to learn a language. No, the idea that when I 2010, I was 27. For 27 years, I haven't met a Jew in my life. >> For 27 years. So Rachel or Rashelle was the first Jew I have ever met and her family of course. So there are programs programs that we are working on rabbi to bring Arabs from Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi, UAE, Oman with Israelis from Hifa, Bershiva, Tel Aviv, put them in Africa to work on a project related to climate change, feeding elephants. The idea is that they mingle. We need to have my answer to your question. We need to have more mingling between Jews and Muslims, between Arabs and Israelis because we're not learning about Israel. And unfortunately, I want to say one thing, Israel is not doing enough good job in Arabic to explain itself. and and and u yes the accounts on on X are amazing but I'm just saying that many Arabs when they want to learn about Israel they go to the most anti-semitic professors in Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and then they are they are hosted on national televisions and they speak like with all due respect nonsense about Israel. So there was a show very famous show in Saudi unfortunately couple of months ago and the interviewer was asking the professor tell us more about Zionism and oh my god the answers are all like so Zionism started with Christians. Oh, the same thing that Tucker Carlson is saying. Christian Zionism started this movement and this movement is all about expansionism and expan colonialism and being expansionists and this is what Israel want to do and this is what this this is this is Zionism. No, Zionism started with the commandment of God to Pharaoh. Let my people go because we have this commandment. Yes. Let my people go to Nigeria, Congo, Argentina, to the promised land, the land of milk and honey. This is where Zionism is. When when Zionism was born, why would a Muslim who was educated about his prophets, his history, his religion be anti-Zionism? This is very unfortunate. So this is how we get more people. >> Education is very important. Rabbi, >> is there an inherent hatred of the Jew? Because we're speaking about Zionism and the right to live in the land. But what about the Jewish people and a general hatred of the Jewish people? Because you were taught you >> anti- Zionism is anti-Judaism is anti-Jews. You have to know because it it's masquerading right now. Oh, I'm not against the Jews. I'm not I'm just against the Zionists. This is nonsense. Those who say, "I'm against Israel, but I'm going to against the Jews." Watch them closely. Watch every single word that comes out of their mouth. And then they will start to bash Jews, but they're just they're giving this shield. I'm not against the Jews. No, no, no, no, no. I'm against I'm against uh Zionism. Okay. So, when Jews pray in Passover, when they say next year in Argentina, what do they say? Next year in >> Jerusalem. Why Jerusalem? Why they are why are you called Jews? By the way, even those who are not Jews, I mean like even those who are from a different tribe, they are called Jews because you know Rabbi far better than than I do and please correct me if I'm wrong. You were never called Jews before the fifth century. You were called the Hebrews or the Israelites or the children of Israel or the nation of Israel. But when you were when you were when your ancestors were taken into captivity and the captives were asking your ancestors where you guys are from. We are from Judea. We are the Jews. And by the way, why is it called Judea? Because this is the portion of the land that when Joshua bin partitioned, he gave to the fourth son of Jacob, Yehuda. This is why you're called Yehud or Jews. This portion of the land Yehuda. And then you have Binam. You have Ephraim, the northern kingdom. It was called also the kingdom of Ephraim, >> the northern kingdom after the partition or the kingdom of Israel. >> And then you have Dan and then you have also Shimon Manassa. Very important to understand and connect these. These are these these simple facts are not being broadcasted in our TV show. >> Education and mingling and mingling and meeting one another. >> Yes. And and this is why Rabbi the greatest the most important step in Gaza right now after demilitarization is dradicalization. And I hope the new curricula by the way I want to say one thing rabbi I have to I have to say first of all I would love to congratulate all the people of Israel for the la the last hostage that was returned home. And I want to say honestly maybe this is something you don't know but many Arabs were speaking in social media that oh my god this country is is you know some people said we don't like Ben Netanyahu but he did unbelievable work to bring the last remaining hostage. I'm a beastistic so I have to say so but I'm just saying that they said this country did its best. They respect their people so much. Imagine if we have a Palestinian leadership that cared for their people that cared for you know when when a Palestinian leader Hamas leader not the Palestinians of course Palestinians are not Hamas. When the when Hamas leader was asked about the people of Gaza, but you think this war is doing to your people, you know what he said? The people of Gaza are the responsibility of the United Nations. How irresponsible that is. But Israel is fighting for every single So this is one I wanted to say. And second, we really have to give credit. This neighborhood in the Middle East, it's a tough neighborhood. M >> it needs a tough president in the Oval Office and we have one now. And and I want to ask you, ask myself and ask even my Christian friends and everyone to pray to God that he may give strength and courage and shower with blessings President Donald J. Trump to make Gaza great, free of radical ideology. And we hope that inshallah we would have a Gaza where Palestinians and Israelis live side by side. Imagine just Israelis would say, "I'm not going to the Tel Aviv beach. I'm going to the te Gaza beach. I'm going to put my money to help the Gaza economy." Gaza had a chance in 2005 after the unilateral withdrawal by Ariel Shiron. Now it's having a second chance. Please God, let it work. >> This time I'll take advantage. Raised in Saudi Arabia. You live in the UAE. What brought you there? Why do you live there? And how would you compare the UAE for those who are not familiar? How would you compare the UAE and Saudi Arabia? >> Um, they're both great countries. uh I moved to the UAE honestly because of the Abraham Accords. So I go to Saudi and visit my family and visit my friends and uh but I cannot advocate for Israel while being in Saudi Arabia because there are no relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. In the UEE it's different. So for me I have more freedom in the UEE honestly. And um and every two months I go to visit my mom. She's she's living in Jeda by the way. My mom, you have to know what she thinks about what what do I do? So, she she follows me on Instagram and I tell him, "My mom, please do not follow me." He insisted. You know what she says? I'm 78 years old. I don't I haven't met a Jew or an Israeli, but I see your feed. I see your Instagram. I see that every time you meet them, you're happy. That's what matters to me. >> So, this is this is what my mom thinks. You know, it's interesting because for me, for some on our our small trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and our interactions with ordinary Amiradis and Amiradi leadership, it was in many ways our first deep interaction and conversation with Muslims, with Arabs in Israel. Perhaps we were in a taxi having a conversation with the driver. Perhaps we over overlapped in some other scenario. we did with a healthy sense of skepticism and concern for our security and I think I spoke to you about this in Abu Dhabi but coming back here they left us with this question how do we know if I call the local mosque of which there is one in Bocaram because I come back inspired and I say that so much of the challenges we have are because of how much we vilify one another not knowing there is no interaction we've never met and therefore it invites that kind of hate so we should spend some coexistence not religiously, but just be able to connect in that way. How do I know if the person on the other side is a low? How do I know if they're a radical? How do I know if they're a danger to me and my family? How do I know if there's someone who could be a a partner in pursuing a peace? And I think it's that really healthy skepticism, which for very good reason. They say, you know, if it's true, it's not paranoia. So >> for a very good reason, we have a healthy skepticism. Our history taught us and we couldn't survive if we don't and if we didn't. >> So how do we know in the UAE? What's remarkable and I don't get any commission for people who are taking trips to the UAE. That's not what this is about. Um but in the I should arrange that when you when you get $7,000 for a post then I'll get upgrades on on Emirates. So but but in the UAE we felt comfortable because we know the nature of the country and its laws. But here how do we know? >> So laws you said this is very important but I want to say one thing I don't know about the mosque in bokeh but uh you can know through your Muslim friends who are uh very aligned with I would say with peace. There are mus there is a Muslim community in uh Brooklyn in uh New Jersey very open Muslim leaders very open and even they visited Israel. Um, but yes, you are right. Of course, I agree with you. If it's real, it's not a phobia. This is why I always say the word Islamophobia, I struggled with it because I always say there there are people who have rational fears and Muslims do not speak out against radical ideology or radical Islam. And this is a problem. There is a Muslim bigotry like someone who hates Muslim from being Muslim there. Yeah, there is. Like in New Zealand, when someone went to a mosque and opened fire, yeah, that's a terrorist. But if people fear the version of Islam they know it's because there's a problem and we need to solve it. How do you know? Through your Muslim friends. And uh we need to have more this what kills Hamas. This what kills the radicals seeing Muslims and Jews reconciling. And this is why I don't want to give up hope because I'm very hopeful. And also, by the way, Rabbi, there are so many Palestinians who believe in peace with Israel, not replacing Israel. And you have one here in the States. His name is Ahmed Khalib. He's a Palestinian American. He's from Gaza. He lost so many of his family members in this war, but he's still a fighter for peace. Yeah, he doesn't like this Israeli government, but overall, he believes in the right of Israel to exist. And I sat with him, and I always called him Mr. President. I wish that he becomes a president one day. So we need to amplify the allies. You are outnumbered. So you need to your Muslim friends and your Christian you have amazing Christian friends especially evangelicals that I met here in the US who are their compass is very well centered to the truth to the idea that Israel is not a foreign colonialist entity in the Middle East. It's the homeland of the Jewish people. Uh but we need to have lots of work with the Muslim community. I was invited to speak in Michigan. It was cancelled a day before. Not because the imam told me, "I don't like your views. I highly oppose them. But the way you link religion and connect the dots and archaeology, I want my community to hear you." So I said, "Dear Imam, I would love to come." He invited me really. He hosted me. But a day before the event, it was from higher authorities. it was canceled >> and they said security threats and I >> I want to say that what kind of threats when people speak so if you are protesting if you're saying death to Muslims or death to Jews or death to this or death that or globalize the defiled or yeah that is something I wouldn't have said but just having a conversation why you're so insecure if you're truly uh a believer in what you're saying this is a big problem and also laws. Allow me to say this, Rabbi. In America and in Europe and in Canada, some legislators think that giving liberal freedom to those who don't appreciate it is a freedom of speech. And I want to say there's a difference between freedom of speech and incitement. And if you don't respect, how to say this, like other communities, you should know that you are not eligible for this freedom of of of speech. And the problem is that I met many Canadian in in Montreal and Quebec. They said, "I would rather die than being called a racist." I said, "What is racism about this? If you tell new immigrants and if you tell people who live in the country that there is a law that you need to respect, anti-semitism should not be dealt in America and in Canada as an opinion. Should be dealt as a crime because it leads to violence >> very much like it is in the UAE. >> In the UAE it is. >> We discovered there there is not freedom of speech in the UAE. I actually came back from that trip. Some of us were talking that maybe freedom of speech not all it's cracked up to be. Obviously it is a freedom. We fight for it. would protect it. We're grateful for it and it's important for lots of reasons. >> It is important but there it is important >> but when there are marches and protests that incite hate and violence >> or we are all Hamas. Can you believe that? In the US it's allowed we are all or raising the flag of the Houthis and the and the and and Iran. Uh I'm sorry the the Iranian regime that wants to destroy America and killed Americans. By the way, Rabbi, I really forgot that I forgot to say that I salute the people of Iran for the revolution against the moolas. And I believe and I believe that we we all have a duty to go to our social media today and and I forgot to say this in the first minute because I promise God that I will speak about the Iranian people everywhere I go. Let's share a post about what's happening in Iran. The Persian and the Jews should always be friends. And I always remind my Jewish friends, the first official who gave you the right of return was not Balffor. He was Cyrus the Great. >> Cyrus, by the way, Rabbi Rashi said that Isaiah is talked about Cyrus 150 years before the coming of Cyrus. You know what Rabbi Rashi said? Because God didn't want to confuse Jews with any other king. Cyrus, a Persian king, will come. His name is Cyrus and he will free you. And he was called a messiah, the anointed one for a mission, a noble mission. And Cyrus, you know what he said in the book of Israel? Not only he sent the Jews back to Israel and he commanded me to build them a house in Jerusalem that is in Judea. So my dear Jewish friends, you owe Cyrus and I hope inshallah one day the lion of Judah and the lion of Persia will reunite again inshallah. >> We had the son of the sha spoke here several years ago >> and invited us similarly. >> Give him drink >> some water. He's welcome >> Thank you. So >> I'm good but thank you. [laughter] The son of the sha spoke here and he encouraged us similarly and spoke about that history and that loyalty of the Persians towards the Jews and that it was time to reciprocate in this time that the Persian people needed and called upon >> Israel and is and God inshallah may make it happen. We see the Cyrus Accords between Persia between Iran and and Israel that will reshape the Middle East. >> So let's talk about the Abraham Accords. The perfect segue. That must have been amazingly validating for you. You were basically ahead of the Abraham Accords, right? In your own personal journey and story, in your experience in that exchange program in a recognition and your own education for yourself about the ability to not only coexist but partner respect, you were you were early on. You were ahead of the Abraham Accords. And when the Abraham Accords came to be, that must have been amazingly validating for you personally. Of course, I always say I don't want to give lots of NAGA speeches, >> but I want to say really, President Trump made something that no other US president did before him. I always say the Abraham Accords you because I live in the UAE and I see the impact of my cousins from Saudi visiting Expo 2020 and they come and say Lou take me to the pavilion of your friends your friends the Israelis or when a cousin of mine comes from Egypt Cairo to Dubai and they say Lou can I go to the Ibrahim family house in Abu Dhabi I want to see how this coexistence working. The moment that I see they're asking too many questions, that is for me the start of the change because I remember myself I started with questions. So I see the influence of the Abraham Accords and I and now they are being challenged. Rabbi, they are being challenged and I hope and I pray that President Trump steps in to save the Abraham Accords. They are being challenged. they are being uh depicted as uh at uh uh how to say this like jeopardizing national security of some countries which is absolutely incorrect which is absolutely false and uh I have faith that the president who made the Abraham Accords happen he will save the Abraham Accords. >> What what do you think is happening? talk to us because it feels like it was literally a moment ago that Saudi Arabia was on the brink of joining the Abraham Accords. There were headlines that were leaking that there were meetings and efforts and it's we'd say any moment about to break through in the Abraham Accords and here we are now Saudi Arabia is among the biggest opponents of it and and they're vilifying those who belong to it. And one of the leaders that we met with, very high-profile UAE, actually shared with me, right now this feeling that the UAE is treated more poorly than some countries who are in opposition, the influence of Qatar, and there's almost nobody in a prominent position across many countries, including we want to believe it or not, some that would make us very uncomfortable, who have not been influenced by the money of Qatar, and it's not in their interest to advance the Abraham Accords. So what happened? We were full steam ahead. More countries were joining. The prosperity that resulted was flowing and motivating others. And it seems like there's a major U-turn. There's a reverse if not at least a slamming on the brake. How'd this come to be? Why is it happening? >> There was a tension in Yemen between Saudi Arabia and and the UEE. And they both have different opinions about what's happening in Yemen. I understand that. So when it started in late December 2025, it was just a different of opinions about Yemen. I said okay it will it will end there. And then suddenly there was a rhetoric that oh the Abraham Accords play a role uh and the UEE is is which is absolutely a fallacy. The UE is using the the Abraham Accords camp to help Israel um chalking other Arab states in the region which is absolutely false. So now there is a narrative very unfortunate in the Arab in in some media state sponsored media be very honest with you that bash the Abraham Accords and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia when he was in the US he said we want to be part of the Abraham Accords but we need to solve the Palestinian issue. I understand this is a very politically correct thing to say, but what is happening and the narrative that is being populated now is different from from this kind of we want to join the Abraham Accords. I don't know what's happening really. I'm I'm very I'm being very sincere. But when I see it happening, I say, well, if it's not too much asking, please God, President Trump has to intervene and say has to say it very clearly. The Abraham Accords is something that I worked for. By the way, you have to give credit to Jared Kushner, Adi Burritz course uh and also uh so many good people who worked on the Dr. Ali and also many people who worked on the uh Jason Greenblat, many people who worked on the Abraham Accords. This is the the the achievement of President Trump. So I wish he would intervene and say dishonoring the Abraham Accords is dishonoring me. >> What what would your message be? We have a very large audience here in person and please God many more who will watch and listen online. What can the average person who who loves Israel and for that matter loves the Muslim world and wants to see more peace between them. What can the average person here do to help save, preserve and advance the Abraham Accords? Is it influencing American policy? Is it trying to reach out to the president? Is it what come what can the average person do? >> I want to be very straightforward. This is a great country. It's the greatest country on earth, America. And the president of the Oval Office of the White House has great influence on what can happen in the Middle East. Our neighborhood is a tough neighborhood. A tough neighborhood needs a tough president. And I believe I believe that any president in the in the in the in the the White House can shape lots of positive policies for Muslims and Arab nations to come together with the one and the only Jewish state. And this is why I always say I always say Rabbi that if if my voice is heard to the American people, please note that if peace between Israel and its all Arab neighbors is solved, many of your domestic issues in the United States will be solved. I know when people say, for example, when I praise President Trump too much, people say, "Oh, but we have this and that." I say, "Listen, to our Middle East, he's the perfect president. We love him so much." Really, it's a genuine love. Because I told you for me the Abra I'm living by the Abraham Accords that President Trump broke and I I I want you to know that the influence is overwhelming. We need to have this permanent peace in the Middle East and America can make this happen after the help and the strong hand of God and the American president who is sitting in the Oval Office today can make it happen. May the next one inshallah make it happen as well. >> Let's move over as we're going to start to head to wind down although we could go on forever. Um talk about your social media influence because you went from having one career to becoming a media personality and a historian to becoming a social media >> I still love I still love history and language. >> You still are. I'm not taking it away from you. I'm just adding on. I'm not not subtracting. I'm just adding on. um to being somebody with an enormous social media influence and a platform that's large. How do you think about your responsibility in that social media platform and the many people that you reach? Tell us a little bit about this close to 1 million followers. Are they made up mostly of people who agree with you? Do you think you're followed a lot by people who disagree vehemently with you but still want to hear what you have to say? How do you see your responsibility? I love when I when I write a post on X or on Twitter or on uh Instagram, I see mixed comments. People who agree with me, people who disagree with me, and I encourage those who disagree with me to engage in more meaningful discussions. Why you don't like this video? Why do you think this video is not telling the truth? And I and I really learn from uh from from these comments. Of course, there are so many hateful comments, but don't for don't forget I was in their shoes, so I know exactly how they think. I know where that hate comes from. I think it's very responsible to make a positive change through social media. Social media is the most important front in this war. Uh uh I believe the prime minister of Israel said it's the eighth front of war and it's I would say it's the most important front that is not less than those who are in the battlefield fighting with their guns. We are fighting with our words. We are fighting with our social media. I'm fighting for peace. I'm fighting for the Bible. I'm fighting for my love for the heritage that I hold dear to my heart and it constitutes my faith as a Muslim. I'm telling you, Rabbi, go back to the the main idea. Why am I doing what I'm doing? Because I always say there is no zero contradiction between what I'm doing and being a Muslim. Zero contradiction. educated Muslim who knows history so well, who knows archaeology, who knows that Zionism is not a slur, the Protocols of the Elder of Zion is a work of fiction. Israel's right to exist is is undisputed. So, I think it's a big responsibility and uh and I'll keep doing that because I I'm a big believer in that. And by the way, when I did it, I never thought I would have a huge following. I always say my videos are very boring, but they get 200,000 views, 300,000 views. A video that I made about the Dead Sea Scrolls, it was like 4 minutes. I'm telling you, it's so boring. Very informative. 1.5 million view. I couldn't believe. I said, "Wow, okay, people like it." Okay, >> who's watching? >> A mixed audience, but uh my Instagram started with 70% from Saudi Arabia. Now it's 40%. and 60% from mix from North America, Europe, uh some parts of Africa, also Israel, but North America is dominating. >> So, take us behind the scenes when you're thinking about a post knowing you have that reach. What do you decide? What video do you want to make? What do you want to post? When do you weigh in? When do you say, "Let me set that out?" >> I I never I I I always say I am not going to badmouth any person that I criticize. So when I made a video about for example I'm just going to give you one of the videos that went so viral when uh I don't know if it's proper to say it here in the synagogue when some star in some field uh made a comment about uh about Israel and I responded to her uh to her claim that video went so viral but I did not talk about her profession. I didn't talk about what she does. I didn't badmouth her. I really want people to change. So my red lies is that it is not personal. It is just for facts, knowledge and the truth. And I really want people to change. I really want minds and hearts to change just like I'm being also selfish just like I change. So why why am I the only one who's allowed to change and I'm not allowed to allow others to change inshallah. So these are the guidelines that I make. I don't attack the Palestinian people. I I'm I'm not against the Palestinians. against Hamas and Islamic Jihad because with all due respect, Rabbi, to those leftists in America or in Europe, I know them far better than you do. >> I know them very well. I know how they disguise behind I'm not anti-Jewish. I'm anti-Israel. I know that there the they the ultimatum is to eradicate Israel. I know that the watered down one the watered down chart of Hamas or charter in 2017 is no difference than the one in 1940 in 1987 because even in that in that watered down charter of Hamas they say we accept to stay solution and then immediately the second close temporarily until we have enough power to eradicate Israel. Yeah. But they don't talk about this in the media and their Arabic is different to them from English. It's like Al Jazzer. Al Jazzer channel in Arabic, the spokesman of Hamas. Al Jazzer, English spokesman of LGBT community. >> So you see hilarious. >> Wow. Wow. Is the fact that you have such a large following a source of hope for us that there are young people out there who are looking to listen and learn? >> Yes. But they are afraid to speak out. We need to we need to give them the courage. And by the way, I I u I want to say that really my favorite passage in the Tanakh is all about courage. When Joshua was hesitant and he was like, "Ah, I'm going to take the next generation with me to the promised land. But what if they fail me like the first generation failed Moses?" You know, the first generation failed Moses. the 10 spies from different tribes, they they they really failed uh God's people. And this is why by the way when we say in the Quran that they were they were uh how to say this so with back to my point in the Quran we say that the Jews were deprived of seeing the land of enter for 40 years without knowing the Bible you wouldn't know why 40 years the explains it for every day you scouted you will be deprived a year so they scouted for 40 days that's 40 years exactly so when Joshua was hesitant I I love this pass. I I feel I'm not listen I'm not super religious. I love I love I'm so proud of of being what I am. I love God so much. But sometimes, you know, my compass deviates right and left, but it always comes back to God. And I always say that God when he chose Israel, his people, there is nothing called a replacement theory because he taught us in the Bible that when they go astray, he disciplines them. So God always disciplines us. So my idea is that when Joshua was hesitant, what should I do? Should I God told him the greatest passage that I always always quote? You see, it's it's it's like person when God speaks to Joshua. Haven't I commanded you? You know, it's like someone sitting to you like, I'm afraid. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Listen to me. Haven't I commanded you? Lord says, I'm so sure this is the tone of God when he was speaking to Joshua because I am the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. It's like when Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael into the desert. We have the same story because of the jealousy of Sarah. But he's my son and >> haven't I told you I'll take care of it. God really takes care of things. So I believe that >> he's the source. >> So when when you say that you read the hateful comments and you read into them that was me. >> I don't read all comments. Of course. >> No, I understand. But I'm saying when you see a particularly hateful comment, >> I remember my se I remember the 17year-old Louie. >> You remember the 17 and just as you were redeemable, so too maybe they are. Because I tell you again, I can't speak on behalf of the Jewish people, the Jewish community, but you know, we're in a place now that when we see that hate, our our our back goes up and we're very concerned and we don't see the humanity in that of the person. All we see is hate. It's particularly poignant today. I just read an article last night about, you know, Kanye's full page ad in the Wall Street Journal apology and it's sort of how many times do you get to apologize? >> I believe it's I believe it's sincere. I read it. >> I hope it's sincere. I I know many people might disagree, but I believe Listen, I believe in second chances. >> I believe in second and third and fourth chances, but you can't tell us what you plan to do. You got to show us what you've done. Exactly. >> And first first repair, correct, do some good things, and then publish an apology that includes how you can demonstrate. Because in the same week where in our own backyard in Florida, prominent people with a total following of 10 million people sang and danced in a club while making the hand motions for Hail Hitler. It it's hard to to read the apology that we've seen now several times from you. And I wish him a force. I hope he heals and I hope he's well. And I don't want to make it about him in particular because I'm not rejecting the apology. I'm not entitled to accept it or reject it. Nobody put me in charge. All I'm saying is when we read it, we read it with a really healthy dose of skepticism because we say, "Don't tell us you're sorry. Show us you're sorry." And he has yet to do that. And I hope he will. I hope he'll be a leader in standing and advocating for the Jewish people for peace, fighting anti-semitism. And then I'll be the first to applaud him and thank him and welcome his apology and invite him for a shout >> and maybe maybe inshallah. Inshallah. But but until then, so when we see somebody who's being a purveyor of such hate, we don't see the 17-year-old innocent boy who never met a Jew. We see somebody who's a purveyor of hate doing terrible damage. Doing terrible damage. I know. >> So, how should we read those hateful comments? >> Deeds speak louder than words. He has to do some deeds. I agree with you. But you but also don't forget, Rabbi, that there are many people God changed their hearts in the Bible. You know you I will say don't forget that the one who was supposed to curse the people of Israel gave us a very great blessing that we that you Jews put everywhere near synagogue the the the prayer uh of when he wanted to curse Israel. What did he say? So maybe Cayenne West will say something like that. But I I understand. I totally agree. Deeds have to come first. He has to prove. >> But in the online world, would you would you encourage the audience if they participate in social media to take on the comments debate? Maybe they'll chisel away the heart like the 17-year-old low. So the person with the hateful comment, maybe they can have an interaction. >> Engage. No, I'm totally with engagement, but you know, wi without like without hate. I always say Yeah. Yeah. There's a song a very nice song by it's just Will Will Will Smith the two of us he said about hate let God deal with the things they do because hate in your heart will consume you too this is like a very nice line so I always say without hate just do it response defend uh debunk without hate no hate you should have no hate thank you for your time tonight thank you for coming to Florida so much I want to ask one final question one final question. Hold on. Hold on. We'll get him a standing ovation at the end, but one final question. >> Sure. >> You're speaking to an audience of hundreds and hundreds in person and please God multiple of that online. Speak to audiences regularly. >> What's your message to the Jewish community here? You're in a friendly, receptive, supportive, incredibly grateful Jewish community. The people sitting here were watching our destiny and many feel helpless in it as we're seeing the rise of anti-semitism, the rise of anti-Israel sentiment. As you said, the Abraham Accords are threatened. Leave us with a charge. Leave us of a message. Hopefully, one also of hope of what are the bright spots that you see? What gives you faith? But what's the mission? What's the work everyone here tonight leaving has to do? >> Grow your alliances with your non-Jewish friends. This is very important. Muslims and Christians as well. And also, when I said that in Germany, uh someone in the audience, he came and said, "Listen, I'm an atheist, but I support you." I said, "We need atheists as well. [laughter] Grow your alliances. This is very important. And second of all, please be proud of who you are. You should be proud of your heritage. You should be proud of of of uh of your history. And uh I I I really don't like it when I go to Israel. I have lots of Misha friends, some crazy friends. Uh you know, I um I'm the idea of Zionist. I'm not with like I say, well, if you're not a Zionist, then why Israel? So you should be truly proud of your heritage. And I'm telling you this as a Muslim who believes that the greatest commandment in in the Quran is all about monotheism, worshiping the one and the only true God. Well, there are people who preceded us in in in believing in that when God told them here, O Israel, the Lord is your God. The Lord is one and you shall love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your resources. So be proud, please. I know Matif, oh, we don't want to invoke religion in our I'm not telling you to be super religious in your in your discussions, but no, you should you should never have how to say this. Be ashamed of of what you are, of your heritage, of the story of Israel. So what? Because you know why? Because for example when I went to the Israeli pavilion in Dubai in expo I saw that they showed great achievements of Israel. The high tech the Super Nintendo amazing nothing about history. Not a single walkway that tells the non-Jews why we're attached to this land. You should always be proud of this. I always say Israel has two arms. One arm high-tech cyber security great and the is tradition and and uh I always say God never changes his mind. He chose Israel kalas. That's his his preference. He would discipline Israel if they go astray. And I hope that he doesn't. I hope that he I hope that his people and the people of Israel are reminded of this covenant that they have. As long as you keep your relation with God, God will keep you. And I also want to quote one one final quote. I swear to God, one final quote before we concur. >> Joshua as well when he dwelt in the land and he saw his people are trying to Yeah, you know, why not? Let's worship. Let's worship uh let's worship. He said a great phrase. I have it in my on my doorstep. You know, listen, for me and my house, we will worship the Lord. That is like a great verse that always reminds me that if you go astray, I'm not going to go astray. >> So, we need to stand tall, practice, be proud Jews, and make friends with those around the world who will stand with us. Lo, Al Sharif, thank you so much for all that you do. Thank you for being with us.