CNN’s ‘Why They Hate Us’ examines the Quran’s promise of 72 raisins
There was some minor breaking news on CNN Monday night: Fareed Zakaria is still on the air at CNN. Along with that revelation were many others made as part of Zakaria’s prime-time special, “Why They Hate Us.”
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It remains to be seen how many viewers were roped in by the sensational title, but Zakaria championed a moderate interpretation of Islam while arguing that Islamist terrorists are motivated by a hatred of all things modern, not simply America and the West.
To that end, Zakaria cited Canadian author and academic Irshad Manji, who argued that martyrs are working from a drastic misinterpretation of the Quran.
Islamic jihadis expecting 72 virgins in paradise will be surprised, according to @irshadmanji. #WhyTheyHateUs
— Fareed Zakaria (@FareedZakaria) May 24, 2016
What’s the surprise? Manji maintains that “virgins” is a mistranslation of the word for “raisins,” meaning that the faithful are promised a date with dried grapes in the afterlife.
So apparently the word virgin was mistranslated in the Quran and it was actually raisins. So rest assured muslim martyrs only get 72 raisins
— DaFresh David Koresh (@ziggiesmallss) May 22, 2016
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"72 raisins"? Well that would suck. #WhyTheyHateUs #CNN
— Terry Curtis (@HaitiTravelGuy) May 24, 2016
@IrshadManji The 72 raisins comment was deep. I never heard it broken down like that. pic.twitter.com/IEmMpSMySv
— Kevin R. Spaulding (@KKevdogg) May 24, 2016
72 raisins? Doesn't quite have the appeal of 72 virgins does it? That's the deal martyrs don't get the girls they get dried grapes. Raisins.
— Quincy Jackson (@qrayjack) May 23, 2016
72 raisins? Hate to be an ISIS recruiter today. https://t.co/dqwyQjy3vA
— Mike Maden (@MikeMadenAuthor) May 23, 2016
The word virgin in the Koran was actually the word
"raisin" originally. Imagine dying for 72 raisins.— Larry K (@Getsmart4) May 24, 2016
The Quran says that in heaven you get 72 raisins, not virgins. Imagine the surprise of the terrorists when they see raisins and not virgins.
— Jeffrey Guterman (@JeffreyGuterman) May 24, 2016
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Martyrs misinterpreted Quran's original word for raisin to think it means virgin. "Congratulations! You've won 72 raisins!" #WhyTheyHateUs
— Anne (@relevanne) May 24, 2016
A scholar claims the Koran was incorrectly translated. It's 72 RAISINS, not 72 virgins.
[scrapes toast with knife]
WHERE IS YOUR ALLAH NOW— Brosephine Wires (@JoParkerBear) May 24, 2016
CNN Islam expert says Koran mistranslated, actually says 72 RAISINS, not 72 virgins. I'd be bummed if I blew myself up & got raisins.
— Barry Rabin (@BSRabin) May 24, 2016
"The modern translation isn't 72 virgins but 72 raisins."
That makes me feel a little better about terrorists…
— ❤♛❤ ~Spaced Princess (@GingerGander) May 24, 2016
Raisins? Some say that’s, just, like her opinion, man.
@FareedZakaria Odd choice for your Qur'an "expert" Fareed….
— Religious Studies (@CCU_ReligiousSt) May 24, 2016
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@FareedZakaria @IrshadManji It is the correct translation. Vergins not grapes. Fareed get some Arabic speaking person to talk about Arabic.
— الثوره هي الحل (@bedayethawra) May 24, 2016
@FareedZakaria @IrshadManji
Lol Irshad knows better than Al Azhar and millions who died in its name believing that they get virgins— Nehemiah (@Nehemiah_israel) May 24, 2016
#WhyTheyHateUs is a pile of garbage. False, propaganda and complete distortion of facts! I know, because I was a muslim once!
— What The F! (@zf_live) May 24, 2016
#WhyTheyHateUs Raisins?? seriously?? who are you fooling? Hoor is not a raisin! Quran promises girls and boys both, to men in paradise!
— What The F! (@zf_live) May 24, 2016
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