LOS ANGELES (AP) - An English translation of the Quran with commentary has been removed from Los Angeles public school district libraries for review after some history teachers complained that certain comments on the sacred Islamic text are anti-Semitic.
Nearly 300 copies of "The Meaning of the Holy Quran," were donated this month by the Omar Ibn Khattab Foundation. But "some of the interpretations may be offensive," said Jim Konantz, assistant superintendent of city schools.
A panel of Muslims, community leaders and history teachers will study the material, he said.
Konantz cited such passages as these:
"The Jews ... palmed off their own writings for the message of Allah. Perhaps it's brought them profit for the time being, but it was miserable profit if they gained the whole world and lost their own souls."
"The Jews in their arrogance claimed that all wisdom and all knowledge of Allah was enclosed in their hearts. But there were more things in heaven and earth that were dreamt of in their philosophy. Their claim was not only arrogance but blasphemy."
"The Jews who pretend to be so superior to people without faith, the Gentiles, should have been the first to recognize the new truth or the truth renewed."