ICC
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on November 19, a court in Moyale, Ethiopia sentenced a Christian man to three years in prison after his Muslim friends accused him of writing "Jesus is Lord' on the Qur'an.
Woldegeorgis, a member of full gospel church, was arrested in early July after Muslims severely beat him for his alleged crime.
During the trial, the public prosecutor failed to produce the copy of the Qur'an on which Woldegeorgis allegedly wrote the statement. The court ruled that since the defendant embroidered and hung similar statements on the walls of his home, they believed he could also write it on the Qur'an.
The accusers of Woldegeorgis were his own friends who converted from Christianity to Islam. He refused to convert to Islam despite their continued pressure.
It took Ethiopian officials more than three months to charge Woldegeorgis with the alleged crime. The Ethiopian constitution states that suspects should be brought before justice within 48 hours of their arrest. Lieutenant Ibrahim Abdi, one of the leaders of the police station where Woldegeorgis was kept, told ICC that Woldegeorgis was guilty of inciting religious conflict between Muslims and Christians. When ICC told him that it is up to court to decide his guilt, the Lieutenant hung up the phone. ICC also contacted the Ethiopian embassy in Washington DC for explanation, but received none.
A church leader, who wanted to remain anonymous for security reasons, told ICC, "In my ministry of 20 years, I have not seen such blatant miscarriage of justice. This is a clear case of Islamic discrimination of Christian minorities in the city. We live in an Islamic stronghold. Please pray for us."
ICC's Regional Manager for Africa, Jonathan Racho, said, "The decision by the Ethiopian court to imprison Woldegeorgis for three years without any evidence of wrong doing is both outrageous and illegal. We urge Ethiopian officials to show their commitment to the rule of law by releasing Woldegeorgis and bringing the individuals who assaulted him to justice."
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The 2010 report on religious freedom
ACN
The 2010 Report on Religious Freedom in the World by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) was released yesterday in Rome. It shows that the situation is serious in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia. In the Near East, Iraq represents an especially bad case where anti-Christian violence is taking on the form of systematic persecution, as the latest episodes indicate. In Egypt, despite the fact that it is a major tourist destination, there have been many acts of violence against the Christian minority in 2009-2010. Lebanon shows how difficult it is for foreign religious staff to enter the country. The situation of Christians in Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip is getting worse with episodes of explicit persecution.
In India, ethnic and religious violence is rising as well. The year 2009 clearly illustrated the problem. However, China is certainly among those nations where religious freedom is denied in all its facets. However, information about what happens in that nation remains limited and hard to obtain. The state is officially atheist and suppresses all form of religion through arrests and detention in concentration camps. The case of Mgr Julius Jia Zhiguo is one of the better known. The underground bishop of Zhengding (Hebei) was arrested by five police officers on 30 March 2009; he was eventually released 15 months later.
In Pakistan, the blasphemy law is used as weapon against religious minorities, especially Christians who are the victims of Muslim fundamentalism. In Afghanistan, the government is not able to ensure effective religious freedom. In Bangladesh, where Islam is also the state religion, several cases of discrimination and attacks against minorities have been recorded with security forces showing little interest in protecting them.
The 2010 Report on Religious Freedom in the World by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) was released yesterday in Rome. It shows that the situation is serious in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia. In the Near East, Iraq represents an especially bad case where anti-Christian violence is taking on the form of systematic persecution, as the latest episodes indicate. In Egypt, despite the fact that it is a major tourist destination, there have been many acts of violence against the Christian minority in 2009-2010. Lebanon shows how difficult it is for foreign religious staff to enter the country. The situation of Christians in Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip is getting worse with episodes of explicit persecution.
In India, ethnic and religious violence is rising as well. The year 2009 clearly illustrated the problem. However, China is certainly among those nations where religious freedom is denied in all its facets. However, information about what happens in that nation remains limited and hard to obtain. The state is officially atheist and suppresses all form of religion through arrests and detention in concentration camps. The case of Mgr Julius Jia Zhiguo is one of the better known. The underground bishop of Zhengding (Hebei) was arrested by five police officers on 30 March 2009; he was eventually released 15 months later.
In Pakistan, the blasphemy law is used as weapon against religious minorities, especially Christians who are the victims of Muslim fundamentalism. In Afghanistan, the government is not able to ensure effective religious freedom. In Bangladesh, where Islam is also the state religion, several cases of discrimination and attacks against minorities have been recorded with security forces showing little interest in protecting them.
The first black Saudi Imam in 1400 years
Following are excerpts from interviews with Sheikhh Adel Al-Kalbani, imam of the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca, which aired on BBC Arabic on May 5, 2009 and Al-Arabiya TV on February 27, 2009.
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2102.htm.
On BBC Arabic: I View Shi'ite Religious Scholars as Apostates
Interviewer: "Do you support those who accuse Shi'ites of apostasy?"
Sheikhh Adel Al-Kalbani: "With regard to the laymen among the Shi'ites — this is debatable. But their religious scholars — I view them as apostates.
Interviewer: All of them?"
Sheikhh Adel Al-Kalbani: "With regard to the religious scholars, yes."
Interviewer: "Are you in favor of allowing religious liberties in general?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "For us, liberty has limits. Would you allow a mosque to be built in the Vatican?"
Interviewer: "Sheikh Adel, the Vatican is the center of the papal church, while the holy places in Saudi Arabia belong to Muslims of all sects and schools."
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "But in the Vatican, they do not allow [a church] to be built for the Protestants."
Interviewer: "Where can Christians [pray]?"
"The Prophet's Guidance... Dictates: 'Drive The Jews And The Christians Out of the Arabian Peninsula'... They Should Be Allowed to Live Here Only If Their Presence is Essential"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "Christians are allowed to pray in their homes. We have no problem with them praying where they live. But for the bells to be sounded in the land of the Prophet Muhammad — that [runs counter] to the Prophet's guidance. The Prophet's guidance, by which we act, dictates: 'Drive the Jews and the Christians out of the Arabian Peninsula.' Driving them out is undoubtedly the prerogative of the ruler, but they should be allowed to live here only if their presence is essential."
Interviewer: "But what you are saying runs counter to the interfaith dialogue, doesn't it? On what basis does Saudi Arabia engage in interfaith dialogue with them? Is it just dialogue for the sake of dialogue? Isn't it in order for everybody to get what they are entitled to?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "Yes, but within the limits of the shari'a. We are talking from the perspective of the shari'a, not from a personal perspective."
Interviewer: "But don't you agree that there should be a common denominator? The limits of the shari'a is the position of the Muslims, but not of the Christians who live in Saudi Arabia, right?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "[The Christian] came as a visitor. He is not a citizen. If he were a citizen... watchamacallit... a Christian citizen — maybe there would be room for debate. Maybe. But in principle, he is a visitor, a guest, who stays for some time, and then leaves. He knew these were the rules before he came here. No visitor to a country can demand that it change its rules."
Interviewer: "Not to change the rules, but if you, as a Muslim, were to visit a country, wouldn't you hope there would be a mosque in which to pray, regardless of whether you are a citizen or not?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "I would hope so. Undoubtedly. But Allah be praised, according to the Prophet's guidance: 'The whole Earth was made a mosque and pure for me.' Therefore, a Muslim can pray anywhere."
Interviewer: "You just accused Shi'ite religious scholars — not laymen — of apostasy. Some people may ask: If this is not fanaticism, what is?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "This is not fanaticism unless you mean being fanatic about my religion. In such a case, I cannot deny that I am a fanatic. My personal belief is that anyone who is aware of the status of Abu Bakr, yet curses him and draws closer to Allah by hating him, by warning against him, and by cursing him — I cannot call such a person a Muslim. With regard to the laymen, I can accept that they are either misled or ignorant, but someone who knows the status of Abu Bakr, yet accuses him of apostasy and denies that he was a companion of the Prophet — he is undoubtedly an apostate, even if he was a Sunni."
Besides The Issue of Driving a Car, "There Is No Other Example of Women Lacking Rights In Saudi Arabia" Interviewer: "Do you support demands made by women in Saudi Arabia for certain rights that the women feel they lack?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "Women indeed lack some rights, but not because of Islam or the rules. This is because of the implementation of these rights by their husbands or parents."
Interviewer: "But don't the state and the society impose their restrictions as well?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "I do not think that society imposes any restrictions on women. We have a woman who has become a deputy minister."
Interviewer: "Are women capable of driving, or is this prevented by society?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "If all women's rights are reduced to driving a car..."
Interviewer: "This is just an example, Sheikh Adel."
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "There is no other example of women lacking rights in Saudi Arabia. There are women clerks, women doctors, and women laborers.
"I had a lengthy discussion with Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymin about [Jihad]. We came to the conclusion that whoever kills himself is committing suicide, even if it is done for the sake of harming the enemy. The so-called 'Jihad operations' are, in fact, suicide operations. This is my opinion, and Allah will reckon with me about it. Such a person is committing suicide. Whether or not Allah forgives him is not up to me. My ruling is that such a person is committing suicide."
On Al-Arabiya TV: My Appointment as Imam of Al-Haram "Is More Significant Than the Election of Obama"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "I believe that my appointment to the position of imam [of the Haram Mosque] is much more significant."
Interviewer: "More significant than the election of Obama?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "in other positions, there may have been [black] people in the past, but with regard to this position, my appointment was a courageous decision. I believe that it is more significant than the election of Obama.
Interviewer: In what sense?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "This is part of democracy, part of the world."
Interviewer: "But more people elected him."
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "The Haram Mosque is the place of all Muslims."
Interviewer: "The Haram Mosque?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "Yes. This is more all-encompassing than the White House, which, as important as it may be, is restricted to the Americans.
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2102.htm.
On BBC Arabic: I View Shi'ite Religious Scholars as Apostates
Interviewer: "Do you support those who accuse Shi'ites of apostasy?"
Sheikhh Adel Al-Kalbani: "With regard to the laymen among the Shi'ites — this is debatable. But their religious scholars — I view them as apostates.
Interviewer: All of them?"
Sheikhh Adel Al-Kalbani: "With regard to the religious scholars, yes."
Interviewer: "Are you in favor of allowing religious liberties in general?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "For us, liberty has limits. Would you allow a mosque to be built in the Vatican?"
Interviewer: "Sheikh Adel, the Vatican is the center of the papal church, while the holy places in Saudi Arabia belong to Muslims of all sects and schools."
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "But in the Vatican, they do not allow [a church] to be built for the Protestants."
Interviewer: "Where can Christians [pray]?"
"The Prophet's Guidance... Dictates: 'Drive The Jews And The Christians Out of the Arabian Peninsula'... They Should Be Allowed to Live Here Only If Their Presence is Essential"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "Christians are allowed to pray in their homes. We have no problem with them praying where they live. But for the bells to be sounded in the land of the Prophet Muhammad — that [runs counter] to the Prophet's guidance. The Prophet's guidance, by which we act, dictates: 'Drive the Jews and the Christians out of the Arabian Peninsula.' Driving them out is undoubtedly the prerogative of the ruler, but they should be allowed to live here only if their presence is essential."
Interviewer: "But what you are saying runs counter to the interfaith dialogue, doesn't it? On what basis does Saudi Arabia engage in interfaith dialogue with them? Is it just dialogue for the sake of dialogue? Isn't it in order for everybody to get what they are entitled to?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "Yes, but within the limits of the shari'a. We are talking from the perspective of the shari'a, not from a personal perspective."
Interviewer: "But don't you agree that there should be a common denominator? The limits of the shari'a is the position of the Muslims, but not of the Christians who live in Saudi Arabia, right?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "[The Christian] came as a visitor. He is not a citizen. If he were a citizen... watchamacallit... a Christian citizen — maybe there would be room for debate. Maybe. But in principle, he is a visitor, a guest, who stays for some time, and then leaves. He knew these were the rules before he came here. No visitor to a country can demand that it change its rules."
Interviewer: "Not to change the rules, but if you, as a Muslim, were to visit a country, wouldn't you hope there would be a mosque in which to pray, regardless of whether you are a citizen or not?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "I would hope so. Undoubtedly. But Allah be praised, according to the Prophet's guidance: 'The whole Earth was made a mosque and pure for me.' Therefore, a Muslim can pray anywhere."
Interviewer: "You just accused Shi'ite religious scholars — not laymen — of apostasy. Some people may ask: If this is not fanaticism, what is?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "This is not fanaticism unless you mean being fanatic about my religion. In such a case, I cannot deny that I am a fanatic. My personal belief is that anyone who is aware of the status of Abu Bakr, yet curses him and draws closer to Allah by hating him, by warning against him, and by cursing him — I cannot call such a person a Muslim. With regard to the laymen, I can accept that they are either misled or ignorant, but someone who knows the status of Abu Bakr, yet accuses him of apostasy and denies that he was a companion of the Prophet — he is undoubtedly an apostate, even if he was a Sunni."
Besides The Issue of Driving a Car, "There Is No Other Example of Women Lacking Rights In Saudi Arabia" Interviewer: "Do you support demands made by women in Saudi Arabia for certain rights that the women feel they lack?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "Women indeed lack some rights, but not because of Islam or the rules. This is because of the implementation of these rights by their husbands or parents."
Interviewer: "But don't the state and the society impose their restrictions as well?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "I do not think that society imposes any restrictions on women. We have a woman who has become a deputy minister."
Interviewer: "Are women capable of driving, or is this prevented by society?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "If all women's rights are reduced to driving a car..."
Interviewer: "This is just an example, Sheikh Adel."
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "There is no other example of women lacking rights in Saudi Arabia. There are women clerks, women doctors, and women laborers.
"I had a lengthy discussion with Sheikh Ibn 'Uthaymin about [Jihad]. We came to the conclusion that whoever kills himself is committing suicide, even if it is done for the sake of harming the enemy. The so-called 'Jihad operations' are, in fact, suicide operations. This is my opinion, and Allah will reckon with me about it. Such a person is committing suicide. Whether or not Allah forgives him is not up to me. My ruling is that such a person is committing suicide."
On Al-Arabiya TV: My Appointment as Imam of Al-Haram "Is More Significant Than the Election of Obama"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "I believe that my appointment to the position of imam [of the Haram Mosque] is much more significant."
Interviewer: "More significant than the election of Obama?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "in other positions, there may have been [black] people in the past, but with regard to this position, my appointment was a courageous decision. I believe that it is more significant than the election of Obama.
Interviewer: In what sense?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "This is part of democracy, part of the world."
Interviewer: "But more people elected him."
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "The Haram Mosque is the place of all Muslims."
Interviewer: "The Haram Mosque?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "Yes. This is more all-encompassing than the White House, which, as important as it may be, is restricted to the Americans.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Eritrea refugees detained In Sinai desert
BOSNEWSLIFE
There was international concern Friday, November 26, over the situation of 80 Eritrean refugees who rights activists said have been held hostage by people smugglers on the Egypt-Israel border for about a month.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a religious rights group, cited investigators as saying that smugglers are demanding payment of $8,000 per refugee before releasing them.
It was believed there were Christians among the refugees. Eritrean officials have arrested thousands of Christians, holding them inside metal shipping containers, barracks and underground dungeons where at least several have died from torture and other harsh conditions, church groups and rights activists say.
Most of them are believed to be evangelical Christians as Eritrea only recognizes four religious groups including Islam, the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Eritrea. However, even members of recognized religions haven't escaped persecution, according to church observers.
MORE REFUGEES
The refugees hold up at the Egypt-Israel border are among 600 Eritrean, Ethiopian, Somali and Sudanese nationals being held "in degrading conditions in the Sinai desert," CSW said.
"They are being threatened, restrained with chains around their ankles, and at one stage were denied water to clean themselves for 20 days." The refugees reportedly set off from Tripoli in Libya for Israel, having paid $2,000 to people smugglers.
The exploitation of asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa by people traffickers is an ongoing problem, CSW said. In August, the deaths of six Eritreans on the Egypt-Israel border were reported, four of whom were killed in a dispute with people smugglers.
"In June, ten African refugees, including Eritreans, were reportedly killed by human smugglers in Sinai after they had been held for more than two months in secret underground locations," CSW added. The smugglers are allegedly using extreme methods of torture, including electric shocks, to force the victims make the illegal payments.
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
CSW’s Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston said it was "unacceptable that a group of people who are entitled to protection under international law are being treated in this manner. It is also difficult to comprehend how these people smugglers are able to continue holding such a large number of people hostage for such a lengthy period of time, and with seeming impunity."
CSW said Egypt's government should intervene as it is currently chairing the United Nations refugee agency's governing body and a signatory to UN and African refugee conventions.
"The Egyptian government has a duty to end this situation and bring Egypt’s treatment of refugees into line with international norms by ensuring that these and other refugees are afforded full protection and assistance," Johnston told BosNewsLife.
There was no immediate response from Egyptian officials.
There was international concern Friday, November 26, over the situation of 80 Eritrean refugees who rights activists said have been held hostage by people smugglers on the Egypt-Israel border for about a month.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a religious rights group, cited investigators as saying that smugglers are demanding payment of $8,000 per refugee before releasing them.
It was believed there were Christians among the refugees. Eritrean officials have arrested thousands of Christians, holding them inside metal shipping containers, barracks and underground dungeons where at least several have died from torture and other harsh conditions, church groups and rights activists say.
Most of them are believed to be evangelical Christians as Eritrea only recognizes four religious groups including Islam, the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Eritrea. However, even members of recognized religions haven't escaped persecution, according to church observers.
MORE REFUGEES
The refugees hold up at the Egypt-Israel border are among 600 Eritrean, Ethiopian, Somali and Sudanese nationals being held "in degrading conditions in the Sinai desert," CSW said.
"They are being threatened, restrained with chains around their ankles, and at one stage were denied water to clean themselves for 20 days." The refugees reportedly set off from Tripoli in Libya for Israel, having paid $2,000 to people smugglers.
The exploitation of asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa by people traffickers is an ongoing problem, CSW said. In August, the deaths of six Eritreans on the Egypt-Israel border were reported, four of whom were killed in a dispute with people smugglers.
"In June, ten African refugees, including Eritreans, were reportedly killed by human smugglers in Sinai after they had been held for more than two months in secret underground locations," CSW added. The smugglers are allegedly using extreme methods of torture, including electric shocks, to force the victims make the illegal payments.
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
CSW’s Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston said it was "unacceptable that a group of people who are entitled to protection under international law are being treated in this manner. It is also difficult to comprehend how these people smugglers are able to continue holding such a large number of people hostage for such a lengthy period of time, and with seeming impunity."
CSW said Egypt's government should intervene as it is currently chairing the United Nations refugee agency's governing body and a signatory to UN and African refugee conventions.
"The Egyptian government has a duty to end this situation and bring Egypt’s treatment of refugees into line with international norms by ensuring that these and other refugees are afforded full protection and assistance," Johnston told BosNewsLife.
There was no immediate response from Egyptian officials.
Two Church Buildings Torn Down in Zanzibar, Tanzania
COMPACTDIRECTNEWS
Islamic extremists suspected on island where fears are growing among Christians.
Radical Islamists are suspected in the demolition of two church buildings on Tanzania’s semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar on Sunday (Nov. 21), as members of the congregations have since received death threats from Muslims.
The church buildings belonging to the Tanzania Assemblies of God (TAG) and the Evangelical Assemblies of God Zanzibar (EAGZ) in Masingini village, five kilometers (nearly three miles) from the center of Zanzibar city, were torn down at about 8 p.m., said Bishop Fabian Obeid of EAGZ. Mwera police received reports on the attacks on Monday morning (Nov. 22).
The latest in a string of violent acts aimed at frightening away Christians in the Muslim-dominated region, the destruction on the island off the coast of East Africa has raised fears that Muslim extremists could go to any length to limit the spread of Christianity, church leaders said.
“One Muslim was heard saying, ‘We have cleansed our area by destroying the two churches, and now we are on our mission to kill individual members of these two churches – we shall not allow the church to be built again,’” said one church member who requested anonymity.
The TAGT brick building was under construction and nearing completion; members of the congregation had gone to worship in their new building for the first time on Sunday. The EAGT building where more than 30 members met was a mud structure.
EAGT Pastor Michael Maganga and TAG Pastor Dickson Kaganga said they were fearful about the future of the church in Masingini. Pastors in Zanzibar have scheduled a meeting on Saturday (Nov. 27) to discuss how to cope with the destruction of the two buildings, said the chairman of the Pastors Fellowship in Zanzibar, Bishop Leonard Masasa of EAGT church.
Muslim extremists in Zanzibar, in concert with local government officials, have long limited the ability of Christians to obtain land for erecting worship buildings. In some cases they have destroyed existing buildings and put up mosques in their place.
Frustrated at obtaining government help to apprehend criminals, church leaders said they have little hope that the perpetrators of Monday’s attacks will ever be caught. In most cases the government sides with the attackers, delaying investigation out of fear of upsetting the majority Muslim population that opposes the spread of Christianity.
In 2009, officials in Mwanyanya-Mtoni colluded with area Muslims to erect a mosque in place of a planned church building of the EAGZ, Pastor Paulo Kamole Masegi said.
Pastor Masegi had purchased land in April 2007 for a church building in Mwanyanya-Mtoni, and by November of that year he had built a house that served as a temporary worship center, he said. Soon area Muslim residents objected.
In August 2009, local Muslims began to build a mosque just three feet away from the church plot. In November 2009, Pastor Masegi began building a permanent church structure. Angry Muslims invaded the compound and destroyed the structure’s foundation, the pastor said.
Church leaders reported the destruction to police, who took no action – and also refused to release the crime report, so that the case could not go to court, Pastor Masegi said.
Meantime, construction of the mosque was completed in December 2009. The planned church building’s fate appeared to have been sealed earlier this year when Western District Commissioner Ali Mohammed Ali notified Pastor Masegi that he had no right to hold worship in a house.
Zanzibar is the informal designation for the island of Unguja in the Indian Ocean. The Zanzibar archipelago united with Tanganyika to form the present day Tanzania in 1964.
Muslim traders from the Persian Gulf had settled in the region early in the 10th century after monsoon winds propelled them through the Gulf of Aden. The 1964 merger left island Muslims uneasy about Christianity, seeing it as a means by which mainland Tanzania might dominate them, and tensions have persisted.
Islamic extremists suspected on island where fears are growing among Christians.
Radical Islamists are suspected in the demolition of two church buildings on Tanzania’s semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar on Sunday (Nov. 21), as members of the congregations have since received death threats from Muslims.
The church buildings belonging to the Tanzania Assemblies of God (TAG) and the Evangelical Assemblies of God Zanzibar (EAGZ) in Masingini village, five kilometers (nearly three miles) from the center of Zanzibar city, were torn down at about 8 p.m., said Bishop Fabian Obeid of EAGZ. Mwera police received reports on the attacks on Monday morning (Nov. 22).
The latest in a string of violent acts aimed at frightening away Christians in the Muslim-dominated region, the destruction on the island off the coast of East Africa has raised fears that Muslim extremists could go to any length to limit the spread of Christianity, church leaders said.
“One Muslim was heard saying, ‘We have cleansed our area by destroying the two churches, and now we are on our mission to kill individual members of these two churches – we shall not allow the church to be built again,’” said one church member who requested anonymity.
The TAGT brick building was under construction and nearing completion; members of the congregation had gone to worship in their new building for the first time on Sunday. The EAGT building where more than 30 members met was a mud structure.
EAGT Pastor Michael Maganga and TAG Pastor Dickson Kaganga said they were fearful about the future of the church in Masingini. Pastors in Zanzibar have scheduled a meeting on Saturday (Nov. 27) to discuss how to cope with the destruction of the two buildings, said the chairman of the Pastors Fellowship in Zanzibar, Bishop Leonard Masasa of EAGT church.
Muslim extremists in Zanzibar, in concert with local government officials, have long limited the ability of Christians to obtain land for erecting worship buildings. In some cases they have destroyed existing buildings and put up mosques in their place.
Frustrated at obtaining government help to apprehend criminals, church leaders said they have little hope that the perpetrators of Monday’s attacks will ever be caught. In most cases the government sides with the attackers, delaying investigation out of fear of upsetting the majority Muslim population that opposes the spread of Christianity.
In 2009, officials in Mwanyanya-Mtoni colluded with area Muslims to erect a mosque in place of a planned church building of the EAGZ, Pastor Paulo Kamole Masegi said.
Pastor Masegi had purchased land in April 2007 for a church building in Mwanyanya-Mtoni, and by November of that year he had built a house that served as a temporary worship center, he said. Soon area Muslim residents objected.
In August 2009, local Muslims began to build a mosque just three feet away from the church plot. In November 2009, Pastor Masegi began building a permanent church structure. Angry Muslims invaded the compound and destroyed the structure’s foundation, the pastor said.
Church leaders reported the destruction to police, who took no action – and also refused to release the crime report, so that the case could not go to court, Pastor Masegi said.
Meantime, construction of the mosque was completed in December 2009. The planned church building’s fate appeared to have been sealed earlier this year when Western District Commissioner Ali Mohammed Ali notified Pastor Masegi that he had no right to hold worship in a house.
Zanzibar is the informal designation for the island of Unguja in the Indian Ocean. The Zanzibar archipelago united with Tanganyika to form the present day Tanzania in 1964.
Muslim traders from the Persian Gulf had settled in the region early in the 10th century after monsoon winds propelled them through the Gulf of Aden. The 1964 merger left island Muslims uneasy about Christianity, seeing it as a means by which mainland Tanzania might dominate them, and tensions have persisted.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Muslims burn crosses in Egypt
“The Muslims reportedly set several crucifixes alight and threw stones at the Copts…” Islamic supremacists in Egypt are very different from the KKK, but as they burned crosses in their recent clashes with Copts, their motive is the same as that of the KKK: to intimidate, to frighten. They want to “strike terror into the hearts of the enemies of Allah” (Qur’an 8:60). An update on this story . “Egypt: Coptic pope Shenuda III deplores ‘anti-Christian’ violence,” from AKI , November 24 (thanks to all who sent this in): Egypt’s Coptic Pope Shenuda III on Wednesday deplored the violent clashes with security forces in Cairo’s Giza district when thousands of minority Christians marched to demand permission from the government to build a church. Shenuda III was quoted by pan-Arab daily al-Quds al-Arabi as saying he wanted to “forcibly resist action of this kind.” He said he wanted to “work to restore calm and prevent further acts of violence in the city.” A group of Muslims reportedly gathered in the area of Giza where some 3,000 Coptic Christians were reported to have protested outside the office of the local governor. The Muslims reportedly set several crucifixes alight and threw stones at the Copts….
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Why do Christians remain silent about the persecution of Christians in Muslim-Majority societies?
Christians in Iraq have been, and not for the first time, deliberately targeted in a major terrorist attack. Indeed, from Indonesia to Pakistan to Iraq, from the Gaza Strip to Egypt to Sudan to Nigeria, Christians are being assaulted, intimidated, and murdered by militant Muslims.
RUBINREPORTS BLOGSPOT*
Yet virtually never do Christians in any of these countries-perhaps with some occasional exceptions in India--attack Muslims. In the West, there have been no armed terrorist attacks on Muslims or the deliberate killing of Muslims. There does not exist a single group advocating such behavior.
Have you seen any of this in the Western mass media? Have any Christian church groups-some of which find ample time to criticize Israel-even mentioned this systematic assault? Indeed, on the rare occasions that the emigration of Christians is mentioned, somehow it is blamed on Israel, as one American network news show did recently.
I'm not writing this to complain about double standards, since one takes this problem for granted, but out of sheer puzzlement. Presumably, much of the Western media and intelligentsia-along with a lot of the church leadership, assumes that it is impossible for a non-Western, "non-white" group to ever be prejudiced. There is also a belief that if one dares report the news about pogroms carried about by Muslims against Christians it will trigger pogroms by Christians against Muslims.
The Catholic Church is quiet because it fears that complaints will increase persecution. Indeed, at a recent high-level Synod for the Middle East, leading Catholic clerics from the region blasted Israel and talked about how wonderfully Christians are treated in Muslim-majority countries. Iraq was singled out as a country where there were no problems in Muslim-Christian relations. Apparently, though, appeasement isn't working.
The al-Qaida terrorists said that all Iraqi Christians would be "exterminated" if two "Muslim women" in Egypt were not freed. Apparently, these were two young women, both married to Coptic Christian priests, unlikely candidates for conversion to Islam. They were in fact kidnapped and forcibly converted.
Thus, aggression against Christians is turned into a rationale to persecute Christians, a pattern we have often seen used elsewhere by Islamists. Yet many of the attacks in these countries are not carried out by revolutionary Islamist groups but simply by regular people, sometimes in large groups.
Here's a very partial chronology of such attacks and for the situation in Egypt go here.
According to the Iraqi terrorists' statement, the church was a, "Dirty place of the infidel that Iraqi Christians have long used as a base to fight Islam." Increasingly, Islamists are making it clear that any presence of Christians in Muslim-majority countries is unacceptable, just as the existence of a Jewish state in the Middle East is unacceptable.
I just cannot understand how this factor and these attacks so often go unnoticed, and certainly unprotested. Isn't it time for Christians to try to help their persecuted brethren before they are wiped out--or at least forced to flee--altogether?
PS: I'm tempted to write an article entitled, "Why Do Feminists Remain Silent About the Persecution of Women in Muslim-Majority Societies." But Phyllis Chesler has already covered that subject extensively.
*Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. His latest books are The Israel-Arab Reader (seventh edition), with Walter Laqueur (Viking-Penguin); the paperback edition of The Truth About Syria (Palgrave-Macmillan); A Chronological History of Terrorism, with Judy Colp Rubin, (Sharpe); and The Long War for Freedom: The Arab Struggle for Democracy in the Middle East (Wiley).
RUBINREPORTS BLOGSPOT*
Yet virtually never do Christians in any of these countries-perhaps with some occasional exceptions in India--attack Muslims. In the West, there have been no armed terrorist attacks on Muslims or the deliberate killing of Muslims. There does not exist a single group advocating such behavior.
Have you seen any of this in the Western mass media? Have any Christian church groups-some of which find ample time to criticize Israel-even mentioned this systematic assault? Indeed, on the rare occasions that the emigration of Christians is mentioned, somehow it is blamed on Israel, as one American network news show did recently.
I'm not writing this to complain about double standards, since one takes this problem for granted, but out of sheer puzzlement. Presumably, much of the Western media and intelligentsia-along with a lot of the church leadership, assumes that it is impossible for a non-Western, "non-white" group to ever be prejudiced. There is also a belief that if one dares report the news about pogroms carried about by Muslims against Christians it will trigger pogroms by Christians against Muslims.
The Catholic Church is quiet because it fears that complaints will increase persecution. Indeed, at a recent high-level Synod for the Middle East, leading Catholic clerics from the region blasted Israel and talked about how wonderfully Christians are treated in Muslim-majority countries. Iraq was singled out as a country where there were no problems in Muslim-Christian relations. Apparently, though, appeasement isn't working.
The al-Qaida terrorists said that all Iraqi Christians would be "exterminated" if two "Muslim women" in Egypt were not freed. Apparently, these were two young women, both married to Coptic Christian priests, unlikely candidates for conversion to Islam. They were in fact kidnapped and forcibly converted.
Thus, aggression against Christians is turned into a rationale to persecute Christians, a pattern we have often seen used elsewhere by Islamists. Yet many of the attacks in these countries are not carried out by revolutionary Islamist groups but simply by regular people, sometimes in large groups.
Here's a very partial chronology of such attacks and for the situation in Egypt go here.
According to the Iraqi terrorists' statement, the church was a, "Dirty place of the infidel that Iraqi Christians have long used as a base to fight Islam." Increasingly, Islamists are making it clear that any presence of Christians in Muslim-majority countries is unacceptable, just as the existence of a Jewish state in the Middle East is unacceptable.
I just cannot understand how this factor and these attacks so often go unnoticed, and certainly unprotested. Isn't it time for Christians to try to help their persecuted brethren before they are wiped out--or at least forced to flee--altogether?
PS: I'm tempted to write an article entitled, "Why Do Feminists Remain Silent About the Persecution of Women in Muslim-Majority Societies." But Phyllis Chesler has already covered that subject extensively.
*Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. His latest books are The Israel-Arab Reader (seventh edition), with Walter Laqueur (Viking-Penguin); the paperback edition of The Truth About Syria (Palgrave-Macmillan); A Chronological History of Terrorism, with Judy Colp Rubin, (Sharpe); and The Long War for Freedom: The Arab Struggle for Democracy in the Middle East (Wiley).
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Plight of Sudanese Christians
THE CHRISTIAN POST
When he was seven years old, Francis Bok, a Christian from the southern part of Sudan, was captured and sold into slavery by Arab raiders. Bok spent the next ten years as a slave before escaping.
Eventually, with the help of Christian groups, Bok emigrated to the United States, where he has devoted himself to telling his story and the plight of other Sudanese Christians. Now he is telling an updated version of the tale, one whose ending is yet to be written.
The story concerns a referendum scheduled for January 9, 2011. On that day, the people of southern Sudan will vote on whether to remain a part of Sudan. Even if the run-up of the election had gone smoothly, which it hasn’t, there would still be ample reason to fear what happens after the vote.
One government official has hinted that the government “may not recognize the results” of the referendum. Its stated reason is that the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement hasn’t fulfilled its obligations under the 2005 agreement that ended a 22-year civil war.
That civil war killed at least 2 million people in the south and caused another 4 million to flee their homes. It followed an attempt to impose Shari’a law on Sudan’s Christians and animists. Those who weren’t killed or turned into refuges were often, like Bok, enslaved.
Given this eliminationist history, southerners are expected to vote for independence, and the Sudanese government is expected to balk at letting them go. Not because it’s had a change of heart about its Christian population, but because that population is living atop Sudan’s oil reserves.
That’s the real reason Khartoum won’t recognize the results: If the south goes, it will take Sudan’s economy with it.
The Sudanese government has already proven, both in the south and more recently in Darfur that it is willing to repeatedly commit crimes against humanity to get what it wants. Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, has already been charged with genocide and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.
That’s why Bok is crisscrossing this country warning audiences about the likelihood that catastrophic violence will follow the January 9th referendum. He’s not alone: Secretary of State Clinton has called Sudan a “ticking time bomb.”
More ominously, Dennis Blair, the National Director of Intelligence, told Congress that southern Sudan was the most likely candidate for “a new mass killing or genocide.”
Despite the rhetoric, Bok says that he and his countrymen are worried, and it's right that they are. Because the only way the U.S. will protect Bok's people is if the American people, especially Christians, make it clear that standing by and doing nothing is unacceptable.
That’s why I need you to become informed on this issue-we’ll link you to a few articles at BreakPoint.org; just click on today’s BreakPoint commentary.
You and I have an obligation--after all, for two decades, we've been fighting against the persecution of Christians Southern Sudan. And we were successful under the Bush Administration in getting a peace agreement in 2005. So, I want you to be prepared now to tell your representatives and the Administration they must do the right thing.
Sudanese Christians like Francis Bok are determined not to be enslaved again. The question is: Are we willing to help them safeguard their freedom?
When he was seven years old, Francis Bok, a Christian from the southern part of Sudan, was captured and sold into slavery by Arab raiders. Bok spent the next ten years as a slave before escaping.
Eventually, with the help of Christian groups, Bok emigrated to the United States, where he has devoted himself to telling his story and the plight of other Sudanese Christians. Now he is telling an updated version of the tale, one whose ending is yet to be written.
The story concerns a referendum scheduled for January 9, 2011. On that day, the people of southern Sudan will vote on whether to remain a part of Sudan. Even if the run-up of the election had gone smoothly, which it hasn’t, there would still be ample reason to fear what happens after the vote.
One government official has hinted that the government “may not recognize the results” of the referendum. Its stated reason is that the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement hasn’t fulfilled its obligations under the 2005 agreement that ended a 22-year civil war.
That civil war killed at least 2 million people in the south and caused another 4 million to flee their homes. It followed an attempt to impose Shari’a law on Sudan’s Christians and animists. Those who weren’t killed or turned into refuges were often, like Bok, enslaved.
Given this eliminationist history, southerners are expected to vote for independence, and the Sudanese government is expected to balk at letting them go. Not because it’s had a change of heart about its Christian population, but because that population is living atop Sudan’s oil reserves.
That’s the real reason Khartoum won’t recognize the results: If the south goes, it will take Sudan’s economy with it.
The Sudanese government has already proven, both in the south and more recently in Darfur that it is willing to repeatedly commit crimes against humanity to get what it wants. Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, has already been charged with genocide and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.
That’s why Bok is crisscrossing this country warning audiences about the likelihood that catastrophic violence will follow the January 9th referendum. He’s not alone: Secretary of State Clinton has called Sudan a “ticking time bomb.”
More ominously, Dennis Blair, the National Director of Intelligence, told Congress that southern Sudan was the most likely candidate for “a new mass killing or genocide.”
Despite the rhetoric, Bok says that he and his countrymen are worried, and it's right that they are. Because the only way the U.S. will protect Bok's people is if the American people, especially Christians, make it clear that standing by and doing nothing is unacceptable.
That’s why I need you to become informed on this issue-we’ll link you to a few articles at BreakPoint.org; just click on today’s BreakPoint commentary.
You and I have an obligation--after all, for two decades, we've been fighting against the persecution of Christians Southern Sudan. And we were successful under the Bush Administration in getting a peace agreement in 2005. So, I want you to be prepared now to tell your representatives and the Administration they must do the right thing.
Sudanese Christians like Francis Bok are determined not to be enslaved again. The question is: Are we willing to help them safeguard their freedom?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Christian protester killed in clashes in Egypt
CNN
A Christian protester was killed and dozens others were wounded Wednesday in violent clashes with police that erupted over permission to build a church here.
Egyptian police fired tear gas. The 150 demonstrators answered with Molotov cocktails.
In the aftermath of the melee, the ground in front of a government building in suburban Giza was littered with rocks and knocked-over potted plants.
An Interior Ministry spokesman said 93 people were arrested.
Tensions have been running high between Egypt's Muslim majority and minority Christians who make up about 9 percent of the people.
Copts, who are adherents of an Egyptian sect of Christianity, complain of discrimination, including the lack of freedom to build houses of worship. The government denies those accusations.
However, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has expressed concern that the Egyptian government and media have deliberately promoted sectarian friction ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for December.
"We've seen a clear uptick in recent weeks of incitement coming from media outlets and clerics espousing sectarian hatred and violence," said Leonard Leo, chairman of the independent, bi-partisan commission. "This kind of rhetoric goes too far and stokes the fire of extremists looking for ammunition to justify violent acts against religious minorities."
The commission said that earlier this month, ten Coptic Christian homes and several businesses were burned and looted in Qena province in southern Egypt following rumors of a romantic relationship between a Christian man and Muslim woman.
Security officials imposed a curfew and arrested several Muslims, the commission said.
"Sure! We get killed because we want to build a church in their land BUT, they have the balls to build a mosque where they killed all those people and be animal enough to ask for 911 money. What a mentality these idots have!"
MORE
A Christian protester was killed and dozens others were wounded Wednesday in violent clashes with police that erupted over permission to build a church here.
Egyptian police fired tear gas. The 150 demonstrators answered with Molotov cocktails.
In the aftermath of the melee, the ground in front of a government building in suburban Giza was littered with rocks and knocked-over potted plants.
An Interior Ministry spokesman said 93 people were arrested.
Tensions have been running high between Egypt's Muslim majority and minority Christians who make up about 9 percent of the people.
Copts, who are adherents of an Egyptian sect of Christianity, complain of discrimination, including the lack of freedom to build houses of worship. The government denies those accusations.
However, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has expressed concern that the Egyptian government and media have deliberately promoted sectarian friction ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for December.
"We've seen a clear uptick in recent weeks of incitement coming from media outlets and clerics espousing sectarian hatred and violence," said Leonard Leo, chairman of the independent, bi-partisan commission. "This kind of rhetoric goes too far and stokes the fire of extremists looking for ammunition to justify violent acts against religious minorities."
The commission said that earlier this month, ten Coptic Christian homes and several businesses were burned and looted in Qena province in southern Egypt following rumors of a romantic relationship between a Christian man and Muslim woman.
Security officials imposed a curfew and arrested several Muslims, the commission said.
"Sure! We get killed because we want to build a church in their land BUT, they have the balls to build a mosque where they killed all those people and be animal enough to ask for 911 money. What a mentality these idots have!"
MORE
You're fighting against a theo-political belief system
Lt Col Allen West speaks out on the Islamist ‘perversion of Islam’
When asked about the Islamist terrorists’ 'perversion of the religion of Islam', Lt Col Allen West replies:
Let me say this. I don’t care about being popular – whatever. The first thing you’ve got to do is you’ve got to study and understand who you’re up against. And you must realise that this is not a religion that you’re fighting against: you’re fighting against a theo-political belief system and construct; you’re fighting against something that has been doing this thing since AD 622 – since the seventh century, 1388 years. You want to dig up Charles Martel and ask him why he was fighting the Muslim army at the Battle of Tours in 732; you want to ask the Venetian fleet at Lepanto why they were fighting a Muslim fleet in 1571; you want to ask the Christian – I mean the Germanic and Austrian knights why they were fighting at the Gates of Vienna in 1683; you want to ask people why they fought at Constantinople and why today it’s called Istanbul because they lost that fight in 1453. You need to get into the Qur’an: you need to understand their precepts; you need to read the Sira; you need to read the Hadith, and then you can really understand that this is not a perversion: they are doing exactly what this book says.
I want to close by saying this. And I think we have said this all through this morning so far. Until you get principled leadership in the United States of America that is willing to say that, we will continue to chase our tail because we will never clearly define who this enemy is, and then understand their goals and objectives which is on any jihadist website, and then come up with the right and proper goals and objectives to not only secure our Republic, but to secure Western civilisation.
Lt Col Allen West is the third of four generations in his family to serve in the military. He retired from the US Army in 2004 and is the first African-American Republican Congressman from Florida since a former slave served two terms in the 1870s.
Sharia lessons for pupils aged six: BBC uncovers 'weekend schools' that teach pupils how to hack off thieves' hands
Pupils asked to list the 'reprehensible' qualities of Jews
Around 5,000 children attend a network of 40 schools
Diagrams show children how to hack off hands and feet
Investigation: A BBC Panorama programme has found that around 40 weekend schools are teaching Sharia law to British children as young as six.
Children in Britain are being taught brutal Sharia law punishments, including how to hack off a criminal’s hand or foot.
So-called ‘weekend schools’ for Muslim pupils as young as six also teach that the penalty for gay sex is execution and that ‘Zionists’ are plotting to take over the world for the Jews.
One set textbook challenges youngsters to list the ‘reprehensible’ qualities of Jews.
Another for six-year-olds asks them to answer what happens to someone who dies who is not a believer in Islam. The answer being looked for is ‘hellfire’.
A BBC Panorama investigation, to be screened tonight, identified a network of more than 40 weekend schools teaching around 5,000 children, from age six to 18.
The schools – which offer the hardline Saudi National Curriculum – are run under the umbrella of ‘Saudi Students Clubs and Schools in the UK and Ireland’.
They are not state-funded, and do not use Government buildings. They are able to exploit a loophole which means weekend schools are not inspected by Ofsted.
Last night, experts at the Policy Exchange think-tank warned that similar extremists could seek to exploit the Government’s policy of giving greater freedoms from state control to free schools and academies
Clear message: Education Secretary Michael Gove has said he would not tolerate anti-Semitism and homophobia in English schools.
They call for the establishment of a due diligence unit to check whether those applying to open the schools have an extremist background.
Current checks are largely limited to fraud, criminal convictions and funding.
Education Secretary Michael Gove, who is believed to be supportive of the idea, said he would not tolerate anti-Semitism and homophobia in English schools.
The Panorama investigation identified a book for 15-year-olds being used in the classes which teaches about Sharia law and its punishments.
It says: ‘For thieves their hands will be cut off for a first offence, and their foot for a subsequent offence.’
There are diagrams showing children where cuts must be made. One passage says: ‘The specified punishment of the thief is cutting off his right hand at the wrist. Then it is cauterised to prevent him from bleeding to death.’
For acts of ‘sodomy’, children are told that the penalty is death and it states a difference of opinion whether this should be done by stoning, or burning with fire, or throwing over a cliff.
Panorama alleges that a building used for one of the schools, in Ealing, West London, is owned by the Saudi government.
Mr Gove told the programme: ‘I have no desire or wish to intervene in the decisions that the Saudi government makes in its own education system.
‘But I’m clear that we cannot have anti-Semitic material of any kind being used in English schools. Ofsted are doing some work in this area.
‘They’ll be reporting to me shortly about how we can ensure that part-time provision is better registered and better inspected in the future.’
The text books for 15-year-olds revive the so-called ‘Protocols of the Elders of Zion’, which teach that Zionists want to establish world domination for Jews.
The Saudi text books instruct pupils: ‘The Jews have tried to deny them (the Protocols) but there are many proofs of their veracity and their origin among the elders of Zion.’
The text books say the ‘main goal’ of the ‘Zionist movement’ is ‘for the Jews to have control over the world and its resources’ which, the book allege, Zionists seek to achieve partly by ‘inciting rancour and rivalry among the great powers so that they fight one another.’
Mr Gove said anyone who cites the Protocols of Zion is ‘indulging in one of the oldest and foulest anti Semitic smears that, that we know of’.
In a written response to the findings, the Saudi ambassador said the schools had nothing to do with the Saudi embassy.
It stated: ‘Any tutoring activities that may have taken place among any other group of Muslims in the United Kingdom are absolutely individual to that group and not affiliated to or endorsed by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.’
Referring to the lesson that tasks children to list the ‘reprehensible qualities of the Jews’, in a letter to the BBC, the Saudi ambassador said it was ‘dangerously deceptive and misleading to address such texts and discuss them out of their overall historical, cultural and linguistic contexts’.
Panorama separately claimed some Muslim private schools have expressed extreme sentiments on their school websites.
These include: ‘We need to defend our children from the forces of evil’, and ‘our children are exposed to a culture that is in opposition to almost everything Islam stands for’.
Policy Exchange says Britain’s faith and other schools are increasingly vulnerable to extremist influences.
It claims in a report that the Department for Education, Ofsted, education authorities and schools are ‘not equipped’ to meet such challenges.
Current checks for extremism are described as ‘piecemeal’.
The report adds: ‘The Government’s policy of opening up the education system to new academies and free schools programmes could be exploited unless urgent measures are taken to counter extremist influence.’
WATCH THE VIDEO
Around 5,000 children attend a network of 40 schools
Diagrams show children how to hack off hands and feet
Investigation: A BBC Panorama programme has found that around 40 weekend schools are teaching Sharia law to British children as young as six.
Children in Britain are being taught brutal Sharia law punishments, including how to hack off a criminal’s hand or foot.
So-called ‘weekend schools’ for Muslim pupils as young as six also teach that the penalty for gay sex is execution and that ‘Zionists’ are plotting to take over the world for the Jews.
One set textbook challenges youngsters to list the ‘reprehensible’ qualities of Jews.
Another for six-year-olds asks them to answer what happens to someone who dies who is not a believer in Islam. The answer being looked for is ‘hellfire’.
A BBC Panorama investigation, to be screened tonight, identified a network of more than 40 weekend schools teaching around 5,000 children, from age six to 18.
The schools – which offer the hardline Saudi National Curriculum – are run under the umbrella of ‘Saudi Students Clubs and Schools in the UK and Ireland’.
They are not state-funded, and do not use Government buildings. They are able to exploit a loophole which means weekend schools are not inspected by Ofsted.
Last night, experts at the Policy Exchange think-tank warned that similar extremists could seek to exploit the Government’s policy of giving greater freedoms from state control to free schools and academies
Clear message: Education Secretary Michael Gove has said he would not tolerate anti-Semitism and homophobia in English schools.
They call for the establishment of a due diligence unit to check whether those applying to open the schools have an extremist background.
Current checks are largely limited to fraud, criminal convictions and funding.
Education Secretary Michael Gove, who is believed to be supportive of the idea, said he would not tolerate anti-Semitism and homophobia in English schools.
The Panorama investigation identified a book for 15-year-olds being used in the classes which teaches about Sharia law and its punishments.
It says: ‘For thieves their hands will be cut off for a first offence, and their foot for a subsequent offence.’
There are diagrams showing children where cuts must be made. One passage says: ‘The specified punishment of the thief is cutting off his right hand at the wrist. Then it is cauterised to prevent him from bleeding to death.’
For acts of ‘sodomy’, children are told that the penalty is death and it states a difference of opinion whether this should be done by stoning, or burning with fire, or throwing over a cliff.
Panorama alleges that a building used for one of the schools, in Ealing, West London, is owned by the Saudi government.
Mr Gove told the programme: ‘I have no desire or wish to intervene in the decisions that the Saudi government makes in its own education system.
‘But I’m clear that we cannot have anti-Semitic material of any kind being used in English schools. Ofsted are doing some work in this area.
‘They’ll be reporting to me shortly about how we can ensure that part-time provision is better registered and better inspected in the future.’
The text books for 15-year-olds revive the so-called ‘Protocols of the Elders of Zion’, which teach that Zionists want to establish world domination for Jews.
The Saudi text books instruct pupils: ‘The Jews have tried to deny them (the Protocols) but there are many proofs of their veracity and their origin among the elders of Zion.’
The text books say the ‘main goal’ of the ‘Zionist movement’ is ‘for the Jews to have control over the world and its resources’ which, the book allege, Zionists seek to achieve partly by ‘inciting rancour and rivalry among the great powers so that they fight one another.’
Mr Gove said anyone who cites the Protocols of Zion is ‘indulging in one of the oldest and foulest anti Semitic smears that, that we know of’.
In a written response to the findings, the Saudi ambassador said the schools had nothing to do with the Saudi embassy.
It stated: ‘Any tutoring activities that may have taken place among any other group of Muslims in the United Kingdom are absolutely individual to that group and not affiliated to or endorsed by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.’
Referring to the lesson that tasks children to list the ‘reprehensible qualities of the Jews’, in a letter to the BBC, the Saudi ambassador said it was ‘dangerously deceptive and misleading to address such texts and discuss them out of their overall historical, cultural and linguistic contexts’.
Panorama separately claimed some Muslim private schools have expressed extreme sentiments on their school websites.
These include: ‘We need to defend our children from the forces of evil’, and ‘our children are exposed to a culture that is in opposition to almost everything Islam stands for’.
Policy Exchange says Britain’s faith and other schools are increasingly vulnerable to extremist influences.
It claims in a report that the Department for Education, Ofsted, education authorities and schools are ‘not equipped’ to meet such challenges.
Current checks for extremism are described as ‘piecemeal’.
The report adds: ‘The Government’s policy of opening up the education system to new academies and free schools programmes could be exploited unless urgent measures are taken to counter extremist influence.’
WATCH THE VIDEO
Could you trust Muslims?
After reading like the above school story, or watching videos like this, one comes to the conclusion that Muslims could never be trusted.
Apparently, Quran itself instructs its followers to lie and deceive in the name of promoting Islam. Sure, Muslims will tell you that Islam denounces lies but it is the words of their Prophet himself that specifically allows a member of his cohort to lie in order to slay one of his enemies. and this is of course just one example of the Quran promoting deceit.
One might honestly ask how on earth could a particular religion itself practically teach people to lie if their purpose is to promote the cause of Islam.
This actually explains quite a lot.
It explains how Muslims can promote themselves as peaceful or whatever but when the concentration of Muslims actually becomes considerate in any given country, violence is certain to occur. They are lying. They are either presenting a facade of a peaceful citizen or they are not aware of what Islam really is about. Unfortunately, given the specific instructions in their holy book, it can't be accepted that only the second type exists.
In a rational and healthy world you are supposed to receive from a religion correct values that will make you a member of society. When a religion itself instructs you to be a liar and you fail to denounce this religion, then we are left with no other choice but to label you as a liar and take the appropriate social actions people should take against any liar.
Sure, a Mulsim might say that he does not follow that part of the Quran’s teachings but how do we then know that he is not lying once more in order to appease us until he has enough power over us so as not to care if we consider him a deceiver anymore?
When you own beliefs instruct you to become a liar, then the only way to regain our trust if to denounce these beliefs. Anything less can easily be faked.
MORE
Apparently, Quran itself instructs its followers to lie and deceive in the name of promoting Islam. Sure, Muslims will tell you that Islam denounces lies but it is the words of their Prophet himself that specifically allows a member of his cohort to lie in order to slay one of his enemies. and this is of course just one example of the Quran promoting deceit.
One might honestly ask how on earth could a particular religion itself practically teach people to lie if their purpose is to promote the cause of Islam.
This actually explains quite a lot.
It explains how Muslims can promote themselves as peaceful or whatever but when the concentration of Muslims actually becomes considerate in any given country, violence is certain to occur. They are lying. They are either presenting a facade of a peaceful citizen or they are not aware of what Islam really is about. Unfortunately, given the specific instructions in their holy book, it can't be accepted that only the second type exists.
In a rational and healthy world you are supposed to receive from a religion correct values that will make you a member of society. When a religion itself instructs you to be a liar and you fail to denounce this religion, then we are left with no other choice but to label you as a liar and take the appropriate social actions people should take against any liar.
Sure, a Mulsim might say that he does not follow that part of the Quran’s teachings but how do we then know that he is not lying once more in order to appease us until he has enough power over us so as not to care if we consider him a deceiver anymore?
When you own beliefs instruct you to become a liar, then the only way to regain our trust if to denounce these beliefs. Anything less can easily be faked.
MORE
Muslim principal persecutes Christian teachers -- in America
FRONTPAGEMAGAZINE INTRVIEW
FP: Debbie Schlussel, welcome to Frontpage Interview.
You have recently launched a federal lawsuit against Imad Fadlallah, a Muslim individual who was, until July, the principal of Dearborn's Fordson High School.
Tell us what the lawsuit is about.
Schlussel: Two teachers at Dearborn's Fordson High School, Bryan Purcell and Georgene Stergalas, were repeatedly harassed by the then-Muslim principal Imad Fadlallah. (He has since been replaced by another Muslim principal.) As we've noted in the press release announcing the lawsuit, it was clear that the harassment was brought because these teachers are Christians and not Muslims and because the principal wanted to replace Christian teachers with teachers who are Muslims, Arabs, or Arab Muslims.
Fadlallah has used this tax-funded public school to push Islamic extremism, including giving students the day off and extra credit to campaign against Christian candidates on Election Day and temporarily canceling the prom because it is unIslamic. The school football team also illegally engages in organized Islamic prayer before football games. As we noted in the lawsuit, Fadlallah, who is a cousin of recently-deceased Hezbollah spiritual leader Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, made sure that the teachers were repeatedly scheduled for two classes at the same time at opposite ends of the school, and he recruited Muslim students to harass and report on the teachers, as well as deliberately assigning them the worst students--troublemakers--repeatedly encouraging them to harass these two teachers.
The teachers are both award-winning teachers, but as part of Mr. Fadlallah's harassment of them, he and other school personnel under his domain gave the teachers negative reviews and reports in their records. Mr. Purcell also has Type I Diabetes and, as part of the harassment against him, he was repeatedly told he could not take time out to give himself necessary shots and the school deliberately scheduled classes when he was medically required to eat and take shots.
FP: What is the larger significance of this lawsuit? For instance, if you win, it will be a victory not only for this suit in and of itself, and the same goes for if you are not successful. Tell us about the larger issues that are at stake.
Schlussel: As we've noted in the press release, this is a tax-funded public high school in which Islam is heavily pushed, in blatant violation of the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution and in which religious discrimination against non-Muslims is egregious. Specifically as it relates to the lawsuit, I cannot comment beyond what we've said in the lawsuit and in the press release announcing it (and any further filings as the case goes forward). However, in general, as I've repeatedly noted on my own site, DebbieSchlussel.com, regarding Islamic takeovers of American institutions, there are always--in every fight regarding American society and the direction of tax-funded, public institutions (and private ones)–greater implications beyond just a single school or a region of the country because, as we see more and more cities, neighborhoods, and school districts take in increasingly greater numbers of Islamic immigrants and Muslim adherents born here--but who refuse to absorb into American culture and instead impose their views and religious requirements on others--America can either sit back and take it and lose our country as we know it. Or we can reclaim Western culture and require that tax-funded institutions adhere to the same Separation of Mosque and State as we require for Church and State and Synagogue and State. The long-term survival of the West and Western culture depends on insisting on the latter. I broke the story on my site of the University of Michigan-Dearborn's use of over $100,000 in public money to install Islamic footbaths, and I've broken other stories about the Constitutional violations imposed by Muslims in America, violations that we've accepted and done nothing about. We must fight back. I will be announcing future lawsuits regarding this, very soon.
FP: We support and praise you here at Frontpage for launching this lawsuit, Ms. Schlussel. What can our readers who want to help do?
Schlussel: Because this case is a contingency fee case, I am mostly pursuing it on behalf of my clients for free, until and unless we prevail. I have put many hours into it and continue to do so, all pretty much for free. It is very costly to pursue and we would appreciate all support and help, no matter how small, to help defray the costs of pursuing this litigation. All contributions can be made via Paypal to writedebbie@gmail.com [2]. I appreciate that FrontPageMag has given us this opportunity.
FP: Debbie Schlussel, thank you for joining Frontpage Interview and thank you for being such a courageous freedom fighter and for supporting those in our own society who are being persecuted by the forces of Islamic jihad -- with no one else to defend them.
FP: Debbie Schlussel, welcome to Frontpage Interview.
You have recently launched a federal lawsuit against Imad Fadlallah, a Muslim individual who was, until July, the principal of Dearborn's Fordson High School.
Tell us what the lawsuit is about.
Schlussel: Two teachers at Dearborn's Fordson High School, Bryan Purcell and Georgene Stergalas, were repeatedly harassed by the then-Muslim principal Imad Fadlallah. (He has since been replaced by another Muslim principal.) As we've noted in the press release announcing the lawsuit, it was clear that the harassment was brought because these teachers are Christians and not Muslims and because the principal wanted to replace Christian teachers with teachers who are Muslims, Arabs, or Arab Muslims.
Fadlallah has used this tax-funded public school to push Islamic extremism, including giving students the day off and extra credit to campaign against Christian candidates on Election Day and temporarily canceling the prom because it is unIslamic. The school football team also illegally engages in organized Islamic prayer before football games. As we noted in the lawsuit, Fadlallah, who is a cousin of recently-deceased Hezbollah spiritual leader Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, made sure that the teachers were repeatedly scheduled for two classes at the same time at opposite ends of the school, and he recruited Muslim students to harass and report on the teachers, as well as deliberately assigning them the worst students--troublemakers--repeatedly encouraging them to harass these two teachers.
The teachers are both award-winning teachers, but as part of Mr. Fadlallah's harassment of them, he and other school personnel under his domain gave the teachers negative reviews and reports in their records. Mr. Purcell also has Type I Diabetes and, as part of the harassment against him, he was repeatedly told he could not take time out to give himself necessary shots and the school deliberately scheduled classes when he was medically required to eat and take shots.
FP: What is the larger significance of this lawsuit? For instance, if you win, it will be a victory not only for this suit in and of itself, and the same goes for if you are not successful. Tell us about the larger issues that are at stake.
Schlussel: As we've noted in the press release, this is a tax-funded public high school in which Islam is heavily pushed, in blatant violation of the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution and in which religious discrimination against non-Muslims is egregious. Specifically as it relates to the lawsuit, I cannot comment beyond what we've said in the lawsuit and in the press release announcing it (and any further filings as the case goes forward). However, in general, as I've repeatedly noted on my own site, DebbieSchlussel.com, regarding Islamic takeovers of American institutions, there are always--in every fight regarding American society and the direction of tax-funded, public institutions (and private ones)–greater implications beyond just a single school or a region of the country because, as we see more and more cities, neighborhoods, and school districts take in increasingly greater numbers of Islamic immigrants and Muslim adherents born here--but who refuse to absorb into American culture and instead impose their views and religious requirements on others--America can either sit back and take it and lose our country as we know it. Or we can reclaim Western culture and require that tax-funded institutions adhere to the same Separation of Mosque and State as we require for Church and State and Synagogue and State. The long-term survival of the West and Western culture depends on insisting on the latter. I broke the story on my site of the University of Michigan-Dearborn's use of over $100,000 in public money to install Islamic footbaths, and I've broken other stories about the Constitutional violations imposed by Muslims in America, violations that we've accepted and done nothing about. We must fight back. I will be announcing future lawsuits regarding this, very soon.
FP: We support and praise you here at Frontpage for launching this lawsuit, Ms. Schlussel. What can our readers who want to help do?
Schlussel: Because this case is a contingency fee case, I am mostly pursuing it on behalf of my clients for free, until and unless we prevail. I have put many hours into it and continue to do so, all pretty much for free. It is very costly to pursue and we would appreciate all support and help, no matter how small, to help defray the costs of pursuing this litigation. All contributions can be made via Paypal to writedebbie@gmail.com [2]. I appreciate that FrontPageMag has given us this opportunity.
FP: Debbie Schlussel, thank you for joining Frontpage Interview and thank you for being such a courageous freedom fighter and for supporting those in our own society who are being persecuted by the forces of Islamic jihad -- with no one else to defend them.
Egyptian Security Standoff Over Church Construction
AINA
A Standoff took place on November 22 between Copts and security forces, which stormed the Church of St. Mary and St. Michael, in Talbiya, Giza to stop the construction of the church. It was the second time in less than 10 days that security forces stormed the church premises to seal it off.
The siege began at midnight and lasted until six AM. Priests and parishioners had anticipated the visit from security. "All priests were inside the premises, and a great number of the parishioners were inside the church since 9.00 PM, praying," a witness said.
Security forces surrounded the church and prevented the builders from working, and confiscated four concrete mixing vehicles containing ready-mixed concrete, which were on their way to church. The concrete was spoiled, being kept for over 10 hours, costing a loss of 400.000 Egyptian pounds, reported Wagih Yacoub.
Nearly two thousand Copts came to the church as soon as they heard that security forces had stormed the church and are continuing their sit-ins and demonstrations in front of the church until the matter is resolved.
Protestors are adamant that they have all necessary construction permits, condemning the decision of the chief of the local authorities in Omraniya to stop work on the church, which is nearly complete except for the domes.
One of the building contractors told Ms. Hekmat Hanna, a reporter at the scene, that every now and then security comes to hamper our work because they do not want the church to "show." Also "for the police officers and district officials to come so late at night, shows that what they are doing is wrong."
Dr. Naguib Ghobrial, President of the Egyptian Union of Human Rights, issued a statement today calling for the dismissal of the chief of the local authorities in Omraniya, who issued the order. "The church has all the permits, and by this behavior the chief of the local authority is encouraging Islamists to fight with the Christians because of the Church and therefore causing sedition."
The crisis started on November 11 as the church was in its final finishing stages and the builders were completing the roof, when security forces stormed the church and wanted to close it down, under the pretext that the building is not in accordance with the drawings presented. Three days earlier, the authorities at Omraniya came under the pretext of completing the papers for the construction work and found that builders were building a second staircase, as well as toilets, which they considered to be in violation of the permit granted.
According to church authorities, it was the Civil Defense authorities who asked the church to erect a second staircase to relieve congestion inside the church in case of emergencies, and the necessary permit amendments were made.
More than one million Copts live in the Talbiya area, without a single church to serve them, having to travel for miles every Sunday with their children to the nearest church. Until now the building of the new church came to more than 7 million Egyptian pounds, all collected from donations of the local Copts.
Samira Ibrahim Shehata a volunteer worker at the church, who had been keeping guard at the Church premises since November 11, said, "I want to know why a hundred mosques can be built, and not one church can be built. I believe that State Security is the root of all evil."
It was also reported that the Governor of Giza is going to the church premises to negotiate with the thousands of Copts from Talbiya and Giza who are still continuing their sit-in in front of the church.
A Standoff took place on November 22 between Copts and security forces, which stormed the Church of St. Mary and St. Michael, in Talbiya, Giza to stop the construction of the church. It was the second time in less than 10 days that security forces stormed the church premises to seal it off.
The siege began at midnight and lasted until six AM. Priests and parishioners had anticipated the visit from security. "All priests were inside the premises, and a great number of the parishioners were inside the church since 9.00 PM, praying," a witness said.
Security forces surrounded the church and prevented the builders from working, and confiscated four concrete mixing vehicles containing ready-mixed concrete, which were on their way to church. The concrete was spoiled, being kept for over 10 hours, costing a loss of 400.000 Egyptian pounds, reported Wagih Yacoub.
Nearly two thousand Copts came to the church as soon as they heard that security forces had stormed the church and are continuing their sit-ins and demonstrations in front of the church until the matter is resolved.
Protestors are adamant that they have all necessary construction permits, condemning the decision of the chief of the local authorities in Omraniya to stop work on the church, which is nearly complete except for the domes.
One of the building contractors told Ms. Hekmat Hanna, a reporter at the scene, that every now and then security comes to hamper our work because they do not want the church to "show." Also "for the police officers and district officials to come so late at night, shows that what they are doing is wrong."
Dr. Naguib Ghobrial, President of the Egyptian Union of Human Rights, issued a statement today calling for the dismissal of the chief of the local authorities in Omraniya, who issued the order. "The church has all the permits, and by this behavior the chief of the local authority is encouraging Islamists to fight with the Christians because of the Church and therefore causing sedition."
The crisis started on November 11 as the church was in its final finishing stages and the builders were completing the roof, when security forces stormed the church and wanted to close it down, under the pretext that the building is not in accordance with the drawings presented. Three days earlier, the authorities at Omraniya came under the pretext of completing the papers for the construction work and found that builders were building a second staircase, as well as toilets, which they considered to be in violation of the permit granted.
According to church authorities, it was the Civil Defense authorities who asked the church to erect a second staircase to relieve congestion inside the church in case of emergencies, and the necessary permit amendments were made.
More than one million Copts live in the Talbiya area, without a single church to serve them, having to travel for miles every Sunday with their children to the nearest church. Until now the building of the new church came to more than 7 million Egyptian pounds, all collected from donations of the local Copts.
Samira Ibrahim Shehata a volunteer worker at the church, who had been keeping guard at the Church premises since November 11, said, "I want to know why a hundred mosques can be built, and not one church can be built. I believe that State Security is the root of all evil."
It was also reported that the Governor of Giza is going to the church premises to negotiate with the thousands of Copts from Talbiya and Giza who are still continuing their sit-in in front of the church.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
School Textbooks in the Muslim world incite hatred & violence against non-Muslims
The ongoing war with Islam will remain futile unless the rest of the world forces Saudi Arabia and the other Arab oil countries on the Persian Gulf to remove hatred and violence from their school textbooks. The root causes of Islamic terror must be rooted out. This is not an internal issue and has nothing to do with freedom of speech. It impacts all of us and the world peace at large.
Many textbooks in Muslim countries assert that it is permissible for a Muslim to kill an "apostate," an "adulterer," those practicing "major polytheism". They promote global jihad as an "effort to wage war against the unbelievers," including for the purpose of "calling [infidels] to the faith." They continue to teach that "the hour [of judgment] will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them," that Shiite practices amount to "polytheism", that the Christian Crusades never ended, and that the Protocols of the Elders of Zion are historical fact.
Saudi Arabia has long sought to be the leading Islamic power and the protector of the faith, a claim asserted in the Saudi Basic Law. With its vast oil wealth and the religious legitimacy derived from its custodianship of the two Islamic holy shrines and control of the pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia's long-term ambitions are now within reach. Even as its official doctrine and school books remain rooted in Wahhabism, the blend of the harsh desert traditions and severe Islamic interpretations of its past, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to be the authoritative voice of world Islam, with the King as a type of Islamic pope.
The Saudi ideological export is having an effect. Saudi Wahhabi extremism threatens to become a mainstream or even the dominant expression of Islam among the world's 1.3 billion Muslims. Wahhabi thought and customs are taking root in Muslim communities from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, to Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan, India and elsewhere.
Some passages from a Kuwaiti school textbook taught at the first secondary grade. Here is an English translation of passages from the book, "Jurisprudence", page 38:
Who is, or who is not, punished in a Muslim society:
*A Muslim who kills an apostate or someone who commits adultery against an infidel is not punished.
* If a Muslim kills an infidel or a slave, he is not punished.
* If a Muslim man, father, or grandfather kills someone from his offspring, he is not punished.
Here is an English translation of some passages from school textbooks in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia:
A fourth grade textbook on Monotheism and Religion instructs students:
"Any other religion other than Islam is invalid (false)." (P. 29 )
"Hate (yakrah) the polytheists and the infidels" as a requirement of "true faith." (P. 86)
5th Grade. Book: Monotheism and Religion:
*"Every religion other than Islam is invalid." (P. 33)
*"It is not permitted to be a loyal to non-Muslims, and to those who oppose God and His Prophet." (P. 14)
*"Whoever obeys the Prophet and accepts the oneness of God cannot be loyal to those who oppose God and His Prophet, even if they are his closest relatives." (P. 71)
*"A Muslim, even if he lives far away, is your brother in religion. Someone who opposes God, even if he is your brother by family tie, is your enemy in religion." (P. 73)
*"Just as Muslims were successful in the past when they came together in a sincere endeavor to evict the Christian crusaders from Palestine, so will the Arabs and Muslims emerge victorious, God willing, against the Jews and their allies if they stand together and fight a true jihad for God, for this is within God's power." (P. 75)
*"Jews are the people of the Sabbath, whose young people God turned into apes, and whose old people God turned into swine to punish them." "As cited in Ibn Abbas: The apes are Jews, the keepers of the Sabbath; while the swine are the Christian infidels of the communion of Jesus." (P. 83)
*"The clash between our [Muslim] community (umma) and the Jews and Christians has endured, and it will continue as long as God wills. In this hadith, Muhammad gives us an example of the battle between the Muslims and the Jews." (P. 113)
*"Narrated by Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet said, the hour [of judgment] will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them. [It will not come] until the Jew hides behind rocks and trees. [It will not come] until the rocks or the trees say, 'O Muslim! O servant of God! There is a Jew behind me. Come and kill him.'." (P. 114)
*"Muslims will triumph because they are right. He who is right is always victorious, even if most people are against him." (P. 117)
"A woman who shows in public any part of her body except that of her eyes will be punished by hellfire by almighty Allah." (P. 194)
"The infidels have established Christian hospitals and clinics and send medics all over the world. As one of the Christianizers said, 'Where you find people, you find pain. And where there's pain, there's a need for a doctor. And where there's a need for a doctor, there's an appropriate opportunity for missionary activity [Christianization].'" (P. 163)
"The infidels have founded many schools and universities in the Muslim world at various educational levels. These include: the American Universities of Beirut and Cairo, the Jesuit University, Robert College in Istanbul, Gordon [Memorial] College in Khartoum, and others too numerous to mention. (P. 186)
Teacher's Manual:
Grade 5:
Teach that after their death, non-Muslims will be sent to hell. (P. 30)
Quiz: Is it permissible to love the Jews and Christians? Of course no. Explain why. (P. 15)
Grade 8:
*Command Muslims to "hate" Christians, Jews, polytheists and other "unbelievers," including non-devout Muslims." (P. 14)
*Teach that the Crusades never ended, and identify the American Universities in Beirut and in Cairo, other Western and Christian social service providers, media outlets, centers for academic studies of Orientalism, and campaigns for women's rights as part of the modern phase of the Crusades. (P. 15)
*Teach that "the Jews and the Christians are enemies of the [Muslim] believers" (P. 16) and that "the clash between the two realms "continues until the Day of Resurrection." (P. 18)
*Instruct students not to "greet," "befriend," "imitate," "show loyalty to," "be courteous to", or "respect" non-believers. (P. 24)
Grade 9:
*Define jihad to include "wrestling with the infidels by calling them to the faith and battling against them," (P. 25) and assert that the spread of Islam through jihad is a "religious obligation." (P. 26) [the word qital, translated here as "battle," is derived from the verb qatala, "to kill," and is virtually never used metaphorically.]
*Instruct that "the struggle between Muslims and Jews" will continue "until the hour [of judgment]" and that "Muslims will triumph because they are right" and "he who is right is always victorious." (P. 27)
Grade 10:
*Cite a selective teaching of violence against Jews, while in the same lesson, ignoring the passages of the Quran and hadeeths [narratives of the life of the Prophet, Peace be upon Him, that counsel tolerance. (P. 28)
*Teach the Protocols of the Elders of Zion as historical fact and relate modern events to it. (P. 29)
*Discuss Jews in violent terms, blaming them for virtually all the "subversion" and wars of the modern world. (P. 30)
*"Give examples of false religions, like Judaism, Christianity, paganism, etc." (P. 66)
*"Explain that when someone dies outside of Islam, hellfire is his fate." (P. 67)
By the way, over 20 Saudi schools, each chaired by the local ambassador from Saudi Arabia, are located throughout the world, in Addis Abeba, Algiers,, Ankara, Beijing, Djibouti, Islamabad, Istanbul, Jakarta, Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, Berlin, Bonn, London, Madrid, Moscow, Paris, Rabat, Rome, Tunis and Washington.
In fact, you can find some of the above stuff in many school textbooks in all the Arab Gulf countries, Egypt, Kuwait, The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan. Fourteen-year-old boys' and girls' brains are stuffed with intolerance, animosity towards other religions and their followers.
MORE
Saudi Arabia's Curriculum of Intolerance
Many textbooks in Muslim countries assert that it is permissible for a Muslim to kill an "apostate," an "adulterer," those practicing "major polytheism". They promote global jihad as an "effort to wage war against the unbelievers," including for the purpose of "calling [infidels] to the faith." They continue to teach that "the hour [of judgment] will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them," that Shiite practices amount to "polytheism", that the Christian Crusades never ended, and that the Protocols of the Elders of Zion are historical fact.
Saudi Arabia has long sought to be the leading Islamic power and the protector of the faith, a claim asserted in the Saudi Basic Law. With its vast oil wealth and the religious legitimacy derived from its custodianship of the two Islamic holy shrines and control of the pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia's long-term ambitions are now within reach. Even as its official doctrine and school books remain rooted in Wahhabism, the blend of the harsh desert traditions and severe Islamic interpretations of its past, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to be the authoritative voice of world Islam, with the King as a type of Islamic pope.
The Saudi ideological export is having an effect. Saudi Wahhabi extremism threatens to become a mainstream or even the dominant expression of Islam among the world's 1.3 billion Muslims. Wahhabi thought and customs are taking root in Muslim communities from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, to Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan, India and elsewhere.
Some passages from a Kuwaiti school textbook taught at the first secondary grade. Here is an English translation of passages from the book, "Jurisprudence", page 38:
Who is, or who is not, punished in a Muslim society:
*A Muslim who kills an apostate or someone who commits adultery against an infidel is not punished.
* If a Muslim kills an infidel or a slave, he is not punished.
* If a Muslim man, father, or grandfather kills someone from his offspring, he is not punished.
Here is an English translation of some passages from school textbooks in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia:
A fourth grade textbook on Monotheism and Religion instructs students:
"Any other religion other than Islam is invalid (false)." (P. 29 )
"Hate (yakrah) the polytheists and the infidels" as a requirement of "true faith." (P. 86)
5th Grade. Book: Monotheism and Religion:
*"Every religion other than Islam is invalid." (P. 33)
*"It is not permitted to be a loyal to non-Muslims, and to those who oppose God and His Prophet." (P. 14)
*"Whoever obeys the Prophet and accepts the oneness of God cannot be loyal to those who oppose God and His Prophet, even if they are his closest relatives." (P. 71)
*"A Muslim, even if he lives far away, is your brother in religion. Someone who opposes God, even if he is your brother by family tie, is your enemy in religion." (P. 73)
*"Just as Muslims were successful in the past when they came together in a sincere endeavor to evict the Christian crusaders from Palestine, so will the Arabs and Muslims emerge victorious, God willing, against the Jews and their allies if they stand together and fight a true jihad for God, for this is within God's power." (P. 75)
*"Jews are the people of the Sabbath, whose young people God turned into apes, and whose old people God turned into swine to punish them." "As cited in Ibn Abbas: The apes are Jews, the keepers of the Sabbath; while the swine are the Christian infidels of the communion of Jesus." (P. 83)
*"The clash between our [Muslim] community (umma) and the Jews and Christians has endured, and it will continue as long as God wills. In this hadith, Muhammad gives us an example of the battle between the Muslims and the Jews." (P. 113)
*"Narrated by Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet said, the hour [of judgment] will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them. [It will not come] until the Jew hides behind rocks and trees. [It will not come] until the rocks or the trees say, 'O Muslim! O servant of God! There is a Jew behind me. Come and kill him.'." (P. 114)
*"Muslims will triumph because they are right. He who is right is always victorious, even if most people are against him." (P. 117)
"A woman who shows in public any part of her body except that of her eyes will be punished by hellfire by almighty Allah." (P. 194)
"The infidels have established Christian hospitals and clinics and send medics all over the world. As one of the Christianizers said, 'Where you find people, you find pain. And where there's pain, there's a need for a doctor. And where there's a need for a doctor, there's an appropriate opportunity for missionary activity [Christianization].'" (P. 163)
"The infidels have founded many schools and universities in the Muslim world at various educational levels. These include: the American Universities of Beirut and Cairo, the Jesuit University, Robert College in Istanbul, Gordon [Memorial] College in Khartoum, and others too numerous to mention. (P. 186)
Teacher's Manual:
Grade 5:
Teach that after their death, non-Muslims will be sent to hell. (P. 30)
Quiz: Is it permissible to love the Jews and Christians? Of course no. Explain why. (P. 15)
Grade 8:
*Command Muslims to "hate" Christians, Jews, polytheists and other "unbelievers," including non-devout Muslims." (P. 14)
*Teach that the Crusades never ended, and identify the American Universities in Beirut and in Cairo, other Western and Christian social service providers, media outlets, centers for academic studies of Orientalism, and campaigns for women's rights as part of the modern phase of the Crusades. (P. 15)
*Teach that "the Jews and the Christians are enemies of the [Muslim] believers" (P. 16) and that "the clash between the two realms "continues until the Day of Resurrection." (P. 18)
*Instruct students not to "greet," "befriend," "imitate," "show loyalty to," "be courteous to", or "respect" non-believers. (P. 24)
Grade 9:
*Define jihad to include "wrestling with the infidels by calling them to the faith and battling against them," (P. 25) and assert that the spread of Islam through jihad is a "religious obligation." (P. 26) [the word qital, translated here as "battle," is derived from the verb qatala, "to kill," and is virtually never used metaphorically.]
*Instruct that "the struggle between Muslims and Jews" will continue "until the hour [of judgment]" and that "Muslims will triumph because they are right" and "he who is right is always victorious." (P. 27)
Grade 10:
*Cite a selective teaching of violence against Jews, while in the same lesson, ignoring the passages of the Quran and hadeeths [narratives of the life of the Prophet, Peace be upon Him, that counsel tolerance. (P. 28)
*Teach the Protocols of the Elders of Zion as historical fact and relate modern events to it. (P. 29)
*Discuss Jews in violent terms, blaming them for virtually all the "subversion" and wars of the modern world. (P. 30)
*"Give examples of false religions, like Judaism, Christianity, paganism, etc." (P. 66)
*"Explain that when someone dies outside of Islam, hellfire is his fate." (P. 67)
By the way, over 20 Saudi schools, each chaired by the local ambassador from Saudi Arabia, are located throughout the world, in Addis Abeba, Algiers,, Ankara, Beijing, Djibouti, Islamabad, Istanbul, Jakarta, Karachi, Kuala Lumpur, Berlin, Bonn, London, Madrid, Moscow, Paris, Rabat, Rome, Tunis and Washington.
In fact, you can find some of the above stuff in many school textbooks in all the Arab Gulf countries, Egypt, Kuwait, The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan. Fourteen-year-old boys' and girls' brains are stuffed with intolerance, animosity towards other religions and their followers.
MORE
Saudi Arabia's Curriculum of Intolerance
Muslims torch Christian homes in Southern Egypt
Muslims set fire overnight to at least 10 houses belonging to Coptic Christians in a village in southern Egypt over rumors that a Christian resident had an affair with a Muslim girl, security officials said Tuesday.
The officials said security forces have sealed off the village of al-Nawahid in Qena province, some 290 miles south of Cairo, to prevent the violence from spreading to neighboring towns. They said several people were arrested.
The attacks started after locals spotted a young Copt and a Muslim girl together at night inside the village cemetery, the officials said. They added that both were put under police custody as authorities investigate.
MORE
The officials said security forces have sealed off the village of al-Nawahid in Qena province, some 290 miles south of Cairo, to prevent the violence from spreading to neighboring towns. They said several people were arrested.
The attacks started after locals spotted a young Copt and a Muslim girl together at night inside the village cemetery, the officials said. They added that both were put under police custody as authorities investigate.
MORE
Monday, November 15, 2010
Islamic world domination
The question is not whether terrorism is now a world-wide reality, but why is terrorism happening at all? And, is it possible to thwart the activities of the Islamic extremists?
To understand how to deal with an enemy, one must first seek to understand the issues. What is their motivation? Do they have a goal?
Who are these people? Why are they willing to go to such desperate lengths? Why are their own lives apparently expendable? Why do they target innocent civilians who have no direct conflict with them, and have no understanding of their agenda? Why attack office towers? Why attack buses carrying innocent, unarmed civilians? Why disguise themselves as normal passengers, or shoppers, or college students? Why hide in the everyday crowd, then attempt to perpetrate as much carnage and damage as possible? How do you fight an enemy you cannot identify until it is too late?
Why are all these attacks committed by Islamic adherents? Is this only coincidence, as some would make us believe? Would it not be expedient to pay some attention to the Islamic religious orientation, and ask some searching questions?
In a multi-cultural tolerant society we embrace diversity. On the surface this is an applaudable virtue. However, the Islamic terrorists are taking advantage of our propensity to be accepting, and are wielding our ideological “freedom for all” against us! They hide within their own religious people, most of whom, on the surface at least, appear to be peaceful. They also know it is unacceptable for the rest of the tolerant population to single out one religion for vilification. While we are busy bending over backward to make certain religious freedom is available to all, those of a religious orientation that desires to destroy all other religions, operate from within that freedom and safety to wage war against us!
And, it matters not whether others of their own Islamic faith are marginalized, or attacked, or even murdered, so long as the goal is ultimately reached. Muslim against Muslim is perfectly acceptable, and apparently even necessary! We observe this being played out in Iraq where militants are attacking other Muslims, simply because they align themselves with those who promote peace and democracy. This is not merely a conflict between one group of Muslims and another, or even simply between Muslim and those of other faiths, although that is used as an excuse. Rather it is a martyrdom ideology, where life is expendable, and loss of ones life is desirable in pursuit of the cause.
We view this as extreme, but in their belief system, it is the ultimate jihad to be shahid, or to cause other Muslims to be shahid in the name of Allah.
The terrorists are not simply fighting against the West and democracy. They are not simply fighting against Jews and Christians. Rather, these are necessary conflicts in their view, to further their Islamic world-wide cause. They are for peace, but only on their terms, which means when Islam rules the world there will be peace. Until that day, jihad must be performed in the name of Allah.
The so-called terrorists are not insane. Neither are they fringe. Rather, they are the military “troops” for Islam! The rank and file are on a different level in the jihad, but none-the-less are equally as dangerous, because they soften up the unsuspecting masses by being peaceful law-abiding citizens who simply wish to live and let live. These fortunately honestly are peaceful citizens, and yet they also are misunderstood in relation to the greater Islamic picture They have no desire to blow themselves, or others, to smitherines! But they, and we, are being deceived by this peacefulness! Their peace is a jihad, because it allows Islam to infiltrate society. Once Islam becomes an accepted part of society, the more extreme jihad forces are able to begin operating. That is the strategy now taking place in Britain, in Europe, and in America! This is war through first wielding “peace”as the weapon of choice, and it is obviously very effective!
How can “peace “be used to destroy many? We are seeing this phenomonon even now, as so-called peaceful Islam is waging an insideous jihad against all that is democratic, or of other religious persuasions, or even of alternate Islamic groups.
There will soon arise a world ruler who will use peace to destroy and subjugate many nations. Bit this ruler will not suddenly arise out of thin air! He will rise to power because of an ideology, a religious/ political system which is aligned against the Jews, Christians, and all who are considered infidels and dhimmies. He specifically comes against the “Prince of princes.” Who is the “Prince of princes,” and why is he antagonistic toward him in particular? The “Prince of princes” is the Prince of Peace, Moshiach, who is to rule the nations from Jerusalem. This Prince of Peace is ethnically a Jew, and the Muslims know he is to come. Therefore they have a burning motivation to annihilate the Jews to prevent his arrival on the world stage! They are on a jihad to prevent Messiah from ruling the world. They desire instead to make sure Islam rules the world.
This thinking influenced the “Final Solution!” that Hitler tried to implement during WWII. Not commonly reported is the fact that Hitler had close connections to the Islamic world through the Imam of Jerusalem. A major portion of Hitler’s military was headed by Muslims. The Holocaust takes on a rather different twist when we consider this connection! Why would there be need for a “Final Solution?” Why would annihilating the Jews be a “Final Solution?” What was the “Jewish question?” Hitler feared the Jews had plans to take over the world! The “solution?” Rid the world of all Jews. Prevent them from producing the Messiah! Where did he get this idea from? Not from his own head, but from Islam! Hitler was not insane! Hitler was indoctrinated! Did Hitler embrace Islam? Not entirely, but Islam influenced his world-view.
The Ottoman Empire of Islam had been slowly but surely taking over Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and had designs on taking over Russia and Western Europe. World War I halted the Islamic quest for world domination in its tracks, but it was not completely knocked out. Although most of the territory administered by the Ottoman Empire was taken over by the British during the course of World War I, the Islamic ideology was not dealt a death-blow, but went underground. By the time Hitler arose on the scene, the Islamic goals were well on the way to regrouping. Hitler’s Mein Kampf, and the forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, gained popularity throughout eastern, then western Europe, and prepared the groundwork for Hitler’s Holocaust “Final Solution” to “the Jewish question.” World War II dealt a decisive blow to Hitler’s regime, and won a great victory for freedom. However, the sinister ideologies behind Nazism, Fascism, and Islam were not annihilated. Hitler tried to deal with the nations head-on, army to army. His strategy did not work! What we are now witnessing, and experiencing, is a third wave of a bid for Islamic dominance, but this time, it is not taking the form of huge armies fighting other huge armies, instead, the war is being waged in a manner that is sinister, diabolical, and underhanded. There are no clearly identifiable enemy troops. Rather, the tact this time is to subvert, infiltrate, and from a clandestine position, gain ground through terror tactics. In essence, the world is now fighting World War III, but we haven’t recognized it yet!
The Islamic connection has again reared it’s head, and interestingly is being fed again by Hitler’s Mein Kampf, and The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which are best sellers in Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, and other Islamic nations. So, is Nazism dead? Absolutely not!! Unfortunately, it was not killed along with the soldiers of World War II, but rather is reviving again in the form of the terrorists, and the Neo-Nazis, most of whom also are Muslims! The Nazi/ Muslim connection is still alive and very strong! Unfortunately, most western world leaders fail to recognize the threat for what it is, but are resting in the shadow of the World War II victory, not realizing the monster was only knocked unconscious, not eliminated! In fact, most do not want to positively identify the Islamic connection!
We are in danger of being subjugated to the ideology of Islamic world domination. The Jews are again in grave danger, and so are all Christians, along with the nations and societies that are democratic. The Ottoman Empire failed. Hitler’s “Final solution”and his Third Reich failed. The Islamic quest has no intention of failing a third time! “First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people,” is not simply their slogan, but their strategy!
Do all Muslims believe in the insidious multi-level jihad? Absolutely! They are well aware that the ultimate goal of Islam, in obedience to Allah, is world domination. Most however, are not willing to be part of the militant terrorist and shahid forces. In fact, the majority of Muslims are embarrassed by suicide bombers, and the destructive terrorist activities. They would rather bring in world wide Islamic rule through peaceful means, such as through infiltration and winning converts. However, we must understand that the line between being a peaceful Muslim citizen, and becoming a terrorist or a shahid in the cause, is merely ideological. Some are willing to pick up the gauntlet because of their personalities, and their religious fervor. The problem is that it is impossible to accurately pick out from among them who desires to become a terrorist, or who a shahid. That is why an apparently upright peaceful productive chemist can suddenly appear to flip-out, and become the brains behind the bombs. That is why an apparent loving teacher and father can become a suicide bomber. The cause is greater than the life of the individual, and certainly greater than the lives of other Muslims, or of innocent non-Muslims.
So, how do we fight an ideology of death, destruction, disruption, and hate? The truth is, when such an enemy hides among the population, and attacks the innocent and unsuspecting, it is next thing to impossible. We can set up security cameras, send out security forces, check bags, ask questions, use electronics, but this enemy wears the best and most effective camouflage — they look normal.
Our only real defense is to pay attention to their rhetoric. Do not dismiss their Imam’s sermons as being the rantings of misguided religious crackpots. They are influencing and motivating the suicide bombers, and recruiting mostly idealistic youth to perpetrate their atrocities, offering promises of the excesses of the Islamic Paradise. They will deny they are being inflammatory, but rather they try to point out they are only giving sermons on their religious views, which is absolutely true, and that is why their words are so dangerous!
To understand how to deal with an enemy, one must first seek to understand the issues. What is their motivation? Do they have a goal?
Who are these people? Why are they willing to go to such desperate lengths? Why are their own lives apparently expendable? Why do they target innocent civilians who have no direct conflict with them, and have no understanding of their agenda? Why attack office towers? Why attack buses carrying innocent, unarmed civilians? Why disguise themselves as normal passengers, or shoppers, or college students? Why hide in the everyday crowd, then attempt to perpetrate as much carnage and damage as possible? How do you fight an enemy you cannot identify until it is too late?
Why are all these attacks committed by Islamic adherents? Is this only coincidence, as some would make us believe? Would it not be expedient to pay some attention to the Islamic religious orientation, and ask some searching questions?
In a multi-cultural tolerant society we embrace diversity. On the surface this is an applaudable virtue. However, the Islamic terrorists are taking advantage of our propensity to be accepting, and are wielding our ideological “freedom for all” against us! They hide within their own religious people, most of whom, on the surface at least, appear to be peaceful. They also know it is unacceptable for the rest of the tolerant population to single out one religion for vilification. While we are busy bending over backward to make certain religious freedom is available to all, those of a religious orientation that desires to destroy all other religions, operate from within that freedom and safety to wage war against us!
And, it matters not whether others of their own Islamic faith are marginalized, or attacked, or even murdered, so long as the goal is ultimately reached. Muslim against Muslim is perfectly acceptable, and apparently even necessary! We observe this being played out in Iraq where militants are attacking other Muslims, simply because they align themselves with those who promote peace and democracy. This is not merely a conflict between one group of Muslims and another, or even simply between Muslim and those of other faiths, although that is used as an excuse. Rather it is a martyrdom ideology, where life is expendable, and loss of ones life is desirable in pursuit of the cause.
We view this as extreme, but in their belief system, it is the ultimate jihad to be shahid, or to cause other Muslims to be shahid in the name of Allah.
The terrorists are not simply fighting against the West and democracy. They are not simply fighting against Jews and Christians. Rather, these are necessary conflicts in their view, to further their Islamic world-wide cause. They are for peace, but only on their terms, which means when Islam rules the world there will be peace. Until that day, jihad must be performed in the name of Allah.
The so-called terrorists are not insane. Neither are they fringe. Rather, they are the military “troops” for Islam! The rank and file are on a different level in the jihad, but none-the-less are equally as dangerous, because they soften up the unsuspecting masses by being peaceful law-abiding citizens who simply wish to live and let live. These fortunately honestly are peaceful citizens, and yet they also are misunderstood in relation to the greater Islamic picture They have no desire to blow themselves, or others, to smitherines! But they, and we, are being deceived by this peacefulness! Their peace is a jihad, because it allows Islam to infiltrate society. Once Islam becomes an accepted part of society, the more extreme jihad forces are able to begin operating. That is the strategy now taking place in Britain, in Europe, and in America! This is war through first wielding “peace”as the weapon of choice, and it is obviously very effective!
How can “peace “be used to destroy many? We are seeing this phenomonon even now, as so-called peaceful Islam is waging an insideous jihad against all that is democratic, or of other religious persuasions, or even of alternate Islamic groups.
There will soon arise a world ruler who will use peace to destroy and subjugate many nations. Bit this ruler will not suddenly arise out of thin air! He will rise to power because of an ideology, a religious/ political system which is aligned against the Jews, Christians, and all who are considered infidels and dhimmies. He specifically comes against the “Prince of princes.” Who is the “Prince of princes,” and why is he antagonistic toward him in particular? The “Prince of princes” is the Prince of Peace, Moshiach, who is to rule the nations from Jerusalem. This Prince of Peace is ethnically a Jew, and the Muslims know he is to come. Therefore they have a burning motivation to annihilate the Jews to prevent his arrival on the world stage! They are on a jihad to prevent Messiah from ruling the world. They desire instead to make sure Islam rules the world.
This thinking influenced the “Final Solution!” that Hitler tried to implement during WWII. Not commonly reported is the fact that Hitler had close connections to the Islamic world through the Imam of Jerusalem. A major portion of Hitler’s military was headed by Muslims. The Holocaust takes on a rather different twist when we consider this connection! Why would there be need for a “Final Solution?” Why would annihilating the Jews be a “Final Solution?” What was the “Jewish question?” Hitler feared the Jews had plans to take over the world! The “solution?” Rid the world of all Jews. Prevent them from producing the Messiah! Where did he get this idea from? Not from his own head, but from Islam! Hitler was not insane! Hitler was indoctrinated! Did Hitler embrace Islam? Not entirely, but Islam influenced his world-view.
The Ottoman Empire of Islam had been slowly but surely taking over Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and had designs on taking over Russia and Western Europe. World War I halted the Islamic quest for world domination in its tracks, but it was not completely knocked out. Although most of the territory administered by the Ottoman Empire was taken over by the British during the course of World War I, the Islamic ideology was not dealt a death-blow, but went underground. By the time Hitler arose on the scene, the Islamic goals were well on the way to regrouping. Hitler’s Mein Kampf, and the forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, gained popularity throughout eastern, then western Europe, and prepared the groundwork for Hitler’s Holocaust “Final Solution” to “the Jewish question.” World War II dealt a decisive blow to Hitler’s regime, and won a great victory for freedom. However, the sinister ideologies behind Nazism, Fascism, and Islam were not annihilated. Hitler tried to deal with the nations head-on, army to army. His strategy did not work! What we are now witnessing, and experiencing, is a third wave of a bid for Islamic dominance, but this time, it is not taking the form of huge armies fighting other huge armies, instead, the war is being waged in a manner that is sinister, diabolical, and underhanded. There are no clearly identifiable enemy troops. Rather, the tact this time is to subvert, infiltrate, and from a clandestine position, gain ground through terror tactics. In essence, the world is now fighting World War III, but we haven’t recognized it yet!
The Islamic connection has again reared it’s head, and interestingly is being fed again by Hitler’s Mein Kampf, and The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, which are best sellers in Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, and other Islamic nations. So, is Nazism dead? Absolutely not!! Unfortunately, it was not killed along with the soldiers of World War II, but rather is reviving again in the form of the terrorists, and the Neo-Nazis, most of whom also are Muslims! The Nazi/ Muslim connection is still alive and very strong! Unfortunately, most western world leaders fail to recognize the threat for what it is, but are resting in the shadow of the World War II victory, not realizing the monster was only knocked unconscious, not eliminated! In fact, most do not want to positively identify the Islamic connection!
We are in danger of being subjugated to the ideology of Islamic world domination. The Jews are again in grave danger, and so are all Christians, along with the nations and societies that are democratic. The Ottoman Empire failed. Hitler’s “Final solution”and his Third Reich failed. The Islamic quest has no intention of failing a third time! “First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people,” is not simply their slogan, but their strategy!
Do all Muslims believe in the insidious multi-level jihad? Absolutely! They are well aware that the ultimate goal of Islam, in obedience to Allah, is world domination. Most however, are not willing to be part of the militant terrorist and shahid forces. In fact, the majority of Muslims are embarrassed by suicide bombers, and the destructive terrorist activities. They would rather bring in world wide Islamic rule through peaceful means, such as through infiltration and winning converts. However, we must understand that the line between being a peaceful Muslim citizen, and becoming a terrorist or a shahid in the cause, is merely ideological. Some are willing to pick up the gauntlet because of their personalities, and their religious fervor. The problem is that it is impossible to accurately pick out from among them who desires to become a terrorist, or who a shahid. That is why an apparently upright peaceful productive chemist can suddenly appear to flip-out, and become the brains behind the bombs. That is why an apparent loving teacher and father can become a suicide bomber. The cause is greater than the life of the individual, and certainly greater than the lives of other Muslims, or of innocent non-Muslims.
So, how do we fight an ideology of death, destruction, disruption, and hate? The truth is, when such an enemy hides among the population, and attacks the innocent and unsuspecting, it is next thing to impossible. We can set up security cameras, send out security forces, check bags, ask questions, use electronics, but this enemy wears the best and most effective camouflage — they look normal.
Our only real defense is to pay attention to their rhetoric. Do not dismiss their Imam’s sermons as being the rantings of misguided religious crackpots. They are influencing and motivating the suicide bombers, and recruiting mostly idealistic youth to perpetrate their atrocities, offering promises of the excesses of the Islamic Paradise. They will deny they are being inflammatory, but rather they try to point out they are only giving sermons on their religious views, which is absolutely true, and that is why their words are so dangerous!
In Iraq, Christians fear they could be wiped out – like Jews before them.
“First the Saturday People, Then the Sunday People” is not simply their slogan, but their strategy!
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
In the flickering candlelight of Our Lady of Salvation Church, Nagam Riyadh sits against a pillar singing Ave Maria, her voice rising to the shrapnel-marked rafters.
“We are singing the hymns we couldn’t finish on Sunday,” says Ms. Riyadh, who was in the choir on Oct. 31 when gunmen stormed the church in an attack that has traumatized the Christian community here and raised questions about its future.
On the first Sunday mass after the attack, Nov. 7, she's one of hundred of survivors and mourners who have gathered here. They light candles in the shape of a cross on the marble floor next to the names of more than 50 dead. At the top are photographs of the two slain priests.
Riyadh, wearing a bandage around the bullet wound in her leg, pauses her singing to hand her passport to a church official. She’s among more than 50 of the wounded being flown to France and other countries for treatment. Like many hundreds of others who are leaving after the attack, it’s not clear whether she will ever come back.
“I was one of the ones who wanted to come back but now we’re all leaving,” says one member of the community who did not want his name used. “What’s happening to us is what happened to the Jews.”
One parish dwindles from 2,500 families to 300
Iraqi Jews, once an integral part of society here with a history dating back to Babylon, began fleeing in the 1940s. Now only stories of their once vibrant community remain.
Christians, most of them eastern rite Catholics, trace their history in this country to the earliest days of Christianity. Before the 2003 war, there were up to a million Christians here – about 3 percent of the population. Half that number is estimated to have left in the past seven years, continuing an exodus begun after the 1991 Gulf War when Saddam Hussein’s secular regime turned increasingly Islamic.
Although thousands of Assyrian Christians and others were killed under Iraq’s Ottoman rule a century ago, the attack on the church last week is the worst in the country’s recent history. The attack, claimed by an Al Qaeda-linked group, was followed two days later by 16 bombings in Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad that killed at least 70 people.
The vast majority of the tens of thousands of victims of Iraq’s violence since 2003 have been Muslim, but the small size of Iraq’s Christian minority and the nature of the attack have sent shock waves throughout the community.
“They kill us not because we are Iraqi but because we are Christian,” says Father Douglas al-Bazi, who has permanent injuries after being kidnapped and tortured four years ago. “It is different if I die by a bomb or in an accident – I will not say that I’m dying because of Christianity but they entered the church and they know inside the church there are only Christians. Our leaders say, 'We ask the Christians to be patient – to have the courage to live together to live hand in hand with the Muslims ... Why are we begging? Saying, 'Please, please,' for what? To let us survive?”
Father Douglas says his Chaldean Catholic parish in the working class neighborhood of New Baghdad has dwindled from 2,500 families in the 1990s to less than 300. His Muslim neighbors help protect the church, but almost every day, he says, more Christians decide to leave.
"Of course I cannot ask anyone to stay," he says. "Everyone tells me ‘Father, I am sorry – I will leave.' I tell them, 'Don’t be sorry, OK? No one is pushing you to die, what’s the benefit of dying?' ”
Iraqi church leaders in Europe urge exile
The siege of the Our Lady of Salvation Church sent shock waves through communities in Europe, which have grown used to news of frequent attacks on mosques in Iraq.
The Islamic State of Iraq, which took responsibility for the attack, has pledged more violence against Christians. A team of gunmen dressed in military uniforms stormed the church and opened fire on worshippers, calling them infidels, before detonating suicide vests after an standoff with Iraqi special forces.
In London on Sunday, a senior Iraqi church leader called on Christians here to leave the country.
“Which is better for us, to stay and be killed or to emigrate to another place and live in peace?” Archbishop Anthanasios Dawood told the BBC after delivering the same message at his Syrian Orthodox church. He asked European governments to grant asylum to Christians in Iraq.
'Does our country love us?'
Church officials in Iraq are more circumspect. But in the light of the security breach that allowed the attack, they are far from reassuring about the ability or willingness of Iraqi security forces to protect them.
“Today we the Christians demand that our country answer us – does our country love us or not?” asked Monsignor Pius Kasho in the courtyard of the damaged church the day after the attack. “We humble ourselves and work for our country – does our country love us? Who will answer this question? This land is silent but we demand that the entire situation, the officials and the government answer us.”
With neighboring countries overflowing with Iraqi refugees, Christians say the attack has sparked another exodus to the Kurdish territories in northern Iraq. In the overcrowded Christian enclave of Ankawa, on the outskirts of Arbil, property prices rose by thousands of dollars the day after the siege.
“There is nothing left here – staying in this situation with all this threat is very difficult,” says Atheer Elias Medhat, a parishioner whose face was marked with the shrapnel. “There isn’t a strong government that can imprint its authority on the country.”
At other Sunday church services there were far fewer worshippers than usual. Congregants said many were staying in their homes. Some women were covering their hair in the street to avoid being identified as Christian – a practice not widely seen since the peak of sectarian violence in 2006-07.
'Very strong reaction to the massacre'
For years before the Oct. 31 attack, Christians have made up a disproportionate percentage of Iraqi refugees. In a bid to stem the flow two years ago, the Iraqi government appealed to European countries not to accept them simply on the basis of religion. Britain, Sweden, and other countries this year began returning failed asylum seekers of all religions back to Iraq, despite advice from United Nations refugee authorities that it still isn't safe.
Church officials worried about an irreversible exodus had encouraged Christians to remain in Iraq. That position has now become less clear-cut.
"We tell them they should remain here but we can’t make them, because they have a very, very strong reaction from the massacre that took place,” says Syrian Catholic Bishop Mati Shaba Matoka, one of a delegation of church leaders who met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki last week.
Bishop Matoka says Mr. Maliki told them the attackers were able to get through checkpoints with weapons and a car filled with explosives because of "traitors" in the security forces. The explanation, similar to that following other deadly attacks, worries many in the church and outside as an indication that the government does not have control of security.
“We as men of religion have limits,” he says. “I want officials to take it upon themselves to provide a reasonable level of security so when we tell people it is their duty to stay and be patient, they accept it.”
Like many Christians, Matoka says the US handling of the war made the situation worse for the Christian community.
"When they came, they should have provided peace so people could live in peace and stability and not let it fall apart the way it did," says the bishop, whose church was bombed in 2004.
As he speaks, the lights go out in one of the city's regular power outages. "There is no electricity, there is no water, the streets are all broken, there's no opportunity for people to work – would the Americans accept this situation developing in their own country?"
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
In the flickering candlelight of Our Lady of Salvation Church, Nagam Riyadh sits against a pillar singing Ave Maria, her voice rising to the shrapnel-marked rafters.
“We are singing the hymns we couldn’t finish on Sunday,” says Ms. Riyadh, who was in the choir on Oct. 31 when gunmen stormed the church in an attack that has traumatized the Christian community here and raised questions about its future.
On the first Sunday mass after the attack, Nov. 7, she's one of hundred of survivors and mourners who have gathered here. They light candles in the shape of a cross on the marble floor next to the names of more than 50 dead. At the top are photographs of the two slain priests.
Riyadh, wearing a bandage around the bullet wound in her leg, pauses her singing to hand her passport to a church official. She’s among more than 50 of the wounded being flown to France and other countries for treatment. Like many hundreds of others who are leaving after the attack, it’s not clear whether she will ever come back.
“I was one of the ones who wanted to come back but now we’re all leaving,” says one member of the community who did not want his name used. “What’s happening to us is what happened to the Jews.”
One parish dwindles from 2,500 families to 300
Iraqi Jews, once an integral part of society here with a history dating back to Babylon, began fleeing in the 1940s. Now only stories of their once vibrant community remain.
Christians, most of them eastern rite Catholics, trace their history in this country to the earliest days of Christianity. Before the 2003 war, there were up to a million Christians here – about 3 percent of the population. Half that number is estimated to have left in the past seven years, continuing an exodus begun after the 1991 Gulf War when Saddam Hussein’s secular regime turned increasingly Islamic.
Although thousands of Assyrian Christians and others were killed under Iraq’s Ottoman rule a century ago, the attack on the church last week is the worst in the country’s recent history. The attack, claimed by an Al Qaeda-linked group, was followed two days later by 16 bombings in Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad that killed at least 70 people.
The vast majority of the tens of thousands of victims of Iraq’s violence since 2003 have been Muslim, but the small size of Iraq’s Christian minority and the nature of the attack have sent shock waves throughout the community.
“They kill us not because we are Iraqi but because we are Christian,” says Father Douglas al-Bazi, who has permanent injuries after being kidnapped and tortured four years ago. “It is different if I die by a bomb or in an accident – I will not say that I’m dying because of Christianity but they entered the church and they know inside the church there are only Christians. Our leaders say, 'We ask the Christians to be patient – to have the courage to live together to live hand in hand with the Muslims ... Why are we begging? Saying, 'Please, please,' for what? To let us survive?”
Father Douglas says his Chaldean Catholic parish in the working class neighborhood of New Baghdad has dwindled from 2,500 families in the 1990s to less than 300. His Muslim neighbors help protect the church, but almost every day, he says, more Christians decide to leave.
"Of course I cannot ask anyone to stay," he says. "Everyone tells me ‘Father, I am sorry – I will leave.' I tell them, 'Don’t be sorry, OK? No one is pushing you to die, what’s the benefit of dying?' ”
Iraqi church leaders in Europe urge exile
The siege of the Our Lady of Salvation Church sent shock waves through communities in Europe, which have grown used to news of frequent attacks on mosques in Iraq.
The Islamic State of Iraq, which took responsibility for the attack, has pledged more violence against Christians. A team of gunmen dressed in military uniforms stormed the church and opened fire on worshippers, calling them infidels, before detonating suicide vests after an standoff with Iraqi special forces.
In London on Sunday, a senior Iraqi church leader called on Christians here to leave the country.
“Which is better for us, to stay and be killed or to emigrate to another place and live in peace?” Archbishop Anthanasios Dawood told the BBC after delivering the same message at his Syrian Orthodox church. He asked European governments to grant asylum to Christians in Iraq.
'Does our country love us?'
Church officials in Iraq are more circumspect. But in the light of the security breach that allowed the attack, they are far from reassuring about the ability or willingness of Iraqi security forces to protect them.
“Today we the Christians demand that our country answer us – does our country love us or not?” asked Monsignor Pius Kasho in the courtyard of the damaged church the day after the attack. “We humble ourselves and work for our country – does our country love us? Who will answer this question? This land is silent but we demand that the entire situation, the officials and the government answer us.”
With neighboring countries overflowing with Iraqi refugees, Christians say the attack has sparked another exodus to the Kurdish territories in northern Iraq. In the overcrowded Christian enclave of Ankawa, on the outskirts of Arbil, property prices rose by thousands of dollars the day after the siege.
“There is nothing left here – staying in this situation with all this threat is very difficult,” says Atheer Elias Medhat, a parishioner whose face was marked with the shrapnel. “There isn’t a strong government that can imprint its authority on the country.”
At other Sunday church services there were far fewer worshippers than usual. Congregants said many were staying in their homes. Some women were covering their hair in the street to avoid being identified as Christian – a practice not widely seen since the peak of sectarian violence in 2006-07.
'Very strong reaction to the massacre'
For years before the Oct. 31 attack, Christians have made up a disproportionate percentage of Iraqi refugees. In a bid to stem the flow two years ago, the Iraqi government appealed to European countries not to accept them simply on the basis of religion. Britain, Sweden, and other countries this year began returning failed asylum seekers of all religions back to Iraq, despite advice from United Nations refugee authorities that it still isn't safe.
Church officials worried about an irreversible exodus had encouraged Christians to remain in Iraq. That position has now become less clear-cut.
"We tell them they should remain here but we can’t make them, because they have a very, very strong reaction from the massacre that took place,” says Syrian Catholic Bishop Mati Shaba Matoka, one of a delegation of church leaders who met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki last week.
Bishop Matoka says Mr. Maliki told them the attackers were able to get through checkpoints with weapons and a car filled with explosives because of "traitors" in the security forces. The explanation, similar to that following other deadly attacks, worries many in the church and outside as an indication that the government does not have control of security.
“We as men of religion have limits,” he says. “I want officials to take it upon themselves to provide a reasonable level of security so when we tell people it is their duty to stay and be patient, they accept it.”
Like many Christians, Matoka says the US handling of the war made the situation worse for the Christian community.
"When they came, they should have provided peace so people could live in peace and stability and not let it fall apart the way it did," says the bishop, whose church was bombed in 2004.
As he speaks, the lights go out in one of the city's regular power outages. "There is no electricity, there is no water, the streets are all broken, there's no opportunity for people to work – would the Americans accept this situation developing in their own country?"
Egyptian security attempts to stop construction of Church
AINA
Thousands of Copts staged a sit-in inside and outside the Church of the St. Mary in Talbiya, in the Pyramids area, since the morning of November 11, to protest the storming of the church premises by dozens of security forces to stop construction work and demolish stairs and toilets inside the church, despite the church having obtained the necessary permits.
As soon as news of the arrival of security forces at the church became known, hundreds of Copts arrived to congregate. The angry protesters vowed to remain in the church, having heard that security is waiting for them to leave the premises so as to come back and seal it off. They said they are adamant that this is their church and no one is going to stop them from praying there. “Even if President Mubarak himself comes, the church building will go on,” said Mansour el-Sharkawy in the interview. “They are just finding excuses to put their foot in, then start demolishing the church.”
More than one million Copts live in the Talbiya area, without a single church to serve them, having to travel for miles every Sunday with their children to the nearest church. The protesters pointed out that the area is full of mosques without licenses, but when it comes to the Copts, they toil for years to obtain a permit for a church, then security comes out with some sort of excuse to stop them from praying there.
The standoff started on Thursday morning, when the Omrania local authorities committee came under the pretext of completing the papers for the construction works and found that builders were building a second staircase, as well as toilets, which they considered to be in violation of the permit granted. “It was the Civil Defense authorities who asked the church to erect a second staircase to relieve congestion inside the church in case of emergencies and the necessary permit amendments were made,” said Shehata, adding that “if a fire broke out, how do you get hundreds of people out of church with just one staircase, and if women and children want to use the toilets, where should they go?”
After the local authorities left the church, five priests and the contractor went to the local authorities to solve the problem, but were unsuccessful. After their return, security forces arrived with their vehicles.
According to Shehata they were in church when the security forces arrived in huge numbers, to force them to stop construction. “As a means of intimidation, the forces tried to break the church door down, arrest the builders and take away the children as young as seven years old who were present at church. One of the children, a 7 year-old girl named Marina, was terrorized by officers and their rifles. She sobbed and begged one officer, saying “I beg of you uncle, let us live, We don’t want to die, for God’s sake.” A ten-year-old Coptic boy, a nephew of the church contractor, was on his way to church, but was detained and asked by security to get into their car. He was later released.
“They wanted to get the women out of the building, so that they can arrest the builders and church youth who were helping them,” Shehata said. “They are just finding excuses to prevent the building of the church; but the builders are still working and nothing will stop them.” Land for the church was bought over 20 years ago, but the necessary permit to build the Church was granted only six years ago, but it was stopped by the security authorities. This year President Mubarak was approached and he granted another decree to build the church.
“I would like to know what wrong have we committed, we are just asking for our rights to have a place of worship,” said Shehata to Coptic activist Miriam Ragey. “The moment the Muslims saw the Church domes being built, they went mad,” she added.
It was said that when Muslims learned of the construction of the church, they started dumping rubbish on the land to be used for the church.
On September 15, 2010, an Islamic Jihadist Forum called Islamic Atahadi (Challenge) Network, which is said to be an affiliate of Al-Qaida, published on its website under the title “Images of the Church under construction in the Pyramids and how to demolish it, in retaliation for Camelia.” Camelia is the priest’s wife, falsely rumored by Muslims to have converted to Islam and subsequently “abducted” by the Coptic Church.
The Forum told its members showing photos of the church’s construction and instructions on how to demolish the St. Mary’s Church in Talbiya, Pyramids: “An easy and affordable way for the demolition of the church before its completion, no need for demonstrations, no need for the use of weapons or explosives, you only need to introduce certain quantities of sugar, yes normal sugar.” They went on to explain how to introduce reasonable quantities of sugar inside the forms prepared for pouring the columns, “Because sugar affects concrete and cancels the chemical reaction which makes the sand and gravel hold together with the cement.” They advised in their the step by step instructions that timing was very important in the process; the best time being immediately before pouring the roof”.
On the morning of November 12 it was reported that security prevented the entry of bricks and sand to the Church site. The congregation, who were still guarding the church, said they got threats published on the Internet, that their girls will be abducted, and to keep them indoors. Priests at St. Mary’s Church refused to make any statements, in order to avoid a clash with security and on the instructions of Bishop Theodosius of Giza, who is expected to return from Germany this evening, to resolve the Church crisis.
Thousands of Copts staged a sit-in inside and outside the Church of the St. Mary in Talbiya, in the Pyramids area, since the morning of November 11, to protest the storming of the church premises by dozens of security forces to stop construction work and demolish stairs and toilets inside the church, despite the church having obtained the necessary permits.
As soon as news of the arrival of security forces at the church became known, hundreds of Copts arrived to congregate. The angry protesters vowed to remain in the church, having heard that security is waiting for them to leave the premises so as to come back and seal it off. They said they are adamant that this is their church and no one is going to stop them from praying there. “Even if President Mubarak himself comes, the church building will go on,” said Mansour el-Sharkawy in the interview. “They are just finding excuses to put their foot in, then start demolishing the church.”
More than one million Copts live in the Talbiya area, without a single church to serve them, having to travel for miles every Sunday with their children to the nearest church. The protesters pointed out that the area is full of mosques without licenses, but when it comes to the Copts, they toil for years to obtain a permit for a church, then security comes out with some sort of excuse to stop them from praying there.
The standoff started on Thursday morning, when the Omrania local authorities committee came under the pretext of completing the papers for the construction works and found that builders were building a second staircase, as well as toilets, which they considered to be in violation of the permit granted. “It was the Civil Defense authorities who asked the church to erect a second staircase to relieve congestion inside the church in case of emergencies and the necessary permit amendments were made,” said Shehata, adding that “if a fire broke out, how do you get hundreds of people out of church with just one staircase, and if women and children want to use the toilets, where should they go?”
After the local authorities left the church, five priests and the contractor went to the local authorities to solve the problem, but were unsuccessful. After their return, security forces arrived with their vehicles.
According to Shehata they were in church when the security forces arrived in huge numbers, to force them to stop construction. “As a means of intimidation, the forces tried to break the church door down, arrest the builders and take away the children as young as seven years old who were present at church. One of the children, a 7 year-old girl named Marina, was terrorized by officers and their rifles. She sobbed and begged one officer, saying “I beg of you uncle, let us live, We don’t want to die, for God’s sake.” A ten-year-old Coptic boy, a nephew of the church contractor, was on his way to church, but was detained and asked by security to get into their car. He was later released.
“They wanted to get the women out of the building, so that they can arrest the builders and church youth who were helping them,” Shehata said. “They are just finding excuses to prevent the building of the church; but the builders are still working and nothing will stop them.” Land for the church was bought over 20 years ago, but the necessary permit to build the Church was granted only six years ago, but it was stopped by the security authorities. This year President Mubarak was approached and he granted another decree to build the church.
“I would like to know what wrong have we committed, we are just asking for our rights to have a place of worship,” said Shehata to Coptic activist Miriam Ragey. “The moment the Muslims saw the Church domes being built, they went mad,” she added.
It was said that when Muslims learned of the construction of the church, they started dumping rubbish on the land to be used for the church.
On September 15, 2010, an Islamic Jihadist Forum called Islamic Atahadi (Challenge) Network, which is said to be an affiliate of Al-Qaida, published on its website under the title “Images of the Church under construction in the Pyramids and how to demolish it, in retaliation for Camelia.” Camelia is the priest’s wife, falsely rumored by Muslims to have converted to Islam and subsequently “abducted” by the Coptic Church.
The Forum told its members showing photos of the church’s construction and instructions on how to demolish the St. Mary’s Church in Talbiya, Pyramids: “An easy and affordable way for the demolition of the church before its completion, no need for demonstrations, no need for the use of weapons or explosives, you only need to introduce certain quantities of sugar, yes normal sugar.” They went on to explain how to introduce reasonable quantities of sugar inside the forms prepared for pouring the columns, “Because sugar affects concrete and cancels the chemical reaction which makes the sand and gravel hold together with the cement.” They advised in their the step by step instructions that timing was very important in the process; the best time being immediately before pouring the roof”.
On the morning of November 12 it was reported that security prevented the entry of bricks and sand to the Church site. The congregation, who were still guarding the church, said they got threats published on the Internet, that their girls will be abducted, and to keep them indoors. Priests at St. Mary’s Church refused to make any statements, in order to avoid a clash with security and on the instructions of Bishop Theodosius of Giza, who is expected to return from Germany this evening, to resolve the Church crisis.
Muslim attackers kill six Christians in Nigeria
RELEASEINTERNATIONAL
The Fulani Muslims in Nigeria have been blamed for the series of attacks on the Christian communities in Jos, Plateau State. The villagers are all ethnic Irigwe Christians.
Quoting Stefanos Foundation, it noted that gunmen raided Ranwianku at about 11pm on October 25, shooting at villagers and attacking them with machetes, despite the presence of an army barracks little more than a mile away. Homes were set alight and cattle killed.
It said that a man, identified as Umaru Hole, lost his wife and three children in the attack. The other victims were an elderly woman and a young boy who was brutally attacked with a machete
.
“Stefanos Foundation will be providing emergency relief and trauma counseling for survivors of the raid with financial support from Release. Ranwianku is 18 miles from the state capital, Jos,” it stated.
It said that most eyewitnesses interviewed said that the gunmen were speaking the Fulani language. Villagers said that all ethnic Fulani people had left the village over the past decade, since tensions had flared between Muslims and Christians in Plateau, although some continued to graze their cattle near Ranwianku.
It stated: “The funeral for the six victims of the attack was attended by several clergy, a senior military commander and community leaders, many of whom urged villagers not to seek revenge. The military chief assured villagers of his commitment to 'bring lasting peace to the state'.”
The Fulani Muslims in Nigeria have been blamed for the series of attacks on the Christian communities in Jos, Plateau State. The villagers are all ethnic Irigwe Christians.
Quoting Stefanos Foundation, it noted that gunmen raided Ranwianku at about 11pm on October 25, shooting at villagers and attacking them with machetes, despite the presence of an army barracks little more than a mile away. Homes were set alight and cattle killed.
It said that a man, identified as Umaru Hole, lost his wife and three children in the attack. The other victims were an elderly woman and a young boy who was brutally attacked with a machete
.
“Stefanos Foundation will be providing emergency relief and trauma counseling for survivors of the raid with financial support from Release. Ranwianku is 18 miles from the state capital, Jos,” it stated.
It said that most eyewitnesses interviewed said that the gunmen were speaking the Fulani language. Villagers said that all ethnic Fulani people had left the village over the past decade, since tensions had flared between Muslims and Christians in Plateau, although some continued to graze their cattle near Ranwianku.
It stated: “The funeral for the six victims of the attack was attended by several clergy, a senior military commander and community leaders, many of whom urged villagers not to seek revenge. The military chief assured villagers of his commitment to 'bring lasting peace to the state'.”
Monday, November 8, 2010
Islamization of the world
Islam is not a religion, nor is it a cult. In its fullest form, it is a complete, total, 100% system of life. Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social, and military components. The religious component is a beard for all of the other components.
Islam is NOT like other religions. It is unique in that its holy books clearly advocate the achievement of its goals through any means necessary, including violence and force. It is the only religion in which other religions must be subjugated (dhimmi) and apostates are executed as a matter of Shari’a law.
I am not talking about popular manifestations of any religion, but of the sacred texts themselves. In this, the Qur’an and Hadith are unique. Islam is simply incompatible with a world in which non-Muslims have hegemony. Unlike other religions, all descent and attempts at reform in Islam are firmly quashed. As long as Islam is taught in its normative form, there will be Jihad, in all of its forms, until Islam is universal or soundly defeated.
Islamization begins when there are sufficient Muslims in a country to agitate for their religious privileges. When politically correct, tolerant, and culturally diverse societies agree to Muslim demands for their religious privileges, some of the other components tend to creep in as well.
Here's how it works:
As long as the Muslim population remains around or under 2% in any given country, they will be for the most part be regarded as a peace-loving minority, and not as a threat to other citizens.
This is the case in:
United States - Muslim 0..6%
Australia - Muslim 1.5%
Canada - Muslim 1.9%
China - Muslim 1.8%
Italy - Muslim 1.5%
Norway - Muslim 1.8%
At 2% to 5%, they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups, often with major recruiting from the jails and among street gangs.
This is happening in:
Denmark - Muslim 2%
Germany - Muslim 3.7%
United Kingdom - Muslim 2.7%
Spain - Muslim 4%
Thailand - Muslim 4.6%
From 5% on, they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of the population. For example, they will push for the introduction of halal (clean by Islamic standards) food, thereby securing food preparation jobs for Muslims. They will increase pressure on supermarket chains to feature halal on their shelves - along with threats for failure to comply.
This is occurring in:
France - Muslim 8%
Philippines - 5%
Sweden - Muslim 5%
Switzerland - Muslim 4.3%
The Netherlands - Muslim 5.5%
Trinidad & Tobago - Muslim 5.8%
At this point, they will work to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves (within their ghettos) under Sharia, the Islamic Law. The ultimate goal of Islamists is to establish Sharia law over the entire world.
When Muslims approach 10% of the population, they tend to increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions. In Paris , we are already seeing car-burnings. In Russia, grade-schools were attacked. Any non-Muslim action offends Islam and results in uprisings and threats, such as in Amsterdam, with opposition to Mohammed cartoons and films about Islam.
Such tensions are seen daily, particularly in Muslim sections, in:
Guyana - Muslim 10%
India - Muslim 13.4%
Israel - Muslim 16%
Kenya - Muslim 10%
Russia - Muslim 15%
After reaching 20%, nations can expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings, and the burnings of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues, such as in:
Ethiopia - Muslim 32.8%
At 40%, nations experience widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks, and ongoing militia warfare, such as in:
Bosnia - Muslim 40%
Chad - Muslim 53.1%
Lebanon - Muslim 59.7%
From 60%, nations experience unfettered persecution of non-believers of all other religions (including non-conforming Muslims), sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocide), use of Sharia Law as a weapon, and Jizya, the tax placed on infidels, such as in:
Albania - Muslim 70%
Malaysia - Muslim 60.4%
Qatar - Muslim 77.5%
Sudan - Muslim 70%
After 80%, expect daily intimidation and violent jihad, some State-run ethnic cleansing, beheadings, stoning, and even some genocide, as these nations drive out the infidels, and move toward 100% Muslim, such as has been experienced and in some ways is on-going in:
Afghanistan – Muslim 99.9%
Bangladesh - Muslim 83%
Egypt - Muslim 90%
Gaza - Muslim 98.7%
Indonesia - Muslim 86.1%
Iran - Muslim 98%
Iraq - Muslim 97%
Jordan - Muslim 92%
Morocco - Muslim 98.7%
Pakistan - Muslim 97%
Palestine - Muslim 99%
Somalia – Muslim 99.9%
Syria - Muslim 90%
Tajikistan - Muslim 90%
Turkey - Muslim 99.8%
United Arab Emirates - Muslim 96%
Islam is NOT like other religions. It is unique in that its holy books clearly advocate the achievement of its goals through any means necessary, including violence and force. It is the only religion in which other religions must be subjugated (dhimmi) and apostates are executed as a matter of Shari’a law.
I am not talking about popular manifestations of any religion, but of the sacred texts themselves. In this, the Qur’an and Hadith are unique. Islam is simply incompatible with a world in which non-Muslims have hegemony. Unlike other religions, all descent and attempts at reform in Islam are firmly quashed. As long as Islam is taught in its normative form, there will be Jihad, in all of its forms, until Islam is universal or soundly defeated.
Islamization begins when there are sufficient Muslims in a country to agitate for their religious privileges. When politically correct, tolerant, and culturally diverse societies agree to Muslim demands for their religious privileges, some of the other components tend to creep in as well.
Here's how it works:
As long as the Muslim population remains around or under 2% in any given country, they will be for the most part be regarded as a peace-loving minority, and not as a threat to other citizens.
This is the case in:
United States - Muslim 0..6%
Australia - Muslim 1.5%
Canada - Muslim 1.9%
China - Muslim 1.8%
Italy - Muslim 1.5%
Norway - Muslim 1.8%
At 2% to 5%, they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and disaffected groups, often with major recruiting from the jails and among street gangs.
This is happening in:
Denmark - Muslim 2%
Germany - Muslim 3.7%
United Kingdom - Muslim 2.7%
Spain - Muslim 4%
Thailand - Muslim 4.6%
From 5% on, they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their percentage of the population. For example, they will push for the introduction of halal (clean by Islamic standards) food, thereby securing food preparation jobs for Muslims. They will increase pressure on supermarket chains to feature halal on their shelves - along with threats for failure to comply.
This is occurring in:
France - Muslim 8%
Philippines - 5%
Sweden - Muslim 5%
Switzerland - Muslim 4.3%
The Netherlands - Muslim 5.5%
Trinidad & Tobago - Muslim 5.8%
At this point, they will work to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves (within their ghettos) under Sharia, the Islamic Law. The ultimate goal of Islamists is to establish Sharia law over the entire world.
When Muslims approach 10% of the population, they tend to increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions. In Paris , we are already seeing car-burnings. In Russia, grade-schools were attacked. Any non-Muslim action offends Islam and results in uprisings and threats, such as in Amsterdam, with opposition to Mohammed cartoons and films about Islam.
Such tensions are seen daily, particularly in Muslim sections, in:
Guyana - Muslim 10%
India - Muslim 13.4%
Israel - Muslim 16%
Kenya - Muslim 10%
Russia - Muslim 15%
After reaching 20%, nations can expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia formations, sporadic killings, and the burnings of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues, such as in:
Ethiopia - Muslim 32.8%
At 40%, nations experience widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks, and ongoing militia warfare, such as in:
Bosnia - Muslim 40%
Chad - Muslim 53.1%
Lebanon - Muslim 59.7%
From 60%, nations experience unfettered persecution of non-believers of all other religions (including non-conforming Muslims), sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocide), use of Sharia Law as a weapon, and Jizya, the tax placed on infidels, such as in:
Albania - Muslim 70%
Malaysia - Muslim 60.4%
Qatar - Muslim 77.5%
Sudan - Muslim 70%
After 80%, expect daily intimidation and violent jihad, some State-run ethnic cleansing, beheadings, stoning, and even some genocide, as these nations drive out the infidels, and move toward 100% Muslim, such as has been experienced and in some ways is on-going in:
Afghanistan – Muslim 99.9%
Bangladesh - Muslim 83%
Egypt - Muslim 90%
Gaza - Muslim 98.7%
Indonesia - Muslim 86.1%
Iran - Muslim 98%
Iraq - Muslim 97%
Jordan - Muslim 92%
Morocco - Muslim 98.7%
Pakistan - Muslim 97%
Palestine - Muslim 99%
Somalia – Muslim 99.9%
Syria - Muslim 90%
Tajikistan - Muslim 90%
Turkey - Muslim 99.8%
United Arab Emirates - Muslim 96%
Islam’s war on Christianity
SKY NEWS
52 Christians and security personel were killed in Iraq over the weekend. Half a million Christians have fled the country, gunmen have run amok in churches in Egypt and Algeria, Christians have been burned alive in Pakistan, attacked in India, Malaysia and Indonesia and persecuted in Saudi Arabia..the list goes on and on - and yet what we frequently hear about is - 'The War On Islam'.
The 'War on Islam' theory is mostly based on the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the ongoing debate over burkas and veils. It is utterly flawed.
The rights and wrongs of the Afghan and Iraq wars are not the point here, the question is did the 'West', acting as a neo crusader, invade those countries because they have majority Muslim populations. The answer is no. You can argue oil, strategy, liberal interventionism, personal reasons etc, but there is nothing to suggest that if those countries had populations which worshipped blue cheese, the Americans and British would have acted any differently. As for the debate over veils, these are narrow points to do with security, an open society and pluralism. What is true is that in the West there is freedom of worship, Muslims are not 'ethnically cleansed' from cities, and gunmen do not run amok in Mosques or burn Muslims alive.
Now back to the other war. Note that those who posit that there is a war on Islam say that entire peoples, countries, indeed cultures are attacking them. It is important to keep in mind that the war on Christianity is not perpetrated by Islam, nor Muslims, nor a culture. It is perpetrated by radical islamists some of whom propagate the ideas which lead to violence, and some who carry out the violence. They are a distinct minority among hundreds of millions of peaceful people.
Iraq is the best example, although here there are complicating factors. Some of the ethnic cleansing of Christians in Iraq is carried out by criminals using Islam as a flag of convenience to cover the naked shame of their gangsterism. They force Christians to leave unless they pay large 'fines' to continue their religious beliefs. But many of the more than 2,000 Christians murdered in targeted attacks in Iraq since 2003 were killed by islamists who object to Christians because of their beliefs.
This weekend the first person to die in the Baghdad church was the priest who was singled out and murdered. Al Queda In Iraq posted a statement calling the church a 'dirty den of idolatry'.
During one of the attacks on an ex pat compound in Saudi Arabia Al Queda men singled out Christian and Hindu 'dogs' before shooting them but spared Muslims. The latter incident is very telling. If they had found any Jews in the compound, for them, that would have been the bloody icing on the murderous cake. One thing the western media has failed to convoy to the public is that AQ isn't just against the 'western foreign policy' it is against everyone who isn't a Muslim.
Add to these attacks the lack of religous freedoms in many countries, and you see Christians are suffering across the world. This takes many forms. In Saudi Arabia a Christian is not supposed to worship anywhere, although usually a blind eye is taken for ceremonies held in private houses. If you fly on some airlines to and from the Middle East and the film you are watching features a cross, the cross is blurred out as it is deemed to be offensive to Muslim eyes. It is not widely known, but Christians, indeed all non Muslims are forbidden from entering the city of Mecca on the grounds that the Koran (9.28) says they are unclean.
The latter examples are given merely to show the depth of paranoia in some areas. In themselves they are silly, inconvenient, or downright offensive, but you can suffer them and still live your life. Where they connect to the murderers is that they fuel the idea of Christians as inferior, almost non people, and that in turn leads the radical Islamists to don suicide belts, enter a church, surround themselves with Christians, and when the rescuers arrive, to detonate the explosives and kill as many Christian women and children as possible.
52 Christians and security personel were killed in Iraq over the weekend. Half a million Christians have fled the country, gunmen have run amok in churches in Egypt and Algeria, Christians have been burned alive in Pakistan, attacked in India, Malaysia and Indonesia and persecuted in Saudi Arabia..the list goes on and on - and yet what we frequently hear about is - 'The War On Islam'.
The 'War on Islam' theory is mostly based on the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the ongoing debate over burkas and veils. It is utterly flawed.
The rights and wrongs of the Afghan and Iraq wars are not the point here, the question is did the 'West', acting as a neo crusader, invade those countries because they have majority Muslim populations. The answer is no. You can argue oil, strategy, liberal interventionism, personal reasons etc, but there is nothing to suggest that if those countries had populations which worshipped blue cheese, the Americans and British would have acted any differently. As for the debate over veils, these are narrow points to do with security, an open society and pluralism. What is true is that in the West there is freedom of worship, Muslims are not 'ethnically cleansed' from cities, and gunmen do not run amok in Mosques or burn Muslims alive.
Now back to the other war. Note that those who posit that there is a war on Islam say that entire peoples, countries, indeed cultures are attacking them. It is important to keep in mind that the war on Christianity is not perpetrated by Islam, nor Muslims, nor a culture. It is perpetrated by radical islamists some of whom propagate the ideas which lead to violence, and some who carry out the violence. They are a distinct minority among hundreds of millions of peaceful people.
Iraq is the best example, although here there are complicating factors. Some of the ethnic cleansing of Christians in Iraq is carried out by criminals using Islam as a flag of convenience to cover the naked shame of their gangsterism. They force Christians to leave unless they pay large 'fines' to continue their religious beliefs. But many of the more than 2,000 Christians murdered in targeted attacks in Iraq since 2003 were killed by islamists who object to Christians because of their beliefs.
This weekend the first person to die in the Baghdad church was the priest who was singled out and murdered. Al Queda In Iraq posted a statement calling the church a 'dirty den of idolatry'.
During one of the attacks on an ex pat compound in Saudi Arabia Al Queda men singled out Christian and Hindu 'dogs' before shooting them but spared Muslims. The latter incident is very telling. If they had found any Jews in the compound, for them, that would have been the bloody icing on the murderous cake. One thing the western media has failed to convoy to the public is that AQ isn't just against the 'western foreign policy' it is against everyone who isn't a Muslim.
Add to these attacks the lack of religous freedoms in many countries, and you see Christians are suffering across the world. This takes many forms. In Saudi Arabia a Christian is not supposed to worship anywhere, although usually a blind eye is taken for ceremonies held in private houses. If you fly on some airlines to and from the Middle East and the film you are watching features a cross, the cross is blurred out as it is deemed to be offensive to Muslim eyes. It is not widely known, but Christians, indeed all non Muslims are forbidden from entering the city of Mecca on the grounds that the Koran (9.28) says they are unclean.
The latter examples are given merely to show the depth of paranoia in some areas. In themselves they are silly, inconvenient, or downright offensive, but you can suffer them and still live your life. Where they connect to the murderers is that they fuel the idea of Christians as inferior, almost non people, and that in turn leads the radical Islamists to don suicide belts, enter a church, surround themselves with Christians, and when the rescuers arrive, to detonate the explosives and kill as many Christian women and children as possible.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Islamic Fundamentalist Mass Media Targets Egyptian Coptic Church
AINA
The majority of Coptic Christians and liberal Muslims in Egypt believe that Fundamentalist sheikhs and their mass media have played a vital role in the latest wave of incitement against the Coptic Church, orchestrated by Egyptian State Security.
The Salafi (one who follows the ways of the first Muslims) television channels, airing their programs from Egypt, supported by their affiliated fundamentalist journalists and mosque imams, have engaged in a coordinated smear campaign against the Coptic Church and its Pope, designed to terrorize the Copts.
Newspapers and TV channels in Arab countries gave a wide platform for Islamists to join in the campaign. It was on Al-Jezeerah TV Channel on September 15 that the Islamist and ex-secretary general of the International Union for Muslim Scholars, Dr. Selim Al-Awah, accused the Pope of running "a State within the Egyptian State" and the church of having its own militia and of hiding weapons and ammunition obtained from Israel in monasteries and churches, preparing for a war "against the Muslims," to divide Egypt and establish a so-called Coptic State.
Al-Awah also accused the church of abducting and torturing Christian converts to Islam in monasteries, to brainwash them back to Christianity. He warned that if the status of the Church remains as such, the "country will burn" and called on Muslims to go out in demonstrations as the "only answer left to counteract the strength of the Church."
Pope Shenouda expressed his concern about the smear campaign, he said in interviews with Egyptian state-owned channels end September "it is easy to incite the naive simple citizen, but the effects of these incitements are quite serious." He blamed the media and the instigators, who have an effect on the masses, causing hatred between Muslims and Christians and between the Church and the State.
Salafi Sheikh Wagdy Ghoneim openly attacked the Pope, alleging the presence of weapons in monasteries and the Copts for fighting against the application of Sharia law in Egypt, calling on them to leave if they do not like it. He also attacked the Copts in the diaspora for siding with the Jews in the flotilla incident and for believing that should anything happen, the United States will come to save the Copts. He said "I swear by God, you will not have time stay alive until America and the West arrive, this is for your own good, if you understand. Do you think the Muslims inside Egypt will say thank you and may Allah give you health? No, by God."
Coptic political analyst Magdi Khalil said "No one cannot deny the effect of the Salafi mass media as they have a wide audience amounting to millions." He blamed them for fabricating events to incite Muslims against the Coptic Church. "They fabricated the alleged conversion to Islam of the priest's wife Camilia Shehata, which, despite her denial of ever wanting to convert to Islam and Al-Azhar's negation that she ever went there, (http://www.aina.org/news/20100917220629.htm) still draws demonstrations in front of mosques every Friday." The last demonstrations took place in Cairo and Alexandria simultaneously on Friday October 22, calling for Camilia's freedom from the prisons of the Church as well as other "Muslim sisters," calling for the boycott of Coptic businesses and insulting the Pope. The next and eleventh of these weekly demonstrations is scheduled for Friday October 28.
Joining in the campaign against the church from London, is sheikh Haney el-Sebay, a convicted terrorist who sought political asylum in the UK and who runs the Almaqreze Center for Historical Studies there. He threatened the Copts in his speech and talked about the Coptic militias and the priest's wife Camilia Shehata. He added that Mubarak must have become a Christian as he acts against Muslim interests.
On October 19, Egypt's main satellite operator Nilesat temporarily suspended 12 Islamic channels, and warned 20 others, on grounds of violating their licenses. The reasons given were mainly for promoting religious hatred, inciting sectarianism, violence, quack medicine and sorcery. "This decision was taken after extensive study that indicated a near doubling of these channels over the past year and a recent spike of extremist religious discourse," information minister Anas Al-Feki said in a statement. Before these measures were taken, there were 94 Islamic private television channels airing from Arab countries.
Nine of the twelve suspended channels were funded by Saudi Arabia. "There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia is playing a destructive and ruinous role in Egypt," commented Magdi Khalil.
Analysts said that the suspension decision seemed to be mainly aimed at stopping the spread of strict Islamic Salafi/Wahabbi teaching that might boost support for the Muslim Brotherhood, prompted by the forthcoming crucial parliamentary elections in November.
Several angry Islamists came out attacking the government over this decision, and exposing the complicity of State Security with the satellite operators.
Sheikh Safwat Hegazi, a preacher in El-Nass, one of the suspended salafi TV channels and member of the Muslim Brotherhood, told State Security that if the channel is not opened soon, they will air from outside Egypt. He added, "then Egyptian security will not have any control over us or be able to guide us." He pointed out that in the coming period the suspended channels will re-open and will be owned by the sheikh.
Mamdouh Ismail, a lawyer for Islamist groups, said that the closure of the religious satellite channels was a gift to the church to ensure its support in the elections. He said that Security imposes on the preachers conditions in case they appear on the satellite channels, such as not to criticize the policy of the state, otherwise they could face expulsion from the channel.
Khalil disagrees that anything was done for the sake of the church, "When they were attacking the Copts, no one moved. However, when some of the channels became a political threat and crossed the red line drawn by State Security, which is not to attack the government, they were suspended." He added that some of the sheikhs in the suspended channels started calling on Muslims not to vote for Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party "as they hand over your Muslim sisters to the church".
According to Khalil extremist on these channels have been calling for years for the murder of Copts, issued fatwas for the permissibility of Muslims purloining Coptic property and money, accusing them of treason and being agents of foreign powers, and of being unbelievers and idolaters, ridiculing their Holy Books and their beliefs, calling for their Islamization either peacefully, by deception or by humiliation, inciting the State against them, calling for the torching of their churches and inciting against their women.
It was reported that one of the most fundamentalist of the suspended TV channels, "Al-Hekma," owned by Sheikh Mohamad Hassan, will appear soon on Lebanese-owned "Nour Sat" after changing its name to "El Rodah."
Commenting on the ongoing smear campaign and demonstrations against the Church, Coptic activist Mark Ebeid said "These allegations are extremely serious. They run on the same lines used by the Ottoman Empire as an excuse for the 1915-1923 Armenian and Assyrian Genocide in Turkey."
The majority of Coptic Christians and liberal Muslims in Egypt believe that Fundamentalist sheikhs and their mass media have played a vital role in the latest wave of incitement against the Coptic Church, orchestrated by Egyptian State Security.
The Salafi (one who follows the ways of the first Muslims) television channels, airing their programs from Egypt, supported by their affiliated fundamentalist journalists and mosque imams, have engaged in a coordinated smear campaign against the Coptic Church and its Pope, designed to terrorize the Copts.
Newspapers and TV channels in Arab countries gave a wide platform for Islamists to join in the campaign. It was on Al-Jezeerah TV Channel on September 15 that the Islamist and ex-secretary general of the International Union for Muslim Scholars, Dr. Selim Al-Awah, accused the Pope of running "a State within the Egyptian State" and the church of having its own militia and of hiding weapons and ammunition obtained from Israel in monasteries and churches, preparing for a war "against the Muslims," to divide Egypt and establish a so-called Coptic State.
Al-Awah also accused the church of abducting and torturing Christian converts to Islam in monasteries, to brainwash them back to Christianity. He warned that if the status of the Church remains as such, the "country will burn" and called on Muslims to go out in demonstrations as the "only answer left to counteract the strength of the Church."
Pope Shenouda expressed his concern about the smear campaign, he said in interviews with Egyptian state-owned channels end September "it is easy to incite the naive simple citizen, but the effects of these incitements are quite serious." He blamed the media and the instigators, who have an effect on the masses, causing hatred between Muslims and Christians and between the Church and the State.
Salafi Sheikh Wagdy Ghoneim openly attacked the Pope, alleging the presence of weapons in monasteries and the Copts for fighting against the application of Sharia law in Egypt, calling on them to leave if they do not like it. He also attacked the Copts in the diaspora for siding with the Jews in the flotilla incident and for believing that should anything happen, the United States will come to save the Copts. He said "I swear by God, you will not have time stay alive until America and the West arrive, this is for your own good, if you understand. Do you think the Muslims inside Egypt will say thank you and may Allah give you health? No, by God."
Coptic political analyst Magdi Khalil said "No one cannot deny the effect of the Salafi mass media as they have a wide audience amounting to millions." He blamed them for fabricating events to incite Muslims against the Coptic Church. "They fabricated the alleged conversion to Islam of the priest's wife Camilia Shehata, which, despite her denial of ever wanting to convert to Islam and Al-Azhar's negation that she ever went there, (http://www.aina.org/news/20100917220629.htm) still draws demonstrations in front of mosques every Friday." The last demonstrations took place in Cairo and Alexandria simultaneously on Friday October 22, calling for Camilia's freedom from the prisons of the Church as well as other "Muslim sisters," calling for the boycott of Coptic businesses and insulting the Pope. The next and eleventh of these weekly demonstrations is scheduled for Friday October 28.
Joining in the campaign against the church from London, is sheikh Haney el-Sebay, a convicted terrorist who sought political asylum in the UK and who runs the Almaqreze Center for Historical Studies there. He threatened the Copts in his speech and talked about the Coptic militias and the priest's wife Camilia Shehata. He added that Mubarak must have become a Christian as he acts against Muslim interests.
On October 19, Egypt's main satellite operator Nilesat temporarily suspended 12 Islamic channels, and warned 20 others, on grounds of violating their licenses. The reasons given were mainly for promoting religious hatred, inciting sectarianism, violence, quack medicine and sorcery. "This decision was taken after extensive study that indicated a near doubling of these channels over the past year and a recent spike of extremist religious discourse," information minister Anas Al-Feki said in a statement. Before these measures were taken, there were 94 Islamic private television channels airing from Arab countries.
Nine of the twelve suspended channels were funded by Saudi Arabia. "There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia is playing a destructive and ruinous role in Egypt," commented Magdi Khalil.
Analysts said that the suspension decision seemed to be mainly aimed at stopping the spread of strict Islamic Salafi/Wahabbi teaching that might boost support for the Muslim Brotherhood, prompted by the forthcoming crucial parliamentary elections in November.
Several angry Islamists came out attacking the government over this decision, and exposing the complicity of State Security with the satellite operators.
Sheikh Safwat Hegazi, a preacher in El-Nass, one of the suspended salafi TV channels and member of the Muslim Brotherhood, told State Security that if the channel is not opened soon, they will air from outside Egypt. He added, "then Egyptian security will not have any control over us or be able to guide us." He pointed out that in the coming period the suspended channels will re-open and will be owned by the sheikh.
Mamdouh Ismail, a lawyer for Islamist groups, said that the closure of the religious satellite channels was a gift to the church to ensure its support in the elections. He said that Security imposes on the preachers conditions in case they appear on the satellite channels, such as not to criticize the policy of the state, otherwise they could face expulsion from the channel.
Khalil disagrees that anything was done for the sake of the church, "When they were attacking the Copts, no one moved. However, when some of the channels became a political threat and crossed the red line drawn by State Security, which is not to attack the government, they were suspended." He added that some of the sheikhs in the suspended channels started calling on Muslims not to vote for Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party "as they hand over your Muslim sisters to the church".
According to Khalil extremist on these channels have been calling for years for the murder of Copts, issued fatwas for the permissibility of Muslims purloining Coptic property and money, accusing them of treason and being agents of foreign powers, and of being unbelievers and idolaters, ridiculing their Holy Books and their beliefs, calling for their Islamization either peacefully, by deception or by humiliation, inciting the State against them, calling for the torching of their churches and inciting against their women.
It was reported that one of the most fundamentalist of the suspended TV channels, "Al-Hekma," owned by Sheikh Mohamad Hassan, will appear soon on Lebanese-owned "Nour Sat" after changing its name to "El Rodah."
Commenting on the ongoing smear campaign and demonstrations against the Church, Coptic activist Mark Ebeid said "These allegations are extremely serious. They run on the same lines used by the Ottoman Empire as an excuse for the 1915-1923 Armenian and Assyrian Genocide in Turkey."
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