Peace
September 9, 2004
Some events have occurred in recent days that leave me with heavy thoughts. So, after much internal back-and-forth debating, I decided to do an entry about what’s on my mind. The following entry will most likely offend a goodly number of people, while simultaneously causing a whole other goodly number to cheer.
At least, that’s what I expect. I may just piss off the world. 
In any case…
Warning: The following entry contains images and words not suitable for children or those with delicate sensibilities. What you see and read may bother, offend, enrage, or otherwise disturb you. You’ve been warned.
These acts of violence against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith. And it’s important for my fellow Americans to understand that.
The English translation is not as eloquent as the original Arabic, but let me quote from the Koran, itself: In the long run, evil in the extreme will be the end of those who do evil. For that they rejected the signs of Allah and held them up to ridicule. The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That’s not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace.These terrorists don’t represent peace. They represent evil and war.
– President George W. Bush, September 17, 2001 (source)
Thank you, Mr. President. And now, let me give you some quotes. While they’re probably not as eloquent as in their native tongue, I think the sentiments get across.
Israel: suicide bombing by a Muslim
“Enmity and hatred will reign between us until ye believe in Allah alone.” — Koran (60:4)
Beslan: Child killed by Chechen Muslims
“Kill the unbelievers wherever you find them, capture and besiege them and prepare for them every kind of ambush.” — Koran (9:5)
Beslan: Children killed by Chechen Muslims
Ali Abdullah, an Islamic scholar in Bahrain, announced that the bloodshed in Beslan “is the work of the Israelis who want to tarnish the image of Muslims.” In London, Islamist cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed told the Daily Telegraph: “If an Iraqi Muslim carried out an attack like that in Britain, it would be justified because Britain has carried out acts of terrorism in Iraq.” Boston Globe, today (link)
Iraq: Nepalese aid worker beheaded by a Muslim.
(video is here)
“Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with this message): ‘I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instil [sic] terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips from them. Anfal Sura 8:12
USA: 19 Muslims kill almost 3,000 people on September 11, 2001
“What martyrdom is greater than making yourself a human bomb and detonating it among the enemy? What spiritualism is greater than this spiritualism in which a person loses all feeling of his body and life for the sake of his cause and mission?” — Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Fadallah
Madrid: Aftermath of train station bombing by Muslims
“Fight those that believe not in Allah — such men as practice not the religion of truth, being of those who have been given the Book — until they pay tribute out of hand and have been humbled.” — Koran (9:29)
Daniel Pearl, beheaded by Muslims
We — with God’s help — call on every Muslim who believes in God and wishes to be rewarded to comply with God’s order to kill the Americans and plunder their money wherever and whenever they find it. We also call on Muslim ulema, leaders, youths, and soldiers to launch the raid on Satan’s U.S. troops and the devil’s supporters allying with them, and to displace those who are behind them so that they may learn a lesson. — Osama bin Laden, fatwa urging jihad against Americans (link)
Bali: aftermath of nightclub bombing by Muslims
“Those who follow Muhammad are merciless for the unbelievers but kind to each other.” Koran (48:29)
Muslim children cheer the thought of the destruction of Israel
A man can have sexual pleasure from a child as young as a baby. However, he should not penetrate; sodomising the child is OK. If the man penetrates and damages the child then he should be responsible for her subsistence all her life. This girl, however does not count as one of his four permanent wives. The man will not be eligible to marry the girls sister. — Ayatollah Khomeini, “Tahrirolvasyleh” volume four
Blood of an Israeli soldier on the hands of a celebrating Muslim
“Islam isn’t in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Qur’an should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on earth.” — Omar Ahmed, Chairman of the Board of CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations)
Muslim lynched by Muslim, without a trial, over accusations
of ‘collaborating’ with Israel
Allahu akbar!
I’m speechless. Thank you. What else will have to occur in order for the entire American (or World) population to understand the mindset of the terrorist? There is no reasoning with the insane. No reasoning with hatred. No discussion will ever change their minds.
Oh Fred… what to do, what to do ?
From today’s NY Times: “It is a certain fact that not all Muslims are terrorists, but it is equally certain, and exceptionally painful, that almost all terrorists are Muslims,” Abdel Rahman al-Rashed, the general manager of the widely watched satellite television station Al Arabiya ….”.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/international/middleeast/09arabiya.html)
I don’t believe that all Muslims feel this way - just like many Christians don’t take the Holy Bible word for word. However, these extremist groups understand only understand two things: violence and the chance for martyrdom by killing as many “infidels” as possible. They do not listen to reason, compassion, or diplomacy.
If they want to meet Allah then fine, I think our troops can arrange to get them there quickly.
Thank you Fred for posting such a vivid reminder. I live in San Francisco and wish I could project these images onto a big screen the next time there is a “peace” protest here.
Thanks Fred..that just brings home how truly “sick” those extremists are.
Speechless.
Okay…I don’t think I’m getting the point of this entry. I’m usually right there with you, Fred, but I think I’m missing something here. Are you trying to make the point that all Muslims are evil? That doesn’t seem like something you would say… I’m just not following your train of thought.
These are the things that make it hard for me to tolerate their religion. Deep in my heart, I feel I am becoming prejudiced against them, because the things the terrorists do are just so senseless, and to me, evil. Just being honest.
Oh, Fred. I have to agree with Kim. And I think that every religion has it’s core of crazy fundamentalists, who interpret everything literally. Some of the stuff in the Bible that the Roman Catholic church abides by is pretty effed up, if you were to interpret it literally. And the Catholic church has it’s share of crazies, too. I’m not saying you’re wrong to feel what you feel, just wondering what is it exactly that you’re feeling about the whole thing. Peace out…
I read an extremely interesting book on Islam written by a Irshad Manji called the Trouble with Islam - A wake up call for Honesty and Change. She, a Canadian Muslim, makes many interesting points. However the biggest is that, just like Jews and Christians, the majority of Muslims are moderate. However, the religion is “ruled” by fanactics and those that are not fanatical are too scared to speak out, to the detriment of Islam. She says that moderate Muslims must stand up for they believe and that they must be more questioning of their leaders, their faith and the “interpreations” of the Koran. The problem she says, is that the majority, who are moderate are just silent, leaving the crazies to be the public spokesmen for the religion.
I’ve wondered for quite some time if the level of violence in Islamic countries correlates with the lack of voice that women have in that culture. Their way of dealing with things as a society seems all about “machismo” — automatic rifles in every home, shooting weapons into the air to celebrate, using violence as a method of getting your political and personal point across. I wonder, if women had more of a say in their homes/relationships, would the atmosphere be different?
One other comment…I DO think that the rabid anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism found in many Muslim communities is working to their detriment. Seems that there MIGHT be better things to focus on than hating/destroying “the infidels.”
I spent some time in the middle east last year and the first thing I realized is that the majority of this world are all doing the same thing - living their lives - driving home from work, wondering what to get for supper, telling their whining children to be quiet in the grocery store…. I think that Linda may be on to something about the moderates not having a voice. Another thing is that Islam is the legislated religion in these countries. You are required by law to follow it. So you aren’t going to see too many citizens speak out against their own Islamic dictatorship governments when executions are still scheduled every Friday….
Thank you, Fred. That’s really all I can say.
I haven’t been affected personally by anything related to terrorism, but this entry really opened my eyes and made me think.
Fred, thank you so very much for posting this. I’ve known for the longest time what their religious books say about those that don’t believe as they do…and ultimately it comes down to the fact that if you don’t believe in Allah and in Allah alone that they you are going to be killed…that’s how they “deal” with people and problems…they don’t know how to work things out or to hear what others have to say or believe. I don’t respect the majority of these people because I keep hearing that they’re peaceful and peace loving, but they sure don’t show it. I don’t want to see my country go down the tubes and become like the middle east, always in turmoil. That’s what they want is chaos and turmoil…They need to feel the love….
Well done!
You know, it really astounds me the way people think and what we are tolerant of sometimes. Fred’s posts a few months ago, showing people holding signs saying that gay people were going to hell or something narrow minded like that, got all of these remarks about the ignorance of Christians (granted, those horrible signs were very wrong-no one’s arguing that point), but really no one put things into perspective and said “they’re freaks with signs making fools of themselves…let them.” Then you have a post with a picture showing a man running with his baby, who was killed by radical Muslims, as well as plenty of other pictures of innocents that were killed for reasons beyond my understanding, and the only thing some people have to say is to point out that not all Muslims are evil. Am I the only one who thinks that’s a little messed up? It may not be very PC to say it, but those people are crazy. They have crazy rulers and crazy religious leaders, the young ones are taught to hate Americans by their crazy parents, who were taught by theirs, and we are supposed to just sit back and talk about how tolerant we are of all races and religions? I don’t think so. I’m really not trying to start a fight; being Americans ensures that we all have enough people to fight with without fighting each other, but I for one am done with trying to make up excuses for a people that just seem to spew hate. If it were just horrible words on a big piece of particle board, I could tolerate their feelings…sticks and stones and all that jazz. Killing children is another thing all together.
Your post is why my husband is over there.
At least we are trying to put a stop to things, and trying to help out people who may or may not want help.
i think the most frightening image - the one that will haunt me in my sleep for years- is the first one on the page.
I have to agree with many who have posted before when I say I can no longer sit back and “be tolerant” of these people. I don’t give a rat’s ass if “not all muslims are bad…”, not all Americans are “bad” either but you don’t see them marching in the streets saying that do you? I say fuck ‘em. They need to be reminded that the US could blow thier little shithole of a country off the map if we wanted to.
why can’t you be a little bit fair since u have such a smart way of putting things together ? why don’t you do a similar page about Israeli crimes??
frankly I am not angry because u wrote this .. i beleive that any of you can do google searches and read what ever you want about islam..
each of us choose what they want to beleive is true!
you only want to see one side of this ..why not show the other?
{{They need to be reminded that the US could blow thier little shithole of a country off the map if we wanted to.
}}
wow now that is what promotes peace and harmony all over the world!!!
you who wrote this are just as bad as those poeple who kill nd terrorize
I’m trying to understand this post like a few others, as you don’t seem like an intolerant, narrow-minded person….perhaps you’re making the point that all extreme behavior is abhorrent to you, be it Muslim or “Christian” fundamentalism. Am I right? Help a sistah out here…
What does it say about America and the American people that there is no blacklash against American Muslim’s. To my knowledege No Mosques (sp) have been attacked in the USA nor have angry crowds of Americans started to lynch Muslims. I do not get the point of your post.
To muslimah:
I’m not trying to promote “peace and harmony” dumbass. We will NEVER be able to reason with these people, it has been proven time and time again. You can believe what you want to about me; but I just don’t want anymore of my fellow Americans murdered simply becasue they are American.
http://www.alkhilafah.info/massacres/iraq/index.htm
and i don’t want muslims murdered just because they don’t matter to u as humans!!!!
I am not anti america.. am anti american policy in the middle east!
Muslimah, I’ve got to call you out on this one. I noticed that you IMMEDIATELY brought Israel into this discussion. Let’s be honest now — when you say you are “anti American policy in the Middle East” what you are referring to is the fact that the United States has offered assistance to Israel.
If you’re anti-Semetic, just say it.
And, as for Americans not valuing the lives of Muslims, you’ll recall that one of the last conflicts in which the United States sent its troops was in Bosnia — to defend the rights of MUSLIMS in that region.
That said…people, DO NOT fall into the trap of painting all Muslims with a broad brush. Hating an entire group of people has never gotten any culture anywhere good. You HAVE to look for the good in all people.
I know we’re all frustrated, but there are Muslims out there today — and Muslims yet to be born — who will one day change the face of that culture forever. I am convinced of it.
One can be NOT anti-semetic, and yet still not support America’s policy in the Middle East (i.e. supporting Israel).
Many of my close friends, all of my former college roommates, and the majority of my parents’ close family friends are Jewish, and, although I am not Jewish myself, I am by no means anti-semetic–far from it.
However, I do not support many of Israel’s actions against Palestinians (just as I do not support many of the actions taken against Israel by the Palestinians–however, admittedly, the Israeli’s are the ones with all of the power in this situation, i.e. world-wide support, money, etc.) and therefore do not think that the U.S. should support one side over another in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Merely being against the U.S. actions in the Middle East does NOT make one anti-semetic. Perhaps it makes one pro-PEACE.
thanks susannah for saying what i had in mind!!
the root of all this ..that is happening is religious reasons before it comes to a personal level !!
each side claim they have the right to do so and so…
if u study all religious book u will see that all of them can sound violent and encouraging wars but those books came with prophets to explain them before and we lack them now ..so u can’t judge just one part of it and then say this encourages violence and haterd ..
I am going to post a few scriptures in fred’s style!!!
But being a muslim am going to be accused of many things un like fred here who got cheers !
English translation of
Holy Quran
002 : The Cow
:135
They say: “Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (To salvation).” Say thou: “Nay! (I would rather) the Religion of Abraham the True, and he joined not gods with Allah.”
2:136
Say ye: “We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam).”
2:137
So if they believe as ye believe, they are indeed on the right path; but if they turn back, it is they who are in schism; but Allah will suffice thee as against them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
2:138
(Our religion is) the Baptism of Allah: And who can baptize better than Allah? And it is He Whom we worship.
2:139
Say: Will ye dispute with us about Allah, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and ye for yours; and that We are sincere (in our faith) in Him?
2:140
Or do ye say that Abraham, Isma’il Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do ye know better than Allah? Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from Allah? but Allah is not unmindful of what ye do!
English translation of
Holy Neviim
12:1Deuteronomy - Chapter 011
11:24
Every place whereon the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness, and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the hinder sea shall be your border.
11:25
There shall no man be able to stand against you: the Lord your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as He hath spoken unto you.
Deuteronomy - Chapter 012
These are the statutes and the ordinances, which ye shall observe to do in the land which the Lord, the God of thy fathers, hath given thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.
12:2
Ye shall surely destroy all the places, wherein the nations that ye are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree.
12:3
And ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and ye shall hew dow
Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy - Chapter 013
13:16
thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.
Deuteronomy - Chapter 017
17:12
And the man that doeth presumptuously, in not hearkening unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die; and thou shalt exterminate the evil from Israel.
17:13
And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
English translation of
Holy Bible
King James Version
Book 05 : Deuteronomy - Chapter 011
011:023
Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
011:024
Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.
011:025
There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.
Book 05 : Deuteronomy - Chapter 012
012:002
Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:
012:003
And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.
012:004
Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God.
you don’t judge poeple by who they r black ..white ..christian ..muslim ..jewish ..hindu..
you can’t say all muslims have the tendecy to be terrorists or all jews agree with the goverment of israel or all americans hate muslims..
these statments above are just not right ..there will be only wars and violence if each of us started to label poeple and catogerize them into groups ,,
and you can’t say islam is a religion of terror based on the wrong doings of a group of poeple (be it bin ladin followers)
reading scriptures by themself lead to this hate ..violence and wars ..not understanding the meaning behind every word ..to whom it was directed ..for what time ..
is the biggest problem that created terrorists!
Like some, I’m trying to figure out the nature of this post. That said- my husband fought in Iraq last year, and came home early this year. He’s told some stories, that I’m not going to repeat, but I think Fred’s pictures say it for me…
I believe I get the nature of the post - at least what it means to me. Is the same as what it means to Fred? I don’t know, and it matters little to me. The images contained in this entry symbolize the disease the infects the Middle East. Unless there is fundamental change, images like this will persist.
To “karma” who thought the first picture of this post, the one of President Bush, was the most frightening and will haunt you for years, I say this: What a fucked up world view you have.
I think that becoming/staying a Muslim is a personal choice. When an individual makes the choice to become or stay a Muslim they have made a choice that supports much of the conflict in the civilized world. I can’t support such a faith and our world would be better if these individuals were made outcast throughout the world.