Beheadings are "peaceful"

As Somali Crisis Swells, Experts See a Void in Aid By Jeffrey Gettleman

Read the Article at NYTimes.com

Once again, a journalist is afraid to speak the truth...

"United Nations officials now concede that the country was in better shape during the brief reign of Somalia’s Islamist movement last year. “It was more peaceful, and much easier for us to work,” Mr. Laroche said. 'The Islamists didn’t cause us any problems.'”

Well, of course they didn't cause them any problems. The radical Islamists are satisfied when they're capable of imposing their ideology upon others and enforcing Sharia law, as they have done for over a decade.

However, one must also ask for whom was this short time span so peaceful?

The ICU (the former political party of Somalia) was the unification of previous Sharia courts, and each ICU member controlled their designated district according to their personal interpretation of religious texts. However, 2 of the 11 courts were reputed as radical (1), one of which was linked to terrorist group Al-Qaeda and occasionally beat people for watching Western movies (2). The ICU also received military training from the terrorist organization, Hezbollah (3). Even a previous New York Times article observed an increasingly radical trend among the politics in Somalia. In the article the journalist relates,

"One Islamic leader in a town north of Mogadishu recently issued an edict threatening that anyone who did not pray five times a day would be beheaded," arguing that “It’s black and white...The Koran says people must pray.” (4).

Proposing to hack a person's head off from their neck because they didn't pray enough is... "peaceful"?

Also, a government founded on Sharia law inevitably restricts the human rights of its constituents, especially those of women. In Somalia 98% of women already are subjugated to human rights violations such as genital mutilation, where their labial folds and clitoris are removed usually by a family member using a dull knife, and without anesthesia (5). Although the ritual has no foundation from Islamic texts, it has become a cultural standard associated with religious obligation. If these women are already suffering now, how much more so would they be as the ICU (the former Islamic political party of Somalia) became increasingly rigid in their interpretations of the inherently sexist passages of the Quran and Hadiths?



Lastly, this group of Islamists might not have bothered the UN during their short reign; however, last year the ICU called for jihad against Ethiopia, who then vowed to "crush" the Islamists (6). The enduring war has entailed steep causalities and a humanitarian crisis, worsened by the fact that those who want to provide aid are fearful of the rampant suicide bombings and assassinations. Somalia, by the way, has a rich history of Islamic assassins murdering anyone, Somalians included, who works within a counter-terrorism network or refutes Muslim beliefs (7).

Ironically (or disgustingly), this whole article is about the humanitarian crisis in Somalia, yet not only does the journalist refuse to identify the jihadists as the catalysts for the worsening conditions there (they were never favorable), he actually includes a quote that represents them as not causing "any problems" and "peaceful." Talk about a spin.


"The United States and Ethiopia, Somalia’s neighbor and rival, quickly labeled the Islamists a threat and accused them of harboring terrorists from Al Qaeda."

Although the journalist implies that Ethiopia hastily (and recently) accused Somalia of Islamic extremism, documents revealing the association between Islamic leaders and Al-Qaeda have been existent for several years. One Somalian Al-Queda member,  Sadiq Mohamed Odeh,  has cooperated with the United States counter-terrorism efforts and admitted training dozens of fighters to battle U.S. and U.N. forces.

He also told the FBI that Al Qaeda worked with the leaders of a Somalian Muslim group al-Itihaad, some of whom are members of the ICU. One member of the ICU actually headed al-Itihaad (8).

Those Ethiopians...according to Gettleman, they're so impulsive! And yet, they prove so accurate! And ironically, the  journalist exposes his own hastiness in assuming Al Qaeda doesn't extend into Somalia, and also his inaccuracy with the chronology of events.

"But the people in Afgooye’s squatter camps do not have a lot of faith. 'We want the Islamists back,' said Mohammed Ahmed, a shriveled 80-year-old retired taxi driver.
Mr. Mohammed said he was not especially religious. 'But,' he said, 'at least we had food.'”

After online research, I found that the economy did improve in the year of 2006 (9), but it also followed the same upward trend that had begun since about 2003. The recent economic collapse because of the war between Somalia and Ethiopia, however, is partially due to the ICU's provocation, so for the journalist to include this quote without a subsequent rebuttal conveys a false sense of prosperity due to the ICU.

It is true, however, that many Islamic groups, such as the Muslim Brotherhood or terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah, often embrace charity as a way to win the "hearts and minds" of the population. They cater to the impoverished population's sense of oppression (while they are in fact oppressing them!), and then offer acutely needed services, such as hospitals or schools. Often, one has to sign pledges before receiving the services, and they are not offered to non-Muslims. This form of propaganda is highly effective at creating a "we" versus "they" psychology, where "they" (non-Muslims) are oppressing us, but "we"-the Muslims- will save you and provide you with services.

These terrorist supporters are "moderate"?

Jordan's Islamists Seek Offices Their Allies Scorn by Thanassis Cambanis

Read the Article at NYTimes.com

Hamas militants in Palestine

Thanassis Cambanis conveniently masks the truth by simply omitting much of it and then adopting a politically correct tone, regardless of its accuracy. This positive picture of the Jordanian political party will not offend the ACLU, nor will the New York Times be bombarded with hate-mail accusing it of discrimination; however, minimal research is required to cloud the sunny portrait given to us in the article. Our country needs to rise from our politically correct media-induced coma and accept the truth for what it is!

"If Islam is the solution as the party's slogan proclaims, and the political system is corrupt, some religious voters wonder why the Islamist bloc should take part in elections at all."

Apparently the IAF has hidden their intentions from both the Jordanian citizens and the New York Times journalist, but I will expose it: THEY WANT TO ESTABLISH A GLOBAL ISLAMIC STATE (aka. a caliphate). If they gain enough power in the Parliament, they would disband it immediately and form a new government, where their slogan "Islam is the solution" would become literally the way the entire government functions. A man cheated on his wife? Well then, the solution is in Islam; he will be stoned to death. A woman was with a man who wasn't her husband or in her family? The solution is in Islam; she will be stripped, her hands bound, and then lashed a minimum of 100 times.

The funny thing is that the IAF doesn't even try to hide the fact that they want to establish an Islamic state. Zaki Saad, the party leader, said "We not only have the right to participate in elections, but to form a government if we win."(1) This is just another case of either a lazy journalist or one afraid to admit the truth for fear of a media and ACLU backlash.


"Yet they also seem willing to set aside the frustrations of their daily lives to cast their votes for a group of Islamist candidates whom they fault at times for not being radical enough."

You can almost hear the reader sigh in relief when she realizes that the Islamic Action Front isn't just another radical sect trying to institute Sharia law or support militaristic jihad in the Middle East. The IAF is just a moderate Muslim political party, tamer than a lamb. After all, they're actually condemned for not being radical enough, and their "quintessential" candidate is a female!

OH WAIT....

You'd never know from the journalist's quote that this political party is sympathetic with Hamas, a terrorist organization that only last November publically urged Muslims from around the world to murder all Americans. In fact, the leader of the Islamic Action Front (IAF) publically stated, "We have a special feeling for Hamas in the face of the Zionist project,"(2) thereby exposing their tolerance of killing civilians. Moreover, it is well known that the IAF believes Israel is a "militant society" (since all Israelis must serve in the military), therefore the murder of any citizen is considered an act of holy jihad.

When asked about their opinions about terrorism, leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood (the IAF is the political branch of the Muslim Brotherhood) stated that they condemn terrorism, but maintain that jihad is a "divine legal right" that can be used to defend himself/his people and spread Islam (3). To me, that response makes it obvious that he believes the murder of Israelis and their supporters doesn't define terrorism. Or, if its a "divine legal right" that can be used to spread Islam, Muslims are justified to utilize military force to crush any opponents of Islam, i.e. to murder non-muslims.

Furthering the IAF's ties with radical Islam is a recent incident where 4 of the 17 members of the IAF serving in the Parliament of Jordan paid their condolences to mass-murderer Al-Zarqawi, a man responsible for gruesome beheadings of hostages and thousands of suicide bombings. Not only did they pay condolences, one even called him a "martyr," while his Jordanian victims in one bombing were "mobs and ignorant people" (4).

Another side note: Al-Zarqawi was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood (5)before he became one of the two most prominent members of Al-Qaeda.

Also, take a look at the Muslim Brotherhood's slogan beside Hamas's slogan; they are identical in content and ordering:


Muslim Brotherhood: "Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. Qur'an is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope."


Hamas: "God is its target, the Prophet is its model, the Qur'an its constitution: Jihad is its path and death for the sake of God is the loftiest of its wishes."


The truth is the IAF is inextricably tied with radical Islam, and with a terrorist organization hell-bent on destroying Israel and their supporters (i.e. the Jews and Christians).


"Ms. Massimi, a mother of five, is the quintessential Islamic Action Front politician: professional, bilingual, capable of both restrained political speech and impassioned religious discussion."

This quote is completely counterfactual,and worse, obscures the plight of women in the Middle East. The only reason the IAF allows women to run for office is because Jordan legally requires at least 6 females in the Parliament, so why not one from their own party? If the IAF gains enough power to alter the government and therefore establish Sharia law, women's rights would inevitably regress to an even further subjugated status. Here's a short list of some of human rights, specifically those of women, that dissolves in "the solution of Islam":

1. Protection from domestic violence

2. Ability to marry whoever you choose

3. Ability to divorce without husband's consent

4. Opportunity to learn in a co-ed environment

5. Ability to leave the home without husband's permission

6. Guarantee of a fair trial (6)


THESE ARE NOT GHOSTS! THESE ARE MUSLIM WOMEN!

Their Silence is Deafening

Ruling Jolts Even Saudis: 200 Lashes for Rape Victim by Rasheed Abou-Alsamh

Read the Article at NYTimes.com

“For a woman to be in seclusion with a man who is not her husband or a relative is a crime in Saudi Arabia, whose legal code is based on a strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islamic law.”


For a country that extols the “separation between church and state,” we’ve remained exceptionally quiet about the danger of Sharia law. A brief description of some components of Sharia law (which is based almost DIRECTLY from religious texts. Do not think for one second this is an inherently peaceful religion):

1. Theft is punished by imprisonment or amputation of hands or feet.
- Quran 5:38: As to the thief, Male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power.

2. Adulterers are stoned to death. In the religious texts, only the female is given the death sentence.
- Sahih Bukhari, Book 82: He said, "My son was a laborer working for this man and he committed an illegal sexual intercourse with his wife, and I gave one-hundred sheep and a slave as a ransom for my son's sin. Then I asked a learned man about this case and he informed me that my son should receive one hundred lashes and be exiled for one year, and the man's wife should be stoned to death." The Prophet said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I will judge you according to the Laws of Allah. Your one-hundred sheep and the slave are to be returned to you, and your son has to receive one-hundred lashes and be exiled for one year. O Unais! Go to the wife of this man, and if she confesses, then stone her to death." Unais went to her and she confessed. He then stoned her to death.

3. Single “fornicators” will be lashed a minimum of 100 Times. In this article, the victim of rape will be lashed 200 times and sentenced to 6 months in prison.
- Quran 24:2: The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication,- flog each of them with a hundred stripes: Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day: and let a party of the Believers witness their punishment.

4. Those who renounce Islam for another religion must die.
-Bukhari, volume 9, #17: Narrated Abdullah Allah's Messenger said, "The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Messenger, cannot be shed except in three cases: in Qisas (equality in punishment) for murder, a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam (Apostate) and leaves the Muslims."


"The woman and the former boyfriend were originally sentenced to 90 lashes each for being together in private, while the attackers received sentences ranging from 10 months to five years in prison, and 80 to 1,000 lashes each.
Mr. Lahem appealed the attackers’ sentences, saying that they were too lenient and that the treatment of the victim was too harsh. In its new decision issued Tuesday, the court increased the victim’s sentence to 200 lashes and six months in jail."

This woman, raped in a society where the victim is also then the perpetrator, is further humiliated and debased, further punished and TORTURED. Where are the democrats who had a fit when Mr. Mukasey refused to condemn waterboarding as torture (thereby subjecting several members of the military to judicial scrutiny) without having full access to top-secret documents? This woman is guilty of nothing more than wanting pictures of herself back from an ex-boyfriend. She’s not a terrorist plotting to kill the infidel, building roadside bombs, or organizing the next 9/11. And her discomfort isn’t “simulated” (waterboarding is “simulated drowning”); it is very real. Where is the left’s tirade of angry protests? Why are they not barraging the government of Saudi Arabia with floods of messages condemning this common sentence as torture, or going to the media as they did with Mr. Mukasey? In fact, where is their condemnation of integrating radical Islamic law into government in the first place? The fact is they’re too oblivious and too politically correct to EVER mention it. While members of the right realize the gravity of the situation in the Middle East, where millions are oppressed and killed in the name of Allah, the left is too busy exploiting issues like torture for political gain. Don’t believe me? Read Marc Santora’s article about it today here. Republicans are depicted with a bloodthirstiness that is quite misdirected.

“Lashing is a common sentence under the Saudi penal code, applied for crimes ranging from homosexuality and drinking alcohol to theft and adultery. Usually, lashes are meted out in increments because offenders could not survive hundreds of lashes at once. The administrator of the punishment is supposed to hold a Koran under his arm so he cannot swing the whip too fiercely; lashes are not supposed to leave permanent scars. The sentence is frequently delivered in public, often at the entrance to a jail.”

I’m totally aghast. The victim will be physically tortured and it will be done in public. This woman’s body was violated and her psyche forever traumatized, yet her naked body will bleed in front of a jail with thousands of eyes around her. The public is also one that will likely ostracize her not only because she spoke to a man that’s not her husband or relative, but also because her rape signifies she wasn't a virgin before marriage. This abhorrent and nauseating patriarchal ideology, probably existent only because of the males’ fragile egos and shortcomings (if you know what I mean), has long been denounced here in the United States as sexist. Yet once again, a complete silence resonates from the “feminists” of the United States, whose agendas have become more closely intertwined with abortion “rights” than actually promoting improvements for the welfare of their sisters.