Islam Spread by Compassion

This story really debunks the whole “Islam was spread by the sword” lie. The Rwandan Muslim population 10 years ago was only 1.2% and today the Rwandan Muslims make up 16% of the population. Ten years ago there were 250 Mosques now there are more than 500 Mosques dotting the countryside.

 

More Rwandans Embrace Islam After Genocide

KIGALI, November 9 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Thanks to their benevolent behavior, the long marginalized Muslim community in Rwanda - only 1.2% less than 10 years ago – jumped on the last statistics to represent some 16% of the Rwandan population with a gradually increasing growth rate. The large number of conversion was immediately after the 1994 Genocide.Like many of his compatriots, Isaac, a young stonemason, converted after the bloody events of 1994, when he was a soldier in the Rwandan Patriotic Front, a Tutsi-led rebellion that is now the dominant force in government, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.“I converted after my unit came into Kigali and I saw how many of my fellow Tutsis has been hidden, and therefore saved, by Muslims,” he told Agence France-Presse (AFP) in the populous Nyamirambo district of the capital.According to the current government, up to a million people were killed over 100 days in 1994 during an orchestrated campaign by the Hutu government to rid the country of its Tutsi minority.At the time, about 1.2 percent of the population were of the Islamic faith, which was introduced to Rwanda in around 1900 by Arab traders and translators working with the German military.Others enlarged this proportion to the current estimate of 10 percent as former Roman Catholic Jean-Pierre Sagahutu, who now works as a taxi driver, according to AFP.“I was hiding in a septic tank behind the house of a Muslim called Idrissa. Only he knew where I was. If he had betrayed me I would have been killed,” he said “But he didn’t betray me,” said Sagahutu.

Rwandan children learning Quran.

“I know people in America think Muslims are terrorists, but for Rwandans they were our freedom fighters during the genocide,” Sagahutu added. Many Rwandans can tell similar stories about Rwandan Muslims who largely helped the population.Generally, those who sought refuge in mosques were protected from the government soldiers and militias who sought out and killed Tutsis. “The Catholic church, by contrast, has a sorrier record. There are many examples of mass killings inside consecrated churches and even of collusion between the clergy and the killers,” according to AFP.The U.N. court in Tanzania, trying leading genocide planners and perpetrators, has charged several Christian clergymen.In February, the court convicted an Adventist pastor and his son of genocide and crimes against humanity.

In 2001, a court in Belgium, Rwanda’s former colonial power, sentenced two nuns to 15 and 12 years in jail for their roles in the genocide, AFP reported.

Over a year ago, the Washington Post published a report putting the percentage of Muslims at 14 percent of the 8.2 million people in Africa’s most Catholic nation.

“Human rights groups have documented several incidents in which Christian clerics allowed Tutsis to seek refuge in churches, then surrendered them to Hutu death squads, as well as instances of Hutu priests and ministers encouraging their congregations to kill Tutsis. Today some churches serve as memorials to the many people slaughtered among their pews,” the Washington Post reported on September 24, 2002.

Hijrah Fisibillah… Destination Kelantan, Malaysia

Kelantin a state in northern Malaysia is quite conservative Islamically compared to most of the country. In many parts of Malaysia, especially Kuala Lumpur you hardly know that you are in a Muslim country except for some of the Malaysian women you will see in hijab. In Kota Bharu the main city in Kelantin it is totally opposite, you really feel that you are in an Islamic country. As soon as you arrive you are welcomed by signs that read Welcome To Kota Bharu the Islamic City. There are signs all over that remind you of Allah(ta aala) most of the signs for shops and others are written in local language and arabic. There are many Islamic schools and some are even taught in arabic language, and mosques are everywhere. You will rarely see a women not wearing hijab, and alcohol, cinemas, and dance clubs are not allowed. There are one or two modern shopping malls and and outdoor markets. The checkout lines at supermarkets are separate for men and women.
On the downside Kelantin is a bit of a culture shock and might take some time to get used to. It is not very multi cultural besides some chinese business people. A person could start to feel lonely without others they can relate to and english language although known to some, is not widely spoken like in many other places.

Photos below are out of my hotel windows. The first is of a childrens school across the street with a masjid behind it.

Bel

Below is an outdoor food market.

Below fruit, vegetable, and meat market. This one had someone reciting quran over loudspeaker.

Below State mosque and other photos.

US Soldier Pleads Guilty To Rape and Murder

This was thought previously to have been a sectarian killing untill one of the perpetrators came forward. We can only guess how many cases there really are like this one in Iraq. If the family had not been murdered we would never have heard of the rape, due to the shame it brings. The girls father, mother, and 6 year old sister were also murdered by these animals.

How many Iraqi women and girls are now living with the shame and pain of violent rape commited by the occupiers? 10s of thousands? 100s of thousands?

US soldier admits killing family after raping girl

· Body of 14-year-old was burned to conceal atrocity
· Defendant pleads guilty to avoid death penalty

Julian Borger in Washington
Thursday November 16, 2006

The Guardian

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An Iraqi ID card issued in 1993 to Abeer Qassim al-Janabi. US specialist soldier James Barker has pleaded guilty to taking part in her rape and the murder of her family in March this year, when she was 14. Photograph: Reuters

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An American soldier yesterday pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the killing of three members of her family in a village near Baghdad in March in one of the most brutal examples of attacks on civilians in Iraq.

The soldier, Specialist James Barker, also agreed to testify against three other accused soldiers. He agreed to the plea in return for a guarantee that he would not face the death penalty, his lawyers said.

The murders took place on March 12 in Mahmoudiya, 20 miles south of Baghdad. Prosecutors allege that five soldiers stationed at a checkpoint there raped the girl, Abeer Qassim al-Janabi, then burned her body to hide the evidence, and killed her father, mother and six-year-old sister.

The alleged ringleader, Private Steven Green, was discharged from the army in May for a “personality disorder” before the crime came to light. He is being tried as a civilian in a federal court in Kentucky, and has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder and sexual assault.

The other defendants are still serving in the 101st Airborne Division and are being tried by court martial.

Specialist Barker has told investigators that the soldiers had drunk whiskey and played cards while plotting the attack on the family, and that he, Pte Green and another soldier, Sergeant Paul Cortez, had taken turns in raping the girl. He said Pte Green had shot her and her family.

In an earlier hearing yesterday, the army arraigned Sgt Cortez on charges in the rape and murder of the teenager and the killing of her family. Sgt Cortez deferred entering a plea and a trial date was not set.

The killings have been the most inflammatory of a series of war crimes that have tarnished the reputation of US and British forces. An insurgent group, the Islamic Army in Iraq, claimed to have built a rocket with a range of 12 miles, and named it Abeer after the victim.

The dead girl’s uncle, Ahmad Qassim, told the Guardian last month that he had little faith in the US justice system. “They should hand the criminals to us … they should be tried in Iraq and executed here,” he said. Adnan Janabi, a local leader, said: “A murder can be solved in a local council by money, but rape can only be solved by killing the perpetrator.”

The authorities believed the family were killed by insurgents until a member of the unit involved came forward.

Pte Green’s involvement has raised questions about the army’s recruiting procedures in an unpopular war that has killed nearly 3,000 Americans. He entered the army soon after being arrested for underage drinking and had a record of alcohol and drug abuse.

To make up for a recruitment shortfall, the army has begun accepting a higher number of “category four” candidates who score low on a military aptitude test.

The charges

Specialist James Barker
Charged with rape and murder. Pleaded guilty to avoid death penalty.

Sergeant Paul Cortez
Charged with rape and murder. Deferred entering a plea; trial date yet to be set. Could face death penalty.

Private Jesse Spielman
Charged with rape and murder. To be arraigned in December. Could face death penalty.

Private Bryan Howard
Charged with rape and murder. Yet to enter a plea. Unclear if death penalty will apply.

Former private Steven Green
Charged in a civilian court with murder and sexual assault. Pleaded not guilty. Discharged from army before charges. Unclear if death penalty will apply.

Scott Ritter Describes Israel’s Role in Shaping U.S. Foreign Policy

Three minute video check it out!

The Islamic State OF Iraq Issues Response To… Bush

The Islamic State of Iraq captures 18 Iraqi interior Ministry forces. Click here to read and see photos.

The message below is for information purposes and the words in it are not from this site’s author. The message below is an english translation of the original message posted here to give English speakers an opportunity to read it.

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In mid October an alliance of various Iraqi resistance groups called the Mutayibeen alliance announced the formation of the Islamic State of Iraq under the leadership of Sheikh Abu Omar Al-Baghdadi. After the announcement the alliance held military style parades in some of the towns throughout the areas of their control. They have recently responded to statements made By George Bush that the U.S. will never allow the establishment of an Islamic state in Iraq.

Below is a translation of that response:

All Praise and thanks be to Allah, The Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds. Peace and prayer be upon the Imam of the Mujahideen our prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions.

Oh Nation of Islam! You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind! Be easy for there is good news. Allah has granted us victory and is enabling us by the grace of our Lord who made the best ones, the truthful Sunnis, to lead the people and support the religion.

By the grace of our Lord, who allowed us to pledge allegiance to the Amir of the Momineen (the Commander of the Faithful), the noble Sheikh Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, may Allah protect him, and by the grace of Allah who empowered us to establish the righteous Islamic State of Iraq that will be a refuge for the monotheist Mujahideen. The Dog of Rome “Bush” has said more than once, ” We will never allow the formation of an Islamic State in Iraq …”. What disappointment and frustration he must have!

We promise you, Oh Nation of Muhammed, peace be upon him, that we will massacre the Jews and Christians along with their agents and dogs. Our swords drip with their blood and they will not cool off except in their chests and on their necks. We promise you that we will institute the righteous state in the land of the Rafideen land we will rule the land and people by the laws of Allah.

All praise is to Allah, my dear Nation that your pious sons did not falter, submit or surrender to the immoral infidels, may Allah reward them with the best of good things.

Day after day the victories continue. During this last little period Allah enabled us to kill hundreds of Losers (Americans), national guards and traitor police, all praise and gratitude be to Allah. From the Mujahideen of Mosel to the Murabeteens of Anbar to Diyala and today Talafar rises up with the Mujahideen’s takbars (exclaiming Allah is great). Allah has granted victory over the patrols of the infidels and apostates.

By the grace of Allah, the victories have become widespread; our brothers increased the blessed martyrdom operations, the monotheists in the land of the Rafideen gave reverence and support to the religion without fearing the Mushrikens (polytheists). By the grace of Allah, hundreds of Mujahideen and tribal leaders pledged allegiance to the Amir of the Momineen after the declaration that formed the Islamic State and their numbers continue to multiply, all praise and gratitude be to Allah.

We call on every garrisoned Mujahid to stand steadfast in his Jihad, not surrendering or making peace, and we call them to give pledge allegiance to the Amir of the Momineen Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and to support the new State of Islam. The infidels nations have become feeble and victory is coming soon. The weakness of the crusaders has become clear and is exposed. They must solicit other countries to support them in fighting Islam and the Muslims. We defy them with their own media to show the reality of their defeat and their shame in Iraq

Oh Allah, you are our supporter and we are fighting with your help!

Oh Allah, defeat the U.S.A. and its allies. Make them and their equipment booty for the Muslims, Oh Allah destroy them!

Oh Allah, the sky is yours, the earth is yours and the sea is yours. Oh Allah, drop all their forces from the sky, destroy all their forces on the earth and sink all their forces on the sea!

Oh Allah, retaliate against them, afflict them like you did Pharaoh and his nation! Oh Allah afflict their country with floods, make them needy of money, food and men. Oh Allah defeat them, destroy them, Oh All-Strong, All-Mighty!

Allahu Akbar!

“Honor, power and glory belong to Allah, to his messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites know not.”

Spokesman For The Information Ministry
The Islamic State Of Iraq

Source: KC

Saudi Study: Iraq a “lost battle”

We can undoubtedly call the situation in Iraq a civil war. Fresh reports comming from Iraq state that the sunni fighters are cutting Baghdad from the rest of the country. There are bloody sectarian battles and forced evictions taking place in the towns and villages around and in Baghdad.

The Saudi Arabian government is so concerned about the situation that they are building a 12 billion dollar fortified barrier fence along their border with Iraq.

Damning analysis says all indications point to current state of civil war, disintegration of Iraqi state.

By Stephen Collinson - WASHINGTON

The US war in Iraq is a “lost battle” and the violence-ravaged nation’s “dire” plight seems certain to see it shatter along ethnic lines, an advisor to the Saudi government is warning.

The damning analysis, unveiled in a presentation at a two-day conference on US-Arab relations here, sees violence in Iraq getting worse and alleges large-scale Iranian “interference” there is set to grow.

“It is already a lost battle,” said Nawaf Obaid, Managing Director of the Saudi National Security Assessment project, at the annual policymakers conference of the National Council on US-Arab Relations which ended Tuesday.

The question in Iraq is not “if the US succeeds - it has failed by every single measure that you can think of,” said Obaid, private security and energy advisor to Saudi Ambassador to Washington Prince Turki al-Faisal.

“The failure is only compounded by the fact that we just don’t know what the endgame is.” said Obaid, head of the Riyadh-based independent consultancy which advises the Saudi government.

The presentation was released as debate on Iraq reached fever pitch on the US campaign trail ahead of crucial mid-term elections next week, and as foreign policy analysts here predict a possible change of US direction.

President George W. Bush last week asserted that America is winning in Iraq, where more than 100 US troops died in October, and that political and security progress is being made.

The study concluded that a Kurdish drive for quasi-independence within Iraq would gather speed, as would the insurgency, and Iranian influence in the country could be expected to increase as American influence waned.

Vice President Dick Cheney said in an interview Tuesday violence would go on “for some considerable period of time in Iraq,” but argued progress had been made.

Obaid said in his presentation that the Sunni-led insurgency in Iraq showed no sign of abating, that conditions were being exacerbated by Iranian interference and questioned whether the Iraqi government could bring stability.

“All indications point to a current state of civil war and the disintegration of the Iraqi state,” Obaid said, adding that Saudi leaders had been trying to counter what he said were US misconceptions about Iraq.

“Unfortunately the assessment is very dire, and we don’t think there is a possibility now to avoid a potential disintegration of Iraq.”

The presentation claimed that there had been large-scale “infiltration, funding and arming” of Shiite militias by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Shiite officers with ties to the guard and Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence had also infiltrated newly created Iraqi army and police forces, the report said.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meanwhile Tuesday warned in an interview with CNBC against Iranian interference in Iraq.

Iran “does need to understand that it is not going to improve its own situation by stirring instability in Iraq,” she said.

“It’s going to simply create a neighbor with which it will have problems well into the future. The Iraqis themselves are telling the Iranians that they expect Iran to behave in a neighborly fashion.”

Prince Turki warned at the conference on Monday against a hasty US retreat from Iraq, and warned a formal decision to split the country on ethnic lines would unleash massive ethnic cleansing.

“Since America came into Iraq uninvited, it should not leave Iraq uninvited,” he said.

“To envision that you can divide Iraq into three parts is to envision ethnic cleansing on a massive scale, sectarian killing on a massive scale and the uprooting of families,” he said.

Source: MEO CW