Muslim Faithful Hear Wrathful Prayer

AP/Tampa Bay Tribune ^ | 12-31-04 | RAWYA RAGEH

[veronica]

MINA, Saudi Arabia - The cleric who delivered the sermon Friday at the annual hajj pilgrimage had a simple request: God grant victory to Muslims fighting around the world.

The prayer by Sheik Saleh al-Taleb to 500,000 people in Mecca's Grand Mosque and nearby streets came as the hajj neared its climax.

``Oh God, give victory to the mujahedeen [holy warriors] everywhere,'' al-Taleb said. ``Give them victory in Palestine. Oh God, make the Muslims triumphant and destroy their enemies, and make this country and other Muslim countries safe.

``Oh God, inflict your wrath on the criminal Zionists.''

After the sermon, pilgrims headed to the tent city of Mina, the last stop before they go to Mount Arafat for a day of prayers and soul-searching that is the main ritual of the annual gathering.

Rajab al-Arabi, a Belgian pilgrim of Tunisian origin, said that hearing a Grand Mosque sermon is ``something one wishes all one's life. It's a dream come true.''

But he added that he had expected a stronger message.

``In Belgium, we have Egyptian and Moroccan clerics who freely criticize the hardships of Muslims, which includes the injustice that has befallen Iraq and the occupation it is under,'' he said.

After the sermon, nearly 2 million pilgrims walked and took buses to Mina for a night of rest before heading to Arafat.

Time spent at Arafat, a gentle hill 12 miles southwest of Mecca, is believed to represent the Day of Judgment, when Islam says every person will stand before God and answer for his deeds.

Male pilgrims wore seamless white robes. Women were covered from head to foot except for their hands and faces.

Nigerian Abdul Rashid Gbenga said he couldn't wait to leave for Arafat because ``it is the closest place to God on Earth. ... This is the closest thing to Judgment Day.''

Fatima Farouk, another Nigerian who was performing the hajj for the first time, said that despite the demanding journey, she was thrilled ``because after Mount Arafat, you're almost promised heaven.''

Muhammad, Islam's prophet, delivered his last sermon at Mount Arafat in March 632, three months before he died.

Police were on high alert after six Saudi security agents and a civilian were killed in a shootout with suspected terrorists in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Thursday.

The battle did not mean much to the pilgrims, 500 miles to the west.

They said that they were too overwhelmed by the hajj experience to worry about terrorism.

``These holy lands fill your heart with such genuine emotions,'' said an Egyptian computer scientist, Professor Do'oa Labib. ``I feel that with every step I take, my heart is gradually purified from any blemishes and becomes totally dedicated to God.''

[veronica]

``Oh God, inflict your wrath on the criminal Zionists.''

Ah yes. The religion of...well...you know.

[veronica]

Bump.

[AppyPappy]

Probably taken out of context. < /sarcasm >

[risk]

No words can suffice.

[DoctorMichael]

"....Oh God, give victory to the mujahedeen [holy warriors] everywhere," al-Taleb said...."Oh God, inflict your wrath on the criminal Zionists...."

To al-Taleb: Thanks for reinforcing our views of 'The Religion of Peace'. Keep up the good work.

[tkathy]

If the Pope were advocating murder and hatred of jews, hindus, and muslims, the world wide uproar from the two faced, double standard left can only be imagined.

[Wilhelm Tell]

"These holy lands fill your heart with such genuine emotions"

"Oh God, give victory to the mujahedeen [holy warriors] everywhere"

Hmmm...

[COBOL2Java]

In Belgium, we have Egyptian and Moroccan clerics who freely criticize the hardships of Muslims, which includes the injustice that has befallen Iraq and the occupation it is under

Well of course! Everyone knows that Muslims are miserable if they don't have their mass graves, rape rooms and if their sons don't get lowered into wood chippers, well what is there to live for? Those poor Muslims!

[Ronly Bonly Jones]

Anybody who asks that God destroy the enemies of God had better watch out for incoming lightning strikes.

Or worse.

[OXENinFLA]

``Oh God, give victory to the mujahedeen [holy warriors] everywhere,'' al-Taleb said. ``Give them victory in Palestine. Oh God, make the Muslims triumphant and destroy their enemies, and make this country and other Muslim countries safe."

``Oh God, inflict your wrath on the criminal Zionists.''

--------------------

Hummm, File this under the 'Kill all the Jews and Christians'.

[Diogenesis]

SSDD

[Wumpus Hunter]

If we can put a bomb in a pickle bucket from 50,000 feet, why don't we take out all these a$$holes while they're all in one spot?

[Condor51]

"Oh God, give victory to the mujahedeen [holy warriors] everywhere," al-Taleb said. "Give them victory in Palestine. Oh God, make the Muslims triumphant and destroy their enemies, and make this country and other Muslim countries safe. Oh God, inflict your wrath on the criminal Zionists."

I'm sure positive he was misquoted. After all, we 'KNOW' that Islam is the religion of.... (yawn)

PIECES!! Bwaahahaha!!!!
(had ya there for a minute, didn't I)

[AAABEST]

Instead of praying for God's grace they pray for his wrath on others.

Gee it's so nice to have them as part of the human family.

[kittymyrib]

Lest we forget....thank you for posting these pictures. And millions of ostrich-citizens, including all the democrat candidates, refuse to believe there is a danger to us from these fanatics. UNBELIEVABLE! By the way, doesn't it warm the cockles of your heart to think that the Egyptian computer specialist, who is "totally dedicated" to Allah, may be working on a weapons system for one of our corporations who want to save a buck outsourcing their contracts with the Defense Dept.?

[B Knotts]

Human rights and equality, Saudi-style:

[fso301]

Rajab al-Arabi, a Belgian pilgrim of Tunisian origin, said that hearing a Grand Mosque sermon is ``something one wishes all one's life. It's a dream come true.''

But he added that he had expected a stronger message

Unfortunately, rather than recognizing his empty feelings are due to his participation in a cult, Rajab will return to his home, and re-double his efforts to find a sense of fulfillment and meaning in his cult. He will be told that his lack of fulfillment is due to his spiritual weaknesses and immaturity.

[TheGeezer]

They may as well pray to my sofa for all th good it will do them.

Amen to that!